Although the Aquarium is closed for at least three weeks as of December 6, 2020, it continues to offer its Online Academy and has new virtual events for everyone. Below is a list of the Aquarium of the Pacific’s upcoming virtual programming. The Aquarium is asking the public to lend their support to help the nonprofit institution survive and recover from the impacts of the closure. Donations and purchases are needed to help the Aquarium continue its ocean conservation and education efforts and to provide top-quality care for its 12,000 animals. The list below includes both free and fee-based virtual programs.
Weekdays
9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Aquarium Online Academy Classes for Kids
Children of all ages are invited to enjoy live educational programming taught by Aquarium of the Pacific educators. Geared for all grade levels, from preK to twelfth grades, these live classes are offered weekdays at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Topics for younger children introduce basic ocean and animal concepts, while older children can explore topics in marine biology, environmental science, and conservation. No sign-ups are required, and participation is free.
Cost: FREE, no RSVP required
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific’s website
English: aquariumofpacific.org/education/aquariumacademy
Spanish: aquariumofpacific.org/espanol/visita/acuario_lanza_la_academia_en_linea
Info: (562) 590-3100 or the above two webpages
Images for editorial use: available on Dropbox
Friday, December 18, 2020
6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Aquarium Adventures at Home: Animals After Dark
The Aquarium invites the public to join them for a night of fun-filled activities at home, including a live virtual connection to explore the animals after dark. Viewers can discover the unique behaviors of many marine creatures once the lights go out, including expert hunters, animals that build their own sleeping bags, and animals that can put half their brain to sleep. Participants will learn together with their families through a live interactive virtual program with an Aquarium educator and an adventure kit that is shipped directly to participants.
Cost: $70 per family, $50 for Aquarium members
Location: aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/aquarium_adventures_at_home/
Info/RSVP: (562) 590-3100 or the above webpage
Images for editorial use: available on Dropbox
Saturday, December 26, 2020
10:00 a.m.-10:20 a.m.
Virtual Kwanzaa Event featuring Storytelling
The Aquarium’s free virtual Kwanzaa event will stream from the Aquarium’s website and social media channels on Saturday, December 26, at 10:00 a.m. Baba the Storyteller will present the principles and practices of Kwanzaa, and Axl the axolotl from the Pacific Pals, the Aquarium’s puppet characters, will serve as emcee. The virtual Kwanzaa presentation will be viewable on demand immediately after streaming.
Cost: FREE, no RSVP required
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific’s website: aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/virtual_kwanzaa_event/
Info: (562) 590-3100 or the above webpage
Images for editorial use: available on Dropbox
Thursday, December 31, 2020
11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Noon Year’s Eve
You can ring in the New Year with the Aquarium of the Pacific in this family friendly program filled with crafts, animals, and puppets! Viewers can join an Aquarium educator to celebrate the New Year as a family. Participants will have the chance to create a fish party hat, meet an Ambassador Animal, and dance their way to the Noon Year’s countdown with the Pacific Pals puppets! Viewers should make sure to have craft supplies (such as paper, crayons, pencils, markers, tape, yarn, or string) ready to create the party hat for the festivities. This event will be hosted on Zoom and tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Cost: $5 per family
Location: Zoom, link will be provided after registration.
Info/RSVP: (562) 590-3100 or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/noon-years-eve-tickets-131524835323
Images for editorial use: available on Dropbox
Monday-Friday, January 4 to January 8, 2021
9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., and 12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m.
Winter Kids Club
The Aquarium of the Pacific will offer its Winter Kids Club as part of its Online Academy programming on weekdays during the first week of January. This will include the existing Online Academy classes bundled with at-home activities, like scavenger hunts, crafts, coloring sheets, and guided explorations of the Aquarium’s exhibit webcams. Half-hour online classes led by an Aquarium educator for various grade levels will be offered each day throughout the morning. Classes are available for the following grade levels: pre-K to kindergarten, kindergarten to second grade, third to fifth grade, and sixth to twelfth grade. No sign-ups are required, and participation is free. Winter Kids Club is part of the Aquarium’s Online Academy, which offers free live and on-demand educational resources for both kids and adults.
Cost: Anyone can tune in for FREE, no RSVPs required
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific’s website: aquariumofpacific.org
Info: (562) 590-3100 or visit aquariumofpacific.org
Images for editorial use: available on Dropbox
Ongoing free educational resources available on demand include:
Live webcams: aquariumofpacific.org/exhibits/webcams
YouTube videos of classes for kids and adults, Pacific Pals puppet videos, and more: youtube.com/aquariumofthepacific
Academia en Línea (classes for kids in Spanish): aquariumofpacific.org/espanol/visita/acuario_lanza_la_academia_en_linea