Teachers and Field Trips
Planning your Trip
STEP 1: Select 1st and 2nd choice visit dates*
Allow 2 weeks to process your online reservation; we cannot guarantee a reservation for dates requested within 2 weeks of online form submission.
STEP 2: Meet eligibility and chaperone requirements
- Minimum of 20 students
- Bring the required number of chaperones:
- 1 chaperone per 5 students in Pre-K and K-2nd Grade
- 1 chaperone per 10 students in 3rd-12th Grade
A required chaperone may be a teacher, bus driver, or other school employee, but other adults can be used to fulfill the requirement if needed.
STEP 3: CHOOSE THE BEST EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR GROUP
Enjoy a self-guided tour or add an educational program (see descriptions below). Self-guided trips open to eligible groups 7 days a week; programs available Monday-Friday only.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
While self-guided tours are offered 7 days a week to groups of all ages and learning abilities, we recommend this option for groups with a wide range of grade levels, groups with more than 75 students, and groups with time constraints (e.g. visiting on the weekend or visiting for less than 2 hours). Self-guided tours are ADA accessible.
What will we do?
Explore 100+ exhibits at your own pace and enjoy interactive learning experiences such as touch tanks, feed shows, and dive shows. You can also feed turtles and stingrays by purchasing food at our feed stands (cash only) or at the ticketing office (through your group payment method if you opt to reserve feed cups on your field trip reservation form).
When it's time for a snack or lunch break, visit the Coral Reef cafe (boxed lunches available for pre-order) or have a picnic with sack-lunches brought from home and then have playtime on the playground!
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Behind-the-scenes tours are offered Monday through Friday for groups with 20-75 students.* Students and their require chaperones are given priority to participate; additional chaperones and family members are not guaranteed participation. Behind the scenes tours may not be ADA-accessible; if your groups has accessibility concerns, please note them in the comments portion of your reservation form or contact our education department.
*Due to limited capacity in behind the scenes areas, tours are offered in groups of 25 or less; if your group has more than 25 participants, you will need to divide into two or three tour groups. Multiple tours cannot be given concurrently; please allot time accordingly.
What will we do?
Depending on your group's age/grade level, you will either participate in a tour of our small animal quarantine facility (2nd-6th grade) or a tour of the exhibits and their maintenance areas (7th-12th grade).
SWIM INTO SCIENCE (2ND-6TH GRADE)
See the aquarium through a scientist's lens by venturing to our wet lab where we house new animals and our coral research lab. Learn about animal care, tank and water maintenance, and coral research. Use a microscope to examine biofluorescence in living corals. All participants must be in 2nd grade or older (7+ yrs). Approx. 35 minutes per tour.
THE INSIDE STORY! (7TH-12TH GRADE)
Get VIP access to see where all the marine magic happens! Explore topics in marine ecology, conservation, and aquarium science at some of the aquarium's most popular exhibits and the areas behind them. Groups will even visit the world's largest bull shark exhibit from up above and learn about food preparation in the aquarium kitchen. All participants must be 7th grade or older (12+ yrs). Approx. 45 minutes per tour.
WHo can Participate?
Classroom-based programs are offered Monday through Friday, for groups with students in K-6th grade and have 20-150 students.* Priority is given to students and their required chaperones; participation is not guaranteed for extra chaperones and family members. Our classrooms are wheelchair accessible, but if you have accessibility concerns, please note them on your reservation form or contact our education department.
*Larger groups (75+ students) or groups with multiple grade levels may be asked to divide into two or three smaller groups to receive their program.
What will we do?
SEA TURTLE SCIENCE (k-6th Grade)
Learn about one of the ocean's most charismatic reptiles as we discuss all of the traits and behaviors that make sea turtles so unique. Students will also learn about the major threats to sea turtle populations, and how anyone and everyone can take part in sea turtle conservation efforts. The class concludes with an opportunity to hold and examine shells, skulls, and other bio-artifacts from our sea turtle collection. Program duration: approx. 30 minutes
COMPLETELY CARTILAGINOUS - ALL ABOUT SHARKS! (k-6th Grade)
Take a bite out of biology by attending this program about sharks and their fellow boneless relatives. Students will learn about the challenges and advantages of having a skeleton made entirely of cartilage, and why that makes sharks so unique. We will also cover the major threats to shark populations and the reality about shark threats to humans. The class concludes with an opportunity to hold and examine shark jaws, fins, teeth, and other bio-artifacts from our shark collection. Program duration: approx. 30 minutes
STEP 4: SUBMIT YOUR ONLINE RESERVATION FORM*
*Allow up to 2 weeks email confirmation; receipt of email confirmation is necessary to receive field trip pricing.
STEP 5 (OPTIONAL): PRE-ORDER LUNCH FROM OUR CAFE
Make lunch easy by pre-ordering sandwiches for your entire group to pick-up from our cafe.
PRICING
| Ticket Type | Admission | Admission + Program |
|---|---|---|
| Student | $6 plus tax | $9 plus tax |
| Required Chaperone* (see below) | FREE | FREE |
| Additional Chaperone* (see below) | $10 plus tax | $10 plus tax |
| Additional Child (3-17 yrs) | $6 plus tax | $6 plus tax |
*Your group will only receive free admission for the number of chaperones necessary to fulfill our required student-to-chaperone ratios.
Funding Opportunities
FISH FRIENDS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Fish Friends scholarship fund aims to eliminate the financial barriers to experiential learning by awarding scholarships for field trips.
OKLAHOMA ENERGY RESOURCES BOARD (OERB)
Teachers who are certified through the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB) may request an OERB-funded field trip to the aquarium.
Questions?
Visit our FAQ page, or contact our education department at education@okaquarium.org or call (918) 528-1514.
Please note that field trips cannot be booked over the phone at this time.