AquaPartners is a standards-based, cross-curricular Chesapeake Bay program for elementary schools. The program targets fourth- and fifth-grade students. The AquaPartners program features in-school large group programs, hands-on lab investigations, field experiences in local ecosystems, and teacher professional development.
Activities
- Interactive theater programs and hands-on science laboratories for all the fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms
- Field study trips to Fort McHenry (fourth grade) and Sandy Point State Park (fifth grade)
- Professional development for fourth- and fifth-grade teachers each summer
- Complete set of pre- and post-activities for each phase of the program
- Invitation to a special Family Night at the Aquarium
All activities and materials are correlated with the Maryland State Voluntary Curriculum. High-quality professional development accredited by MSDE.
Benefits
Students
- Significantly increase their knowledge about the Chesapeake Bay
- Improve environmental stewardship attitudes toward the Bay.
Teachers
- Increase content knowledge in science
- Increase their confidence teaching science in the classroom.
Schools
- Meet Maryland Green Schools Award criteria
- Align with state environmental literacy goals.
AquaPartners is open to any public or private school within one hour's travel time from the Aquarium.
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Cost
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Per school: |
Contact outreach office: 410-576-8799 or dchristopher@aqua.org. |
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Per student: |
Contact outreach office: 410-576-8799 or dchristopher@aqua.org. |
Includes
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Fourth grade: |
The Waterman Auditorium Presentation (1 hour per class) and Discovery Lab (1 hour per class), and Trash in a Marsh Lab (1 hour per class) at your school, plus the field trip to Fort McHenry Field Station (full day) |
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Fifth grade: |
The Oyster Reef Auditorium Presentation (1 hour per class) and Discovery Lab (1 hour per class), and Chesapeake Bay Explorations Lab (1 hour per class) at your school, Aquarium admission to Family Night for students and their families, plus the field trip to Sandy Point State Park (full day) |
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Teachers: |
Stipends, snacks, resource materials, and registration for the five-day Summer Institute |
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Families: |
Aquarium admission to Family Night for fifth-grade students and their families |
Potential Funding Opportunities
AquaPartners schools are eligible to apply for a grant to the Chesapeake Bay Trust to cover some of the costs of the program. The Aquarium will provide grant-writing training. Funding is not guaranteed, however.
Review and download additional resources to help you learn more about AquaPartners:
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Downloads
Detailed program descriptions, evaluation reports, and teacher curriculum manual:
» AquaPartners Program Details 
(PDF)
A guide to the AquaPartners program.
» Research Results (PDF)
Review research results for the AquaPartners program.
» Teacher Manual (PDF)
Download this Teacher's Manual to prepare for the AquaPartners program.
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More Resources
» Chesapeake Bay Trust 
(Web link)
