Young people in the Baltimore area, those in elementary school through college, find the National Aquarium in Baltimore to be a wealth of opportunities and resources. The Aquarium’s youth programs provide a continuum of challenges and adventures to motivate and enhance students’ interest in science-related careers.
Henry Hall Program: This program provides exciting excursions and educational and career opportunities to students interested in marine and environmental science. It also offers paid internships for college students to work at the Aquarium and provides one year, $1,000 scholarships for studies in engineering, biology, environmental science and aquatic science.
Aquarium On Wheels: This unique work-study program for Baltimore City and County high school students provides extensive paid job training, life skills and team building. Students develop aquatic themed theatrical presentations and write scripts; create costumes, props, and theatrical backdrops. In the summer, they present their original productions at Enoch Pratt Free Library branches throughout Baltimore. Extensive training from Aquarium staff introduces the students to aquatic organisms and encourages cooperative skills and teaching techniques. The activities are designed to stimulate a lifelong interest in science and have a positive achievement on their character, academic achievement and career goals.
College Internships: College undergraduates gain invaluable experience and earn college credit by completing college internships at the Aquarium. Interns work with professionals in many areas including animal care, capital planning, conservation, development, horticulture, information services, laboratory services, library services, marine education, marketing and public relations. Internships are available year-round.
Student Summer Program: High school students from the Baltimore metropolitan area enjoy and benefit from a summer of sharing in the Aquarium’s mission and its magic. After completing a training course, students work as exhibit guides in the galleries. They encounter people from all over the world, interpret exhibits and teach about conservation. Students who have completed ninth grade and at least one biology course are eligible to apply.
Outreach: It’s a real treat for youngsters from pre-school to sixth grade when the Aquarium outreach staff arrives with animals, artifacts and fun. Activities include squid dissection, building a crab pot like a Chesapeake waterman and touch sessions with live animals. Whatever the class choice–and there are many–all the students learn about the fragility of the Earth and its inhabitants, and the need to preserve and protect natural resources.
Free Visits: Tens of thousands of Maryland children in school groups visit the Aquarium free of charge each year from September until the end of February. They become immersed in the world of water and learn more about protecting the animals that live on planet Earth and the habitats they live in.
