STEM Learning

two kids crafting with aquarium educator

Education programs in our community

Aquarium on Wheels

14,710

students at

schools

Were Visited by the Aquarium

Field Trips

83,607

students Visited the Aquarium

13,876

students from  Title I schools

were given free admission

Internships

paid interns across

aquarium departments completing an average of

300 Hours each

Three staff members looking at sample in lab

High Tide Film Festival

film entries from

SoCal high schools

Four African American Scholarship Recipients on Pacific Visions Theater stage.

African American Scholar Program

The Aquarium announced its third cohort of scholars in February 2023.

The ten scholars represent 8 universities, 5 are PhD and master’s students, 5 are undergraduates, and 1 is a former Aquarium VolunTEEN. During 2023, the scholars found engaging opportunities to be involved with Aquarium programs and initiatives that align with their interests, research, and future career goals, such as engaging with early learners at the Family Science Night “Ask a Scientist” booth or connecting with the Aquarium’s Teen Climate Council.

“You can’t pass the torch if the flame goes out! This program connected me to a community that keeps my fire going. Through collaborations with the Teen Climate Council and education department, I grew as a science communicator and artist. Through the scholarship, I aided and led rocky intertidal experiments, which helped me envision myself as a research scientist. This program brought me closer to my dreams of bridging art and science!”

- Jacqueline V. Rajerison, 2023 African American Scholar

Reaching into the Long Beach Community

The Aquarium’s education programs reach students across the greater Los Angeles area, from Bakersfield to San Diego.

While also remaining focused on impacting learners in our backyard. In 2023, the Aquarium provided unique programs to and for Long Beach audiences.

Educator and kids in class holding up hands

About a dozen children form a line outside the Aquarium on Wheels box truck while an educator welcomes them in from the top of the stairs.

Aquarium Provided Programs for Long Beach Community

Bringing science classes directly to 23 Long Beach Unified School District schools and reaching 3,322 early elementary aged students

Hosting 2,135 K-12th grade students for Aquarium field trips

Engaging with 1,200 families, teachers, and pre-school aged students at Family Science Nights

Connecting with over 500 Long Beach high school students through paid internships, youth volunteer programs, attendance at events, involvement with the Aquarium’s High Tide Film Festival, and more

Classroom with teenagers in aquarium uniform smiling in a group

Teen Leadership Programs

The Teen Climate Council and Teen Science Café provide year-long opportunities for high school students, encouraging leadership and active pursuit of creative ideas, partnerships, and innovative projects. In 2023, the teens helped create exhibit signage, produced a short film, and published a children’s book about giant sea bass.

In 2023, 65 teens participated in the Teen Climate Council and Teen Science Café, and 24 are now pursuing a STEM field of study in college.

Group of teenagers in Aquarium uniform in front of Pacific Visions

Teen Climate Council Accomplishments

Group of teens and adults smiling in front of exhibit

Produced a short film, We are Pasifika, that discusses way finding practices of the Kingdom of Tonga

Wrote a children’s book about a giant sea bass, Yutaka Finds a Friend, with illustrations by the Idyllwild Arts Academy Visual Art Department.

Planned and hosted the Teen Climate Fest: Earth Day Edition, an Aquarium festival that focused on sustainable fashion

STEM Learning for All Ages