Grades 3 & 4

Cost of each 45-minute program is $110 in addition to Aquarium admission. Discounts available for multiples of the same program held on successive hours in the same room: $100 for second; $90 for each additional. Activities are adjusted to be grade-appropriate.

Guided Tour
Students will be guided through the Aquarium's permanent galleries to gain an increased awareness of the plants, animals and habitats of Long Island Sound. NOTE: In October, April, May and June, tours are available only at 9 a.m. and after 1 p.m. Also because of the time needed to give you a great and complete tour, the Aquarium's Touch Tank is NOT included during tours. Please plan to enjoy the Touch Tank before or after your tour.
Standards: CT: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10; NY: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7; NJ: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9.

Focused Tour: Adaptations & Food Chains
This tour starts in a classroom to introduce concepts and vocabulary, and then proceeds as a guided walk through the Aquarium's Long Island Sound galleries. Students are encouraged to share observations and to ask questions about the adaptations and food chains of animals and plants in the various habitats. They learn about the structures and behaviors these organisms use to obtain water, food, shelter and space for survival. Available as 45-minute program ($110) or 90-minute program ($200). NOTE: In October, April, May and June, tours are available only at 9 a.m. and after 1 p.m. Also because of the time needed to give you a great and complete tour, the Aquarium's Touch Tank is NOT included during tours. Please plan to enjoy the Touch Tank before or after your tour.
Standards: CT: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10; NY: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7; NJ: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9.

Life Between the Tides
The intertidal zone is a unique habitat in which organisms have different behavioral and structural adaptations to survive the rising and falling of tides every day. Students will learn about the moon’s effect on tides, as they read a tide chart for the day of their visit and discuss how the organisms depend on the living and non-living features of the environment for survival. And they share observations and ask questions as they notice and handle a variety of live intertidal invertebrates.
Standards: CT: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10; NY: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7; NJ: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9.

Sharks and Fish
Animals have structural adaptations for getting food, such as specialized teeth or a keen sense of smell. Students will work in teams to rotate through stations focusing on the animals’ adaptations and survival strategies, the similarities between sharks and other fish, and conservation issues. Activities include measuring out the amount of food that the Aquarium feeds its sharks, observing physical adaptations of a fish, and touching shark jaws, skin and other artifacts.
Standards: CT: 1, 4, 5, 6, 10; NY: all; NJ: 1, 2, 4, 5, 9.

Squid
Squid have very unique behavioral and structural adaptations for survival, and they depend on living and non-living components of their environment. Students observe and ask about these adaptations and interactions as they learn dissection skills. They also compare and contrast squid with other mollusks, such as snails and clams.
Standards: CT: 1, 4, 5, 6, 10; NY: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6; NJ: 1, 2, 4, 5.

Environmental Issues

These 45-minute programs introduce students to some of the environmental issues facing the world today/ Students learn about many of the impacts these issues have on our climate, wildlife, ecosystems, everyday living and Long Island Sound. Solutions to current issues are discussed. (Many activities relate to state Social Studies standards too.)

Climate Change
Through an interactive presentation, students learn the differences between climate and weather, the basic of the greenhouse effect, and how carbon cycles through the environment. Through discussion and hands-on activities, students discover how climate change impacts our weather, wildlife and everyday living. They'll also brainstorm for solutions that can be implemented in their own lives and communities.
Standards: CT: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10; NY: 1, 5, 6, 7; NJ: 1, 2, 4, 8, 9.

Invasive Species
An ecosystem is composed of all populations that are living in a certain space and the physical factors with which they interact. The introduction of non-native plants or animals can have a negative impact on an ecosystem. Students will take part in fun hands-on activities while exploring the environmental impacts of invasive species that can now be found in Long Island Sound. Students also will learn what they can do to prevent further spreading of exotic species.
Standards: CT: 1, 3, 5, 6, 10; NY: 1, 7; NJ: 1, 2, 4, 5, 9.

Water Pollution
Most precipitation that falls in Connecticut eventually reaches Long Island Sound. This water moving across and through the earth carries with it the products of human activities. With Long Island Sound's extensive watershed as an example, discover the impact of humans on aquatic ecosystems. Students will share their observations as they "pollute" a watershed model, then look for ways to clean it up. Hands-on discovery of basic scientific and ecological concepts.
Standards: CT: 1, 4, 8, 10; NY: 6, 7; NJ: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9.

 

Other options for Grades 3 & 4

Study Cruises. Details ...

Field Programs at the beach. Details ...

Traveling Teacher programs for large groups. Details ...

TMA 2012-13 Resource Guide_.pdf