The Estuarium offers extensive education programming in a variety of estuary and marine topics for PreK through grade 12. Our programs offer students unique hands-on activities and are linked to the STEM standards, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Ocean Literacy Frameworks.

To request a field trip, contact our Education Coordinator. To ensure quality programs, scheduling must be completed three or more weeks before the actual program date.

Meet the Beach Field Trip

Program Length: 90 minutes
Grade Range: K-12th

Visit a local beach during low tide! Students will explore and enjoy the diverse marine life and participate in educator-led activities focusing on the intertidal zone.

Please contact our Education Coordinator for a list of low tide dates and times

COSTS

10 – 20 students: $250

21 – 30 students: $300

*Cost may vary depending on group size.

Estuarium Field Trip

Program Length: 90 minutes
Grade Range: K-12th
Max # of Participants: 30

Experience one-of-a-kind private field trips at our Estuarium location in downtown Olympia. Our customized programs include exhibit time and hands-on activities to instill a greater appreciation for our unique estuary environment of Puget Sound, and promote sustainable behavior.

*Costs depend on group size.

COSTS

10 – 20 students: $250

21 – 30 students: $300

*Cost may vary depending on group size.

 

Animal Adaptations

Bring the Estuarium to your classroom

Grade Range: K – 12th

Staff will bring a selection of our preserved specimens and supplemental supplies to help teach a theme such as climate change, food webs, etc., and students will learn about animal adaptation and how animals are classified. This program is designed for in person classroom presentations.

COSTS

1.5 hours: $300

3 hours: $400

Food Chain Frenzy

VIRTUAL PROGRAM

Program Length: 45 minutes

Explore the Estuarium’s tanks filled with local marine life. Learn more about our animals and see the food chain in action while you watch a live feeding!

Costs

$100.00

School Estuary Kits

The Puget Sound Estuarium has five estuary themed kits for grades for checkup. All kits include enough materials for a group of 30 students and the content is designed for age appropriate learning. The School Estuary Kits support current educational standards (Next Generation Science Standards, STEM Literacy and Estuary Principles & Concepts).

Please visit the school estuary kit page for more information.

To request a field trip please contact our Education Coordinator. Be sure to specify the program you would like to request and how many people will be in attendance.

For smaller or larger group rates, please contact the Education Coordinator.

Important Information

  • The Puget Sound Estuarium can accommodate single-day or multi-day field trip programs.​
  • To ensure quality programs, scheduling must be completed three or more weeks before the actual program date.​
  • Most programs accommodate a maximum of 30 students, plus teachers/chaperones.​
  • We can normally accommodate 1 group (sometimes 2) at a time.​
  • Large groups or groups with longer visits have additional fees.​
  • We recommend a minimum of 1 adult chaperone/teacher for every 5 students for PreK—2nd grade and a minimum of 1 adult chaperone/teacher for every 10 students for grades 3rd-12.​

Cancellation Policy

Scheduled field trips can be cancelled free of charge until two weeks prior to your scheduled date. A $50 cancellation fee will occur if the scheduled field trip is cancelled within two weeks of your scheduled date.