Field Trips
Thank you for your interest in bringing your students to The Living Planet Aquarium for a unique, educational experience! Please read through the information on this page by using the links on the left to learn more about what we can offer for your classroom.
Once you are ready to make a reservation, please use our online reservation request form. Reservations must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance. Please note: In order to qualify for group rates we require a minimum of 15 attending students.
Field trip dates in March, April and May fill quickly so be sure to get your request in early! If you have any questions, please call our education department at 801.495.4448 x210.
Types of Field Trips:
We offer two types of field trips to the aquarium.
Self Guided Field Trips
Our self guided field trips are designed for teachers who would like an un-structured visit to the aquarium. You can schedule a time slot during our open hours to bring your students to the aquarium and explore our wonderful exhibits and galleries.
Please Note: If you are coming for a self-guided field trip you are welcome to download our curriculum based materials and use them during your visit but be aware that these are designed for our "guided" field trips and some grades include set up in our galleries that you will not have access to.
curriculum-based field trips
Our curriculum-based field trips for grades pre-K through 12th grade offer a guided experience with one of our educators. For our elementary field trips, students are transported back in time aboard our Sunken Ship, the Albatross, to an 1840’s shipwreck site along the Florida Keys. The naturalist on board this re-created ship, warmly welcomes students as they become naturalists for a day, helping him or her gather data and research that was lost during the shipwreck.
Depending on the grade level, our guided programs begin with a 15-35 minute education program in our Sunken Ship or Education Classroom and contain materials for the students to help guide their exploration in the galleries. After their exploration, we conclude with a 10-15 minute wrap up session to let your students share what they have learned. Please plan on spending at least 2 hours at the aquarium if you choose a curriculum-based field trip.
All field trips correlate with the Utah State Core Curriculum guidelines by grade level, as well as the National Science Standards and National Environmental Education Guidelines. This integrated, purpose-driven approach provides for a rich and interesting field trip for students of all ages.
Field Trip Reservation Request Form | TopTopics and Grade Levels for Curriculum-Based Field Trips:
Pre-Kindergarten
- Explore how colors help an animal hide in its environment
- Practice counting the hidden animals
Kindergarten
- Engage in role play to learn the ins and outs of fish and how they move
- Explore how shapes and colors provide essential camouflage to help animals
1st Grade
- Build an understanding that maps and symbols are useful tools
- Apply scientific skills to investigate characteristics of water
- Use knowledge of geometric shapes and colors to discover patterns in nature and learn why they are important
2nd Grade
- Discover relationships within ocean communities
- Learn how to do scientific measurements by studying the size of the majestic Blue Whale and slow growing coral reefs
3rd Grade
- Use the phenomenon of tides to learn about the interactions of the Earth, Moon and Sun
- Learn how this “motion of the ocean” has a dramatic affect on the living and non-living elements of marine habitats
- Practice measuring and recording data
4th Grade
- Develop an understanding of the physical characteristics of Utah’s wetlands
- Identify common organisms found locally
5th Grade
- Explore the anatomy of interesting aquatic creatures
- Learn how inherited traits play a big role in the struggle for survival
6th Grade
- Learn how micro-organisms range from simple to complex and how they play an important role in nature in sometimes unexpected ways
- Use a variety of media to explore micro-organisms
Secondary Topics (Please contact our education department for more information about each topic or to request a special topic for your class. Note: If you would like to request a special topic, we will need a minimum of one month to prepare for the field trip. )
- Brine Shrimp/Aquaculture
- Symbiotic Relationships/Food Web Interactions
- Fish Form and Function
- Threatened and Endangered Species/Marine Debris
- Native vs. Non-Native Species
- All of our Saturday education programs can be adapted for your class. Topics include: Sharks, Sea Turtles, Invertebrates, Coral Reefs, Marine Mammals, Aquatic Invaders, The Deep Sea, and Wetlands.
School Pricing Information:
- Please note: Prices below apply to pre-registered field trips. Field trips without pre-registration are subject to regular admission prices.
- All teachers get in free with their classes.
- Student Prices for Public/Charter Schools: $3/student
- Student Prices for Private Schools: $4/student
- Adult chaperones are allowed 1 free adult per 10 students. Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten field trips are allowed 1 free adult per 5 students. Additional adults will be charged $5 (for public/charter schools) or $6 (for private schools).
- A limited number of sponsored field trips are available for qualifying schools. To ask about a sponsored field trip, please use our comment box at the bottom of the online reservation request form.
- The Living Planet Aquarium has a limited number of bus scholarships available! If you would like to apply for bus assistance, please download the application form here. Completed applications can be faxed to (801) 495-4449, attention Director of Education.
All bus scholarships for the current school year have been awarded. We hope to be able to offer this in the future so please continue to check our website for updates.
Education Materials for Curriculum-Based Field Trips:
Prior to your visit to The Living Planet Aquarium you will need to download the teacher guide for your grade level. Each grade has a research document that you should print off for your class and bring with you on your field trip. This essential document is found either in the teacher guide or as a separate downloadable file. You can find the complete instructions for your field trip in the downloadable "Teacher Guide."
Note:Pdf documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and view. If you do not have the reader you can download it for free here. 
Pre-Kindergarten
Student Research DocumentKindergarten
Teacher Guide(Student research document can be found in the teacher guide.)
1st Grade
Teacher Guide | Student Research Guide2nd Grade
Teacher Guide | Student Research Guide3rd Grade
Teacher Guide | Student Research Guide4th Grade
Teacher Guide | Student Research Guide5th Grade
Teacher Guide(Student research document can be found in the teacher guide.)