National Marine Aquarium
National Marine Aquarium
Visit the UK's largest aquarium and be amazed at our fascinating underwater world and how we all play a part in conserving it.
Your journey will take you across the world's oceans, from the shores of Plymouth to the coral reefs of the tropics. Our hosts deliver an action-packed talk schedule, including our not-to-be-missed interactive dive show at 2 pm daily.
Education
The National Marine Aquarium was the first aquarium in the UK to be set up solely for the purposes of education, conservation and research. The Aquarium's Learning Programme was conceived and developed by the dedicated Learning Team and local teachers as a way to compliment the National Curriculum, while maintaining a fun, interactive learning experience outside the classroom. We have forged a reputation for excellence in informal education, serving tens of thousands of school pupils each year.
As well as being inspired by the amazing exhibits, we believe students learn best through hands-on experience – that's why we have invested in a state-of-the-art learning centre – the Just Add H2O Headquarters.
The Just Add H2O Headquarters has the following facilities available at the Aquarium:
- The AquaLab for practical group workshops
- A TV studio to produce films
- A library of books, artefacts and loan boxes
- A science theatre to enable students to interact during shows
- Creative Centre, full of artistic inspiration
- Seminar rooms fully equipped to enhance the learning experience
Further details can be discussed on booking your visit.
Other information:
- Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge Holder
- FREE risk assessments for all activities
- Cross-curricular programme
- FS – KS4, 16+ and SEN
- Single class or whole school events
- FREE preliminary visit for teachers
- Pre-visit information with safety notes provided
- Highly professional team, all CRB checked
- There is a dedicated coach drop off and pick up point.
- Secure bag storage.
10 Fun Facts From The Deep
- Thresher sharks have recently been spotted off Pembrokeshire coast, breaching in pods of 500 dolphins
- Lobsters communicate by peeing at each other. They have urine nozzles just under their eyes
- Snakelocks anemones are green because they have an algae (zooxanthellae) inside them
- Spider crabs camouflage themselves by sticking things to their carapace, including seaweed, sponges and anemones
- Mermaid purses are shark eggs! They are laid by some catsharks and rays.
- Blennys can survive out of water as long as their skin stays damp. Being slimy helps them survive out of water.
- All flatfish are born upright like a normal fish. They flatten and slide their eye around their heads afterwards
- Starfish can regrow lost arms, even if they only have a couple left
- Starfish have an eye on the end of each arm allowing them to see light, dark and simple shapes.
- Sea cucumbers eat sand to get anything edible from it. Then they poo out clean sand!