Alabama Aquarium Education Opportunities
Boardwalk Talks
The Boardwalk Talk series shares insight to current DISL projects and community awareness. These informal chats encompass a broad range of science topics.
Upcoming Boardwalk Talk
- Date: Wednesday, October 16
- Time: 11:15 a.m.
- Location: Alabama Aquarium
- Speaker: Sabrina Atkinson, Discovery Hall Programs Educator
Citizen science is research conducted with participation from non-professional researchers. It is a valuable tool for some research challenges.
Discovery Hall Programs Educator Sabrina Atkinson details a program she’s taking part in to teach students about citizen science. Their project involves investigating pollution in their home waterways.
Boardwalk Talk Playlist
Excursions
Fun for the whole family!
The Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab offers three excursions for the entire family. The excursions take visitors into the habitats studied by our marine scientists, researchers, and students at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Children 18 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
For questions and reservations: E-mail summerexcursions@disl.edu or call (251) 861-2141 ext. 2127.
DISL reserves the right to cancel any excursion in case of inclement weather or if there is insufficient participation.
Space is limited for all excursions, and reservations are required. Please note that your reservation will not be secure until you purchase your tickets through a link you will receive by email using a code provided in the same email.
Salt Marsh Excursion
Cost: $15 per person
Dates and Times:
- Thursday, September 26 - 9:45 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Friday, September 27 - 2:45 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Friday, October 18 - 2:45 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Friday, November 22 - 2:45 p.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
The salt marsh is a vital habitat for juvenile fishes, shrimp, and crabs. This excursion gives you the chance to become the marine scientist for the day and get an up close look at the inhabitants of the salt marsh habitat. You’ll learn how to collect samples and specimens.
Please be advised that you will get wet and muddy, so you may wish to prepare your vehicle and attire accordingly.
What to wear: Closed toe and closed heel shoes are required. Old tennis shoes that are tight fitting are a great choice. They will protect your feet from oyster shells and the very sticky mud.
Plese be advised that you will get wet and muddy, so, you may wish to prepare your vehicle accordingly.
What to bring: hat, sunscreen, water bottle, change of clothes and shoes, bag for muddy items.
Beach, Dune, and Maritime Forest Excursion
Cost: $15 per person
Dates and Times:
- Thursday, October 3 - 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
- Thursday, November 14 - 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
- Thursday, December 5 - 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Location: Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
On this excursion you will walk through the maritime forest, then on to the dunes and beach. You will learn about native plants and the benefits of an intact dune system. You’ll see many coastal animals and even dig for mole and ghost crabs. You will get to use nets and critter catchers to get an up close look at any creatures that you might come across.
What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes for the beach and forest. Light-weight clothes for hot summer temperatures. If you’re eager to get wet, feel free to dress accordingly, though getting wet can be avoided.
What to bring: hat, sunscreen, water bottle, bug spray, change of clothes and shoes, bag for wet items.
Research Vessel Excursion
Cost: $30 per person
Dates and Times:
- Friday, September 6 - 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturday, September 28 - 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Friday, October 11 - 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Friday, October 25 - 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Friday, November 8 - 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Friday, December 13 - 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Join a professional Dauphin Island Sea Lab Educator for a two-hour boat trip in the waters surrounding Dauphin Island. Here you will learn about the diverse environment and animals around Mobile Bay. Our captain will do a short trawl to produce a sampling of animals that live in Mobile Bay.
Children from 8 to 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for their supervision and safety. Children younger than 8 are not permitted on this excursion.
What to wear: Proper footwear is required for your safety. Wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes. Please note that you will not be allowed to board the vessel without proper footwear. Layers are advised for variable weather conditions.
What to bring: Hat, sunscreen, water bottle, binoculars, snack, camera, your curiosity.
DISL Research Lab Guided Tour
Cost: $10 per person, ages 2 and up. Under 2 years, free. (This ticket comes with a $2.00 discount on Alabama Aquarium admission. Look for the coupon code on your ticket, which you will receive via email.)
Dates & Times:
- Friday, September 6 - 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Friday, September 27 - 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Friday, October 4 - 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Thursday, October 17 - 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Friday, October 25 - 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Friday, November 8 - 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Friday, November 22 - 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Thursday, December 5 - 1:45 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- Friday, December 13 - 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Recommended for ages 12 & up. Children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Space is limited, and reservations are required.
Did you know that the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is the home campus of nearly 20 research labs, run by scientists studying a broad diversity of topics, from deep sea bacteria to hurricanes to manatees, and much more? Get a behind-the-scenes look at the research labs of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab! With a notable one-day exception, these areas are not open to the public, so this is a unique opportunity to see Sea Lab scientists at work. Learn about current research projects, methods, and technologies.
Meet at the Alabama Aquarium, then take a walking tour of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s on-campus research areas.
What to wear/bring: This tour will take you inside and outside, walking short distances between buildings. Paths may cross parking lots, grassy or sandy areas. Dress and choose footwear for your comfort.
DISL reserves the right to cancel in case of inclement weather or if there is insufficient participation.
Ask the Aquarist
Alabama Aquarium Curriculum
Please note that curricula are being updated to align with content updates to the Alabama Aquarium and Alabama Course of Study Standards. Updates will be posted in phases. The most recent version can be found here.
For the Students:
These worksheets are created for the students based on the exhibits in the Alabama Aquarium.
For the Teachers:
These curriculum keys provide the answers to the student worksheets.