With school back in session, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is re-launching its donor-supported K-12 programs that provide free field trips, outreach education, and online classes to students across Southwest Florida. The diverse curricula offer students education about the amazing world of mollusks, their shells, marine life, and conservation of vital ecosystems.
During the school year the Museum educates more than 10,000 students at over 40 schools in Lee and Collier Counties, and another 1,100 at local camps during the summer months. Most of the time programs are available at no cost to schools or students thanks to donors who support the Museum’s giving program Adopt-A-Class. Adopt-A-Class assures that students at Title 1 schools have access to the Museum’s programs regardless of ability to pay.
K-12 program options include:
- Guided Field Trips: Students meet marine life in the aquariums, explore the Great Hall of Shells, take a guided tour with Museum educators, and participate in a scavenger hunt and other activities.
- Mollusks on the Move: For schools that can’t make it to the Museum for a field trip, marine biologists bring the mollusks to the classroom and provide an interactive experience of live mollusks, shells, games, and artmaking.
- Mollusks Online: Marine biologists bring the wonders of shells and mollusks virtually to classrooms, including octopuses and other marine life.
‘’The new school year is such an exciting time for students and educators,’’ said Associate Director of Education Jorden Falker. ‘’The Museum’s interactive programs are a fun and novel way to teach about science and conservation, and to support students’ learning.’’
To learn more about K-12 programs and Adopt-A-Class, please visit ShellMuseum.org/k-12 and contact Jorden Falker at jfalker@shellmuseum.org with inquiries.