Program areas at Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
The Maritime Aquarium fulfills its mission to inspire people of all ages primarily through its live animal exhibits that feature approximately 7,000 animals, comprised of about 320 species, including endangered, threatened and protected species. With 75 exhibits, interactive and immersive experiences, touch tanks, and animal feedings, guests can better appreciate The wonders of The rich marine biodiversity of The long island sound The global ocean, and learn how to serve as stewards of The environment. Complementing its exhibits and guest engagement, The Aquarium conducts numerous research and conservation projects with both professional researchers and citizen scientists to better understanding The ecology of The long island sound and to restore its ecosystem to a healthy, sustainable condition. The Aquarium further engages with government and institutional partners to support The local community as a cultural, educational and conservation leader.
The 4d theater offers a sensory-based movie experience for guests to enjoy and learn through The entertaining and educational films that play in The theater. Films cover all aspects of The natural world. The 4d theater also services as a versatile venue for lectures, screenings, presentations, discussions, etc., for The community and for private groups.
The Maritime Aquarium specializes in education programming for science, technology, engineering and math (stem) at all age levels, from pre-k through 12th grade. Education programs are conducted in a wide variety of venues and media: in classrooms at The Aquarium; in schools throughout The state through our traveling teacher program; as part of afterschool and weekend programs, and summer camps; through whole school partnerships; online virtually throughout The world through digital programming; along coastal waterways and shorelines through outdoor programming; on The r/v spirit of The sound, The Aquarium's clean-energy floating classroom. Programs are designed to improve stem literacy at all levels using live animals and interactive experiences in The local environment of The long island sound. The Aquarium has a growing involvement in professional development training for teachers specifically in The area of stem programming.