Aquarium of the Pacific (Kenneth Howard)

Author: Kenneth D. Howard

Location

100 Aquarium Way

Long Beach, CA 90802

DIRECTIONS

Directions to the Aquarium from Los Angeles:

• Take the 405 S to 710 S and follow signs

Directions to the Aquarium from Orange County:

• Take the 405 N to the 22 West/7th Street Exit

• Continue on 7th Street for approximately 8 miles

• Turn left on Alamitos and follow the signs

You can also download and print out the map in PDF form: Aquarium Directions.

PARKING

The parking structure for the Aquarium is on the water side of Shoreline Drive between Chestnut Place and Aquarium Way. Parking is $7 for Aquarium guests in both the Aquarium and Pike parking structures when you show an Aquarium ticket stub.

• From the 710 Freeway, follow direction signs to the Aquarium. The entrance to Aquarium parking is on the right on Shoreline just before the roller coaster bridge at Aquarium Way.

• From the south, take Shoreline Drive to Aquarium Way. Left on Aquarium Way. The entrance is on the right 100 feet beyond the dolphin fountain.

• Additional parking: When the Aquarium lot is full, you will be directed to The Pike parking structure. The entrance is on Chestnut and Shoreline, just across the street from the Aquarium's main lot.

Map

Photographs

Topics Addressed

• physical characteristics of marine organisms

• Different kinds of marine ecosystems

• Global Warming and its effect on our ecosystem

• overfishing and reduction in marine diversity

• exploration of estuarine habitats

• avian diversity

• resource conservation and environment protection

• protection of endangered species

• Marine Diversity

Standards

The anatomy and physiology of plants and animals illustrate the complementary nature of structure and function. As a basis for understanding this concept:

a. Students know plants and animals have levels of organization for structure and function, including cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and the whole organism.

b. Students know organ systems function because of the contributions of individual organs, tissues, and cells. The failure of any part can affect the entire system.

c. Students know how bones and muscles work together to provide a structural framework for movement.

Description of the field trip

The aquarium of the pacific is located in downtown Long Beach near the Queen Mary. Its open seven days a week from 9 am to 6 pm. Home to more than 12,500 ocean animals, representing nearly 500 species, the Aquarium celebrates the planet’s largest and most diverse body of water: the Pacific Ocean. Featuring 19 major habitats and 32 focus exhibits, the Aquarium of the Pacific is a world-class aquarium, exploring the waters of Southern California and Baja, the Northern Pacific, and the Tropical Pacific. The students enter the aquarium and are required to visit all the displays. The students are to note the characteristics of organisms in their habitat and the adaptations that make them successful. During the course of the field trip students will observe faunal in the 3 major regions of the pacific ocean. Students will also explore global warming and the problems of overpopulation and how it stresses our planet.

Study Guide

Scavenger Hunt grades 6-8

Questions

1. What regions of the ocean have the highest amount of biodiversity?

2. What type of adaptations do otters have to keep them warm?

3. What is finning?

4. How are sharks critical to marine biodiversity in some aquatic habitats?

5. What is the projected world population in the year 2050?

6. in which countries is most of the population growth occurring, developing countries, or developed

countries?

7. What can you do to reduce pollution?

References and Links

http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/

http://ThankYouOcean.org.

http://www.myfootprint.org/