Learning Resources
Learning extends far beyond our exhibits. As Los Angeles' premier teaching aquarium, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is committed to empowering educators with the knowledge, tools, and experiences they need to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards. Our Educator Workshops and Ocean Discovery Kits provide engaging, hands-on resources that bring marine science to life, helping learners explore local habitats, discover incredible marine life, and better understand our changing ocean.
Download our yearly Education Poster 2025-2026 - Green Sea Turtle.
Educator Workshops
Inspire curiosity. Build confidence. Bring the ocean into your teaching.
Whether you're a classroom teacher, informal educator, or homeschool instructor, our Educator Workshops are designed to deepen your understanding of marine science while providing engaging, hands-on strategies you can use with your learners. Throughout the school year, explore Southern California's coastal habitats, discover fascinating marine life, and examine current environmental issues alongside Aquarium educators. Each workshop offers fresh content, practical resources, and interactive experiences that you can take back to your classroom, program, or community.
All workshops are free. Space is limited - Reservations are required. Please register at: Educator Workshops Reservation Form.
| August 22, 2026 | Educator Open House |
| September 5, 2026 | Ocean Discovery Kits |
| Fall Date TBD | Tidepools for Teachers |
| Spring Date TBD | Inquiry and Art Studio: Building Towards Earth Day |
For more information and/or to be added to our mailing list please contact: teacher.workshop@cmaqua.org.
Looking for more? Visit our School Programs Page.
Ocean Discovery Kits
The learning doesn't have to end when your field trip does! Bring Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's ocean expertise into your classroom with our Ocean Discovery Kits.
Designed to support NGSS, each themed kit is filled with preserved specimens, bones, books, models, and hands-on lesson plans that make marine science come alive. Teachers and nonprofit educators who complete our annual Ocean Discovery Kit Workshop are eligible to borrow up to two kits each school year for two weeks at a time. The workshop is also approved for four hours of professional development through LAUSD's Joint Salary Point Credit Committee.
All workshops are free. Space is limited - Reservations are required. Please register at: Educator Workshops Reservation Form.
September 5, 2026 Ocean Discovery Kits
The Ocean Discovery Kits consist of themed boxes. Each kit is packed with preserved specimens, bones, books, models and a resource guide that includes lesson plans and hands-on classroom activities.
There are eight Ocean Discovery Kits to choose from:
- Marine Fossils & Sand
- Plankton & Algae
- Marine Invertebrates
- Sharks, Skates & Rays
- Bony Fishes
- Marine Birds & Reptiles
- Marine Mammals
- Ocean Stewardship