OdySea Aquarium Curriculum

Guests of OdySea Aquarium follow the journey of a drop of water as it falls from the sky and gently flows into rivers and lakes, winding its way to the shore and beyond to the vast oceans. The Aquarium curriculum follows this journey and is divided into the different galleries found at OdySea Aquarium:

1. Aqua Lobby
2. Rivers of the World
a. Freshwater Rivers
b. Rainforest Rivers
3. The Shoreline
4. Bizarre & Beautiful
5. Deep Ocean Theater
6. Jelly Alley
7. Reefs of the World
8. OdySea Voyager
9. Ocean Art

Grade levels for students are divided into academic groups as follows: PreK-K, Grades 1-2, Grades 3-5, and Grades 6-8. At each academic grade level, curriculum lessons are designed to meet AZ Science Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Activities are aligned and include varied levels of difficulty. Teachers should determine the activities that best meet the need of their students.

Choose Your Curriculum

Please select below for downloadable curricula for various grade levels.

Pre K-K

Grades 1-2

1st and 2nd grade curricula include many galleries at OdySea Aquarium, including Rivers of the World, Shoreline, Bizarre & Beautiful, Deep Ocean, Jelly Alley, Reefs of the World, OdySea Voyager, and Ocean Art.

Journey of the Drop of Water: Students will focus on parts of the water cycle and water conservation.

Rivers of the World: Students will understand how rivers are formed and the diversity of life dependent on rivers, such as Asian small-clawed otters, freshwater turtles, and trout.

Shoreline: Students will learn about a popular shoreline animal, the African penguin, and its life on the rocky shores of South Africa.

Bizarre & Beautiful: Students will learn about the various adaptations of octopus, seahorses, crabs, and other animals and how they help them survive.

Reefs of the World: Students will gain an understanding of the components of a reef system and explore reef conservation.

OdySea Voyager: Students will explore the basic anatomy of beautiful fishes in the OdySea Voyager as well as mammals like California sea lions.

OdySea Voyager: Shark Waters: Students will study key curriculum that helps them understand anatomy and physiology.

Journey of a Drop of Water 1-2 Rivers 1-2 Bizarre and Beautiful 1-2 OdySea Voyager 1-2 Reefs of the World 1-2 Shoreline: Penguin 1-2 OdySea Voyager: Shark Waters 1-2

Grades 3-5

3rd to 5th grade curricula include many galleries at OdySea Aquarium, including Rivers of the World, Shoreline, Bizarre & Beautiful, Deep Ocean, Jelly Alley, Reefs of the World, OdySea Voyager, and Ocean Art.

Journey of the Drop of Water: Students will focus on parts of the water cycle as well as natural resources, an will be able to identify renewable versus nonrenewable resources.

Rivers of the World: Students will be able to describe relationships among living organisms in their environment and discuss water conservation.

Shoreline: Students will learn about the anatomy and adaptations of a popular shoreline animal, the African penguin, and examine environmental factors that are lending to its critically endangered status.

Bizarre & Beautiful: Students will explore a wide diversity of marine animals such as lionfish and lobster as well as the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates.

Reefs of the World: Students will explain how organisms use camouflage and mimicry to survive in the reefs and explore the importance of biodiversity.

OdySea Voyager: Students will learn about the adaptations of sea turtles, sea lions, seals, and fish.

OdySea Voyager: Shark Waters: Students will learn the anatomy of a shark and be able to define and understand key terminology.

Journey of a Drop of Water 3-5 Bizarre and Beautiful 3-5 OdySea Voyager 3-5 Reefs of the World 3-5 Shoreline: Penguin 3-5 Rivers 3-5 OdySea Voyager: Shark Waters 3-5

Grades 6-8

6th to 8th grade curricula include many galleries at OdySea Aquarium, including Rivers of the World, Shoreline, Bizarre & Beautiful, Deep Ocean, Jelly Alley, Reefs of the World, OdySea Voyager, and Ocean Art.

Journey of the Drop of Water: Students will explore the impact that climate change has on Earth and explore ideas to resolve global water pollution.

Rivers of the World: Students will demonstrate knowledge of abiotic and biotic factors surrounding rivers, as well as the some of the unique animals that can be found in various river habitats.

Shoreline: Students will learn about the adaptations of and adaptations of a popular shoreline animal, the African penguin, and examine environmental factors that are lending to its critically endangered status.

Bizarre & Beautiful: Students will explore a wide diversity of marine animals such as lionfish and lobster as well as the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates.

Reefs of the World: Students will explain how organisms use camouflage and mimicry to survive in the reefs and explore the importance of biodiversity.

OdySea Voyager: Students will learn about the adaptations of sea turtles, sea lions, seals, and fish.

OdySea Voyager: Shark Waters: Students will learn the anatomy of a shark and be able to define and understand key terminology.

Journey of a Drop of Water 6-8 Bizarre and Beautiful 6-8 OdySea Voyager 6-8 Reefs of the World 6-8 Shoreline: Penguin 6-8 Rivers 6-8 OdySea Voyager: Shark Waters 6-8

High school curricula coming soon.