Besides the interactive watershed exhibit Living Downstream, which all museum visitors are welcome to enjoy, the Academy offers a wide range of water-oriented educational experiences for students.

The Academy's Discovery Lessons are a series of classes given to students in the museum. The lessons include hands-on exploration of museum specimens and often incorporate live animals to add to the interaction and fun. These memorable learning experiences, which range in topic from discovering dinosaurs to endangered species, are enjoyed by thousands of students every year. Take a look at the water-related lessons that take place In the Museum.

An exciting partnership between the Academy and Philadelphia City Sail offers inner city Philadelphia students the opportunity to learn about watersheds by using a sailboat as an outdoor classroom on the Delaware River. Students participate in On the Water activities that include lessons in water quality testing, plankton ecology, wildlife watching, navigation, and meteorology.

The Academy on the Go program brings brings the excitement of a museum visit--complete with specimens, live animals, audience participation and expert naturalists--to you! Take a look at the watershed experiences that Academy educators share At Area Schools.

Many Science Departments at the Academy work with universities to provide undergraduate and graduate students with lab and field experience. Postdoctoral students from around the world come to the Academy to learn from senior scientists while developing their own scientific careers. There are even special programs that offer underserved high school students the opportunity to work Alongside Scientists on water-related research projects.

Staff at the Academy's Estuarine Research Center are every bit as passionate about education as they are about their scientific research. Because the labs are situated right on the banks of the Patuxent River, there are many exciting opportunities for students to get involved in hands-on education At the Chesapeake Bay.

When it comes to learning about water,
what better way than getting your hands and feet wet?