Homeschooling at the Aquarium
Ripley’s Aquarium offers special programs for all home education students along with discounts at any time with appropriate documentation! For everyday homeschool discounts, pre-registration is required!
Click here to fill out the homeschool discount ticket form!
The link above is for reserving homeschool discount tickets only. All homeschool program inquiries should fill out the Request Program Information form.
Need to Know Info
Experiences
Classroom Programs
Homeschool Summer Series
Make this summer unforgettable with our Homeschool Summer Series – an exclusive lineup of six learning experiences designed just for homeschool families!
Go beyond the exhibits and dive into marine science through behind-the-scenes tours, guided dissections, or up-close animal encounters led by our education team. Each session offers a unique opportunity to explore the wondesr of the ocean in an engaging, interactive environment you won't find anywhere else.
Behind the Scenes Tours: June 10 and July 8, 2026
Shark Dissection: June 17, 2026
Sharks Up Close: Tails & Teeth Experience: June 24, 2026
Scales vs. Skin: Reptile & Amphibian Encounter: July 22, 2026
Squid Dissection: August 5, 2026
STEM Workshop: August 12, 2026
Partnering with University of Tennessee’s University of Tennessee's Fiber and Composites Manufacturing Facility department, we are offering an exclusive 3 hour STEM workshop for homeschoolers on August 12 th ! Students will explore the science of sand casting, clay forging, color changing slime, and more!
Spots are limited — reserve your place and turn your summer into an ocean adventure!
September 16, 2026 – Earth Layers/Plate Tectonics
The Earth works like a giant puzzle! Come learn about the layers of the Earth and how these puzzle pieces work together to form mountains, trenches, and more.
October 21, 2026 – Earthquakes/Volcanoes
Let's shake things up! These natural disasters often occur together and can cause a great amount of damage. Learn how scientists collect data to help minimize the impacts from these disasters.
November 18, 2026 – Marine Fossils
We're going to travel back in time and learn more about our Earth's history by studying fossils. Come and discover the ancient marine past of our local area!
*Make your own fossil lab component – see lab requirements below.
January 20, 2027 – Properties of Water
H20! Almost 75% of the Earth is covered by water. In this class, we'll learn all the amazing things that water can do and see some cool experiments that you can do at home.
February 17, 2027 – Weather/Climate
Have you ever wondered where rain, storms, or snow come from? Or thought about the difference between weather and climate? Come and learn the answer to these questions and more as we explore these topics.
March 17, 2027 – Hurricanes
We'll take a quick trip to space in this class as we learn how scientists use satelites to study these massive storms and help predict their paths.
*Hurricane lab component – see lab requirements below
April 21, 2027 – Marine Debris
Did you know that there is a garbage patch the size of Texas floating in the Pacific Ocean? Let's learn how this debris affects the environment and the animals living in it, as well as what we can do to help.
May 19, 2027 – Interconnections
Life on Earth can be connected to form basic food chains as well as complex interweaving food webs. Come connect with us and learn how energy is moved through these systems.
Program Times
Virtual-Grade K-8: 10:30 a.m.
In Person-Grade K-8: 12:00 p.m.
Summer Series K-8: 10 a.m.