One of the best parts of homeschooling is being out in the world with the kids really learning and not suck behind a desk. While we have been doing virtual field trips this past week using the National Aquarium webcams in their new exhibit it was finally time to go to the Aquarium and see if for ourselves.
TIP: When going on a field trip prepare for it with research and making a list of good questions you would like to ask and things you would like to learn!
This trip my husband and I took our two middle children on a date night to a members only evening at the Aquarium. It was a lot less crowded than during the day, the cool night air was refreshing after a summer day, and it was a trip we very much enjoyed.
TIP: Memberships have their privileges, many museums and zoos have special events for members that are worth going to!
One of the first things the kids wanted to do of course was see the sharks. My son was sure there had to be at least 10 in the tank because of how many he could see at a time on the webcam. Talking to an aquarium worker he learned that there are actually 20 juvenile blacktip reef sharks.
While my son was loving all the basking sharks my husband was fascinated by the sea angels, the three huge stingrays in the tanks. It is hard to share just how very large they are, but maybe this photo will help. They are larger than most people wing to wing and tip to tip. My husband now wants a tank with a ray in it some day. I on the other hand am happy to simply come watch them at an aquarium! I know he wouldn’t want people do think this way but I can’t help but think of Steve Irwin when ever I see a sting ray, I have deep respect for them and will always give them a lot of respectful space.
