Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is an unforgettable learning destination for children, youth, and adults. Our mission is to provide a top-quality, world-class aquatic life facility that will foster environmental education, conservation, and research, while simultaneously providing entertainment for visitors of all ages.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is the first and only aquatic facility of its kind in Ontario. As such, we intend to provide students and guests of all ages with a wide selection of quality environmental education programs that will enhance their visit experience.
Our suite of school programs offers a range of interactive and exciting options that are designed to meet Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum standards and provide participants with a deeper understanding of the aquatic world and the importance of environmental protection and conservation. Thank you for choosing Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada as a destination for your students.
Are you a low-income school?
Apply for our Ripley’s Sea Scholars class sponsorship program!
Are you a family homeschool group?
Join us for Family Homeschool Days!
Plan
REQUEST YOUR DATE
The Aquarium has limited capacity, particularly for our school workshops. Please have second and third date choices selected as schools are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
CHOOSE YOUR FIELD TRIP OPTION
A self-guided visit gives you access to the Aquarium for the day, including dive shows, touch tanks, and the Discovery Centre.
In addition to a self-guided visit, the Aquarium also offers curriculum-connected programs taught in classrooms as well as throughout the Aquarium. See our classroom workshop descriptions below.
Classroom Workshops are linked to Ontario’s Ministry of Education curriculum and include one or more hands-on activities or experiments and a component of conservation and environmental awareness. Classroom Workshops are 45–50 minutes in duration. Click here to see grade-based Workshop summaries.
The Aquarium has two classrooms that can accommodate a maximum of 30 students. The minimum number of students required to book a workshop is 15.
Tank Talk Programs take place on the floor of the Aquarium at a specified tank. An Educator will facilitate a discussion about the tank and the animals that inhabit it, coach students in a guided observation, and lead a short educational game or activity. Tank Talk Programs are 25–30 minutes in duration.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours teach students about the complex systems that keep Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada running smoothly day to day. Join an educator for a personalized Behind-the-Scenes Tour of our husbandry areas and get a closer look at the intricate systems that filter over 132 million litres of water a day. You’ll learn about what goes into animal care and gallery maintenance in a world class Aquarium facility.
Due to space constraints, students may only participate in one program per visit (i.e., one Classroom Workshop OR one Gallery Program per student).
Plan your arrival and departure
Your program times will be scheduled based on the arrival and departure times you indicate.
Pricing
| Option | Self-Guided | Add Classroom Workshop | Add Tank Talk Program | Add Behind-the-Scenes Tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Whole Aquarium | Aquarium Classroom | Pacific Kelp Exhibit | Life Support, Husbandry Areas |
| Length | Suggested time: Two hours | 45–50 minutes | 25–30 minutes | 25–30 minutes |
| Maximum Students per Session | 250 | 30 | 35 | 15 |
| Style | Self-Exploration | Presentation, Hands-on Activities | Presentation, Artifacts | Guided Tour |
| Price per student | $10 +HST | Add $125 +HST per Workshop | Add $75 +HST per Talk | Add $9.00 +HST |
Organizing Adult Supervisors
The Aquarium requires the following ratio of adult supervisors to students:
- JK to Grade 3 (Primary) 1:4
- Grade 4–6 (Junior) 1:6
- Grade 7–9 (Intermediate) 1:8
- Grade 10–12 (Senior) 1:15
Supervisors are required to actively engage with their students at all times and are solely responsible for managing student behavior. Adults within the above noted ratios are free of charge, additional adults are $30 plus tax (discounted admission only when added to your school reservation).
Admission fees are waived for a support person accompanying a student with a disability.
*Prices are subject to 13% HST. Programs, prices and policies are subject to change without notice. School Group rates are already discounted, no additional coupons, passes or membership discounts apply. Adults within the above noted ratios are free of charge, additional adults $30.00 + HST (discounted admission only when added to your school reservation). Due to space constraints, students may only participate in one program per visit (i.e. one Classroom Workshop OR Tank Talk OR Behind the Scenes Tour per student). Minimum group size to qualify to School Group rates: 10 students (exceptions for special needs students).
Online Booking
Requesting Your Visit
Complete the online request form below.
Have questions? Email education@ripleysaquariumofcanada.com or call (647) 351-3474 Ext 2648.
Confirming Your Visit
Please note that reservations are based on a first-come, first-served basis. Submitting the form does not guarantee a reservation. We will follow up soon to confirm dates based in availability.
If you haven’t heard from the Aquarium within one (1) week of sending in your request, please contact our Education Department at (647) 351-3474 Ext 2648 or email education@ripleysaquariumofcanada.com. Please check your email junk folders for correspondence from the Aquarium.
Payment
Full payment of the amount shown on your confirmation is due upon arrival on the day of your visit. Price adjustments will be made up to two business days in advance of your trip. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and school cheques payable to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. From TDSB Schools only we can accept Purchase Orders (PO number must be received in advance of your visit). We cannot invoice schools.
No refunds for over payment will be made. No additional coupons, passes, or Annual Pass discounts apply. Date modifications are subject to availability.
Cancellation Policy
If your trip must be cancelled due to bad weather, we will try to reschedule your trip, subject to available dates.
Classroom Workshop Options
Classroom Workshops are linked to Ontario’s Ministry of Education curriculum and include one or more hands-on activities or experiments and a component of conservation and environmental awareness. Classroom Workshops are 45-50 minutes in duration.
The Aquarium has two classrooms that can accommodate a maximum of 30 students (accompanying adults depend on student numbers). The minimum number of students required to book a workshop is 15.
Classroom Workshops
Classroom Workshops are linked to Ontario’s Ministry of Education curriculum and include one or more hands-on activities or experiments and a component of conservation and environmental awareness. Classroom Workshops are 45-50 minutes in duration.
Kindergarten: Sensational Sharks
Discover the fascinating world of sharks! Big, small, and even vegetarian, sharks are a very diverse group. Examine shark teeth and a jaw, smell like a shark, and appreciate how misunderstood they are. Make your own shark art to take home.
Best for Kindergarten
Also good for Grade 1
Grade 1: My Own Aquarium
Learn about what animals need to survive and explore the characteristics of an ideal fish habitat, using a home aquarium as a model. Apply this knowledge to craft your own 3D aquarium to take home.
Best for Grade 1: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things.
Also good for Kindergarten, Grade 2
Grade 2: Creatures Undercover
Discover the amazing diversity of aquatic animal bodies. Touch real samples and investigate the advantages for each creature’s survival.
Best for Grade 2: Growth and Change in Animals.
Also good for Grade 1
Grade 3: Amazing Algae & Aquatic Plants
Plants can grow underwater! Dive into the amazing world of algae and uncover the vital role it plays in aquatic environments. Discover how we use algae in our lives every day.
Best for Grade 3: Plants
Grade 4: Watery Web
Investigate the components of an aquatic food web using the diverse faunae of Toronto’s blue backyard—Lake Ontario! Find out about the variety of life living there and how they depend on each other, and how we depend on them.
Best for Grade 4: Habitats and Communities
Grade 5: Deep Sea Divers
Why can’t humans survive underwater? Compare humans, marine mammal, and fish anatomy, and explore the equipment needed for people to “swim like a fish.”
Best for Grade 5: Human Organ Systems
Grade 6: Lake Invaders
Biodiversity is key to a healthy ecosystem. Dive into the Great Lakes and determine how invasive species are introduced into our environments and the devastating effect they can have.
Best for Grade 6: Biodiversity
Grades 6-8: Great Plankton Challenge
Learn about the amazing diversity of plankton in the ocean and the essential role it plays. Find out about the unique challenges these tiny plants and animals face to maintain their position in the water and then try your hand at designing your own perfect plankton!
Best for Grade 6 Biodiversity, Grade 7 Interactions of Environment, Grade 8 Cells
Grades 5-7: Pollution Solution
Explore the effects of environmental disasters on marine ecosystems through a simulated oil spill. Evaluate the efficiency of different cleanup methods, predict the effects of an oil spill on a marine environment, and identify the resulting issues for society. Find the best possible solution for the pollution.
Best for Grade 5: Conservation of Energy & Resources
Best for Grade 7: Interactions in the Environment
Grade 8: What's in the Water?
The chemistry of water is vital to the health of our fish. Discover the steps we take at the Aquarium every day to provide our animals with a clean and healthy environment. Assemble your own filter from the provided materials and experiment to see which group can get their water the cleanest.
Best for Grade 8: Water Systems
Grade 9: Stream Science
Working with household materials to represent benthic macroinvertebrates, sample a stream and assess its health. Compare results from different streams to assess the impact of human activity.
Best for Grade 9: Sustainable Ecosystems
Grades 9-12: Squid Dissection
Explore the effect of the warming Earth on our oceans. Focus on the phenomena of ocean acidification and its impact on marine creatures through a variety of demonstrations and participation in a squid dissection.
Grades 11 & 12: Aquarium Careers
From animal care to education and water chemistry, discover this dynamic field by exploring a variety of careers in Marine Science. Get inspired about the variety of fascinating jobs at an aquarium and perhaps even find your niche.
Behind the Scenes Tours
Additional $9 + HST per student
In your field trip, learn about the complex systems that keep Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada running smoothly day-to-day. Join an educator for a personalized behind-the-scenes tour of our husbandry areas and get a closer look at the intricate systems that filter over 132 million litres of water a day. You’ll learn about what goes into animal care and gallery maintenance in a world class aquarium facility.
Appropriate for students Grade 10-12
Maximum Group Size: 15
