Home School Day

HOMESCHOOL DAY
Our Home School Day this fall will be on Monday, September 29, 2008. We had over 800 home school participants this January, so make sure you mark your calendars for our fall exhibition. We are still offering great discounts for admission to the Tennessee Aquarium, the IMAX Theater, and the gift shops in each facility (See special rates below). Free animal programs will be offered in the auditorium from 11 am to 3 pm and special behind-the-scenes tours will be offered just for that day. So don’t miss this special day of fellowship with other home school students and their families. (To get your discounts, all you have to do is identify yourself as a home school parent.)

Prices:
HS Students (on HS Day only) pay:
$6.00 AQ only
$5.00 Imax only
$9.75 Combo

HS Parents (on HS Day only) pay the General Admission Child rates:
$12.95 AQ only
$6.00 Imax only
$17.95 Combo

Home school students and parents will receive a 10% discount at the Aquarium Gift Shops. Members of the Aquarium who are home school students or parents can receive a 20% discount on this day only. Tickets for a guided behind-the-scenes tour will be available for $5.00 on this special day and must be purchased at the ticket office when you purchase your tickets for the Aquarium or IMAX. (These discounts are only offered during our home school day.)

HOMESCHOOL DAY

1. How much does it cost?
Home school students may purchase tickets at a discounted education rate of $5.75 to the Aquarium and $4.50 for the IMAX. Adult Aquarium tickets are $17.95 and adult IMAX tickets are $7.25. Combo tickets (Aquarium and IMAX movie) are $9.00 per student and $22.95 per adult. Home school students and parents will receive a 10% discount at the Aquarium Gift Shops. Members of the Aquarium who are home school students or parents can receive a 20% discount on this day only. Tickets for a guided behind-the-scenes tour will be available for $5.00 on this special day and must be purchased at the ticket office

2. These rates are normally only available for groups of 10 or more students. Do I have to attend with a group to receive the discounted rates?
No. Families are eligible for the discounted rate only on scheduled homeschool days.

3. Do I need to make a reservation to attend?
No. Simply tell our admissions staff that you are a homeschool family when you purchase your ticket on the day of the event to receive the discounted rate.

4. Do I need proof of homeschooling?
No. Just tell the admissions staff you are a homeschool family and we’ll take your word for it.

5. Can students tour the Aquarium alone?
As with any other education group, we do require that students be supervised by an adult during the duration of your visit.

6. My entire homeschool group would like to attend together. Do we have to make a reservation?
Groups of ten or more students have two choices for Home School Day: making a group reservation or asking each family to pay separately upon arrival. If you choose to pay separately, there is no need to worry about calling ahead to make a reservation or to collect money in advance. If you choose to make a group reservation, one person will represent the entire group and pay for everyone upon arrival. Your group representative will also be responsible for calling at least one week prior to the event to make the reservation, including the number of students expected to attend. When making an advance reservation only, one adult chaperone for every ten students will be given free admission.

7. What education activities will be offered that day?
A detailed schedule of events will be available online soon as well as the day of the event. Feeding dives, behind-the-scenes tours, live animal encounters and other education programs will be offered throughout the day. Educational activities will be available for you to complete with your child.

8. I noticed that you offer other education programs, such as Lunch N Learns and classroom programs. Can I sign up for these on Homeschool Day?
No. Our entire education staff will be involved in presenting a variety of education programs throughout the day. These programs will be offered on a first-come first-served basis. Plenty of opportunities will be available.

9. Are there any education materials available to prepare my child for our visit or to complete as we explore the Aquarium?
Yes! Try our new AquaGuide (pdf). It includes background information about the exhibits and animals, as well as questions to explore as you visit to the Aquarium. Print and bring your own copy if you wish to use it during your visit on Home School Day. We also have fun educational Scavenger Hunts for our galleries throughout the Aquarium. Print them out and take them along!

10. Where do we go for lunch?
No food or drinks are allowed in the Aquarium; however picnic tables are located just outside the Aquarium for your convenience. Coolidge Park is a local favorite – just a quick walk or drive across the river, this park has plenty of green space for picnics. If you’d like to purchase your lunch, a concession stand is located on the Aquarium plaza. Many restaurants are within walking distance.

11. I can’t attend on the date you have planned. Will you hold another Homeschool Day?
We currently offer two homeschool days per year – one in September and another in January. Specific dates will be posted as they are planned.