Home School Day at the TN Aquarium

HOME SCHOOL DAY at the TN Aquarium in Chattanooga
(remember they are on Eastern time)

Our Home School Day this fall will be on Monday, September 28, 2009. Mark your calendars. We are 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.

Prices:
HS Students (on HS Day only) pay:
$6.50 Aquarium
$5.00 IMAX
$10.25 Combination Aquarium and IMAX

HOURS
The Aquarium ticketing center opens at 9:30 a.m. daily (Eastern Time); first admittance to the Aquarium is at 10 a.m. with last admittance at 6 p.m. The Aquarium closes at 8 p.m.

HOME SCHOOL DAY Q&A
1. Do I need to make a reservation to attend?
No. Simply tell our admissions staff that you are a home school family when you purchase your ticket on the day of the event to receive the discounted rate.

2. My entire home school 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.

3. Do I need proof of home schooling?
No. Just tell the admissions staff you are a home school family and we’ll take your word for it.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Are there any education materials available to prepare my child for our visit or to complete as we explore the Aquarium?
Yes! Check out our AquaGuide, AquaQuests, Scavenger Hunts and more on our Downloadable Activities page.

7. 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.

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

for more information about the home school program e-mail brm@tnaqua.org

HS Parents (on HS Day only) pay:
$19.95 Aquarium
$ 7.75 IMAX
$23.95 Combination Aquarium and IMAX

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.)