Aquarium of the Bay Field Trip

Mr. Barry's 2nd grade class took a day to visit the Aquarium of the Bay on San Francisco's Pier 39. The enthusiastic group of students, parents and Archway staff got an early start as we enjoyed a ferry ride from Oakland's Jack London Square.

Aquarium of the Bay is unique in that it focuses exclusively on the marine life and habitats of the San Francisco Bay. Two long tunnels surrounded by 700,000 gallons of water set the pathway for the class, while countless numbers of animals including rays, leopard and sevengill sharks, sturgeon, rock fish, stars and anemones swam(or just hung out) and took turns racing over our heads (How many anchovies were there in the school that circled above us, thousands?). Also on display were developing skate embryos we could see inside, and moon jellies from egg to full grown.

Then it was off to the extremely popular touch pools for some hands-on learning. The very friendly smooth-skinned rays and skates popped their noses out at the kids and spent lots of time visiting. The leopard sharks did not show the same enthusiasm, but did stay still long enough for everyone to get a chance to feel their rougher skin. Finally the multi color stars, and prickly sea urchins offered a marked contrast to the squishy sea cucumbers set in a pool with fresh bay water being piped in every few minutes. (Yes, we did check, the water is run through at least 3 filters and no animals were harmed by the recent oil spill).

After lunch near the pier and some time spent admiring, laughing at and imitating the sounds of the local sea lions, it was time to catch the ferry back home.

The study of aquatic life is ever present in Mr. Barry's class. Everyone on the trip appreciated the opportunity to experience it up close.

Photos and story contributed by Lisa Sturges, mom of Jared, 2nd grade.