The award-winning Cabrillo High School Aquarium will celebrate its largest exhibit expansion with the debut of its Tropical Gallery, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22.
The free community event will showcase six all-new exhibits donated by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, each highlighting diverse tropical habitats in comparison to California’s own coastline.
The new gallery will feature marine species never before displayed at the Cabrillo Aquarium, offering visitors an exploration of coral reef ecosystems and tropical biodiversity.
Guests can chat with student docents, tour the updated facility, and learn about the conservation connections between tropical and local marine environments.
“Every addition to our aquarium is a hands-on learning opportunity for students,” said Greg Eisen, aquarium director. “This new Tropical Gallery represents both our students’ creativity and their dedication to marine science.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for helping us inspire the next generation of ocean stewards.”
Founded in 1986, the Cabrillo High School Aquarium is a student-run, cross-curricular program that promotes stewardship of the ocean through project-based learning.
The program welcomes some 10,000 elementary students and visitors each year, and features more than 20 live and static exhibits, all maintained and presented by Cabrillo High students enrolled in the Aquarium Science Career Technical Education (CTE) program.
The Cabrillo High School Aquarium has received statewide recognition for excellence in education, including the Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Museum Education, presented by the California Association of Museums and the California Department of Education.
For more, contact Eisen at cabrillo.aquarium@lusd.org or 805-742-2888.