Immersive, hands-on learning about fish, watersheds, wetlands and aquatic ecology
Our curriculum-based school programs use specialized teaching tools and place-based resources to inspire
curiosity and build students' connections with the world around them.
For the best possible learning experience:
- Programs are based on class sizes of a maximum of 30 people, including students, adult supervisors and teachers.
- Combining classes is not permitted.
- Program itineraries allow time for exploration of the Discovery Centre galleries and Aquariums.
- Full-day programs include a private classroom space for lunch break.
- All programs include a private classroom space for snack break and storing belongings.
2025-2026 School Year Programs
Select from half-day or ful-day school programs designed to meet the needs of specific grades and topics:
Preschool and Kindergarten
Type of visit: Half Day (min 1.5 hrs; max 2.5 hrs)
Cost: $250 per class
Class size: Max 24 students and 6 adult supervisors + teacher
Designed for a relaxed, self-led exploration experience, this package offers a classroom for a homebase, the iconic, guided fish feeding experience, and a chance to explore the Discovery Centre and Aquariums at your own pace. This is the most accessible and flexible of our many program options.
Program theme: Fish & Aquatic Ecology
Type of visit: Half Day (min 1.5 hrs; max 2.5 hrs)
Cost: $295 per class
Class size: Max 24 students and 6 adult supervisors + teacher
Designed for younger fish enthusiasts, Trout Training Camp includes 60-minutes of staff-led activities to complement a half-day visit.
This fish focused program is divided into three 20-minute sections, designed to keep busy little brains engaged and curious. Activities include play-based learning through a trout life cycle story, guided exploration of the Aquariums and the iconic fish feeding experience in the Fish Hatchery.
Grades 1 to 3
Type of visit: Half Day (min 1.5 hrs; max 2.5 hrs)
Cost: $250 per class
Class size: Max 26 students and 4 adult supervisors + teacher
Designed for a relaxed, self-led exploration experience, this package offers a classroom for a homebase, the iconic, guided fish feeding experience, and a chance to explore the Discovery Centre and Aquariums at your own pace. This is the most accessible and flexible of our many program options.
Program theme: Fish & Aquatic Ecology
Type of visit: Half Day (min 1.5 hrs; max 2.5 hrs)
Cost: $295 per class
Class size: Max 26 students and 4 adult supervisors + teacher
Designed for mixed-age groups or older students, this funny, fast-paced, fish-focused program is divided into three 20-minute sections to keep learning fresh and engaging.
Activities include a theatrical Build-A-Trout to uncover basic fish anatomy and adaptations, guided exploration of the Aquariums and the iconic fish feeding experience in the Fish Hatchery to show fish science at work.
Program theme: Life Cycles, Food Chains & Aquatic Ecology
Type of visit: Full Day (min 4.0 hrs; recommend 4.5 hrs)
Cost: $375 per class
Class size: Max 26 students and 4 adult supervisors + teacher
Explore the natural history of the rainbow trout, diving deep into life cycles, aquatic ecology and how we use this science to raise over a million trout each year at one of the largest fish hatcheries in North America.
Using creative, play-based learning, every stage of this program is designed to give students room to engage and explore trout and their aquatic habitats. Activities include a fish feeding experience in the Fish Hatchery, guided exploration of the Aquariums, and outdoor exploration of a riverine habitat.
Program theme: Water Cycle, Watersheds & Aquatic Ecology
Type of visit: Full Day (min 4.0 hrs; recommend 4.5 hrs)
Cost: $375 per class
Class size: Max 26 students and 4 adult supervisors + teacher
Water is on the move, even under our feet! As it cycles around out planet, connecting all things, we can follow its story to understand the science and stewardship of our most precious resource.
Using hands-on science exploration, theatre, games and outdoor learning, take a deep dive into the world of water. Activities include a fish feeding experience in the Fish Hatchery and guided outdoor exploration of the seasonal ecology of the Bow River watershed.
Program theme: Wetlands, Aquatic Ecology & Biodiversity
Type of visit: Full Day (min 4.0 hrs; recommend 4.5 hrs)
Cost: $375 per class
Class size: Max 26 students and 4 adult supervisors + teacher
Wetlands are weird and wonderful places, with astonishing ecology and some of the strangest little creatures you’ll ever meet. It’s an ecosystem so unique, you’ll think you’re meeting aliens!
With sessions in both the field (pond dipping and nature trekking) and in the lab (using microscopes to uncover cool specimen), young scientists will investigate the murky waters of marshes and learn why they are crucial to biodiversity and the health of the planet.
Grades 4 to 6
Type of visit: Half Day (min 1.5 hrs; max 2.5 hrs)
Cost: $250 per class
Class size: Max 26 students and 4 adult supervisors + teacher
Designed for a relaxed, self-led exploration experience, this package offers a classroom for a homebase, the iconic, guided fish feeding experience, and a chance to explore the Discovery Centre and Aquariums at your own pace. This is the most accessible and flexible of our many program options.
Program theme: Fish & Aquatic Ecology
Type of visit: Full Day (min 4.0 hrs; recommend 4.5 hrs)
Cost: $375 per class
Class size: Max 26 students and 4 adult supervisors + teacher
Explore the natural history of the rainbow trout, diving deep into life cycles, aquatic ecology and how we use this science to raise over a million trout each year at one of the largest fish hatcheries in North America.
Using creative, hands-on learning, every stage of this program is designed to give students room to engage and explore trout and their aquatic habitats. Activities include a fish feeding experience in the Fish Hatchery, guided exploration of the Aquariums, and outdoor exploration of a riverine habitat.
Program theme: Watersheds & Aquatic Ecology
Type of visit: Full Day (min 4.0 hrs; recommend 4.5 hrs)
Cost: $375 per class
Class size: Max 26 students and 4 adult supervisors + teacher
Water is on the move, even under our feet! As it cycles around our planet, connecting all things, we can follow its story to understand the science and stewardship of our most precious resource.
Using hands-on science exploration, theatre, games and outdoor learning, take a deep dive into the world of water. Activities include a fish feeding experience in the Fish Hatchery and guided outdoor exploration of the seasonal ecology of the Bow River watershed.
Program theme: Wetlands, Aquatic Ecology & Biodiversity
Type of visit: Full Day (min 4.0 hrs; recommend 4.5 hrs)
Cost: $375 per class
Class size: Max 26 students and 4 adult supervisors + teacher
Wetlands have a reputation for being strange and murky places, with inhabitants that look more like space aliens than earthlings!
Through hands-on investigations, we’ll dive in and meet the alien creatures – invertebrates – who call this ecosystem home. Activities will connect ecological functions, aquatic adaptations, and the astonishing biodiversity of wetland ecology through sessions both in the field and in the “lab”.
Grades 7 - 12
Type of visit: Half Day (min 1.5 hrs; max 2.5 hrs)
Cost: $250 per class
Class size: Max 28 students and 3 adult supervisors + teacher
Designed for a relaxed, self-led exploration experience, this package offers a classroom for a homebase, the iconic, guided fish feeding experience, and a chance to explore the Discovery Centre and Aquariums at your own pace. This is the most accessible and flexible of our many program options.
Program theme: Fish & Aquatic Ecology
Type of visit: Half Day (min 1.5 hrs; max 2.5 hrs)
Cost: $295 per class
Class size: Max 28 students and 3 adult supervisors + teacher
Designed for mixed-age groups or older students, this funny, fast-paced, fish-focused program is divided into three 20-minute sections to keep learning fresh and engaging.
Activities include a theatrical Build-A-Trout to uncover basic fish anatomy and adaptations, guided exploration of the Aquariums and the iconic fish feeding experience in the Fish Hatchery to show fish science at work.
Program theme: Fish & Aquatic Ecology
Type of visit: Full Day (min 4.0 hrs; recommend 4.5 hrs)
Cost: $375 per class
Class size: Max 28 students and 3 adult supervisors + teacher
Using conservation stories from Alberta’s own native trout, explore the fascinating science of ecosystems and conservation of threatened species.
This program is spread out over a full day to allow for site exploration and adequate time to deep dive into the natural history of trout, the science of the Fish Hatchery, and the conservation biology of Alberta’s native trout species. Activities include a tour of the Fish Hatchery and fish feeding experience, and an in-depth outdoor exploration of a riverine ecosystem.
Program theme: Fish & Aquatic Ecology
Type of visit: Half Day (min 2.0 hrs; max 2.5 hrs)
Cost: $295 per class
Class size: Max 28 students and 3 adult supervisors + teacher
Designed for classes will less flexibility to attend a full day field study, this condensed version of Coldwater Case Files includes 90-minute of programming on trout natural history and conservation biology, fish hatchery science and connections between conservation and recreation.
Activities include a tour of the Fish Hatchery and fish feeding experience, and activities in the Aquarium and Discovery Centre. Does not include an outdoor learning component.
Review Program Policies
Prior to booking, review details on payment, cancellation, program capacity and supervision to help prepare for your visit.
Learn more
Request a Booking
Submit a request to book your classes by filling out a booking request form. This form will include collecting contact information, number of classes, students per class and preferred field trip dates.
Bookings for the 2025-2026 school year open Thursday, August 28 at 9:00 AM.
Booking requests sent prior to this time will not be considered. To book your program, please complete a booking request form below.
Book a School Program
More Program Opportunities
In search of programs for a shorter visit or self-led learning? Check out programs and pricing for groups of
all sizes:
Looking for more learning opportunities in your classroom? Check out these program opportunities - available to schools across Alberta:
Updated: Aug 21, 2025