WAVE on Wheels
We Bring the Aquatic World to YOU
WAVE on Wheels brings the wonder of the aquatic world to YOU through amazing environmental education programs!
At this time, WAVE can only bring animal ambassadors to programs in Kentucky. We are working hard to soon return animal programming in Ohio and Indiana.
You can schedule an engaging environmental education program using the links below.
For scheduling questions, please email registrar@wavefoundation.org or call (859) 815-1441
Preschool & Kindergarten
These 30 minute programs are perfect for little minds and include a read-aloud. We can accommodate up to 30 people in these programs (you may need to request more than one section for multiple groups).
Programs Available
Tidepool School
Crabs and conchs and sea stars – oh my! Connect with creatures that thrive in the rocky and ever-changing environments of tide pools, and learn what adaptations help them survive.
Reptile Roundup
What makes a reptile a reptile? Compare and contrast the different types of reptiles, ranging from snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises.
Silly Stingrays
Students discover how silly stingrays move through their environment differently than humans or other animals.
Shark Sleuths
Put on your detective cap and grab your magnifying glass! Students compare shark species, looking closely at colors and adaptations of Coral Catsharks.
Penguin Pals
Thrill your participants with an African Penguin! Attendees will dive deep into learning about penguin predators, diet, habitats, and natural history.
Grades 1 - 5
Classroom Programs
Connect your older students to environmental education in the classroom! These educational, programs use project-based learning that align with NGSS and OH state standards for science and can accommodate 50 participants for up to 1 hour.
Assembly Programs
Perfect for larger groups looking for a presentation. We are happy to accommodate up to 125 participants (includes school/venue staff). Assembly Programs are 45 minutes – 1 hour in length.
Programs Available
Tidepool School
Crabs and conchs and sea stars – oh my! Connect with creatures that thrive in the rocky and ever-changing environments of tide pools, and learn what adaptations help them survive.
*Only available as Classroom Program*
Reptile Roundup
What makes a reptile a reptile? Compare and contrast the different types of reptiles, ranging from snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises.
*Only available as Classroom Program*
Stingray Studies
Glide into discovery! Learn about stingrays amazing adaptations, how they compare to sharks, and how students can take conservation action.
Shark Conservation
It’s always Shark Week with WAVE! Participants learn about Coral Catsharks, conservation efforts, and how they can take action.
Penguin Pals
Thrill your participants with an African Penguin! Attendees will dive deep into learning about penguin predators, diet, habitats, and natural history.
Middle & High School
Classroom Programs
Connect your group to environmental education in the classroom. These educational, programs align with NGSS and OH state standards for science and can accommodate 50 participants for up to 1 hour.
Assembly Programs
Perfect for larger groups looking for a presentation. We are happy to accommodate up to 125 participants (includes school/venue staff). Assembly Programs are 45 minutes – 1 hour in length.
Classroom Programs Available
Oil in the Ocean
The MV Treasure has experienced an oil spill and need your students’ help to save African penguins. Students will partake in a hands-on lesson focusing on penguin conservation either as a member of the rescue and cleanup team, education team, or communication team. They will present their findings and meet a penguin.
Everglades Exploration
The Florida Everglades is experiencing ecosystem imbalance. Students will work together as four different field researcher teams to explore what is impacting the Everglades and participate in a hands-on lesson to develop possible solutions to the current problems the Everglades face. They will present their findings with the whole group and meet 1-3 reptile animal ambassadors.
Fishing for the Future
Poor fishing practices can greatly impact the health of the ocean and cause flucuations in fish populations. In this lesson, students will learn about unsafe fishing practices and work in teams to explore how to make fishing more sustainable. After creating conservation plans, the teams will share their findings with the whole group and meet a shark ambassador animal.
Shifting Oceanic Tides and Habitats
Many habitats experience destruction, but how can we prevent this? Students will participate in a hands-on lesson by splitting into three groups to learn about different parts of protecting ecosystems from destruction and erosion. After working together to come up with solutions, they will present their findings to the whole group and meet a stingray ambassador animal.
Kelp Caper
Kelp forests and intertidal zones share a unique relationship, but kelp forests are currently threatened. Students will split into different teams to investigate evidence to determine what is threatening kelp forests. After working in their teams, students will present their findings and share their solutions. They will also meet tide pool animal ambassadors.
Aquarium Careers 101
Do you have students interested in working in an aquarium but don’t know where to start? WAVE’s Aquarium Careers 101 program is the perfect way to introduce students to careers in aquariums. From the animal care team to the scuba diving team to the marketing team and the volunteer management team, there is something to peak everyone’s interest! Students will learn about different professions in the aquarium and have the opportunity to ask our educators questions. Meet a shark, stingray, or penguin ambassador animal.
Assembly Programs Available
Shark Conservation
It’s always Shark Week with WAVE! Participants meet Coral Catsharks, learn about conservation efforts, and how they can take action.Stingray Studies
Glide into discovery! Learn about stingrays amazing adaptations, how they compare to sharks, and how students can take conservation action.Penguin Pals
Thrill your participants with an African Penguin! Attendees will dive deep into learning about penguin predators, diet, habitats, and natural history.
Finstitute After-School Program
Perfect for after-school wiggles and day camps! These programs are conservation education and half conservation games that center around an aquatic theme.
We are happy to accommodate up to 40 students at a time.
Check out our Finstitute Page for more details.
Festivals & Large Events
Meet & Greet BoothDo you have an event and would like to connect your audience with animals? We are happy to be one of your stations!
Guests can come up to our table and ask questions about our animal ambassadors. Programs are 1 hour in length. Please note, this is a different format from the assembly programs.
Programs Available
Meet a Shark
WAVE Shark Carts connect visitors with Coral Catsharks. Guests can learn about shark adaptations, WAVE and Newport Aquarium conservation efforts, conservation in the wild, and how they can take action.Meet a Stingray
Yellow Stingrays visit your event in a WAVE Ray Cart! Learn about how stingrays’ adaptations compare to sharks and how to take conservation action.Meet a Penguin
Bring an African Penguin to your event! Guests can dive deep into learning about penguin adaptations that help them survive in the wild.
*Please note: Guests may not touch penguins. Penguins will require 15 minutes to acclimate, then can be viewed for a maximum of 45 minutes, before a 30 minute rest period in a quiet location. Program not available on Wednesdays.
Meet a Tide Pool
Connect with creatures that thrive in the rocky and ever-changing environments of tide pools. Animal Ambassadors might include sea stars, urchins, horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, or conchs.Meet Reptiles
Meet 3 animal ambassadors, and compare and contrast different types of reptiles. Possible animal ambassadors include snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises.Small Community Groups & Senior Centers
For learners of all ages! Guests can ask questions about our animal ambassadors and conservation efforts.
Programs last 45 minutes – 1 hour and can accommodate up to 40 participants.
Programs Available
Tidepool School
Crabs and conchs and sea stars – oh my! Connect with creatures that thrive in the rocky and ever-changing environments of tide pools, and learn what adaptations help them survive.
Reptile Roundup
What makes a reptile a reptile? Compare and contrast the different types of reptiles, ranging from snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises.
Stingray Cart
Glide into discovery! Learn about stingrays amazing adaptations, how they compare to sharks, and how students can take conservation action.
Shark Cart
It’s always Shark Week with WAVE! Participants learn about Coral Catsharks, conservation efforts, and how they can take action.
Meet a Penguin
Thrill your participants with an African Penguin! Attendees will dive deep into learning about penguin predators, diet, habitats, and natural history.