Go Behind the Scenes:
OCCC Aquarium Science Program Offers Twice-Monthly Tours
Ever wonder what it takes to care for sharks, jellyfish, corals, and other aquatic creatures? Oregon Coast Community College’s Aquarium Science Program invites you to find out!
The College’s nationally recognized Aquarium Science Program (AQS) is now offering twice-monthly tours of its 10,000-square-foot Teaching Aquarium in Newport, giving community members, prospective students, and marine life enthusiasts a chance to explore one of OCCC’s most distinctive facilities.
Unlike a traditional public aquarium, OCCC’s Teaching Aquarium is a working educational facility where students develop the skills needed to care for aquatic animals and maintain the sophisticated systems that keep them healthy. The facility features more than 16 life-support systems, including tropical reef tanks, a temperate shark tank, jellyfish systems, and exhibits featuring cold-water Pacific species.
Visitors will get a behind-the-scenes look at the equipment, exhibits, and learning environments that prepare OCCC graduates for careers at aquariums, research institutions, hatcheries, and marine conservation organizations around the world. The program boasts an impressive 94% job placement rate within one year of graduation.
Tour Schedule
Tours are offered twice monthly during OCCC’s academic terms:
- First Tuesday of each month: 4:30–5:30 p.m.
- Third Wednesday of each month: Noon–1 p.m.
Please note: Tours are offered only while classes are in session. Visitors should consult the College’s academic calendar to confirm term dates and avoid planning visits during academic breaks.
The tours offer a great opportunity for anyone curious about marine life, interested in pursuing a career in Aquarium Science, or simply eager to see what happens behind the scenes at this remarkable Newport facility.