Ages 2-5Ages 5-11Ages 12+Group

Big Fish Little Fish

Ages: 2 – 7 years old as of August 31, 2026

Prerequisites: None

Discover the wonders of the bay this winter with your little one! Perfect for curious kids ages 2-5, this engaging program combines hands-on science activities, fun games, creative crafts, and captivating stories. You and your child will explore exciting topics tailored to spark curiosity and inspire learning. While most of our winter classes occur indoors, we’ll venture outside to enjoy the fresh air and nature when the weather allows. Don’t miss this chance to make learning fun and memorable!

1 sessions available

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Apr 02 – May 14, ’26

Thursdays, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Ages 2-5Ages 5-11Ages 12+Group

Homeschool

Ages: 5 – 13 years old as of August 31, 2026

Prerequisites: None

Spring has sprung! With Earth Day approaching, we will spend time diving into the natural world around us and discussing erosion and exploring ways to combat the problem, and visiting local beaches to observe their impact on the environment.  Doing science experiments to discover the greenhouse effect, all while playing games that help connect us back to how to preserve the earth. Each class will have a lesson, hands-on activities, or experiments related to our topics. Ending our season with a jeopardy-style review game, each participant will leave knowing more about the ocean and its inhabitants in every class.

Afterschool

Ages: 5 – 8 years old as of August 31, 2026

Prerequisites: None

We will pick students up from Chandler at 3:25 PM in the DBMS van and then head back to DBMS for a marine science lesson, and an activity or craft related to what we just learned! We change things up every session, so if your child has joined us for an after-school session before, we have a whole new set of activities for this session!

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Apr 29 – Jun 03, ’26

Wednesdays, 3:45 PM – 5:15 PM

Afterschool

Ages: 8 – 12 years old as of August 31, 2026

Prerequisites: None

This school year, we are continuing our maritime adventures program into the Spring! We will pick students up from Alden at 2 PM and return to DBMS for an adventure on the Bay! Examples of activities include sailing on one of our 24 ft Catboats, a field trip to find a geocache at Myles Standish Monument, a skiff ride to the Flats, STEM & engineering challenges, and a marine science lesson! 

Apr 06 – May 18, ’26

Mondays, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Vacation Day

Ages: 5 – 9 years old as of August 31, 2026

Prerequisites: None

DBMS offers half-day vacation day programs from 12:30-3:30 PM for grades K-2. During half-day programs, we pick students up from Chandler Elementary School in our 15-passenger van. Students who attend other schools are welcome to join our half-day programs. We also offer full-day vacation programs from 9:00-2:00 PM for grades K-5. Some of our full-day programs include a field trip component. Please read the program descriptions to learn more about the topic and activities for each program. Each half-day student will learn about a new marine science topic. Weather permitting, students will get out of the classroom for some hands-on fun after the lesson exploring local habitats!

1 sessions available

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May 28, ’26

Thursday, May 28, 2026, 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM

April Vacation

Ages: 5 – 12 years old as of August 31, 2026

Prerequisites: None

This fun and engaging program is designed to keep kids learning during their time off from school with a new, exciting theme each day. Through a mix of hands-on activities, games, crafts, and experiments, your child will explore fascinating topics in science and nature without even realizing they’re learning! The program is designed for drop-ins or the whole week! Each day is a new adventure in science, where learning is disguised as fun! Sign up for one class or the whole week! Topics for this years February Break Include:

Ages 2-5Ages 5-11Ages 12+Group

Ages 2-5Ages 5-11Ages 12+Group

Birthday Party

Prerequisites: None

Birthdays are too fun to spend at home! The DBMS marine science team specializes in marine-themed birthday parties for ages 3-10. With touch tanks, games, and a craft, the kids will be busy having fun and learning. All you have to do is bring the cake – we supply the critters! Birthday parties are 90 minutes long. The first hour includes a lesson on the topic of your choosing, followed by a game and craft. Some topics involve meeting live creatures from our touch tank! The last thirty minutes are for you to open presents and have cake (not supplied by DBMS). The cost is $250 for up to 12 participants. Additional participants cost $15 a participant, with a maximum of 20. Our Marine Science staff must approve dates, and a deposit must be paid before your party date is confirmed. This booking is just a request for the date.

Field Trip

Prerequisites: None

Are you looking to provide an engaging out-of-the-classroom experience for your students? At the Duxbury Bay Maritime School, our Marine Science Lab and waterfront campus provide the ideal setting for immersive, hands-on learning. All lessons are aligned with Massachusetts STE standards to support and enhance your in-class curriculum.

Your field trip includes four engaging, hands-on stations on our campus, featuring experiences such as live animal interactions, scientific discovery, lab investigations, and a boat trip on Duxbury Bay.

Since access to Duxbury Beach is dependent on the tide, the beach component of the trip may occur before or after the on-site stations. Classes will enjoy a guided beach exploration and scavenger hunt focused on local flora, fauna, and coastal ecosystems. When tides prevent beach access, groups may participate in a fifth station at DBMS instead.

With a wide range of thoughtfully designed lesson plans, our staff is excited to inspire curiosity and get your students actively engaged in learning!

Enrichment

Prerequisites: None

Are you looking to bring an enriching hands-on experience to your classroom? Our marine science educators are ready to take our lessons and critters on the road and to your space. Our programs range from 15-minute mini-sessions to full 1-hour classes, and many include the opportunity to observe live sea creatures. Each lesson is rooted in play-based, experiential learning to inspire curiosity and discovery about the natural world, for as young as age 2.