Education and Exploration at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

By Julia Trotman, Greenwich High School Class of 2026

The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk is designed and well-equipped for an immersive, fascinating experience.

Walking through the aquarium, the staff put extensive effort into the displays that are not only informative but also captivating.

The diversity of exhibits attracts families and groups of all ages, including school field trips, making it a popular destination for learning about marine life and local ecosystems.

The aquarium features interactive exhibits where visitors can safely touch many types of animals, including fish, crabs and jellyfish.

Assisted by staff, the interactive stations provide detailed explanations, creating a memorable experience.

One example of this is the horseshoe crab exhibit, facilitated by Chase Babakian. This exhibit includes an Intertidal Touch Tank where visitors can touch this type of crab that commonly lives in the Long Island Sound.

While working at the tank, Babakian enthusiastically assists visitors and answers questions about the horseshoe crabs. “I love my job,” Babakian said. “It never gets old.”

The seal exhibit features seals doing tricks, eating, and swimming around.

During these presentations, viewers learn about each seal’s age and background, what they eat, and how they are able to learn and interact with humans.

Viewers are also able to participate in a question-and-answer session with the staff members who train the seals. Aquarium staff explain that the seals are trained using positive reinforcement, rewarding them with fish for desired behaviors and encouraging them to continue in order to learn.

With many types of interactive exhibits, the aquarium enriches visitors and imparts knowledge and a greater understanding of animals in the Long Island Sound.

Just like a horseshoe crab could not survive without a healthy ecosystem, the aquarium would not be what it is today without the care and compassion of its staff.