Manchester Township Middle School’s Eco Explorers continued their hands-on environmental learning journey with an exciting fourth stop: a visit to Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach. The trip gave students a closer look at marine life, conservation, and the many habitats that make coastal ecosystems unique.
Students spent the day exploring the aquarium’s wide variety of exhibits, from sharks and colorful reef fish to penguins and harbor seals. Many students took part in the aquarium’s interactive experiences, including meeting a penguin and touching smaller marine life. Those hands-on moments brought classroom lessons about ecosystems, food chains, and adaptations to life.
“Seeing the animals up close and learning from the aquarium staff really brought the science to life for our students,” said MTMS Science Teacher Kristine Laporte. “They asked great questions and came away excited to protect and learn more about the environment.”
Jenkinson’s staff focused on conservation and stewardship throughout the visit, helping students understand not only how species survive, but how human actions affect marine habitats. Presentations and exhibit talks emphasized clean waterways, habitat protection, and everyday actions students can take to help local and global ecosystems thrive.
The aquarium’s mix of marine, coastal, and even rainforest exhibits allowed students to compare local shoreline environments with more distant habitats, reinforcing the Eco Explorers’ cross-curricular goals: science knowledge, environmental responsibility, and critical thinking. Thank you to Jenkinson's Aquarium for welcoming and teaching Manchester's students today during this trip!
This, another unforgettable day, was made possible through the efforts of MTMS educators Susan Morgan (Science), Kristine Laporte (Science), and Michael Balog (Social Studies). The trio helped bring the NJEA–New York Giants partnership to Manchester, earning recognition as Giants Educators of the Week and Educator of the Year. Their honors came with grant funding that launched the Eco Explorers Club, giving students opportunities to study the unique ecosystems of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, explore environmental protection efforts, and connect science lessons about climate change and human impact to real-world experiences.
Students are experiencing powerful, hands-on learning opportunities that connect classroom science with the natural world. The Jenkinson’s Aquarium visit capped a busy season of outdoor learning for the Eco Explorers. With an Island Beach State Park outing, fishing experiences, and whale watching earlier in the year, students are building a strong foundation in environmental science and stewardship. We look forward to continuing these explorations into 2026!