Please note that Laboratorium Programs are offered only in Russian
Biology classes conducted in the state-of-the-art educational laboratories of the Primorsky Aquarium transform biology into a captivating adventure.
Students will use research-grade microscopes and other modern equipment to get hands-on experience in a variety of biological methods. Laboratorium programs are designed to complement school curriculum, to foster natural science learning and develop scientific literacy in school students.
45 to 90 min
All groups need to book sessions in advance, no later than one week prior to the planned visit.
10 to 24 students
(one adult chaperone per 10 students is admitted for free)
Groups from secondary and technical schools and colleges may visit without purchasing standard admission tickets, as part of the major «“Educational Environment”project, particularly the“Lesson at the Aquarium” program».
Lab session fee: 450 ₽ per person
Purchasing tickets at standard rates is required if the participants of the Laboratorium programs want to visit the demonstration of marine mammals’ skills at the Dolphinarium.
To receive a vehicle access permit for a school bus, send an application with the license plate number of the bus to oceaneducation@primocean.ru no later than 48 hours before your visit. A shuttle bus service is also available as an alternative.
Students will use modern microscopes to conduct an independent investigation of a waterweed (Elodea) leaf and a cross-section of an earthworm. They will master the technique for preparing a temporary slide, gain hands-on skills of operating a light transmission microscope, and do a comparative analysis of animal and plant cell structures.
Grades 5–6
90 min
This session introduces students to the fascinating world of modern microscopy, featuring a real-life electron microscope. Through hands-on investigation of plant cells and star-shaped shells of unicellular organisms called foraminifera, students will develop practical skills using light microscopes with flat field optics and stereo microscopes. This foundational class is the first step to mastering microscopic methods in biology.
Grades 5–6
90 min
Water is the foundation of all life on Earth. Students will investigate its organoleptic properties (smell, taste, color, and turbidity) and develop their skills to assess the quality of natural water. They will be introduced to physical and chemical methods of water purification and learn to compare key parameters of fresh and sea water.
Grades 5–6
90 min
This hands-on lab session will introduce students to the diversity of unicellular organisms. Using microscopes, students will investigate ciliates, foraminifera, amoebae and radiolarians, and discover how the structural features of these organisms are connected to their habitats. Students will master the technique for preparing temporary microscopic slides with live ciliates and gain practical experience in operating two types of light microscopes: stereo microscope and transmission light microscope.
Grades 7–8
90 min
In this laboratory session, students will discover the fascinating world of fossils and explore the critical role of extinct organisms as evidence for the evolution of the organic world. Using specialized equipment, students will conduct an independent investigation, learning to identify different types of fossils and developing the skills to distinguish genuine fossils from ordinary stones.
Grades 7–8
90 min
This lab session offers a close-up look at fish, the most diverse group of modern vertebrates. Students will discover the key morphological adaptations of fish to life in the water and learn about one classification method based on the structure of their scales. Additionally, the session provides an opportunity to conduct an independent ichthyological research aimed at determining the age of fish.
Grades 7–8
90 min
Mollusks play a very important part in human’s life and are studied by malacology, a branch of invertebrate zoology. Students will discover a variety of bivalve species inhabiting Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan, and practice identifying them based on their morphological traits.
Grades 7–9
90 min
Echinoderms are unique marine animals with a peculiar internal skeleton and unusual anatomy. Students will explore the diversity, classification, and morphology of echinoderms. Using stereo microscopes, students will investigate skeletal elements on the surface of the sea urchins’ tests (=shells), examine the structure of these tests, and learn how to distinguish a brittle star from a sea star.
Grades 8–9
90 min
In this session, students will learn how DNA, the fundamental molecule of life, was discovered. They will build their own models of DNA and explore a technology called ‘DNA origami’. They will conduct a lab experiment to extract DNA from cells and will see it under the microscope.
Grades 10–11
90 min
Using modern microscopes, students will conduct independent investigations of the cells of a waterweed (Elodea) leaf, cross-sections of an earthworm, the mycelium of Penicillium, and a bacterial cell preparation. Participants will practice the technique for preparing temporary slides, gain hands-on experience of operating a transmission light microscope, create accurate biological drawings and carry out a comparative analysis of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures.
Grades 10–11
90 min
