Tennessee Aquarium Opens S.T.R.E.A.M. Center

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga’s Tennessee Aquarium celebrated the grand opening of its new S.T.R.E.A.M. Learning Center on November 20, 2025, marking a major expansion of its educational programming.

The 4,500-square-foot center brings together the Aquarium’s classrooms, educator offices, and programming spaces under one roof for the first time. 

Students and teachers now have access to three flexible classrooms, a well-equipped STREAM lab, and sensory rooms designed to accommodate visitors with autism, PTSD, ADHD, or similar sensory challenges.

Vivid, floor-to-ceiling murals depict estuary, forest, and ocean habitats, incorporating whimsical animal illustrations and teachable elements, such as a true-to-life osprey nest and non-native species to spark discussions about invasive animals. 

The design of the center was guided directly by Aquarium educators to ensure it meets their programming needs and enhances hands-on learning experiences.

“Our mission is to be able to touch each life they were able to impact on a daily basis. This is what our educators do every single day by connecting people of all ages to water and wildlife through hands-on learning experiences. This new center makes these experiences accessible, engaging and transformative,” said Natali Rodgers, director of learning and evaluation.

The S.T.R.E.A.M. Learning Center was made possible with support from Unum and the American Water Charitable Foundation. 

It provides students and teachers a hub to dive deeper into Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Art, and Math, and serves as a visible, engaging centerpiece for the Aquarium’s educational mission.