Sea, Sand and Stars

The Sea, Sand and Stars facility, located on the campus of Orange Beach Elementary School in beautiful Orange Beach, Alabama, features a 5,800-gallon saltwater aquarium, a 1,500-gallon marine life touch tank, an 800-foot nature boardwalk with outdoor classrooms, and a planetarium. It serves Orange Beach Elementary students throughout the academic year, August through May.

In 2024, Orange Beach City Schools was awarded $979,684 in Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GoMESA) funds to revitalize the Sea, Sand and Stars facility. The enhanced center aligns seamlessly with the school’s curriculum, providing enriched learning experiences that deepen students’ understanding of life sciences while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The revitalization was officially completed in August 2025. Beyond the classroom, the facility also serves as a valuable community resource, offering insight into local conservation efforts and the importance of protecting our coastal environment.

The original construction of Sea, Sand and Stars was made possible through the generous support of Brett-Robinson Construction, the City of Orange Beach, and the Baldwin County Board of Education, under the leadership of then-principal Steven W. Baker. More than a decade ago, the vision began as a hands-on learning space where island students could explore the area’s natural resources. With the support of dedicated business and civic leaders, that vision grew into the interactive facility that continues to inspire learning today.