EDUCATION PROGRAMS
👋 Say hello to a manatee
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Whether you’re a classroom, homeschool group, hospital, corporate team, lifelong learner, scout group, or birthday party, our Wonderful Animal Virtual Encounters (WAVE)™ bring you up close with fascinating marine animals—from mesmerizing jellyfish to rescued sea turtles. Led by expert educators, these sessions offer live, behind-the-scenes insights, real-time Q&A, and exclusive animal interactions, all from the comfort of your home, classroom, or office.
Booking is simple—Pick the animal you'd like to meet below, then choose your preferred booking method (credit card or invoice), and select a date and time. Join with a single secure link.
These program features live animals. Mote is proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has met rigorous, professional standards for animal care, wildlife conservation and research, education and more.
Programs are available Monday–Friday, 9:30 am–4:00 pm ET. After-hours and weekend sessions may be arranged for an additional fee.
For Educators: select a topic to access educational standards, vocabulary, and supporting resources. Designed to save you time on lesson prep.
Inspiring for learners of all ages, but best for: grades 3–12, adult lifelong learners, homeschool groups, learning pods, and public libraries.
Journey into the gelatinous world of jellyfish. Mote is home to several mesmerizing species and anywhere from 150 to 1,000 individuals. Discover how we feed so many mouths and learn about the intriguing life cycle of jellyfish, including how we raise their babies. We also explore the connection between jellyfish and corals and the importance of jellies in marine ecosystems.
Celebrate World Jellyfish Day with a free Wonderful Animal Virtual Encounter (WAVE) from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Using our new Mote Aquarium Roving Virtual Exhibit Navigator (MARVEN), our educators will give you a live look at jellyfish in the new Mote Science Education Aquarium. Discover fascinating facts about these drifting ocean wonders and ask your questions in real time. Perfect for ocean enthusiasts of all ages.
🎟️ Space is limited. Tickets available starting Sept 5.
📆 Book your own on-demand Jellyfish WAVE anytime.
Dive into the curious world of corals. Discover how these vibrant marine creatures are crucial to our oceans, supporting diverse species, safeguarding coastlines, and paving the way for potential medical innovations. Learn from our ocean experts about their groundbreaking work in breeding resilient corals, testing treatments for diseases, and restoring damaged reefs through coral planting initiatives.
Slip into the mysterious world of cephalopods! Featuring the captivating behaviors and unique adaptations of octopuses. Discover the remarkable intelligence of these marine marvels and learn about their close cousins, the cuttlefish. Our dedicated team takes special care of these clever creatures, providing them with puzzles to solve, like opening jars, playing with LEGOs, and exploring other engaging toys.
Join us for a jawsome encounter with sharks. Meet the shark species we care for at Mote Science Education Aquarium, including bonnetheads, sandbars, nurses, blacknoses, and more, along with their cousins—the skates and rays. Then uncover the secrets of the shark lifecycle and how we care for these incredible creatures. Finally, see where our science meets conservation to ensure the future of these vital ocean dwellers.
Dip into an unforgettable encounter with surprising seahorses. These fin-tastic fish are known for their unique life cycle, where males give birth to their young. We'll also showcase the incredible variety of fish on our planet as we explore Mote's successful aquarium breeding program. These programs not only deepen our understanding of fish life cycles but also help reduce the demand for collecting these amazing creatures from the wild.
Wade into the world of axolotls and their amphibian friends. Discover their incredible life cycle and adaptations, including their remarkable regenerative abilities. Explore the many challenges axolotls face in nature and how they thrive in human care, serving as ambassadors for this endangered species.
Shell-ebrate turtles with a virtual visit to our resident reptiles. Meet the incredible animals at the heart of our conservation efforts and learn how we’re working to protect endangered sea turtles. From caring for rescued patients to monitoring nesting beaches and releasing hatchlings, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the science of survival. Discover what makes these reptiles so unique and how you can help them too.
Slide into a playful encounter with the North American River Otters. Meet our resident otters as we explore their habitat and their amazing aquatic adaptations. Learn about the vital role a healthy ecosystem plays in the lives of otters and the other creatures in their watershed world. Discover the challenges of caring for these energetic and intelligent mammals, and maybe see our animal-care team in action during otter training time.
Meet our marvelous manatees. Watch as they munch on lettuce or nudge the window with their snout. Discover how Mote scientists study manatees, from counting them via airplane to making closer observations with drones. This research plays a vital role in advancing conservation efforts to save these threatened animals.
Coming soon...
Add a WAVE to your Adoption when checking out and save 10%.
Your adoption funds expert care, rescue efforts, and groundbreaking research that protects our ocean’s future.
Our EdExploreSRQ listings are eligible for funding from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, as well as the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.