EDUCATION PROGRAMS
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Free WAVE on 11/3
Wonderful Animal Virtual Encounters™
For 3–12, adult lifelong learners, homeschool groups, learning pods, and public libraries
Experience a WAVE of ocean wonder with MARVEN
(Mote Aquarium Roving Virtual Exhibit Navigator)Experience a WAVE of ocean wonder with MARVEN
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.
$111.11
Up to 30 min$111.11
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.
Contact
📧 Email: marven@mote.org 📞 Call: 941-388-2904Contact
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.
Scan our programs
Scan our programs
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.
Jellyfish Journey
Jellyfish Journey
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.
🪼World Jellyfish Day
🪼World Jellyfish Day
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.
Coral Curiosity
Coral Curiosity
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.
Octopus Odyssey
Octopus Odyssey
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.
Sharks Alive
Sharks Alive
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.
Seahorse Surprise
Seahorse Surprise
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.
Axolotl Waddle
Axolotl Waddle
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.
Turtle Tales
Turtle Tales
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.
Otters & Their Waters
Otters & Their Waters
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.
Manatee Marvels
Manatee Marvels
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.
Penguin Plunge
Penguin Plunge
Coming soon...
Funding Virtual Focus Trips
Funding Virtual Focus Trips
Adopt & Save 53%
Adopt & Save 53%
$211.11 $100
$211.11 $100
Add a WAVE to your Adoption when checking out and save almost 53%.
Your adoption funds expert care, rescue efforts, and groundbreaking research that protects our ocean’s future.
Sarasota Teachers
Sarasota Teachers
FREE
FREE
Our EdExploreSRQ listings are eligible for funding from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, as well as the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.
Find out how to fund your virtual field trip.
Ask your school TSP for help. They have cameras and equipment available to help you connect successfully.
Zoom in. Focus together.
Zoom in. Focus together.
Wonder around.™
Wonder around.™
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