Invite Florida Oceanographic's Education Staff into your elementary, middle, high school, or college classroom for a live, interactive, virtual field trip experience.
Streamed from the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, these lectures feature extensive back-and-forth interaction between students and Florida Oceanographic's educators.
For younger learners, our grade-specific, standards-based programs are focused on sea turtle biology and conservation. We offer several exciting and relevant options for high school and college classes.
1st-4th grade (30-minute, grade-specific, standards-based program focused on sea turtle biology and conservation)
5th-8th grade (50-minute, grade-specific, standards-based program focused on sea turtle biology and conservation)
High school and college (1-hour lecture on one of the following topics)
- Advanced Sea Turtle Biology, Ecology, and Conservation
- Harmful Algae Blooms and Their Impacts on the Environment
- The Science Behind Oyster Reef Restoration
- Florida’s Invasive Reptiles and Amphibians
Computer with internet access and a free Skype account (elementary and middle school programs) or a free Zoom account (high school and college programs), webcam, microphone, speakers, and digital projector (A brief pre-program test session will be scheduled to ensure connectivity).
- Biology and Ecology of Sea Turtles: Sea turtle adaptations, behavior, diet, nesting patterns and life cycle
- Conservation of the World's Sea Turtles: Threats to sea turtles and what we, as environmental stewards, can do to help
- Florida Oceanographic's Non-Releasable Sea Turtles: How our organization cares for and enriches the permanently disabled sea turtles that call our facility home
Advanced Sea Turtle Biology, Ecology, and Conservation
- This in-depth lecture is focused on our planet’s seven sea turtle species. Students will also get an overview of the Endangered Species Act and other laws designed to protect and conserve rare organisms in the United States and around the globe.
Harmful Algae Blooms and Their Impacts on the Environment
- This crash course will cover cyanobacteria, red tide, and other types of harmful algae blooms, the causes of these blooms, and how water mismanagement and population growth have led algae issues around the globe. We use Florida’s ongoing water issues to illustrate specific algae problems, but this program can be catered towards students in Florida, or in other areas.
The Science Behind Oyster Reef Restoration
- Students will learn about the biology, ecology, and economics of oyster reef and living shoreline restoration projects, and get an overview of the restoration work being carried out by Florida Oceanographic Society.
Florida’s Invasive Reptiles and Amphibians
- Florida’s non-native reptile and amphibian species serve as a tool to discuss broader issues associated with exotic and invasive species globally. While this program does cover reptile-related issues in Florida, it is designed to provide students with a broader understanding of species invasions at the global level.
To ensure interactivity, our virtual field trips are ideally designed for a single class of up to ~40 students. Single-grade auditorium-style programs are available upon request for larger groups.
1st-4th grade: $60 per session
5th-8th grade: $120 per session
High school and college: $135 per session
For more information about Virtual Field Trips, please Click Here or contact Dr. Zack Jud at (772)225-0505 ext. 113 or zjud@floridaocean.org.
To book a Virtual Field Trip, please fill out the form below. Virtual Field Trips can be scheduled Wednesday – Friday, starting between 7:30 and 8:30 am EST as well as 3:30 and 4:30 pm EST. Select time slots may be available on Mondays and Tuesdays.
