Off-Site Programs

Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s off-site programs are designed with your classroom in mind. These programs enrich student experiences by providing hands-on learning environments. Expand upon daily classroom curriculum with a visit from one of CMA’s education staff members.

Available: Year Round
Time: Please schedule your off-site program at least one month in advance.

Pricing: $100 for the first program and $75 for each additional program scheduled the same day at the same site; PLUS mileage within 40 miles of Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Tips for Booking: Book at least one month in advance. A mileage fee applies to all off-site programs. All fees are waived for Pinellas County schools during Great American Teach-In. All off-site programs are limited to 50 participants per session.

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A hands-on way to bring CMA to your classroom

A hands-on way to bring CMA to your classroom CMA’s Off-Site Programs are designed with your classroom in mind. These programs provide students with hands-on learning opportunities to enrich their educational experience. Expand upon daily classroom curriculum with a visit from one of CMA’s education staff members.

Available Programs

Dive deep into our mission: preserving our environment and inspiring the human spirit through leadership in marine life rescue, rehabilitation, release, environmental education, research, and conservation. Immerse yourself in videos showcasing recent rescue efforts and witness firsthand the expansion of our aquarium. Uncover exciting career opportunities at a dynamic working marine animal hospital and set your sights on a future dedicated to oceanic stewardship and discovery!

Discover the incredible world of invertebrates through a hands-on exploration of the Gulf of Mexico’s fascinating spineless animals that call Clearwater Marine Aquarium home! Students will investigate snails, crabs, and sea urchins, while using their five senses to observe, compare different forms of movement, and uncover the amazing adaptations that help these animals survive. The experience concludes with the opportunity to touch select invertebrates and see firsthand how they are perfectly adapted for life on the ocean floor.

Explore how Clearwater Marine Aquarium helps protect sea turtle nests along the Pinellas County coastline while following the incredible life cycle of the loggerhead sea turtle. Investigate sea turtle anatomy through hands-on exploration of real turtle shells and skulls, and gain a deeper understanding of the adaptations that help these remarkable reptiles survive.

Get to know Florida’s gentle giants and the science behind manatee conservation! Learn about the challenges manatees face, how scientists identify individuals, and how researchers track populations to better understand this unique species. Explore the important role Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute plays in protecting manatees through conservation research across the U.S., Cuba, and Belize.

Explore Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s mission of preserving our environment and inspiring the human spirit through marine life rescue, rehabilitation, release, education, research, and conservation. Experience exciting rescue videos, learn about the growth of our working marine animal hospital, and discover the many careers that make a difference in protecting our oceans.

Step into the role of a marine animal rescue team and learn how Clearwater Marine Aquarium cares for sick and injured marine life. Explore the specialized care animals receive from rescue through rehabilitation, then work together to walk through the steps of a rescue alongside one of our marine biologists.

Explore the world of sharks and learn about the ocean’s most misunderstood carnivores! Discover their unique adaptations, important role in marine food webs, and the ways they help maintain healthy ocean ecosystems. Students will also examine major human threats facing wild shark populations and learn how they can make shark-conscious decisions to support conservation efforts.

Explore the biology and conservation of marine mammals, including bottlenose dolphins, Florida manatees, and pinnipeds. Get an introduction to the unique biology, physiology, adaptations, and behaviors of these incredible animals while exploring the challenges they face in the wild. Learn how research, conservation efforts, and everyday actions can help protect marine mammal populations all over the world.

Dive into the world of dolphins and learn all about these amazing ocean animals! Discover what dolphins eat, where they live, how they communicate, and what makes them special. Through stories, games, and hands-on activities, little learners will have a fin-tastic time exploring the world of bottlenose dolphins!

Embark on an adventure through the life cycle of a sea turtle, from tiny hatchling to adult! Students will explore sea turtle anatomy, interact with real biofacts, and design their own hatchling shell. Through story time and hands-on activities, they’ll discover how sea turtles navigate their lives and learn simple ways we can all help protect them.

Get ready to wiggle, squish, and splash as you explore the fascinating world of marine invertebrates! Meet some of the ocean’s spineless animals, discover what makes them unique, and learn how they survive in their underwater habitats. Through hands-on activities and interactive exploration, little learners will get up close with fascinating creatures like sea urchins and more! Tidal Tots is the only off-site pre-k program that includes a live invertebrate as part of the program.

Sink your teeth into the fascinating world of sharks and rays! Students will discover what they have in common with fish while comparing these incredible animals and exploring shark jaws and other biofacts. Through story time and hands-on activities, little learners will use their thinking skills to explore what makes these animals unique.

: Dreaming of going on an ocean expedition or working at a marine animal hospital? CMA’s recurring program series bring marine science directly to your school or organization through a multi-week educational experience designed to explore these possibilities and more. Perfect for after-school programs, summer camps, and other enrichment opportunities, each session is led by a CMA marine biologist and features hands-on learning that introduces students to a wide variety of marine science topics.

Available: Year round
Time: Call the Education Department to schedule 727-441-1790 ext. 2262.
Grade: PRE-K-12
Prices: Call the Education Department to schedule 727-441-1790 ext. 2262.

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Ever wonder what it would be like to lead an expedition and discover a new species? Discover the many ocean habitats found around the world, and learn about the animals that inhabit them with Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s after-school program.

Each week students will travel deeper and deeper into the ocean as they go on their very own ocean expedition. Design an exploration vehicle then create a creature that is adapted to the new environment. Get up close and personal with CMA touch tank invertebrates and bio facts as students learn about sea urchins, dolphins, sea turtles, and more during their exploration.

Animals have their own special talents called adaptations that help them to be well-suited to their environment. Explore marine animal adaptations with Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s program series. Each week, a new animal’s talent will be showcased through educational crafts and activities. Discover dancing seahorses and singing blue whales. Learn about CMA’s resident animals and how they were able to make movie magic.

What is it like to work at a marine animal hospital? This program series will showcase the many different career paths within Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Students will explore a wide variety of beneficial skills and discover the next steps they should take if they want to pursue to careers in a working animal hospital. Learn about Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s research and conservation programs, education, animal husbandry, and many more departments that help promote the mission of preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit.

Build Your Own Marine Science Series Description: Create a customized learning experience by selecting 3–8 of your favorite outreach programs from our ‘Available Programs’ tab above. Tailor the series to match your curriculum, students’ interests, or seasonal themes while exploring a variety of marine science and conservation topics. Each 45-minute session is led by a CMA marine biologist and features engaging presentations and activities that build curiosity and inspire a deeper connection to the ocean.

Choose 2–4 programs from our 4 fun and engaging marine science topics to create a series that fits your classroom, your students’ interests, or the time of year. Each 30–45-minute session is led by a CMA marine biologist and packed with age-appropriate stories, interactive activities, and hands-on learning that will get your little learners excited about the ocean. If Tidal Tots is selected as one of your series topics, that session will include a live invertebrate.

: Bring H2O on the go to you! Our 38-foot traveling exhibit is filled with interactive experiences that get participants thinking, questioning, and doing.