The new interactive exhibit teaches families about taking care of their health, just as CMA cares for marine animals.
CLEARWATER, FL (Feb. 12, 2025) – Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) announces the opening of its new BayCare Kids Check-Up Exhibit, a three-year partnership that kicks off with the first phase opening today, Feb. 12. This interactive and educational exhibit in the Mangrove Key Kids Zone is located outside CMA’s Animal Hospital and surgical suite, allowing families and kids to see the similarities between themselves and marine life such as dolphins, manatees, turtles and more.
“Because health is at the forefront of what both institutions do, there’s strength in partnering to advance both missions,” said Joe Handy, CEO of CMA. “BayCare Kids is committed to keeping children healthy throughout childhood so that they can become healthy adults. And at CMA, our guests learn about the importance of marine mammal and animal health. That’s why the BayCare Exhibit in the CMA Kids Zone will allow kids and families to learn about the importance of health in a fun interactive way and showcase CMA animals to tell the story,” said Handy.
The health message will come to life at the exhibit with a large “Weight Your Turn” platform, which gives families the opportunity to instantly measure their weight and discuss it. The weigh-in station includes educational elements with informational signage on healthy eating, average weights of resident animals, and educational messaging on why we monitor weight for both animals and humans, as well as exhibit walls featuring colorful marine mammals and window frames. Families are encouraged to check in at the weight station each time they visit and see how their family has changed over the months.
“BayCare has been a longtime partner of Clearwater Marine Aquarium as we have a shared goal of improving the health of our communities,” said Kristy Croom Tucker, vice president of marketing for BayCare. “This is a wonderful opportunity to get kids involved with their health early.” BayCare is West Central Florida’s largest health care provider and currently operates 16 hospitals in the region.
BayCare also installed a Mamava XL Nursing Pod, which is wheelchair accessible for use by both guests and employees. The 18 x 18-foot pod provides privacy for nursing mothers and their babies and is designed with whimsical photos of marine mammals such as dolphins and manatees. Inside, it offers a clean, quiet place along with educational information about how marine mammals are both similar and different from humans.
“BayCare is a partner in the health care for children for life, and we understand the importance of breastfeeding,” Croom Tucker said. “We’re delighted to support this private space for young families.”
BayCare is the leading health care provider for pediatrics in West Central Florida, treating more children than any other health system. In addition, it has three dedicated 24/7 pediatric emergency centers, located at Mease Countryside Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital South.
The exhibit will also add a height and vitals element with interactive tools for measuring height, showcasing different heights and lengths of animals, and explaining to guests what vitals are and why they are so important. In 2026, an X-ray display will be added, featuring an interactive display of different X-rays of animals, including both healthy and compromised, labeled to show different parts, along with a video monitor of the CMA animal care team performing X-rays on animals.
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Media Contact: Marsha Strickhouser | mstrickhouser@CMAquarium.org | (727) 242-0770
- About Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. With a mission to preserve the environment and its marine life, CMA is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, a nurse shark and more. Through Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, CMA conducts important global research focused on protecting manatees, North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles. Major motion picture Dolphin Tale (2011) and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) features the true stories of rescued resident dolphins Winter and Hope, inspiring millions around the world. The mission and potential to change people’s lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any other aquarium in the world.
© 2025 Clearwater Marine Aquarium | 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767 | 727-441-1790 | mission.cmaquarium.org | cmaquarium.org
We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.
A Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) organization