Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s educational department seeks to provide as many opportunities to provide educational experiences that are engaging and fun here at CMA or off-site. Be sure to also view our off-site educational programs.
Mommy and Me: Bubble Buddies Program Details
- Available
- December
- Time
- 9:00 am to 10:00 am
- Day
- December 1, December 8, December 15 & December 22
- Ages
- 3-6
- Duration
- Daily
- Price
- $15 Non-Members; $12 Members
Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Bubble Buddies!
Join the bubble buddies for a fun and educational morning at Clearwater Marine Aquarium as we explore animals that breathe air, just like us! Activities will include aquarium tours, crafts, interactive games, and fun facts about the animal of the week.
December 1 – Manatees
December 8 – Dolphins
December 15 – River Otters
December 22 – Sea Turtles
Classes will practice social distancing and CDC best practices for sanitation and hygiene will be implemented. Aquarium admission is not included.
Call the Manager of Education programs at 727-441-1790 x 270 for session start dates.
Marine Academy Club: Investigate Manatee Research
- Available
- December
- Time
- 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
- Day
- December 29
- Grades
- High School & College Level Students
- Duration
- Daily
- Price
- $15
Marine Academy Club’s Investigate Manatee Research!
Come join us for an afternoon of discovery. You will learn all about manatees from members of Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, including industry expert Dr. Anmari Alvarez-Aleman. This is your opportunity to dive deeper into the world of manatee research and conservation.
Classes will practice social distancing and CDC best practices for sanitation and hygiene will be implemented. Aquarium admission is not included.
Program Details
- Available
- December-May
- Time
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Day
- December 5, January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10 & May 8
- Student Ages
- 14-18 (Current High School Student)
- Duration
- Daily
- Price
- $49.95
Marine Academy Career Shadow
Ever wonder what it would be like to work at a working marine animal hospital? Join us for our teen career shadow experience! This experience gives you an inside look at aquarium careers. Meet aquarium personnel, participate in activities, and explore behind the scenes. Learn about Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s research and conservation programs, education, and animal husbandry.
Class sizes will be limited, with social distancing, and CDC best practices for sanitation and hygiene will be implemented.
For more information, please contact: EduCoordinator@cmaquarium.org or call 727-441-1790 x 262.
Program Details
- Available
- September-December
- Time
- 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Day
- September 23, October 21, November 11, December 9
- Student Ages
- 5 and Older
- Duration
- Daily
- Price
- $25 (one child & chaperone); $10 per additional child
Hope’s Homeschool
Join us each month for Hope’s Homeschool programs. Enjoy fun, and educational programs filled with marine science based activities. Participants will explore Clearwater Marine Aquarium, learn about the work conducted at a working marine animal hospital, and explore marine science topics.
September 23 – Manatee Mania: Investigate manatee anatomy, biology, and conservation. Learn how CMA assists with manatee rescues and ways you can help to protect wild manatees.
October 21 – Sea Turtle Snacks: Discover what our sea turtles love to eat for snacks and watch as our sea turtle team gives out ice toy snacks to our residents. Learn about sustainability by visiting our aquaponics exhibit where we grow lettuce for our sea turtles.
November 11 – Clearwater Marine Aquarium Researcher: Step into the role of researcher discovering how Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute uses photo identification to study dolphins and right whales.
December 9 – Exciting Estuaries: Learn all about the habitat and animals right outside CMA in the estuary. Determine the necessary aspects of a habitat and go on a habitat hunt around the aquarium. Discover the amazing adaptations of seahorses, an estuary animal.
Class sizes will be limited, with social distancing, and CDC best practices for sanitation and hygiene will be implemented.
Presented by BayCare
For more information, please contact: EduCoordinator@cmaquarium.org or call 727-441-1790 x 262.
Program Details
- Available
- November
- Time
- 09:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Day
- November 23, November 24, November 25
- Student Ages
- 5 and Older
- Single-Day Price
- $35 (one child & chaperone); $15 per additional child
- Three-Day Combo Price
- $100 (one child & chaperone); $45 per additional child
Holidays with Hope’s Homeschool
Spend your holiday break with Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Hope’s Homeschool. Participants will explore Clearwater Marine Aquarium and enjoy fun, educational programming all about our work at CMA. Each morning has a specific marine science focus to explore. Choose one program day or spend all three days at CMA with a combo price including one day of admission.
November 23 – Rescue Clearwater: Be the “first on scene” to learn how Clearwater Marine Aquarium responds to animals in need. Participants will get hands-on through mock scenarios and activities to simulate a true animal rescue event. This program will highlight our newest resident Rudolph, a rough toothed dolphin, who was rescued this winter. Participants will enjoy a private Q and A session with an animal care specialist who works with Rudolph.
November 24 – Animal Care 101: Visit the home of the two most famous dolphins in the world—Winter and Hope. Learn about animal medical husbandry, and how our animal care providers use psychology to care for our resident animals through engaging activities. You will create and participate in dolphin enrichment through our underwater viewing windows.
November 25 – Fun With Fishes: Did you know there are over 32,000 species of fish in the world? Explore the difference between cartilaginous (sharks, rays, and skates) and bony fish at Clearwater Marine Aquarium through educational activities. You will embark on a “Sea Life Safari” boat ride to collect research during a trawl collection and learn how to identify the fish species in Clearwater Bay.
Class sizes will be limited, with social distancing, and CDC best practices for sanitation and hygiene will be implemented.
For more information, please contact: EduCoordinator@cmaquarium.org or call 727-441-1790 x 262.
Program Details
- Available
- September-May
- Program Length
- 45 minutes
- Grades
- Pre-K through 12th grade
- Min. Group Size
- 10
- Max. Group Size
- 50
- Pricing
- $2.95 per participant + admission
Or contact our Education Coordinator with a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice – 727-441-1790 Ext 262.
Educational Add-On Programs
Coming for a group visit? Consider an educational add-on program! Group visits are completely self-guided; however, school, educational or scout groups can schedule a 45-minute educational add-on program. Educational add-on programs are available for as low as $2.95 per student. Please see our Educational Planner PDF for all of our program selections.
For more information, please contact: EduCoordinator@cmaquarium.org or call 727-441-1790 x 262.
Program Details
- Available
- September-May
- Program Length
- 2 hours
- Pricing
- $10.95 per scout/per program
- Minimum Troop Size
- 10 Participants
- Maximum Troop Size
- 50 Participants
- (Consecutive sessions can be conducted if group size is larger than 50). *Some programs vary in price. Please check program descriptions for details.)
Girl Scout Programs
All Girl Scout troops who participate in an educational program will earn an exclusive Winter’s “Be True to the Ocean Blue” fun patch bracelet. This bracelet is only available to Girl Scout troops who participate in an educational program and is not available for purchase in our gift shop. Participating Scouts and two group leaders get complimentary admission to the Aquarium after the program. Any additional parents and children pay $8.95 per person group admission rate.
FOR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT 727-441-1790 Ext. 262
Program Details
- Available
- Please Contact Education Coordinator
- Length
- 45 min
- Pricing
- $150.00
- Age Range
- Any age range is available.
Virtual LIVE Field Trip
Virtually meet with an Education Biologist along with a training session with one of our resident dolphins. Have all of your questions answered live and virtually around the aquarium. This program is a one-time occurrence for 45 minutes priced at $150. Contact the Education Coordinator at educoordinator@cmaquarium.org to book your custom and unique learning experience today.
Program Details
- Available
- Year-Round
- Length
- Varies
- Pricing
- Starting at $15.00
- Age Range
- K-12th Grade
Hope’s Study Buddy
Hope’s Study Buddy courses provide virtual learning opportunities that are based on current teaching standards and review math and science concepts. Whether it is reviewing material from the previous year or supplementing your child’s current curriculum, Hope’s Study Buddy courses can help stimulate learning. Some courses offer an option to upgrade for a live session when your learner will get to speak to a marine life educator on the topic of their program. Learn more about the offered courses by visiting our Marine Academy.
