WORDS & PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst
Our future is bound to our oceans.
The ocean supplies most of the oxygen we breathe, much of the food we eat, and the critical resources that underpin ecosystems and economies. Now, oceans worldwide face unprecedented challenges, creating an even higher demand for research to help sustain tomorrow’s oceans.
But Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium—a longtime champion of ocean science and education—is rising to meet those challenges.
“Over ten years ago, the Mote Board of Trustees embraced a strategic vision for creating a new, larger, more impactful, and more accessible science education aquarium facility, said Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium President Dr. Michael Crosby. “Our vision was to create more than just a place to view marine life. We wanted to ignite curiosity and innovation while celebrating the power of science.”
In the fall of 2020, a group of community leaders gathered for a ribbon cutting on a 12-acre property adjacent to the University Town Center to break ground for that new vision… the Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA). Five years later, on October 3, there was a second ribbon-cutting to celebrate its completion and to welcome the first visitors.
Mote SEA is a world-class, 146,000-square-foot facility dedicated to marine science, education, and immersive public experiences at Nathan Benderson Park, a nexus site for Sarasota and Manatee counties. This rebirth of Mote Aquarium is transforming Mote’s ability to provide informal science education and enhance ocean literacy for much larger and more diverse populations, including every K-12 student in our community.
The new Mote SEA boasts three STEM labs devoted to teaching students in Southwest Florida about everything from marine and coastal ecology to robotics and sensor development. It also provides five additional labs for STEM workforce training as well as opportunities for undergraduate and graduate research.
“I am grateful to the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium for their commitment to our local students and community with the newly opened Mote SEA,” said Congressman Greg Steube. “This remarkable facility will serve as both a bastion of learning for our young people and a home for critical scientific research, offering people of all ages the chance to learn about aquatic animals and local wildlife. It was an honor to have recently participated in a dive in one of the new tanks at the facility, and I look forward to Mote SEA shining a light on God’s creation for a new generation of conservationists.”
Visitors will discover marine life from around the world in the Indo-Pacific Gallery, visit iconic freshwater coastal species in the Florida Waters Gallery, and be wowed by large sharks swimming over your head in the Florida Gulf Coast Gallery. Visitors will also discover why science is the attraction by viewing several Workforce Development Labs and STEM Teaching Labs. These immersive experiences take you beyond the exhibits and into the heart of Mote’s mission: advancing marine science and inspiring a deeper understanding of our oceans.
Representative Will Robinson, whose family is well known for their conservation efforts and the beautiful Robinson Preserve, knows the struggles we have with our waterways here in Sarasota and Manatee County.
“This new facility and the City Island location will give us the ability to request consistent funding for critical habitat restoration and red tide research,” he said. “I am so proud of our administration for putting our waterways as one of the top priorities during my 4 years in office, but it’s because of leaders like Mote Marine and what they have done over the years that we can now put science first and continue to improve our beautiful beaches and waterways for our wildlife and for future generations.”
Guided by professional Mote educators, guests can go behind the scenes to see habitats, how scientists care for marine animals, and study ocean life around the world. These tours connect visitors to the research and conservation shaping the future of our seas.
The vision at Mote Marine Laboratory is to excel as a leader in nationally and internationally respected research programs that are relevant to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats, and natural resources. Mote research programs will positively impact a diversity of public policy challenges through strong linkages to outreach and education.
“Mote has always held a special place in my heart and in our community,” said Congressman Vern Buchanan. “As someone proud to have served on Mote’s board, I’ve seen it grow from a local treasure into a world-class leader in marine science and education. Mote’s new Science Education Aquarium is an investment in our youth and in America’s future, and it will inspire curiosity and a love of science in the next generation.”
Mote educators also bring fun, inquiry-based, and hands-on learning experiences to schools. Using relevant, real-time data and information, Mote staff members dive into marine science with students, helping them better understand science concepts and ideas. Auditorium and classroom programs such as Sense-ational Sharks, Turtle Tales, Wonderful Whiskers & Dancing Dolphins, The Truth In The Tooth, The Great Reef Race, Spineless Sea, Researching Red Tide, Mammal Mysteries, Ocean Superheroes, and Shark Mythbusters are a great way to get students interested in the oceans that surround us. For students in grades 9-12, Mote offers a program introducing Marine Careers. From scientist to photographer, to boat captain, to educator, students explore a variety of careers found at Mote Marine Laboratory and learn what it takes to start a career in the marine science field.
“What Mote is doing here matters,” said Senator Jim Boyd. “It matters to Florida, it matters to the world. Mote has assembled a team of scientists and experts from around the globe who come here to work every day. I couldn’t be happier to represent Mote SEA and the amazing programs for our students by reaching out for support in Tallahassee.”
“This is a great day for our region and for the extended Mote family,” said Florida Representative James Buchanan. “It’s also a great day for STEM, for future members of our community, for our kids, and for future generations.”
The ocean is always teaching, from the surface to the seafloor. Through Mote SEA, those lessons reach further than ever, showing that learning, like the tides, is never-ending.
For more information on Mote SEA or to reserve tickets, visit www.mote.org
