Empowering the Next Generation of Marine Science Leaders
Today’s young minds are being prepared to tackle tomorrow’s environmental challenges through a game changing science educational venture at the new Mote Science and Education Aquarium (Mote SEA).
As the new Mote SEA celebrates its grand opening, the facility will premier its state-of-the-art STEM Teaching Labs in its new, expanded facility, marking an exciting milestone in marine science education. These three purpose-built, public-facing labs—the Marine Ecology Teaching Lab, Ocean Technology Teaching Lab, and Biomedical and Immunology Teaching Lab—are designed to immerse students in hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world research.
Unlike anything offered before, Mote’s Marine Ecology, Ocean Technology, and Biomedical and Immunology Teaching Labs let students become junior scientists in spaces purpose-built for authentic, hands-on research. By working side-by-side with Mote’s renowned researchers, students don’t just learn about marine science—they experience it, solving real-world problems using the same resources, equipment, and data as the professionals. These innovative labs offer programming that connects academic learning to immediate, urgent marine science issues such as fisheries enhancement, sea turtle conservation, and red tide.
Mote SEA’s programs go beyond subject knowledge, building critical STEM skills like data analysis, problem solving, and scientific inquiry. Through mentorship and exposure to cutting-edge research, students discover career pathways in marine science and beyond, while developing transferable skills for any STEM field. Most importantly, these experiences ignite curiosity, responsibility, and a passion for stewardship—qualities that empower students to become the next generation of scientists, leaders, and engaged citizens.
“Our new facility allows us to align lab design and curriculum with ongoing research, creating authentic experiences that couldn’t be delivered in our former spaces,” said Aly Busse, PhD, associate vice president for education and education research program manager for the Mote Marine Laboratory. “We’re not just teaching science—we’re giving young people the opportunity to think and act like scientists while addressing urgent challenges facing our oceans.”
For educators, these new labs mean their students directly connect school standards to real-world marine science and conservation efforts, including hands-on research tools and techniques with students using authentic equipment, from microscopes and ROVs to water quality probes and image-analysis software, to collect and interpret data themselves.
“In addition, each teaching lab program is tied to current Mote research happening at Mote, such as coral reef restoration, biomedical research with sharks and rays, resilient seagrass genetics, or artificial intelligence in marine science,” Dr. Busse adds. “Students see firsthand how science is applied to solve environmental challenges.”
Quick Facts about Mote SEA
∙ Mote SEA is a 146,000-square-foot facility dedicated to marine science, education, and immersive public experiences
∙ The new facility contains three state-of-the-art STEM Teaching Labs - Biomedical, Microbiology and Immunology; Marine and Coastal Ecology; & Ocean Engineering, Technology, Robotics and Sensory Development – providing unparalleled, hands-on, experiential learning free of charge for over 70,000 K-12 students in Sarasota and Manatee schools.
∙ There are also four STEM Workforce Training Labs, covering Aquaculture, Conservation, Coral, and Veterinary Clinic & Diagnostic Center
∙ 50,934 students attended City Island education programs in 2024; this number will increase significantly with Mote SEA
∙ Mote SEA will feature more than 1 million gallons of living ocean exhibits.
∙ Mote SEA has the most state-of-the-art life support systems. These high-tech systems cover 24/7 water quality monitoring, filtration, and chemical balancing to mimic the natural ocean conditions perfectly.
∙ Mote created the first and only land-based coral nurseries in many areas in the Florida Keys. These coral nurseries house damaged corals that are carefully healed and grown before they are transported back to sea to hand craft the coral reefs.
∙ Mote makes all its own salt water at Mote SEA.
∙ Mote employs 306 professionals, including 45 PhD level staff and runs 38 research programs and Centers of Excellence.
About Mote:
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium has a nearly 70-year legacy as an independent, nonprofit, 501(c)3 global marine research and science education institution. Mote began in 1955 and flourished on the foundational pillars of “Passion, Partnership and Philanthropy” - the passion of a single researcher, Dr. Eugenie Clark, her partnership with the community and philanthropic support, first of the Vanderbilt family, later with the significant support and guidance of the William R. Mote family, and today through donations by thousands of individuals who believe in the mission of Mote.
Today, Mote has grown into eight campuses stretching from Tampa Bay to Key West, with a ninth new campus, the Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA), currently under construction. Mote has 38 diverse world-class research programs and centers of excellence studying oceans locally and internationally, with an emphasis on positively impacting conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. Learn more at mote.org.
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