Field Trips – Tampa Bay Watch

ESTUARY EDVENTURES FIELD TRIPS

“I have been teaching for many years and this is, without a doubt, my favorite field trip. It is engaging, professional, exciting, and wonderful hands-on learning. Thank you!” - Bay Point Elementary School

“I have been coming to Tampa Bay Watch with students for the past five years and it just keeps getting better and better every year. I don't think there are any improvements that can be made. My students really loved the program and the teachers were very engaged and high-energy.” - Gulf Beaches Elementary Magnet School

“The students had a great time and the classes inspired questions and further learning at home. The staff was great with the students and we appreciated the chance to visit and learn with Tampa Bay Watch.” - Nature Coast Homeschoolers

"I want to compliment the staff for being so amazing with my students. I have several students with disabilities and they were very understanding and so enthusiastic. We loved our visit!” - North Shore Elementary School

Estuary EDventures’ field trips are hosted at the Tampa Bay Watch Marine Education Center in Tierra Verde, Florida. Field trips are facilitated by experienced educators with degrees in biology, marine biology, and environmental sciences and are aligned to Sunshine State Standards. Programs are designed to engage students in hands-on, experiential labs and field activities focused on the estuarine environment. Whether seining, dissecting, or identifying, students learn basic science principles and leave feeling inspired. Financial assistance available for qualifying schools. Read more about our field trip programs.

Tampa Bay Watch is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all program participants. In compliance with CDC guidelines, Tampa Bay Watch has implemented a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan and procedures in response to the pandemic. This includes: extensive cleaning protocol, health screenings, social distancing, face covering requirements, and limited program capacities. All Tampa Bay Watch visitors and program participants are expected to follow the same policies. Through this cooperative effort, we hope to maintain the health and safety of all.

Cost: $150-250 per program | $400 per full-day program

Classroom Boat Otter Trawl

Students embark on a trip across bay waters aboard our 32’ USCG-certified classroom vessel. They observe the collection method known as trawling, and encounter various species of the bay. This lab is for K-college and is $250 per class.

Invertebrate Investigation

Students investigate the characteristics of invertebrates, and concepts of morphology and behavior, while becoming closely acquainted with some of our local species. This lab is for K-8th.

Seine the Bay

Students wade into shallow seagrass beds, exploring the habitat and using nets to collect marine organisms. This lab is for 2nd-college.

Coastal Cleanup

Students participate in a local beach cleanup, learning about the impact of pollution. They report their findings to the Ocean Conservancy’s global cleanup database. This lab is for 2nd-college. Participants must provide transportation to the beach site.

Plankton Encounter

Students collect water samples and use microscopes to discover the life within a water drop. Students learn about some of the smallest plants and animals in the marine environment and their importance. This lab is for K-12th.

Squid Dissection

Through a dissection, students learn about the anatomy of squid and their unique adaptations. This lab is for 5th-12th.

Microplastics

Students learn about the concerns of plastic in the environment. They use scientific tools to filter water samples in search of plastics, participating in a state-wide citizen science project. This lab is for 7th-college.

Sea Turtle Nesting

Students engage in a mock sea turtle nest monitoring and excavation, learning about basic sea turtle ecology and conservation efforts. This lab is for 6th-12th.

Water Quality

Students learn about water quality parameters used to measure the health of our local waters. They use scientific tools to test water samples and collect data, participating in a worldwide citizen science project. This lab is for 6th-12th.

Full-day Programs

Kayak Tampa Bay

Students paddle through the pristine Shell Key Preserve and learn about the unique estuarine habitats.

Snorkel Tampa Bay

Students immerse themselves in the bay, exploring the various habitats and their inhabitants. Participants must provide their own snorkel gear.

Email Katie Mastenbrook at kmastenbrook@tampabaywatch.org with questions about field trip experiences.