Estuary EDventures’ field trips are hosted at the Tampa Bay Watch Auer 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.
Cost: $150-250 per program | $400 per full-day program
Classroom Boat Otter Trawl
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
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
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
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
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
Squid Dissection
Through a dissection, students learn about the anatomy of squid and their unique adaptations. This lab is for 5th-12th.
Oyster Biodiversity
Oyster Biodiversity
Students explore life within an oyster community. During this lab, students learn about the importance of oysters as a habitat of the Tampa Bay Estuary, taking a close look at clusters of oyster reefs and the various invertebrates and fishes that make it home. (*Grades 4 and up)
Microplastics
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
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
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
Kayak Tampa Bay
Students paddle through the pristine Shell Key Preserve and learn about the unique estuarine habitats.
Snorkel Tampa Bay
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.