Meet us at Mote to explore exciting aspects of Mote research and Sarasota Bay. Each month is a unique theme offered to three different age levels, 6-9, 10-14 and 6-14 to accommodate families with multiple ages. Select classes include a water portion, see the class description during registration for details. Students should come prepared to get wet and be in the sun. Chaperones have the option to enter the water as well or observe from the shore. Prior to registering, please review our program policies linked below.<\/p>\n
Please note that Mote Homeschool Days will take place throughout the year at both our City Island campus and our new Mote Science Education Aquarium (SEA), located near the UTC mall by 1-75. For all water based programs, we will meet at City Island and for Aquarium days we will meet at Mote SEA.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cost:<\/strong> $28 for students for student plus one required chaperone per family Marching into the New Year: All About Penguins Location: Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) Age\/Date\/Times:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Coral Caretakers: How Mote is Helping Our Reefs Location: Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) Age\/Date\/Times:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Bird Beak Caf<\/em><\/span>\u00e9: Seabird Adaptations<\/i><\/em><\/span> Location:\u00a0Mote\u2019s City Island Campus Age\/Date\/Times:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Earth Day in Action! City Island Cleanup*<\/strong> *Please note – this class includes a water portion. Come prepared to get wet as students wade through Sarasota Bay. Participants will need a bathing suit, water shoes, and a towel.<\/em> Location:\u00a0Mote\u2019s City Island Campus Age\/Date\/Times:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Estuaries 101: Exploring Sarasota Bay<\/i> *Please note – this class includes a water portion. Come prepared to get wet as students wade through Sarasota Bay. Participants will need a bathing suit, water shoes, and a towel. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Location:\u00a0Mote\u2019s City Island Campus Age\/Date\/Times:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n We hope to SEA you there!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Important Notes:<\/strong> Price represents the student plus one chaperone per family (required). ONLY registered participants are allowed to attend Homeschool Days (no younger or older non-registered siblings). Admission to Mote Aquarium is NOT included with this program. Please visit\u00a0mote.org\/visit<\/a>\u00a0for information and to reserve tickets.<\/small><\/p>\n Waitlist Policy\u00a0<\/strong> Applications for the 2025-2026 year are now closed. Please check back in April 2026 for the 2026-2027 year.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Please note that Mote Homeschool Advanced programs will take place throughout the year at both our City Island campus and our new aquarium, Mote SEA, located near the UTC mall by I-75. At this time, we are uncertain of the exact opening date of Mote SEA, so we will plan to have our first class in September at our current location on City Island. For all water based programs, we will meet at City Island and for Aquarium days we will meet at Mote SEA. We anticipate roughly half of the classes taking place at each location. If accepted into the program, your family will receive a detailed schedule for the year so you may plan accordingly. We thank you so much for your support and appreciate your patience during this exciting transition!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Homeschooled students with a strong interest in marine science meet once a month to:<\/p>\n This is a drop-off student-only program.<\/strong><\/p>\n Tuition cost:<\/b>\u00a0 $525 per student, payment plans will be available<\/span><\/p>\n Tuesday class dates: <\/b>Sept 9, Oct 7, Nov 4, Dec 9, Jan 6, Feb 10, March 10, April 7, May 5<\/span><\/p>\n Thursday class dates: <\/b>Sept 11, Oct 9, Nov 6, Dec 11, Jan 8, Feb 12, March 12, April 9, May 7<\/span><\/p>\n Times: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Please Note: <\/b>Students may not alternate between the Tuesday and Thursday classes.<\/span><\/p>\n *Students may apply for the 9 – 11 class if they turn 9 and\/or do not turn 12 on or before Dec 31, 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n Tuition cost: <\/b>$600 per student, payment plans will be available\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tuesday class dates:<\/b> Sept 23, Oct 28, Nov 18, Dec 16, Jan 27, Feb 24, March 24, April 21, May 26<\/span><\/p>\n Thursday class dates:<\/b> Sept 25, Oct 30, Nov 20, Dec 18, Jan 29, Feb 26, March 26, April 23, May 28<\/span><\/p>\n Times: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Please Note:<\/b> Students may not alternate between the Tuesday and Thursday classes<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0*Students may apply for the 12 – 16 class if they turn 12 and\/or do not turn 17 on or before Dec 31, 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n These classes are\u00a0 typically eligible for reimbursement through the Step Up scholarship program.\u00a0 All questions regarding scholarships should be directed towards the Step Up program. Tuition to Mote HSAP includes hands-on marine science lessons, projects and STEAM challenges; visits to Mote Aquarium and Goldstein Marine Mammal Center (while they remain open) and Mote\u2019s newest facility, Mote SEA (when it opens); exploration and investigation of the flora, fauna, science techniques, research and conservation efforts in the Sarasota Bay watershed and estuary; Special behind the scenes tours of Mote Aquarium and Mote Research labs; Exclusive behind the scenes experiences and animal encounters at Mote SEA; meet and greets with Mote scientists and animal trainers; team-work, communication and critical thinking games; and a whole lot of FUN all led by Mote’s professional, Red Cross Lifeguard\/CPR\/First-aid certified marine science educators.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We look forward to a great year!<\/span><\/p>\n For questions related to Mote Homeschool Programs, please email Shannon Powers via\u00a0spowers@mote.org<\/a>.<\/p>\nMote Homeschool Day Spring 2026 Schedule and Details<\/h4>\n
\n<\/span>Times:<\/strong> 10:00am-12:00pm OR 1:00pm-3:00pm
\n<\/span>Ages:<\/strong> 6-14 <\/span><\/p>\nJanuary Class<\/b><\/h5>\n
\n<\/strong><\/em><\/span>Description:<\/strong> Waddle into the new year and celebrate National Penguin Day (January 20) <\/b>with Mote SEA\u2019s coolest residents! Learn how penguins thrive in their chilly habitats, explore their unique adaptations, and discover what makes these flightless birds such incredible swimmers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/b><\/b>Address: 225 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, Florida, 34243<\/a> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n
February Class<\/b><\/h5>\n
\n<\/strong><\/em><\/span>Description:<\/strong> Dive into the world of coral reefs and meet the heroes helping them thrive! Explore how Mote\u2019s coral scientists care for reefs, rescue corals, and restore ocean habitats\u2014then try your hand at being a coral caretaker too.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/b><\/b>Address: 225 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, Florida, 34243<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n
March Class<\/b><\/h5>\n
\n<\/em><\/span><\/strong>Description:<\/strong> Step into the Bird Beak Caf\u00e9 and see what\u2019s on the menu! In this hands-on activity, students will explore how different bird beaks are adapted for different foods and habitats. Try using \u201cbeaks\u201d to gather food and discover how form fits function in the avian world!<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/b><\/b>Address: 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, Florida 34236<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n
April Class<\/b><\/h5>\n
\n<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/strong>Description:<\/strong> Together we will celebrate the month of Earth Day by doing a mini-cleanup of our water site area as we learn about microplastics and the dangers they pose. We will then wade into the water and explore Sarasota Bay to catch and observe animals that depend on clean, healthy water.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/b><\/b>Address: 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, Florida 34236<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n
May Class<\/b><\/h5>\n
\n<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/strong>Description:<\/strong> Also known as nurseries of the sea, estuaries are vital ecosystems rich with life.\u00a0 Join us as we explore the beauty and uniqueness of our local estuary, Sarasota Bay.\u00a0 During this program we will wade into the water and use dip nets to learn what animals call the bay home, explore what plants live in the bay and learn how we can help protect this important ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/b><\/b>Address: 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, Florida 34236<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Homeschool Day Program Policies<\/h4>\n
\nYou may add your child(ren) to a waitlist for any Mote Homeschool program through the registration link. Should any openings come about, we will contact those on the waitlist on a first-come, first-served basis via email. You will be expected to confirm the transfer and pay your registration fee within 24 hours of notification. If we do not hear from you within that time, we will move to the next participant on the waitlist. Please read the Homeschool Day Program Policies<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nMote Homeschool Advanced Program (HSAP)<\/h2>\n
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HSAP 9 – 11 years old* Fall 2025 – Spring 2026<\/b><\/h4>\n
HSAP 12 – 16 years old* Fall 2025-Spring 2026<\/b><\/h4>\n
\nQuestions & Cancellations<\/h2>\n