All field trips from the MSS correlate to the specific educational requirements for each visiting group.  All MSS field trips, lesson plans, and experiential activities are correlated with the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards as well as the Ocean Literacy Principles set forth by the Ocean Literacy Network and NOAA Education Plan Goals and Outcomes.  Special emphasis is directed towards instilling in visiting groups a higher level of scientific literacy and an environmental stewardship ethic that can be spread to the their respective communities.

For a printer-friendly version of the MSS Educational Programs, please open our Catalog.

For more information, please contact
the Marine Science Station
at (352) 795-1904

Springs & Groundwater Ecology

Snorkel and study the aquatic habitats of the Crystal River in the year round 72^o F waters flowing from the Floridan Aquifer. Understand how human decisions impact the environmental health of springs systems. Snorkeling equipment included.

Manatee Observations

Observe manatees from boats within aquatic habitats.
Study and observe manatee behavior and ecology.
Understand manatee protection laws.

Salt Marsh & Coastal Hammock Ecology

Natural history interpretive tours of marsh and hammock habitats.
Netting along the shoreline, organism collection and identification, population studies,
and nature photography (cameras not included).

Mangrove Island Ecology

Study mangrove communities through habitat observations and
seine net collections of estuarine organisms.
Field identification of a wide variety of wading and
seabirds in the mangrove rookery habitat.

Oyster Reef Ecology

During low tide, study oyster reefs located within Crystal Bay.
Organism collection and identification.
Understand food web dynamics of oyster reefs.

Seagrass Meadow & Sponge Bed Ecology

Snorkel and study these marine habitats of the nearshore,
shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Investigate a wide variety of marine life.
Snorkeling equipment included.

Limestone Rock Reef Ecology

Snorkel and study natural hardbottom areas with
colorful algae, sponges, and stony corals.
Observe a multitude of fish, invertebrates, and the occasional sea turtle.
Snorkeling equipment included.

Scientific Seafloor Sampling

Collect fish and invertebrates from the seafloor
using sampling trawls.
Hands-on investigation of collected specimens.
Determine food web interactions.

Shell Island Ecology & Native American Natural History

Natural history interpretative tours of a shell midden
constructed by Native Americans.
Field identification of plants, birds, and animal tracks.
Marine debris collection and analysis.

Spoil Bank Islands Natural History and Fossil Hunting

Explore man-made spoil islands that are covered with fossils from
the Eocene Epoch (approximately 56 to 34 million years ago)!
Observe nesting sea birds and vegetation adapted to a dry, harsh environment.
Marine debris collection and analysis.

Marine Life Diversity Lab

Engage in a hands-on activity of studying a variety of marine life
collected from the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Use microscopes and magnifiers for closer inspection of collected organisms.
Determine the roles and interactions of organisms
within food web dynamics.

Plankton Lab

Study phytoplankton and zooplankton collected
from the Gulf of Mexico using dissecting and compound microscopes.
Using field guides, identify major taxonomic groups represented in the plankton.
Determine the roles and interactions of plankton within food web dynamics

Wings of HOPE

Staff from HOPE Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. present live,
majestic birds that serve as ambassadors of environmental education
 and natural resource conservation.
Features live birds of prey and explains their natural history,
their role in the environment
and of the encounters these birds faced
and the injuries they endured.