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Below is the official statement from ∫ regarding the update. Mote Science Education Aquarium.
Construction of the Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) continues to intensify in 2024, including progress on three STEM education laboratories, providing all children with hands-on experience in marine science and technology. This will ensure that you have the opportunity to experience it.
Mote SEA embodies Mote's vision of Oceans for All, doubling the number of visitors whose lives are enriched by marine science each year, and providing schools with free access to a dedicated STEM education lab. , allowing all children to practice marine science. Technology experiential learning opportunities.
Mote SEA brings unparalleled informal science education to a larger and more diverse audience by providing free hands-on marine science education to 70,000 students in Sarasota and Manatee County schools To do.
“The transformation of Mote's Public Aquarium into the mainland's science education aquarium will greatly expand our ability to provide science education and enhanced levels of ocean literacy to a larger and more diverse population from across Florida and around the world. will be strengthened,” he said. Crosby, Mote President and CEO. “Mote SEA will be a highly visible gateway into our community, ensuring an ‘ocean for all’ for our teachers, children and the next generation of leaders in marine science and technology. Sho.”
Mote will continue to provide aquarium and marine science education to children who may not otherwise have access to it, by strategically collaborating with schools and community organizations where the need is greatest.
Mote SEA will feature 110,000 square feet, 1 million gallons of informal marine science education space, including engaging underwater exhibits and interactive education labs. From preschoolers to retired adults, from family-centered education programs to National Science Foundation-supported research internships and teacher professional development workshops, Mote SEA tailors marine science to countless audiences at every stage of life. Provide education.
Most importantly, Mote SEA will provide critical experiential science, technology, engineering, and math education to 70,000 students in Sarasota and Manatee County schools with three K-12 STEM education labs. and provides free Family Day Passes to 24,000 Title 1 schools each year. charging.
“Working with local counties like Sarasota and Manatee is not just about creating curriculum, it’s about creating meaningful experiences that resonate with students, increase scientific literacy, and spark curiosity.” said Allie Busse, Mote's vice president of education. “By working closely with these counties, we are confident that the Mote SEA STEM Education Lab will be able to provide students with an education that provides them with the best foundation for understanding and conserving the marine ecosystem in their own backyard. will do so.”
The interactive educational lab will be available to all schools in the region, including a no-cost opportunity, giving each child the opportunity to learn first-hand about marine science and technology. Mote will continue to educate students in aquarium and marine science who may not otherwise have access to it, by strategically collaborating with schools and community organizations where the need is greatest.
Students will learn about marine STEM in three teaching labs located on the first floor of Mote SEA.
The Ocean Technology Lab is equipped with a variety of specialized tools and equipment to enable students to build, modify, and test their own autonomous underwater vehicles, develop sensors, and engage in a variety of ocean engineering activities. Become.
The Marine Ecology Lab features animal habitats, live animal ambassadors, and exhibits that introduce the field of moat research to help students explore topics such as connected ecosystems and water quality. .
In the biomedical/immunology lab, students use tools such as digital microscopes to discover new medicinal compounds from the ocean and use DNA to investigate conservation-related issues such as parentage of sea turtle hatchlings. You will be able to explore themes such as investigating.
Mote SEA not only deepens students' education, but also connects them between education and careers through four workforce development labs located on the second and third floors: the Aquaculture and Fisheries Lab, the Conservation Lab, the Coral Lab, and the Veterinary Clinic and Diagnostic Center. It also helps bridge the gap. .
In these labs, interns and program participants, including high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, develop technical skills, hands-on research experience, and career building by working on ongoing projects with popular scientist mentors. Get networking opportunities.
Perhaps most exciting is the anticipated opening of the facility, on schedule in early 2025, when Mort will be part of the globally significant research being carried out by Mort scientists in every ocean around the world. It will realize the vision of providing a window of discovery for marine science research.
How can the public learn more and see Mote SEA for themselves?
Let everyone jump into the excitement as Mort makes waves at Nathan Benderson Park. Now's your chance to take a peek at the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (SEA) before it opens! Don't miss out! Mote SEA is rapidly taking shape and becoming part of the University Town Center (UTC) community. Curious about the progress of Mote SEA? Join us for our seasonal tasting event on April 17th! This special event, held at the Nathan Benderson Finishing Tower, offers guests a panoramic view of his Mote SEA development, a delicious tasting of the acclaimed UTC restaurant, and the chance to meet the experts behind Mote SEA. To do.
Event details:
What: Various small tastings and complimentary wine and beer
Location: Nathan Benderson's Finishing Tower
Date and time: April 17th 6pm
Why: All proceeds support Mote SEA
Participants: Participating restaurants include The Breakfast Company, The Capital Grille (Sarasota), Georgie's UTC Restaurant & Bar, Louis Pappas Fresh Greek, Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern, Mademoiselle Paris, Five-O Donut Co UTC, Seasons 52, Tandoor Includes Fine Indian Cuisine. , Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar – Sarasota, Japan Sushi & Grill, PopStroke, Kona Grill UTC, Oak and Stone
How: Secure your tickets online at mote.org/seasonal
Don't miss this unforgettable experience! We can't wait to see you in SEA!
Mort SEA construction updates:
In 2024, shortly after the installation of the vast acrylic panels in MoteSEA's largest habitat, the Gulf of Mexico habitat, in December 2023, the construction team will begin to install the remaining large acrylic panels to balance the environment. Installation has started. Main habitat throughout Mote SEA. All exhibit acrylic panels were recently installed, and starting in March 2024, the team began filling the habitat with water and testing for potential leaks. Water testing will continue in the coming weeks.
In addition, the staircases to the second and third floors were completed, and the complex network of plumbing and life support systems needed to bring the million gallons of habitat throughout the facility to life was recently completed.
Heading into April, the final concrete pours will be completed inside the building, and most notably the installation of insulation panels will begin from the outside, to be quickly followed by the final external panels or “skin” panels. Within the next few months, Mote SEA will look nearly complete, at least from the outside.
A Certificate of Occupancy (CO), a formal approval from Sarasota County certifying that Mote SEA has met all necessary construction requirements and is safe for occupancy, is expected to be filed in late summer 2024. is. Once the CO has been issued, Moat Aquarium will allow biologists to undertake a thorough transportation and acclimatization process at the mote for the wide variety of animals that will eventually call Moat SEA home. You can also start working on the look and feel of the interior as well as installing exhibits to create an unforgettable experience. Each exhibit provides guests with a fun, educational, and science-based experience.
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Join the next wave: Visit www.mote.org/support and select Donate to donate directly to Mote.
Fast facts:
Mote has raised more than $107 million toward its $130 million goal
Mote SEA is scheduled to open in winter 2024
Mote SEA will expand Mote's public aquarium space from 66,000 square feet to 110,000 square feet. From about 400,000 gallons to nearly 1 million gallons of seawater are on display.
Initial attendance in its opening year is likely to be close to 700,000, double the current attendance at Mote Aquarium on City Island, which welcomes more than 1 million visitors a year. It will be constructed to accommodate.
Mote SEA provides approximately $28 million in annual economic benefits to the state of Florida.