Homeschool Days
For children who have ever wondered what lives beneath Sarasota Bay, science begins with a question—and often with wet hands, a close look, and the freedom to investigate.
By Edit Sarasota Staff
For children who have ever wondered what lives beneath Sarasota Bay, science begins with a question—and often with wet hands, a close look, and the freedom to investigate. Mote Science Education Aquarium’s Homeschool Days invite young learners to step beyond the textbook and into the working world of marine science, where the Gulf becomes not just a backdrop to daily life but a subject worthy of sustained attention.
Designed for homeschool students ages 6 to 14, the program offers hands-on learning experiences connected to Mote’s research and the wider field of marine science. Monthly classes are organized for younger students ages 6 to 9, older students ages 10 to 14, and families who want a shared experience for children across the full age range. The format acknowledges something homeschooling families know well: curiosity does not always follow a grade-level calendar, and the most memorable lessons often happen when siblings can explore a subject together.
That approach also reflects Sarasota’s particular relationship with the water. Here, questions about marine life are inseparable from questions about conservation, changing coastlines, responsible stewardship, and the future of the Gulf. A program that encourages children to observe, test, and think like scientists gives local families a meaningful way to connect those large issues to tangible experiences. For students, marine science can begin with an animal, an ecosystem, or an intriguing mystery; over time, it can grow into an understanding of the delicate systems that support the region’s environmental and economic life.
Mote has long combined scientific research with public education, translating complex work in the marine environment into experiences accessible to students, families, and visitors. At Mote SEA, that educational mission takes place in a setting built to make discovery active and participatory. Homeschool Days extend that work into a recurring program, giving families a chance to return throughout the semester and build knowledge from one class to the next.
The fall semester’s Homeschool Day programs will be offered in the afternoons, making the schedule a natural fit for families looking to add a focused field experience to their week. The next session takes place Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Mote Science Education Aquarium, 225 University Town Center Drive in Sarasota. Families can choose the class structure that best suits their students and spend an afternoon exploring the science, surprises, and responsibilities of life in a marine world.