Florida's reef tract - the rainforest of the sea - a living, diverse underwater world!

The Florida Keys coral reef is an extraordinary and valuable ecosystem, as it is North America’s only living coral barrier reef. Stretching approximately 358 miles, this unique reef system supports an incredible diversity of marine life, helps protect coastal communities, and contributes billions of dollars to the local economy. As the only extensive shallow coral reef system in the continental United States, the Florida Keys reef is home to more than 6000 marine species! It also provides critical habitat for threatened and endangered species, including elkhorn and staghorn corals, sea turtles, and spiny lobsters. In addition, the reef serves as a natural breakwater, reducing wave energy and helping protect Florida’s coastline from storms and hurricanes.

Coral reefs are among the most important ecosystems on Earth because they provide shelter, food, and habitat for countless organisms. The cracks, crevices, and complex structures of the reef create safe hiding places and homes for small fish, invertebrates, and many other marine species. This rich biodiversity also benefits people by providing seafood, supporting the development of medicines, and creating a vibrant underwater world for recreation and exploration.

The Pennekamp Glass Bottom Boat is an extended school day expedition! Participants will learn about the importance of our National Marine Sanctuary - what it provides us and our human impacts. As marine biologists do on any scientific expedition, students working in groups will identify and record the fauna and flora they encounter both on land, on sea and in the air. The expedition doesn't only take place at the park, but also on the bus ride participants will see the transition from the majestic Everglades to the amazing ocean - & how it is available to us year round! It is a long day, but one they will never forget!

On the way to Pennekamp or back to the school at the end of the day, groups have a choice to stop off at Robert Is Here - an iconic landmark that will include one of their famous made-from-scratch milkshakes or smoothies and have the option to look at the animals as well as purchase some local and exotic produce and/or other items. 

The survival of the Earth depends, in part, on the level of environmental awareness we develop in our children and maintain in ourselves. The potential for change is unlimited if we develop in our children an awareness and appreciation for our natural environment. We believe that this increased awareness in environmental perception and pleasure is most effective when discovered while actually in the ecosystem itself. 

"WE ARE ALL CONNECTED, SO WE ARE ALL AFFECTED!"

Cost of Program

Thi program is unique in that we can take up to 2 busloads of participants in one trip! For 1 bus, a minimum of 35 students and a maximum of 50 students per day; for 2 buses a minimum of 70 and a maximum of 100 students per day. It is required to have 1 adult for every 10 students - we give you 4 free adults for 35-44 students, 5 for 45-54 students, 6 for 55-64 students, 7 for 65-74 students, 8 for 75-84 students, 9 for 85-94 students and 10 for 95-100 students. You can also count us (Science Eye staff) as chaperones to help meet your required ratio for the park. If the minimum number of students is not met, adults can be used to reach the minimum number of students (35) at the student rate - those adults can also be used towards the 1:10 ratio of adults. If you have your minimum number of students, additional adults over the free ratio (the 1:10) are charged an additional cost. If you do not meet your minimum number of students and use adults, you will only get free the number of adults needed to meet the 1:10 ratio for the park. The maximum number on a bus is 55.

If you have less than the minimum number of 35 students per day and you do not want to supplement them with adults, please contact us - we will work with you to determine your rates.

If you are interested in an all-adults program, please contact us to work with you to determine the rates and schedule for your exclusive program.

If you are interested in an exclusive individual family educational program, please contact us to determine rates and a schedule for your program.

NOTE: If you have multiple classes (over 50-100 students), multiple field trip days can be scheduled.

Important Information for Teachers

Location: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Approved transportation company used: Florida Tours

Reminder - this is an extended day! General activities (the order of events are based on school pick up & drop off, glass bottom boat time, and the optional stop at Robert Is Here); there are 2 options of boat tour times W, Th or F at 9:15am or 3:15pm - we will provide you a more detailed itinerary based on which time you prefer:

• Pick up at school (we arrive at your school when school begins, check paperwork, lunch/water bottles & clothing)

• Rules, introduction, background information, & overview of team jobs on the drive to Pennekamp

• Bathroom, snorkel off the beach, lunch, change clothes, gift shop, visitor center, explore, check in

• Safety talk & glass bottom boat educational tour (2.5 hours on the boat)

• Follow-up, share information on the drive back to school

• OPTIONAL: Robert Is Here milkshakes/smoothies - if the 9:15am boat tour schedule is chosen, we will stop here on the way back to the school; if the 3:15pm boat tour schedule is chosen, we will stop here before Pennekamp

Students work in teams to record data (provided).

Data collected and observations made throughout this engaging field experience can be further analyzed, organized and interpreted with the guidance of their teacher back in the classroom through graphs, charts, infographics and other visuals.

***NOTES: 

• South Florida weather may dictate a change in activities - it will be determined on case-by-case basis. 

• If your group has a special grant, area of study, or something specific that needs/wants to be covered, please let us know when scheduling and we may be able to accommodate your needs.