Homeschool programs
Florida Oceanographic Society offers self-guided and guided field trip options during the regular school year tailored towards structured groups of homeschooled students in grades K-12. Please see program options and policies below.
For question or availability, please contact Nicole Harper at 772-225-0505 ext. 116 or nharper@floridaocean.org.
Please review the program policies before scheduling
Homeschool Programs Policies
Seining Program Waiver
Exploration Sheets (Grades K-2)
Exploration Sheets (Grades 3-6)
Self-Guided Group Visit
Self-guided group rates are available to homeschool groups of 15 or more to explore the Coastal Center at their leisure and attend our daily public education programs. This is the best option for mixed-age homeschool groups.
Price: $6.00 per person (student and adult); no free adults
Availability: Monday-Friday, 10am – 5pm
Group Limitations:
- Group size - 15 minimum / 50 maximum
- Groups arriving with less than 15 people will pay regular admission rates
- The number of adults must be less than the number of paying students in the group
Scheduling: Groups must pre-schedule to receive group rate
Payment: Groups must arrive together and pay with ONE payment method to secure group rate. Late arrivals will pay regular admission.
Self-guided groups can download and print "Self-Guided Exploration Sheets” found below. These will help the chaperones lead the students through the facility and benefit mixed age groups as the sheets are tailored to each age range. Group policies still apply.
Coastal Classroom Program
Price: $12.00 per person (student and adult)
Time Frame: 1 hour guided program (plus self-guided exploration of the Coastal Center before/after program)
Group Size:
- 8 min. / 20 max. students per program
- All students must be at the same grade level
- No more than 10 adults per program
Program Options:
- Beach Walk -The group will head over to Stuart Beach to learn about dune habitats and Florida's nesting sea turtles, then explore the wrack line to see what types of natural treasures can be found.
- Guided Nature Walk - On this mile walk through our mangrove swamp and hardwood hammocks, the group will learn about these habitats, the Ais Indians who utilized them, and their connection with the Indian River Lagoon.
- The Truth about Sharks -This PowerPoint-based classroom program will teach students about the biology of sharks along with debunking myths and highlighting the important role that these top predators play in the health of a food web.
Seining Adventure Program
*This is a water-based program and participants will be wading in water up to their waists.*
Price: $14.00 per participant (students and adults)
Time frame: 2 hour guided program (plus self-guided exploration of the Coastal Center before/after program)
Group Size:
- 10 min. / 20 max. students per program
- All students must be at the same grade level
- No more than 10 adults per program
Age levels: 8 years old and up
Includes: Guided walk down to the Indian River Lagoon, overview of estuary habitats, instruction on use of seine nets, wading and collecting species in the Indian River Lagoon, and review of collected species.
- After (or before) the guided seining program, groups are welcome to explore the Coastal Center exhibits and tanks on their own. Groups have the option to attend the regular daily public programs, as timing allows. A changing facility and lunch pavilion are also available onsite.
Requirements: All participants must come prepared for the program with a completed waiver and proper footwear. Other program details are listed on the waiver.
