TEACHER WORKSHOPS
Join MarineLab's biologist/instructors in an exploration of the marine communities in the Upper Keys. Evenings are spent in discovery and learning activities; days are spent aboard our boats, snorkeling the seagrasses, mangroves, and coral reefs protected by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Everglades National Park and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
FALL TEACHER WORKSHOP: Sept 19-20, 2026
Registration is Now OPEN!
Who Can Attend: The workshop is for any Florida teachers who are currently teaching 5th grade through high school and have never been to MarineLab before.
Price: FREE! We do require a $50 completely refundable deposit to register
What to Expect: The program includes two snorkeling trips by boat, overnight accommodations in our air conditioned dorm rooms, snorkel gear, and two meals. All activities are based at our Key Largo campus. During this 2 day/1night program you will participate in discussions, labs and field trips that showcase the marine ecology of the Florida Keys.
Find more information, including full itinerary and link to register, HERE
Summer Workshop: July 2027
Registration Opens Feb 2027
All workshops are content-oriented and are designed for the middle and high school science teacher. However, all educators, naturalists, and others with an interest in the marine environment, 21 and older, are invited! This workshop is open to people from all over; visitors from other countries, with the proper travel visas, are welcome to enroll.
Coastal Marine Ecology
This program focuses on the basics of the marine ecology of the Upper Keys. Teachers Introductory discussions will be given prior to visiting our seagrass, mangroves and coral reef habitats. No need to be expert swimmers.
Cost: includes meals & accommodations.
Advanced Marine Ecology
This program takes our Coastal Marine Ecology program a step further. Various field research methods and techniques are taught and practiced during the snorkeling field trips to the seagrass, mangrove and coral reef habitats.
Cost: includes meals & accommodations
Scholarships are available!
Teachers in Florida based Title I public schools and all Monroe County based teachers are eligible for our Art Mitchell Memorial Fund scholarships. Title I schools have 40% or more children eligible for free or reduced lunch. Fill out our application to apply for funding. All scholarship recipients will be required to pay the $150 nonrefundable deposit.
Teachers from Caribbean island nations are eligible for our Caribbean Teacher Initiative (CTI). Learn more here. Applications open end of Feb. Contact Sarah Egner for details.
Caribbean Teacher Initiative
Caribbean Teacher Initiative (CTI) is a professional development program designed to support and connect educators from Caribbean island nations through marine science education in the Florida Keys.
Our Caribbean Teacher Initiative brought together passionate educators from across the Caribbean for a transformative week of marine science exploration at MarineLab. Through fieldwork in seagrass, mangrove, and coral reef habitats, collaborative learning with MarineLab biologists, and shared experiences on the water, these teachers gained new tools and inspiration to bring marine science back to their communities.
Watch this video to see the week through their eyes and learn how this unique program builds connections, capacity, and conservation-minded educators across island nations.
We can also create a teacher workshop just for your school or district! Email coordinator@marinelab.org or call 305-451-1139 ext 1 to explore the possibilities.
Check out a video testimonial
