Overview
Dive into a STEM-powered aquatic adventure with our Florida Marine Life program! Through hands-on experiences in environmental science, marine biology, and habitat conservation, students engage directly with real-world scientific concepts. They’ll visit animal rehabilitation facilities to learn from veterinarians and researchers working to protect marine life and fragile ecosystems. Students experience these environments firsthand, from hiking the Everglades by moonlight to snorkeling with schools of tropical fish and swimming with dolphins.
Excursions & Highlights
Your program at a glance, including guided tours, independent visits, photo stops, and immersive activities.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to South Florida
Lunch
Everglades National Park visit
Take an evening hike through North America’s only subtropical preserve. Participate in a "Night Sounds" lab and share your observations as you listen to thousands of birds, insects, and reptiles that call the Everglades their home.
Dinner and hotel check-in
Day 2
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Orientation
Meet your Course Leader on the hotel’s pool deck for an orientation of your upcoming adventures in Florida. Learn about some of the topics you’ll cover throughout the week by participating in an exciting team-building activity.
Shark Valley Tram tour
Set out on a tram tour of the Everglades with a park ranger to spot alligators, snakes, and countless bird species. Learn about ongoing restoration efforts and why preserving this unique ecosystem is essential for native wildlife and the environment.
Lunch
Marine Rehabilitation experience
Get up close with a variety of marine life and hear stories about their care from local field experts. Learn about rescue operations and how conservation efforts protect the region’s ecosystem and its vulnerable species.
Dinner and hotel check-in
Coral Reef Fish Identification activity
Think like a marine biologist and gain real-world skills as you learn about fish anatomy and markings. Learn how to properly identify where fish live in the marine shelf based on their physical and behavioral adaptations.
Day 3
Breakfast
Reef snorkel trip
Hop aboard a boat for a snorkeling adventure at a spectacular offshore coral reef. Swim with vibrant tropical fish and observe their different features while learning about how reefs support marine habitats.
Lunch
Garden Cove kayak trip
Discover the importance of teamwork as you kayak in pairs through calm waters and learn about local marine life. Paddle through dense mangrove forests and see how they naturally protect the coastline while providing vital habitat for the species that call this region home.
Dinner
Anatomy and Invertebrates workshop
Explore a touch tank filled with unique sea animals and discover how to use scientific taxonomy to categorize invertebrate phyla. Hear fascinating facts about squid while studying their anatomy and learn how conservation efforts support a wide range of local marine wildlife.
Day 4
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Dolphin Experience workshop
Take part in an interactive workshop led by education staff, exploring dolphin anatomy and how operant conditioning is used in marine mammal training. Then head into the water to practice these techniques with a trainer while swimming with dolphins and observing their behaviors up close.
Lunch
Reef snorkel trip
Hop aboard a boat for a snorkeling adventure at a spectacular offshore coral reef. Swim with vibrant tropical fish and observe their different features while learning about how reefs support marine habitats.
Travel to South Florida Airport
Depart for home
Dinner
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Scenes From Recent STEM Trips
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.