Field Trips to the Discovery Center

Hands-on learning at its best. Visit our state of the art classroom on the St. Pete Pier, board our eco-vessel, or combine the two for the field trip experience of a lifetime!

Click to view our classroom lesson plan menu, eco-vessel field trip information and additional field trip information.

Submit a field trip request form today to plan and customize an engaging, curriculum-aligned learning opportunity for your class or group.

We also offer mobile field trips. Let us bring Tampa Bay to you if transportation is a challenge.

In the Classroom

Whether you want to dissect an invasive lionfish or peek into the world of plankton, there’s a lesson plan on our menu for you. We host school groups of all ages, including college students, and our field trips are fully customizable to meet your needs. Email tbwdceducation@tampabaywatch.org and let’s have a conversation.

On the Water

Board our 45-foot eco-vessel, "Discovery", for a unique, field-based learning experience. Participants will observe a bird hatchery, scan the bay for manatees and dolphins, and participate in citizen science initiatives. Your group will also use a trawl net to sample the seagrass and count invertebrates alongside our marine biologists. Ask us for more information about themed trips. It's science in action!

Are you ready to explore?

When you’re ready to start planning, submit a field trip request form: Field Trip Request Form

If you have questions, please email tbwdceducation@tampabaywatch.org.

Austin, Pathfinder Outdoor Education

“Thank you so much for an awesome day on Friday! I had not yet been to the Discovery Center, and was blown away by the facility. The classroom section was also very impressive and engaging, the kiddos loved it and got a lot out of it!”

Stefanie Dozier, Gulfside Art & Science Academy

"I run the local homeschool group, and we have been hosting classes at the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center since 2020. All of their classes are hands-on labs. We love that! The students are using microscopes, doing dissections, making models, and finding their own specimens. The classes are always informative and fun! The Discovery Center has been an amazing partner to our homeschool families and has enriched the science education for our students. We are so grateful to live where we can benefit from such an awesome resource."