About SeaTrek

History

Located in Sarasota, Florida, Mote Aquarium participated in distance learning demonstrations as early as 1994, allowing students at sites as far away as England to drive a ROV in Mote’s shark tank. In 1996, Mote Aquarium began its own distance program utilizing state-of-the-art videoconferencing technology. This program became known as SeaTrek.

Our mission: to bring the ocean world to students through innovative delivery of interactive science education programs and foster understanding of marine life and an appreciation for conserving the marine environment.

From 1999-2001, SeaTrek received three consecutive Technology Literacy Challenge Fund grants [link]. TLCF allowed us to expand videoconferencing infrastructure to 39 schools in 21 Florida school districts. We also perform programs for national and international audiences.

Mote Marine Laboratory has been a PIN-site for the JASON Expeditions since its inception in 1989. Distance Learning coordinates the JASON Expeditions at Mote.

In 2004, Mote's Distance Learning Program was officially moved from under the Aquarium and Special Projects Division. We are now under the reorganized Education Division as the Center for Distance Learning .

Present

Keating Marine Education Center: This new two-story, over-parking structure houses two state-of-the-art distance learning/videoconferencing studios, education curricula development offices, classrooms, and a new maritime operations center to coordinate the Laboratory’s oceanographic operations.
 

Staff Highlight

KASEY, SeaTrek Presenter: Originally hailing from North Dakota, Kasey attended Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. She graduated from Minnesota State University - Moorhead with a B.A. in Biology (2001). Shortly thereafter, Kasey did an internship at Mote Marine Laboratory’s Dolphin & Whale/Sea Turtle Hospital, working with a pygmy sperm whale, a rough-toothed dolphin and several species of sea turtles (green, loggerhead, & Kemp’s ridley). Following her internship, she became an Apprentice Trainer at Marineland of Florida, working with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, African penguins and California sealions.

As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to live and work by the ocean. The life there has always fascinated and intrigued me. I was determined and never lost sight of my dream, so here I am!

In 2002, Kasey joined SeaTrek as our primary videoconference presenter. She received her Master’s Degree from Nova Southeastern University.

CONTACT: Kasey <kasey@mote.org>, 941-388-4441 x 263.

 

Notable Quotables

This was one of the best distance learning programs I have ever been involved with. It was truly interactive for the whole hour....

New Market Elementary
South Montgomery School Corp
New Market, IN

This has to be one of the best distance learning programs we've participated in. The students couldn't stop talking about it. They said to tell you it was AWESOME!!!!

Ellen Lewis
New Market Elementary
New Market, IN

Absolutely wonderful!  The best I have seen yet!!!

Ginny Murray
Huntsville City Schools
Huntsville, AL

The program was fantastic! Keep up the good work! Excellent presenter!

Susan Jackson
Clyde Jr. High School
Clyde, TX

I do appreciate the professional manner in which you presented the videoconference for our students. I have received nothing but positive feedback about the program. I was very impressed with the amount of interaction as well as your enthusiastic presentation. Thank you for your work in this area!!

G. Edwards
Principal at Clyde Jr. High
Clyde, TX

I really thought the game show was the best! It kept the students interested and on task! Some students said they wanted to work at Mote when they grow up!

Bridget Allman

St Charles Elementary
Lima, OH

I love your videoconference programs---the quality, the curriculum materials, the outstanding presentations, and the great service make them among the very best I've seen.

Jill Bell
Cape Elizabeth School System
Cape Elizabeth, ME

Students did not know there were so many species of sharks. My students were interested enough to do some follow-up research themselves on sharks.

Kathy Fenton
Lake View Elementary
Sarasota, FL

They really enjoyed the enthusiasm of the presenter! They really liked the presentation and being involved. When students are motivated and interested in what they are doing, they will understand and remember the concepts better.

Christine Kelly
Allendale Public Schools
Allendale, MI

You did a great job of engaging all of the sites and showing the teachers a high-quality source of content for their classrooms.  Several participants were in their first videoconference so they were able to experience the best!

Bob Stricker
SOITA
Franklin, OH

The speaker was awesome! Nothing can improve on perfection.

Vena Whitney
Springer Public Schools
Springer, OK

The presenter was knowledgeable and engaging and the use of graphics and video was very well done. The students seemed to be very actively involved. Thanks for the great program!

Susan Altgelt
Coordinator, Distance Learning Services
Education Service Center, Region 20

We just had our third seatrek distance learning experience with you guys. It was fantastic! Our fourth grade students REALLY loved them. I would like to thank you for having such a great program available.

Katy Buytaert
Washington Elementary School
Cloquet, MN

My appreciation is extended to Mote Marine. The ROV conference he facilitated was punctual, interesting, engaging, and educational. It was probably not apparent, but the students we serve have not responded well to a traditional education, and your service allows them to become more interested and engaged in meaningful learning. This in turn creates an enthusiasm on the part of the teacher, and helps us to continue working with an extremely challenging population. Just the fact that we have access to an expert makes the students take the educational process more seriously.

Kevin J. Kelly
Grout Park School
Schenectady, NY

…we have quickly decided you are our favorite Virtual Field Trip. Based on watching several dozen now, it shows that your team has an education background and understands good quality programs. Thanks for being a great resource for our schools!

Jane Kellogg
Kellogg Consulting
Ada, OK

We found the content to be fascinating.

Troy Mayfield
Branson Schools
Branson, CO

The students were very interested the whole time. We loved the little experiments that were presented. We would love to participate with this presenter again. She was great, a lot of enthusiasm!

Jodi Vega
Albion Public Schools
Albion, OK

The Marine Biologist program was excellent and we greatly appreciate your willingness to put this session together for this morning's career awareness program. The incorporation of the video clips really kept the students' attention and it was very informative and professional in appearance.

Susan Trevaskis
Distance Learning Coordinator
Red Lion Area Senior High School
Red Lion, PA