Day Programs

outdoor plankton lab
Students use digital microscopes, make wet slides, and identify microorganisms during Plankton Lab activity.

NPS

Biscayne Explorer - A standards-based, ranger-led program that brings marine science to students who perform tasks similar to those of park staff. The park's classroom is converted into a plankton lab where students learn about phyto and zooplankton, algae blooms, and water quality while making wet slides and identifying microscopic life inside a drop of water. The seining activity encourages students to get their hands wet as they catch and inventory juvenile fish while learning about current fisheries research. The visitor center exhibit hall surrounds students with dioramas of the park's four primary ecosystems and allows for in-depth individual learning and exploration.

Biscayne Explorer classes usually arrive around 9:30 and leave around 1:30. Upon arrival to the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, students will be greeted by a park ranger and given a brief orientation. They will then be divided into groups of 10-15 students to rotate through 45-60 minute activity stations. Some activitiy stations examples are: Plankton Lab, Seining, Nature Walk, and Visitor Center Exploration. We also offer canoeing and fishing clinics for students 4th grade and older if staffing, timing, and weather permit.

  • Grades - Primarily 4th grade. We'll take requests for other grade levels but 4th grade is our priority. Plankton Lab is appropriate for 4th grade and older. Seining works well for all ages, as does nature journaling and Visitor Center Exploration.
  • Ranger led - yes
  • Group size - 20-50 students max
  • Chaperones - One per every ten students
  • Program dates - October - May
  • Registration - We are opening registration for school year 24/25 program on Tuesday, 9/3 at 7:00 a.m. We will not consider requests that arrive before 7 a.m.
    To reserve a field trip, please fill out our Booking Form and Registration Form.
  • For more information - call (786) 335-3690 or e-mail us
 
Students on boat tour
Students enjoying boat tour of Biscayne National Park

NPS

Biscayne Voyager! (In development. We expect to offer this special limited program beginning in Spring, 2025)
Biscayne Voyager is a standards-based and ranger led program that immerses 4th grade students in Biscayne Bay's history and habitats. Students learn about South Florida history from the end of the most recent ice age to modern times and connect the human story to our marine world through ranger narratives, activities, and first hand observation of the ecosystems on a 3.5 hour voyage across Biscayne Bay.

Students will navigate across the bay aboard a Coast Guard Certified park concessioner vessel to Boca Chita Key. While on Boca Chita, students will work in small groups and rotate through several stations: exploring the light house, doing a 1 mile natural walk around the island, and learn about marine life along the shallow shoreline.

  • Grades - 4th
  • Ranger led - yes
  • Group size - 25 students
  • Chaperones - One per every five students
  • Program dates - TBD
  • Registration - Not taking registration requests at this time.
  • For more information - call (786) 335-3690 or e-mail us.
 
 

Last updated: August 28, 2024

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

9700 SW 328th Street
Sir Lancelot Jones Way

Homestead, FL 33033

Phone:

305 230-1144

Contact Us