Program Guide: !LIVE: Sharks
Jason Robertshaw seatrek@mote.org1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236 United States Phone: (941) 388-2904 Fax: (941) 388-3503
Education: Grade(s) Pre-K Students, Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Teacher(s)/Educator(s), Parent, Adult Learners, Homeschool/Family , Learning PodPublic Library: Library Patrons, Library Staff
Career & Technical Education (CTE), Science, STEM
Join us for a jawsome virtual animal encounter where you’ll dive deep into the world of sharks. Meet the shark species we care for at Mote Aquarium, including bonnetheads, sandbars, nurses, blacknoses, and more, along with their cousins—the skates and rays. Then uncover the secrets of the shark lifecycle and how we care for these incredible creatures. Finally, see where our science meets conservation to ensure the future of these vital ocean dwellers. This program features live animals. Mote Aquarium is proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has met rigorous, professional standards for animal care, wildlife conservation and research, education and more. Book it! Pay Now by Credit Card
via TidyCal.com Book it! Pay Later by PO/Invoice
via cilc.org
- Introduction and Prior Knowledge: The program starts with an introduction to sharks and their relatives, encouraging participants to share any facts or insights they’ve gathered beforehand.
- Segment 1 - Shark Zone: Participants are introduced to the sharks in our 135,000 gallon habitat, while learning about the physical characteristics, behaviors, and adaptations of sharks and rays.
- Video 1 - Shark Care and Husbandry: A short video is shown, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the specialized care and husbandry practices for sharks and rays at the aquarium.
- Segment 2 - Research and Conservation: Discover Mote’s innovative research and conservation efforts aimed at understanding and protecting sharks, rays, and skates through field studies and laboratory work.
- Video 2 - The Shark Lady: Participants watch a brief video exploring the career of Mote’s founder, Dr. Eugenie Clark and the 70+ years of research at the lab.
- Segment 3 - Q&A Session: The program concludes with an interactive Q&A session, where participants can ask questions and engage in discussions about sharks, stingrays, and conservation.
Materials to be used during program: All Materials must be opened and printed individually.
Mote Shark Bingo Cards (884.40 KB)
- The learner will identify and describe the role of sharks and their relatives (rays and skates) within marine ecosystems, recognizing their importance as apex predators and their interactions with other species.
- The learner will examine the adaptations and lifecycles of different shark species, and how aquarium staff feed and care for sharks to maintain their health and wellbeing.
- The learner will investigate the impacts of human activities, such as overfishing, on shark populations and marine ecosystems, and evaluate conservation strategies to protect these vital species.
- Apex Predator: A predator at the top of a food chain, with no natural predators of its own; sharks are often considered apex predators.
- Bonnethead: A small species of hammerhead shark (Sphyrna tiburo) distinguished by its shovel-shaped head.
- Buoyancy: The ability of an object to float in water or other fluids. Sharks are negatively buoyant but have several adaptations to offset their tendency to sink.
- Cartilage: A flexible connective tissue found in sharks and other elasmobranchs, forming their skeletons instead of bone.
- Conservation: The protection and preservation of natural environments and wildlife, including efforts to maintain or restore ecosystems.
- Elasmobranch: A subclass of cartilaginous fish that includes sharks, rays, and skates, characterized by their skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone.
- Embryo: An early stage of development in animals, before birth or hatching, that occurs inside the mother's body or within an egg.
- Ecosystem: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
- Husbandry: The care, cultivation, and breeding of animals, especially in a controlled environment like an aquarium.
- Mermaid’s Purse: A tough, leathery egg case produced by some species of sharks and rays, protecting the developing embryo inside.
- Oviparous: Describes animals that lay eggs, with embryos developing and hatching outside the mother's body; some sharks are oviparous.
- Ovoviviparous: A mode of reproduction in which embryos develop inside eggs that remain within the mother’s body until they are ready to hatch.
- Overfishing: The practice of fishing at a rate that is unsustainable, leading to the depletion of fish populations, including sharks, and disruption of marine ecosystems.
- Shark: A type of large fish known for its cartilaginous skeleton, multiple rows of teeth, and often being an apex predator in the ocean.
- Viviparous: Describes animals that give birth to live young, with embryos developing inside the mother’s body, receiving nutrients directly from her.
SCAN our resources before your show:- Adopt an Animal: By adopting one of our sharks, you’re not only supporting their well-being but also enabling us to continue vital research that helps protect and preserve our precious marine environments. Find out more at mote.org/adopt.
- Shark Research Exploration: Participants can research the different species of sharks featured in the program (bonnetheads, sandbars, nurses, blacknoses, etc.). They can create fact sheets or draw illustrations of each species, noting their habitat, diet, and unique characteristics.
- Shark Anatomy Study: Encourage participants to study the anatomy of a shark. They can label a diagram with parts such as the dorsal fin, gills, and caudal fin. This will help them better understand the anatomy when they hear about the lifecycle and care practices during the program.
- Conservation Awareness Activity: Participants can research current threats to shark populations, such as overfishing or habitat loss, and create a poster or digital presentation about the importance of shark conservation. This will prime them for the final segment of the program.
ZOOM into your live show with our experts, animals, & exhibits:- We will provide a courtesy Zoom link in your calendar confirmation.
FOCUS on activities before and during your live show:- Play BingoBaker online or on paper.
REFLECT on your reactions and explore more after the show:- Reflection and Discussion: Have students write a short reflection or participate in a class discussion about what they learned from the virtual program. Encourage them to share interesting facts and their personal impressions.
- Shark Care Simulation: After learning about how Mote cares for sharks, participants can design their own "shark care plan" using what they've learned. They could outline the steps needed to create a safe environment for a shark species, including tank setup, feeding schedules, and health monitoring.
- Shark Art Project: Participants can create art inspired by the sharks, rays, or skates they learned about. This could include drawing, painting, or even creating a 3D model using materials like clay or recycled items. They could share their art with family or on social media to spread awareness.
- Shark Conservation Campaign: Building on the conservation research from the program, participants can design a campaign to raise awareness about shark conservation in their community or online. This could involve creating social media posts, writing a blog, or organizing a small event to educate others about the importance of protecting sharks.
LS1A 3-5 -- Structure and function LS1A K-2 -- Structure and function 
A temporary recording of your connection can be created for an additional $90 fee if you connect via our Zoom.
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