Mote Marine Laboratory has once again been honored with a Pinnacle Award from the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) for the 2025–2026 school year, recognizing excellence in live virtual learning experiences.
Established in 2008, the Pinnacle Awards have become one of CILC's most respected recognitions for organizations that continue to raise the standard for interactive virtual education.
"Every Pinnacle Award recipient demonstrates that meaningful learning isn't defined by a classroom or a building—it's defined by curiosity, engagement, and human connection," said Allyson Mitchell, Director of Partnerships & Engagement at CILC. "Every one of these recipients is setting the standard for interactive learning experiences."
This latest recognition continues Mote's long tradition of excellence in virtual education. Since joining CILC, Mote has earned multiple Pinnacle Awards and, in 2020, was inducted into the CILC Pinnacle Hall of Fame in recognition of more than a decade of award-winning virtual programming.
"We have always had the goal of making education and the magic of learning here at Mote something that can be utilized by anyone," said Jason Robertshaw, Mote's Virtual Programs Manager. "The value of this award is that it is based on direct feedback from teachers, families, and community partners, so we know our programs are making a difference."
"This recognition reflects our commitment to creating immersive STEM learning experiences that inspire curiosity and connect learners with real science," said Aly Busse, Associate Vice President for Education at Mote Marine Laboratory. "Whether students join us from a classroom, library, homeschool, or community center, we're proud to make marine science accessible through engaging virtual experiences."
Over Three Decades of STEM Learning Journeys
Mote's commitment to virtual education spans more than 35 years.
In 1986, Mote Marine Laboratory established long-range plans to expand its K–12 education initiatives. That vision became reality in 1989, when legendary ocean explorer Dr. Bob Ballard, discoverer of the RMS Titanic, invited Mote to become the twelfth site in the groundbreaking JASON Project. Through interactive videoconferencing, students participated in live scientific expeditions to remote locations around the world. Support from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, along with the Sarasota and Manatee County school districts, enabled more than 10,000 students to participate during Mote's first year.
By 1994, Mote was pioneering distance-learning technology, allowing students in England to remotely pilot an underwater ROV inside Mote Aquarium's shark habitat.
Building on this momentum, Mote launched SeaTrek in 1996, connecting classrooms worldwide with marine scientists through live, multimedia virtual field trips focused on sharks, coral reefs, sea turtles, fisheries, and ocean conservation. By 2006, SeaTrek had reached more than 15,000 students around the globe.
Mote's innovation in virtual education has continued to earn national recognition. In 2017, Mote received the Interactive Video Conference Content Provider Award from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). In 2020, CILC inducted Mote into its inaugural Pinnacle Hall of Fame, recognizing over a decade of sustained excellence in live virtual programming.
Today, Mote's Virtual Focus Trips serve learners from classrooms, libraries, homeschool groups, senior living communities, and lifelong learning organizations around the world.
The Next Generation of Virtual Learning
Continuing its legacy of educational innovation, Mote is expanding its Wonderful Animal Virtual Encounters from the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA).
Programs are powered by the Mote Aquarium Roving Virtual Exhibit Navigator (MARVEN)—a mobile virtual learning system equipped with multiple cameras, wireless microphones, and integrated media technology that allows audiences to experience behind-the-scenes animal encounters like never before.
From penguins and sharks to sea turtles and coral restoration, MARVEN creates immersive, interactive experiences that bring learners directly into the heart of Mote's research and education mission.
Thank you for learning with us!
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Zoom in. Focus together. Wonder around.
