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The story of Mote Marine Laboratory begins with Dr. Eugenie Clark, a pioneering scientist whose curiosity reshaped how the world understands sharks. Known as the "Shark Lady," Dr. Clark challenged fear-based narratives, demonstrated that sharks are intelligent and ecologically vital, and built a culture of science grounded in both rigor and accessibility. Her belief that discovery should be shared widely remains central to Mote's mission today, shaping how research and education reach learners of all ages.
Over the past 30 years, that vision has grown into a robust distance learning program connecting classrooms and communities directly with scientists, educators, and living marine systems. This work reached a new milestone with the opening of the Mote Science Education Aquarium, a one-of-a-kind experiential learning facility featuring expansive exhibits holding over a million gallons of seawater alongside dedicated STEM teaching and workforce development labs. Designed to serve tens of thousands of students each year, the facility stands at the intersection of research, education, and community engagement. Just as importantly, the vision it represents extends far beyond its walls.
That is where Mote's Virtual Focus Trips play a critical role, translating the energy and authenticity of the aquarium into live, interactive virtual sessions. Learners are brought face-to-face with marine animals and the biologists who care for and study them, creating opportunities for connection that mirror the depth of an in-person visit. Mote’s SEA Me Read series deepens that connection further still, pairing science-rich picture books with direct observation of living marine animals at Mote SEA. Educators read aloud while the real science unfolds in the habitat behind them. Story and science blend together.
On May 5, the day after what would have been Dr. Clark's 104th birthday and during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, that blending becomes something special. Mote educators will read Swimming With Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang live from the top of the Florida Gulf Coast Observation Deck, looking out over a 385,000-gallon shark habitat. Dr. Clark's story unfolds above the water as the sharks move below it. (Event registration here)
What makes this program resonate even further during AAPI Heritage Month is the opportunity to elevate Dr. Clark's identity as a Japanese-American scientist at a time when few women, and even fewer women of color, were recognized in the field. Sharing her story in this context invites learners to consider not only what she discovered, but who she was and the barriers she overcame. It connects her legacy to a broader conversation about representation, access, and what becomes possible when curiosity is supported and encouraged.
One kindergarten teacher put it plainly: "My students were thinking that sharks were man-eating animals before this program. They were not curious about them, their perception was they were scary. Now they think they are important to the environment and cool." That shift, from fear to understanding, is at the heart of what Dr. Clark worked to achieve throughout her life.
For CILC audiences, SEA Me Read demonstrates how virtual learning can carry genuine weight. It honors scientific legacy, centers a trailblazing Asian American woman scientist, and gives learners access to the stories that shape how we understand and care for the ocean. Mote's broader suite of Virtual Focus Trips extends this same spirit across programs and audiences, from live animal encounters to workforce explorations and science-based storytelling experiences. You can find out more about their programs by visiting their CILC page here.
