Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Meet M.A.R.V.E.N. – the Mote Aquarium Roving Virtual Exhibit Navigator

M.A.R.V.E.N. is a mobile livestreaming cart that connects learners of all ages to Mote’s science programs. Funded through a grant from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, M.A.R.V.E.N. brings live, interactive Virtual Focus Trips to classrooms and communities directly from our exhibit spaces.

Equipped with three cameras, microphone headsets, and a media player, MARVEN delivers a broadcast-quality experience without the shakiness of handheld video. Built on a professional production cart with pneumatic wheels that glide smoothly in any direction, MARVEN allows educators to roam freely from anywhere and answer real-time questions from students and lifelong learners.

As we prepare to open the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA), M.A.R.V.E.N. will play a key role in showcasing new exhibits, conservation work, and behind-the-scenes science.

FUN FACT: “Marven” is also a name with Old English and Welsh roots, meaning “sea friend.” It evokes loyalty and friendship, with its ocean-inspired origin suggesting an adventurous, free-spirited character.


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