The Florida Central Zoo in Sanford offers discounted admission rates to group field trips, as well as free admission for one teacher for every 10 students on school field trips. Field trip organizers can arrange for the group to participate in a variety of educational programs, many of which are tailored to particular age groups. The "First Class...Zoo" program for children in first grade introduces visitors to a variety of animals during interactive encounters, while students learn about adult and baby animals and conservation efforts. For children in grades four and five, the "Zoolab" program provides visitors with a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo and teaches students about habitats and adaptation.
The Emerald Coast Science Center is equipped with interactive exhibits and learning laboratories to teach students about physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy and biology. Students can learn about light waves, crime scene investigation, how electricity works and the phases of the moon. Programs are customized to children between kindergarten and fifth grade, and teachers can combine a variety of programs for a full learning experience. Program options include Slime Time Fun, Fingerprint Collection and Analysis, Genetics for Kids and a Mixtures and Solutions Lab. The center is located in Fort Walton Beach.
For groups of at least 15 students, the Florida Aquarium in Tampa offers discounted admission and the on-site Aquaventures educational programs. The Aquaventures programs encompass teaching curriculum for students from kindergarten through to grade 12. Aquaventures includes on-site classroom-based programs. The Land to Sea kindergarten Aquaventure, for example, offers an early introduction to marine life, and the Underwater Archaeology program is geared toward children in grades six through eight. Hands-on laboratory programs include the Sedimentology and Physical Oceanography Labs for youth between grades 6 and 12. The zoo hosts open houses each year for teachers to become familiar with the zoo and the curriculum taught through the Aquaventures programs.
The Miami Children's Museum offers educational tours for pre-kindergarten children to fifth graders. Tours are three hours in length and are available for groups of up to 25 children. Teachers can arrange for a guided tour throughout the exhibits at the museum, such as such as a two-story sandcastle, a six-foot piggy bank and a 900-gallon marine tank. Themed trips are also available from a variety of age-appropriate options. Themes include the Ocean in Motion for pre-kindergarten children through grade two, the Dollars & Sense program and the Cultural Connections programs for second through fifth graders.