June 26 – July 1: Shark Days at Mote

Join Mote Marine Laboratory for the third annual Shark Days at Mote: Real Sharks, Real Science. From June 26-July 1, 2017, Mote will dive into the research on these incredible animals during a week of events, activities and jaw-some fun for the whole family.
 
Details and registration: www.mote.org/sharkdays
 
This event is made possible by Title Sponsor CapTrust.
 
Shark Days at Mote lineup
 
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, June 26: Sharks & Crafts
Children can embrace their creative side while learning about one of the ocean’s most magnificent creatures with Sharks & Crafts, a craft event in the Mote Aquarium Courtyard! From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., tables will be set up with shark-themed crafts for children of all ages to participate in.
 
Sharks & Crafts is free with regular paid admission to Mote Aquarium and is free for Mote Members.
 
6 p.m. Tuesday, June 27: "Tiburones: The Sharks of Cuba" screening followed by Q&A with Dr. Robert Hueter
Mote's shark and coral researchers will share what they learned from a landmark expedition in Cuba — an international team effort that allowed U.S. and Cuban scientists to place the first satellite transmitter tags on sharks in Cuban waters, conduct the first coral transplant experiment on a Cuban reef and more.
 
Watch the underwater action in Discovery’s “Tiburones: The Sharks of Cuba” followed by a Q&A with Dr. Robert Hueter, Director of the Center for Shark Research at Mote.
 
11 a.m. Wednesday, June 28: Shark Training Facebook Live
Do you wonder how Mote Aquarium takes care of its resident sharks?
 
Check out Mote's Facebook Livestream of a narrated shark training session 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, to see how Mote Aquarium biologists train the resident sharks using positive reinforcement. Be sure to like Mote on Facebook to witness the fun!

6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29: Sharks, Tales & Ales Science Café
Adults can join Mote's shark experts at the Lab's WAVE Center for a Science Café: Sharks, Tales & Ales — a free, casual discussion between the experts and you! Small plate appetizers and cocktails will be available for purchase. Mote Science Cafés are informal discussions that give everyone the chance to participate. Topics are designed to help you discover relationships between everyday life and the marine world. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the program starts at 6 p.m.
 
Suggested audience: Adults 21 and older. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase, and the conversation about sharks and Mote research will be geared toward an adult audience.
 
1 p.m. Friday, June 30: SeaTrek.TV Livestream with Dr. Robert Nowicki
Celebrate Shark Days at Mote with live-streaming, online event with Dr. Robert Nowicki, a Mote Postdoctoral Research Fellow, at 1 p.m. Friday, June 30. Nowicki will share his research in Shark Bay, Australia, looking at the relationship between seagrass ecosystems and apex predators like the tiger shark. He will also discuss future research goals, including establishing long term shark monitoring in the lower Florida Keys to provide baseline data for restoration and management.
 
Learn more about SeaTrek.TV livestream here.
 
Saturday, July 1: Fins & Fun Family Festival and Gills Club
 
Enjoy a day dedicated to one of the top ocean predators at the Fins & Fun Family Festival! This event will wrap up Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium's Shark Days at Mote: Real Sharks, Real Science.
 
The event is free with paid admission to Mote Aquarium and is free for Mote Members.
 
Enjoy games and crafts in the Aquarium courtyard, face paint, and music by EveryOneRocks. Mote's very own mascot, Gilly the Shark, can't wait to dance to the music with his fellow sharks. Mote's education department will also lead fun activities to teach children of all ages the importance of sharks.
 
Also, girls interested in science — especially sharks, skates and rays — are invited to a free meeting of the Gills Club from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 1, at Mote Marine Laboratory. The meeting includes hands-on activities based on current research and the introduction of a researcher. The Gills Club is geared toward girls ages 6-17, and families are also welcome.
Gills Club details and registration.