Marine Education Center
Plan Your Visit
Learn on the beach, on a boat, in the lab or all three.
Teachers know when they bring their students to the MEC for outdoor, immersive programs that the experience can have a profound impact. The event can change the course of a student’s life, awaking interest in a STEM career and giving them the confidence to pursue their future.
Create the ultimate half- to five-day STEM field trip. Customize hands-on lesson plans, working directly with our team at the MEC. Build a custom itinerary from dozens of programs focused on dynamic habitats, marine plant and animals, and current University research. Visit barrier islands, observe dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico and join marine biologists aboard University research vessels to capture, measure and tag and release sharks. Kayak Davis Bayou to observe coastal habitats, marine plants and animals. Board the Miss Peetsy B to trawl for marine organisms and much more.
Our Education Logistics Specialist is happy to recommend programs that will accommodate any group size for half-day to five-day visits.
Groups are limited to 150 participants per day (including teachers and chaperones). For groups that want to utilize our overnight facilities, we can accommodate up to 106 participants.
Coastal Explorer
- 3 hrs indoor/outdoor classrooms, laboratories, habitat trails, and pedestrian bridge
- The program starts at $12 per participant – minimum group size – 25
Miss Peetsy B Bayou Tour
- 3 hrs floating and outdoor classrooms, laboratories
- The program starts at $30 per participant – minimum group size – 25
Coastal Science Camp
- One- to five-day floating classrooms, indoor/outdoor classrooms, laboratories, habitat trails, and pedestrian bridge
- Programs start at $65 per day, per participant – minimum group size – 15
- Coastal Science Camp topics include:
- Sharks in the Gulf of Mexico
- Coastal Invertebrates
- Ichthyology
- Coastal Bayous and Waterways
- Beach and Barrier Island Ecology
To reserve a date and plan your visit, contact our Education Logistics Specialist by phone at 228-818-8095 or by e-mailing marine.educationFREEMississippi
Please have the following information ready when reserving a program date:
- Name and email of contact person scheduling the trip
- School or organization name, physical address, phone, and fax numbers
- Grade, number of students and estimated teachers and chaperones attending
- Preferred dates and times (with 2nd and 3rd choices)
- List of preferred activities
- Special needs
- Group Size
Adult Chaperones
Teachers and parents are essential to all field trip programs. One teacher or chaperone is required for every ten students. Teachers and chaperones are ultimately responsible for the safety, behavior and discipline of students.
Overnight Accomodations
- With a dormitory and a fully functioning cafeteria, the MEC offers overnight experiences at our GCRL campus (4.4 miles from MEC) that cater to your group's needs. We can accomodate school groups of 15-106 participants.
- GCRL's beautiful waterfront location offers a view of the GCRL harbor and fleet of University research vessels and the Mississippi Sound. Visiting groups can utilize our lighted basketball court, fishing pier, and fire pit in the evening for gathering to share the day’s adventures.
Cancellation Policy
Should you need to re-schedule or cancel your reservations please contact our Education Logistics Specialist immediately.
Special Needs
Please notify our Education Logistics Specialist if there are special needs withing your group.
Meet the MEC Education Team
See Us In Action
Links to videos