Bank of America announced today, as part of its ongoing partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (Mote), a $300,000 grant to Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) at Nathan Benderson Park. Anticipated for completion in December of 2024, Mote SEA will be a regional hub bridging the gap between complex marine research, accessible science and technology education for all, and environmental awareness to promote science-based change for a healthier ocean. Funds from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will support hands-on marine science experiences, informal science educational opportunities, and enhanced levels of ocean literacy to a large and diverse population from around the world, all starting at Mote SEA. In celebration of this partnership, the Bank of America name and logo will be displayed in the entrance lobby of Mote SEA. Bank of America and Mote have been partners for nearly two decades. In 2018, Bank of America committed $15,000 to support Mote’s efforts to understand, forecast, and mitigate the impacts of red tide on Florida’s west coast. This support helped Mote to leverage additional support for this work, including a five-year, $1 million grant to establish a Red Tide Institute at Mote. The Mote SEA experience will be like no other. Visitors will encounter three floors of animal habitats, and educational labs, onsite diving programs, scientific demonstrations, and interactive technology will enrich the visitor experience. Guests will learn about the world class research being conducted by Mote on a global scale to address the grand challenges the oceans face. The rebirth of Mote Aquarium as Mote SEA will double the number of visitors to approximately 700,000 people per year and provide informal science education to a larger, more diverse audience, including free access to Mote SEA’s STEM teaching labs for approximately 70,000 students from Sarasota and Manatee County schools. Mote SEA will feature amazing marine animals and scientific displays from oceans around the world with 1 million gallons total of animal habitats. Learn more about Mote SEA at moteoceansforall.org.