- Feel the energy as you navigate through registration lines, begin to form connections with peers, and let your anxiety for the week fade away.
Envision by WorldStrides
Veterinary Academy: Marine Biology
Immerse yourself in marine veterinary medicine and conservation research at the Florida reef
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Your Gateway to Marine Veterinary Medicine
You're knee-deep in crystal-clear waters, tagging coral specimens for groundbreaking conservation research and analyzing marine life data in state-of-the-art laboratories. At the Veterinary Academy: Marine Biology Experience, this becomes your daily reality working alongside marine veterinarians at The Reef Institute in West Palm Beach.
This intensive program immerses you in marine veterinary medicine and aquatic ecosystem health, teaching essential research skills like coral tagging, fish identification, and water quality analysis. Every day brings new challenges from collecting field data on research boats to analyzing findings in cutting-edge laboratories.
Your evenings feature team bonding and reflection sessions where you'll process discoveries with fellow future veterinarians, building lasting friendships alongside professional skills.
If you're passionate about aquatic animal medicine or marine conservation, this program provides your gateway into marine veterinary medicine while delivering invaluable research experience that will distinguish your vet school application.
Grades:
9-12Duration:
7 DaysCollege Credit Hours:
1 College CreditResearch Hours:
30 HoursFormat:
ResidentialStarting Price:
$4,199.00Locations, program content, and speakers are subject to change.
Envision by WorldStrides
For over 40 years, Envision—part of the WorldStrides family—has helped students from elementary through high school explore their interests and uncover what excites them most. Our immersive programs are built with educators and industry experts to support career exploration, leadership growth, and college prep. Along the way, students build real-world skills, boost their confidence, and start to see a clearer path toward their future.
Why Students Choose Veterinary Academy
Real-Time Research That Matters
You'll receive training in data collection while performing in-water monitoring of corals and fish populations, then analyze your findings in the lab or on research boats.
Discover Peanut Island's Hidden World
Home to 20+ coral species plus eels, fish, turtles, sea horses, manatees, and sharks, Peanut Island's lagoon provides days of exploration, coral tagging, and fish identification.
Step Into the Future of Conservation
Go behind-the-scenes at The Reef Institute's cutting-edge research facility housing over 329 coral colonies to learn about the latest conservation technology innovations.
A Classroom in Paradise
At John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, explore this sanctuary barrier island serving as refuge for rare species, wandering pristine beaches and mangrove forests while documenting the incredible biodiversity of this protected ecosystem.
Designed to Advance Your Veterinary Career
Build Your Vet School Application Portfolio
Gain valuable veterinary research hours that count toward vet school admission requirements. These specialized marine research hours demonstrate your dedication to the field and provide unique experience that sets your application apart from other candidates.
Master Professional Research Skills
Develop proficiency in scientific data collection, coral tagging, fish species identification, and laboratory analysis. These technical skills are essential for careers in marine veterinary medicine, aquatic animal health, and conservation research.
Make a Real Impact While You Learn
Your work directly supports the preservation of Florida's coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Experience the satisfaction of meaningful research that makes a real difference in marine conservation while building your professional portfolio.
Learn From the Best in Small Groups
With a maximum of 40 students and a 10:1 student-to-teaching veterinarian ratio, you'll receive personalized attention and mentorship. This intimate learning environment ensures you get hands-on experience with research techniques and direct access to expert guidance.
Dates, Locations, & Tuition
What does the price include?
What does the price include?
Tuition includes room & board, site visits & transportation during the program, lectures, simulations, curriculum & materials, college credit, and faculty & staff.
Regions:
The Reef Institute
West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
$4,199.00Residential
Dates: July 19-25
Duration: 7 Days
$4,199.00Residential
Dates: July 26 - August 1
Duration: 7 Days
Featured Extras
Envision Scrub Set
Help your child look and feel like a real medical professional in this Envision-branded scrub set. Available in Adult XS through Adult XL for $65, including shipping. Available for purchase during enrollment.
WorldStrides Backpack
A durable, versatile backpack perfect for school, travel, or everyday use. Available for purchase during enrollment.
WorldStrides Sunglasses
Stylish sunglasses with UV protection. Available for purchase during enrollment.
Sample Course Schedule
This sample schedule is provided as an example of the overall quality and scope of a typical program experience and is not intended to represent a specific schedule. The specific schedule, speakers, site visits and details may vary.
Day 1
- Connect with your WorldStrides team and Loop Abroad veterinarians as you kick off the week with welcome activities and orientation.
Day 2
- Meet the experts who are dedicated to conserving Florida’s coral reefs.
- Gain insight on identifying different corals to understand the variety of life on a reef and the diversity with its ecosystem.
- Build a coral polyp to learn about coral anatomy, the function of polyps, and the process by which coral reefs are created.
- Observe over 329 colonies of coral and marine wildlife housed at the Reef Institute.
Coral Bleaching
- Grasp the concept of coral bleaching as the process where stressed corals expel their symbiotic algae, leading to a loss of color and an increased risk of disease and death.
Coral Diseases
- Identify and discuss actions that can be undertaken to reduce or eliminate threats to coral reefs.
- Identify and discuss actions that can be undertaken to care for coral on land.
- Build a plankton net to catch (collect) plankton.
Necropsy
- Examine a marine animal by collecting samples from the body, including vital organs to determine the condition of the body and any findings.
Suturing
- Practice essential suturing techniques under the guidance of your veterinarian, gaining hands-on experience in wound closure and surgical skills used in clinical animal care.
Microscopy
- Examine tiny marine organisms in a lab with your vet, using microscopes to assess their health.
- Trivia Night
Day 3
Coral Species
- Conduct a coral species activity identifying at least 12 different corals local to Peanut Island.
Coral Bleach Watch Lesson
- Identify the causes of coral bleaching, understand the consequences of coral bleaching, monitor and report coral bleaching.
Bleach Watching & Snorkeling Excursion #1
- Apply your newly acquired Coral Bleach Watch knowledge and snorkeling skills by conducting Bleach Watch Monitoring.
- Reef Institute Documentary Night + Q&A about coral conservation.
Day 4
- This barrier island habitat protects rare and endangered plant and animal species from the elements.
- Discover the fundamentals of an ecosystem in an introductory session with the Reef Institute staff, followed by a nature walk where you can view many different species of birds and marine life across the mangroves and estuaries.
- On the beach, use the plankton nets built to collect specimens and view them under a microscope.
- Visit Phil Foster Park and conduct a snorkel exploration identifying coral, fish, and marine species you have studied so far, plus more including rays, lobsters, eels, crabs and even a sea cucumber.
- Attend a career talk led by the veterinary staff.
Day 5
Lesson: Stingray Talk
- Have a discussion with your vet about sting rays and identifying sting rays that are local to the area.
Algae Discussion
- Learn the key characteristics, importance and uses of algae.
Lesson: Sea horse and Mangrove Ecology
- Receive a sea horse, mangrove, and ecology lesson from the Reef Institute staff while snorkeling and conducting coral counts, marine life identification, fish identification and counts.
Lecture: Marine Taxonomy and Anatomy
- Learn from your vet the distinguishing difference between marine taxonomy and marine anatomy during an evening vet round table.
- Pool Night
Day 6
- Learn about algae local to the Palm Beach area as you gather algae samples, identify the samples, and press the samples in your journal.
- Learn from the Reef Institute staff about water chemistry as you collect water samples and test the samples to understand the relationship between water quality and environmental health.
- Conduct mixing experiment tagging coral specimens with a coral tag.
- This coral tagging exercise is in conjunction with a research study conducted by a professor and researcher at Florida International University. Finish the day with an afternoon snorkel excursion to continue coral counting, fish counting and independent exploration.
- Enjoy the final evening with your friends, WorldStrides and Loop Abroad team as you celebrate your accomplishments.
Day 7
- Students who have flights will be brought to the airport while all other students will wait to be picked up.
Health & Safety
Travel with confidence knowing you're never alone out there. When you choose Envision by WorldStrides, you've got an entire support network working around the clock to keep you safe.
Learn More
Safety Monitoring
Extensive Preparation
Local Support
College credit
As a result of the academic quality, rigor, and outcomes of Envision programming, Veterinary Academy has been reviewed and approved for college credit by George Mason University's Office of Admissions. Residential students can earn one college credit per session (included in tuition).
About Loop Abroad, our partner in Veterinary Medicine
Loop Abroad is the leading pre-veterinary travel program in the nation, with thousands of alumni at university and vet school campuses across the U.S. Their programs help students experience diverse veterinary careers firsthand. With an international team of expert wildlife and zoo veterinarians, Loop Abroad helps empower students to pursue the animal science careers of their dreams.
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an explainer video about this program?
Yep. You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doqt2IxlxlA&t=488s
What education level does your staff have?
Veterinarians are professionals in the industry. Senior Management Staff have a bachelor’s degree or above. Support staff are often collegiate students in veterinary school or in education or like backgrounds, most are also alumni of prior veterinary medicine programs of our partner, Loop Abroad.
What work background does your staff have? Have they taught/worked with youth before?
All staff go through an extensive training that includes developmental needs of students, facilitation techniques, classroom management strategies, as well as our medical, emergency, safety, and accountability policies. Many of our support staff are college students who have a passion for working with youth.
Is there a packing list for the program?
A detailed packing list will be shared online as the program date approaches. Please note that students spend much of the day—typically from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.—outdoors working with animals. We recommend attire that is both appropriate and comfortable for active, outdoor settings. Closed-toe shoes are essential for safety and participation.
Can I request to be roommates with someone else?
We assign roommates according to the age of each student unless we receive a specific request. Although we try to ensure that every student has a roommate, we cannot guarantee a roommate, and some students may be placed in a single room. Students can request one roommate if:
- Both students are enrolled in the same program/session
- Both students identify as the same gender
- Both students complete the online Roommate Request Form no later than 3 weeks before their session.
I have specific dietary restrictions. Where do I submit this information and who can I speak with to discuss their needs?
If you have specific dietary concerns you can submit your needs before the program starts via the student portal. We have vegetarian options available for all meals at all locations. All other dietary needs (vegan, Kosher, Halal, gluten free, food allergies, fasting, etc.) should be communicated to our Office of Admissions.
I take medication, how will that be handled?
Student will need to self-manage medication while on program. Families should be reminded to send more than enough medication for the duration of the program. Envision staff are not able to administer any kind of medication even over-the-counter medication, like Tylenol. Parents must complete a Student Medication Administration Form (included in the Student Portal) and submit to the program staff on arrival day. Specific requests regarding medication, including requests for refrigeration, should be communicated to our Office of Admissions.
I left an important item at home. What do I do?
Parents should contact the onsite contact phone number so coordination can occur. The group is offsite all day and back on campus in the evening. All items, unless urgent, will be delivered to you upon return to campus in the evening.
I am having trouble with my roommate or classmate. What support is available to help?
All of our staff members are equipped to help you with any issues or concerns that may arise during the program. If at any time you have a concern, you are encouraged to reach out to a staff member for assistance. An onsite staff member is available 24 hours.
What if I do not feel well?
All of our staff members are equipped to help with any issues or concerns that may arise during the program. If at any time you have a concern, they are encouraged to reach out to a staff member for assistance. An onsite staff member is available 24 hours. Students will always have cell phone numbers for designated program staff.
What happens if I need assistance overnight?
If at any time you have a concern, you are encouraged to reach out to a staff member for assistance. An onsite staff member is available 24 hours. Students will always have cell phone numbers for designated program staff.
I will be arriving late to the program; can I still attend?
Yes. If your scholar will be arriving late to the program, please call our Office of Admissions to notify us of your delayed arrival. Once you arrive, you and your scholar will complete registration, and your scholar will be escorted to meet the group.
Why Choose Veterinary Academy?
Loop Abroad is the premier provider for veterinary medicine experiences and Envision by WorldStrides is the premier provider in educational career experiences. The number of hours and the 1:1 time with teaching vets makes this program superior.
Your Nomination Makes An Impact
For over 40 years, Envision’s programs have helped students discover their passion, test drive careers, and develop as leaders. Give students an opportunity to reach their full potential by nominating them today.