Course Catalog > EXPLORING LIFE & LEISURE > Classroom on Wheels (COW)

Classroom on Wheels (COW)

CLASSROOM ON WHEELS is a school bus-based traveling classroom for half-day field trips throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The Classroom on Wheels Program provides an in-depth look into local businesses and industry, arts and culture, education, religion, government, social services, agriculture, and history in a way that one could not accomplish on one’s own. Students gain an appreciation of what goes into creating the quality of life we enjoy. Since 1974, Classroom On Wheels students have visited or learned about more than 1,300 places and people. These popular classes have gained a huge following of loyal students who love to learn about the area via field trips and lectures. Classes are held in the fall, winter, and spring.

All admission fees are included in your ACE registration fee. Wearing a mask is optional while riding the COW bus.

CLASS TOPICS Spring 2022 Part 1

Consort of Instruments — The Consort of Instruments was a phrase used in England during the 15th to 17th centuries to indicate an instrumental ensemble. We will meet with the Faire Wyndes Quartet for a demonstration and concert of their recorder instruments. Their music ranges from Medieval and Renaissance eras to present day. The quartet is part of a larger group known as the Sarasota Earyle Musicke Consort.

The Phillippi Estate Park – an area inhabited by humans for the past 5,000 years — is a 60-acre scenic area located on the shores of Phillippi Creek. A shell midden along the banks suggests that ancient people used this area between 1,200 and 2,500 years ago. In the 19th century, Spanish fishermen established fish camps along the shores. In 1915, the land was sold to Edson Keith for $7,000. The Keiths built an Italian Renaissance mansion that today is on the National Register of Historic Places. When Keith died in 1939, the property was sold to Mae Hansen Prodie, a Chicago doll clothing designer who made accessories for Barbie dolls. Her husband converted the mansion into an inn. Upon her death in 1986, Sarasota County acquired the property as a park.

Lost Towns of Sarasota County – What has happened to lost towns like Pine Level, Bee Ridge, Fruitville, Tatum, Hyden, Palma Sola, Angola, and so many more? How about towns that have had their names changed like Englewood, Vamo, and more? What is the criteria for a town? Must there be a post office, a general store, school, or church? You will learn about some of these lost towns.

Art Avenue – is an international high-end art gallery that features artworks by Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Dale Chihuly, and many more artists. Art Avenue is the largest art gallery on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The gallery has accumulated some of Jack Dowd’s sculptures. There have been numerous requests over the years from students to learn more about Jack Dowd’s work.

CLASS TOPICS Spring 2022 Part 2

The Humane Society of Sarasota County is the area’s premier no-kill shelter. In the past year, 2,100 adoptions were completed. HSSC has received the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for the past five consecutive years. HSSC is the only perfect-scoring animal-welfare organization in Florida. They rely solely on local donations, have no affiliation, and receive no funding from any national humane organizations.

Seminole Tribe Name was Miarca River–Old Miakka This spelling “Miakka” first appeared on maps in 1945. The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast announced the permanent protection of 228 acres of Old Miakka. The land is a critical link between Sarasota County’s Old Miakka Preserve and the Tatum Sawgrass Scrub Preserve. The Old Miakka United Methodist Church, built in 1885, is the cornerstone to this unincorporated community. We will meet in the church to learn about the history then and now of this area and the Crowley Ranch. Then we will move to the Miakka School that opened in 1914 and closed in 1945. Bring a brown bag lunch. We will eat in the school “at our desks” before returning to Sarasota. It should be fun. We will return home early afternoon.

Two County Town on Lemon Bay -- We will visit Englewood, which is spread over Sarasota and Charlotte Counties. It was settled in the late 1800s. We will begin at the historic Green Street Church, where we will meet with the Lemon Bay Historical Society. We will learn about the history of the area then and now. We will drive down historic Dearborn Street and visit the 1928 Lampp House, home of the Englewood Museum. Following a brown bag lunch along the Gulf we will visit the Cookie House, built in 1931 by John Foster Bass, Jr., founder of the Bass Biological Laboratory and Zoological Supply Company. The Bass operation was the first full-time land-based marine station on the Florida mainland. We will drive up part of Manasota Key and return home mid-afternoon.

Early Woodmere – From Company Town to Ghost Town -- We will learn about the lumber industry in what became Sarasota County in 1921. A tract of land was purchased south of Venice in 1917. In 1922 the Manasota Lumber Company became the Woodmere Lumber Company. The town that grew up around the mill became known as Woodmere and housed the 1,500 people who worked there. The thousands of acres of long-leaf pine were used to build the City of Venice.

Classroom on Wheels Spring - Part 1 & 2 (incl admissions)   Class already in session...it is possible that the teacher may allow a late registration. Please call the office at 941-361-6590.

Item: COWS1027 Brenda Lee Hickman

W 3/30/2022 - 5/18/2022
Wearing a mask is optional while riding the COW bus.

The bus pick-up location is at Suncoast Technical College, 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233:
Park your car and meet the Classroom on Wheels bus on the Suncoast Technical College campus, 4748 Beneva Road. Enter the campus from Proctor Road. Go to the northwest corner adjacent to Building 5 (north of Building 3-ACE Office). Park near the fence adjacent to the ball field.

Classroom on Wheels Spring - Part 1 & 2 (incl admissions)   Class already in session...it is possible that the teacher may allow a late registration. Please call the office at 941-361-6590.

Item: COWS1028 Brenda Lee Hickman

Th 3/31/2022 - 5/19/2022
Wearing a mask is optional while riding the COW bus.

The bus pick-up location is at Suncoast Technical College, 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233:
Park your car and meet the Classroom on Wheels bus on the Suncoast Technical College campus, 4748 Beneva Road. Enter the campus from Proctor Road. Go to the northwest corner adjacent to Building 5 (north of Building 3-ACE Office). Park near the fence adjacent to the ball field.

Classroom on Wheels Spring - Part 1 & 2 (incl admissions)   Class already in session...it is possible that the teacher may allow a late registration. Please call the office at 941-361-6590.

Item: COWS1029 Brenda Lee Hickman

F 4/1/2022 - 5/20/2022
Wearing a mask is optional while riding the COW bus.

The bus pick-up location is at Suncoast Technical College, 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233:
Park your car and meet the Classroom on Wheels bus on the Suncoast Technical College campus, 4748 Beneva Road. Enter the campus from Proctor Road. Go to the northwest corner adjacent to Building 5 (north of Building 3-ACE Office). Park near the fence adjacent to the ball field.

Classroom on Wheels - Part 2 (incl admissions)  Class already in session...it is possible that the teacher may allow a late registration. Please call the office at 941-361-6590.

Item: COWS1030 Brenda Lee Hickman

W 4/27/2022 - 5/18/2022

The bus pick-up location is at Suncoast Technical College, 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233:
Park your car and meet the Classroom on Wheels bus on the Suncoast Technical College campus, 4748 Beneva Road. Enter the campus from Proctor Road. Go to the northwest corner adjacent to Building 5 (north of Building 3-ACE Office). Park near the fence adjacent to the ball field.

Classroom on Wheels - Part 2 (incl admissions)  Class already in session...it is possible that the teacher may allow a late registration. Please call the office at 941-361-6590.

Item: COWS1031 Brenda Lee Hickman

Th 4/28/2022 - 5/19/2022

The bus pick-up location is at Suncoast Technical College, 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233:
Park your car and meet the Classroom on Wheels bus on the Suncoast Technical College campus, 4748 Beneva Road. Enter the campus from Proctor Road. Go to the northwest corner adjacent to Building 5 (north of Building 3-ACE Office). Park near the fence adjacent to the ball field.

Register early to avoid disappointment, as classes will fill up quickly!

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