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 Fall 2022

Sarasota & The Circus – We will meet with Dolly Jacobs. She will share her experiences growing up with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, as well as her life on the circus train and as a performer. Dolly is co-founder of Circus Arts Conservatory. The Circus Arts Conservatory, Inc. was incorporated as The National Circus School of Performing Arts, a not-for-profit organization, under the laws of the state of Florida on September 27, 1997. The organization's name was later changed to Circus Sarasota before finally becoming The Circus Arts Conservatory in 2013. This year is the 25th anniversary of The Circus Arts Conservatory, Inc. We will learn about their year-round outreach programs that benefit our community.

Local History Resources -- The Sarasota County History Center is a collection of thousands of local and regional topics, local books, archival collections, maps, historical newspapers, ephemera, and historical artifacts. We will meet with Dr. Josh Goodman to learn about these collections, as well as the impact of the County surtax towards the new museum for exhibits and archival storage.

The Ukrainian Community -- St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center is commonly known as Oseredok in North Port. Since 1975, Ukrainians have migrated to this part of Florida and have managed to maintain their Ukrainian roots. We will visit the St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church to learn about the Russian Orthodox religion along with the what makes up the Cultural Center.

Aquaculture Research –is the farming of animals and plants in water environments, such as ponds, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Mote’s Aquaculture Research Park consists of 15 acres of buildings on a 200-acre research site in eastern Sarasota County, established in 2001. Dr. Kevan Main, Senior Scientist and Program Manager will speak to us about aquaculture and how it will be the most significant way to produce food in the future.

Community Engagement is a Key Element in the Excellence of Schools – for 40 years, TeamUp, a volunteer and partnership non-profit organization made up of community members who have worked with Sarasota County Schools to improve academically. Their current initiative is the Rockin’ Reader program, a read-aloud program that improves kindergarten and pre-k students reading skills.

Ringling Glass Exhibit – We will visit the Kotler-Coville Glass Pavilion that showcases the Ringling’s Studio Glass Collection of American and European studio glass. The glass works come from many countries and represent works of art from the 1940s to the present, from the early-period of studio glass movement to more contemporary works.

A Journey Through Time on the Tracks – We will journey to Venice to visit The Historic Venice Train Depot and the recently restored Ringling Circus Train Car. The Venice Train Depot was once called the most beautiful railroad station on the Seaboard rail system. The 85-footand retired train car, once owned by Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, was moved from the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish, FL to The Historic Venice Train Depot in 2021. It has been renovated and contains exhibits of when the Ringling Bros. Circus was in Venice.

Transforming Foster Care – The All Star Children’s Foundation is introducing a new concept in foster care, designed to help children heal from the trauma experienced from abuse and neglect. The efforts begin with their “parents” in the homes located on their Campus of Hope and Healing, We will visit them at their campus to learn about their efforts.

Classroom on Wheels (incl admissions)

Item: COWS1001 Brenda Lee Hickman

W 10/12/2022 - 12/7/2022 COW Bus Rm COW Bus

Sessions: 8 Location: , FL

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM       Fee: $169.00

NO CLASS NOV 23.

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 (incl admissions)

Item: COWS1002 Brenda Lee Hickman

Th 10/13/2022 - 12/8/2022 COW Bus Rm COW Bus

Sessions: 8 Location: , FL

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM       Fee: $169.00

NO CLASS NOV 24.

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 (incl admissions)

Item: COWS1003 Brenda Lee Hickman

F 10/14/2022 - 12/9/2022 COW Bus Rm COW Bus

Sessions: 8 Location: , FL

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM       Fee: $169.00

NO CLASS NOV 25.

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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