Educational Destinations   

Join Tom Sweeney, President of the Thoroughbred Owners of Fl and co-owner /race manager of Two Bow Racing on this tour. Old McDonald's farm this isn't. This tour starts at the Ocala Breeders' Sale (OBS) Training Center to watch racers train on the one-mile synthetic racetrack. The next stop will be the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders Mini-Museum for a brief visit and history lesson. We will then take off to see two multimillion-dollar Thoroughbred farms and visit the incredible Stallions, Mares, yearlings and foals.

Last but not least, we will take a short ride back to the restaurant for a nice lunch, on own. There will be very little walking on the tour, and will include much information at all stops with Thomas and others. What a great opportunity to learn more about the Ocala Thoroughbred Industry from a multi-state licensed professional horseman! Participants will meet Tom at MTP Education Center to follow in own vehicle: 8415 SW 80th St. There is some walking, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water.

NOTE: This is an Educational Destination course. There is a different refund policy for Art Workshops, Educational Destinations, and Local Flavors. There is a twenty-five (25) Business Day refund policy for these events. Students must notify MTP at least 25 business days before the first day of each of these registered events in order to receive a refund.

You see the moon all the time, but do you know its story? Why is it there, why does it appear to change its position in the sky day by day, week by week? And the most intriguing aspect of our moon, the eclipse. What causes eclipses, and why are they so rare?

"Eclipse: The Story of our Nearest Neighbor in Space" is a Kika Silva Pla Planetarium presentation that takes you on a journey of discovery to our nearest celestial neighbor. Learn about the origins, composition and mechanics of the moon. Discover how the ancients were able to predict eclipses with great accuracy, and find out when/where you can view the next eclipse.

"Eclipse" is an educational and entertaining experience for all ages, and you'll get a perspective of the Earth/Moon system that you've never had before.

Directions to the planetarium using I-75: 

Get on I-75 N in Ocala from SW 80th Ave and FL-200 14 min (6.6 mi)

Follow I-75 N to FL-222 E in Alachua County. Exit from I-75 N 34 min (41.1 mi)

Continue on FL-222 E to your destination 4 min (1.5 mi)

Santa Fe College Kika Silva Pla Planetarium- 3000 NW 83 St Building X-129, Gainesville, FL 32606

Enjoy a morning at Silver Springs State Park learning about the natural and cultural/historical resources of the area. Group will meet at the archway (main entrance off Rt 40). Participants will spend the morning with a Park Ranger to learn about the importance of the Silver River, starting near the head spring.
After a Glass Bottom Boat tour, they will walk along the Ross Allen Boardwalk and Blue Trail to take a tram ride through the Sandhill Natural Community, with the last stop at the Silver River Museum. After the museum, they will tram back to the main entrance. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and must be able to walk at least one mile, some on uneven ground, and will meet at the Entry Arch to Silver Springs State Park, Route 40 entrance.

Enjoy a morning at Silver Springs State Park learning about the natural and cultural/historical resources of the area. Group will meet at the archway (main entrance off Rt 40). Participants will spend the morning with a Park Ranger to learn about the importance of the Silver River, starting near the head spring.
After a Glass Bottom Boat tour, they will walk along the Ross Allen Boardwalk and Blue Trail to take a tram ride through the Sandhill Natural Community, with the last stop at the Silver River Museum. After the museum, they will tram back to the main entrance. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and must be able to walk at least one mile, some on uneven ground, and will meet at the Entry Arch to Silver Springs State Park, Route 40 entrance.

Take a four-hour trip on over 1,000 acres of land to learn about all of the animals on the preserve, including the tortoises. Founded in 1996 to preserve critical uplands habitat for the future, Ashton Biological Preserve is named after its founders, Ray and Pat Ashton. The preserve conducts research on many types of wildlife native to the region, and specializes in tortoise care. They are one of the world's largest captive breeding facilities for the endangered radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), and are actively involved in conservation of the native gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), native to the region.

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