Tampa Bay’s biggest science events of the year geared to kids of all ages are scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 10am-4pm, in downtown St. Petersburg. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute opens its doors for the 31st annual MarineQuest, the one day each year the public can explore laboratories, research vessels, scientific collections, and meet the staff working to conserve Florida’s fish and wildlife.
It’s held in conjunction with the St. Petersburg Science Festival, with dozens of hands-on exhibits and live demonstrations designed to spark creativity, fuel curiosity, and expand knowledge of sciences and the arts.
“The St. Petersburg Science Festival is celebrating over a decade of discovery and bringing science to the public, igniting a sense of wonder and curiosity in us all,” said E. Howard Rutherford, the associate vice president of development at USF St. Petersburg and co-founder of the St. Petersburg Science Festival. “It bridges the gap between scientists and the community, offering a chance to ask questions, spark ideas, and engage in conversations about research outside the lab.”
Both events are free, with a free shuttle provided from the SouthCore parking garage to the waterfront events.
Along with behind-the-scenes tours of the FWC’s campus, MarineQuest features family-friendly activities including interactive displays of shark specimens, mock manatee rescues, touch tanks and a baleen and bones exhibit on an endangered whale.
The Science Festival will feature exhibits and interactive displays highlighted with hands-on learning from the region’s leading scientific agencies and companies including the University of South Florida College of Marine Science, the US Geological Survey Coastal and Marine Science Center, Pinellas County Division of Environmental Management, Tampa Bay Water, Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, General Dynamics, Eckerd College, NOAA, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Wing Drone Delivery, and many more.
After a days-long cold snap, the weather should be perfect for outdoor activities, with highs predicted in the 70s. Don’t miss this opportunity for family-oriented learning featuring the region’s top scientific organizations.
Originally published January 27, 2026