Fun for the whole family
By Mackensie duPont Crowley
More than two dozen free interactive exhibits and behind-the-scenes tours await guests on the Narragansett Bay Campus |
All are invited to a family-friendly day on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the University of Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay Campus, home to the Graduate School of Oceanography, Department of Ocean Engineering, and numerous other organizations, which together create a world-renowned community of coastal and ocean scientists, engineers, managers, policy experts and educators.
Science
Saturday is an opportunity for guests of all ages to learn the latest
in ocean exploration, discovery, science, technology, and conservation. The
free event is also a chance to enjoy behind-the-scenes tours, interactive
experiences, and conversations with a wide variety of coastal and ocean
experts.
More than two dozen exhibitors will present the work, research and discovery that happens on the Bay Campus year round. |
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the
University’s Narragansett Bay Campus, 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett.
“This is a special day where deep-sea robots are rolled out onto the quad, laboratory doors are opened, our fleet of boats and ship are on display, and guests can spend time with Rhode Island’s incredible community of ocean and coastal experts working on the Narragansett Bay Campus,” said GSO Dean Paula S. Bontempi.
“We are especially excited to bring Science Saturday
back to campus, even as we navigate the construction from our campus renewal.
We hope to inspire the next generation of ocean explorers and stewards,
showcase our education programs to train a strong workforce, and create a
shared vision for the future of Earth’s ocean. Our scientists work from
Narragansett Bay to Earth’s poles – so there is a lot to experience”
Volcanic Eruptions, an hourly spectacular on the quad, starting at 11 a.m. |
More than two dozen interactive ocean science exhibits will explore topics including deep-sea creatures, extreme weather events and their impacts, rocks from the seafloor, ocean robots and the hidden world of underwater sound. GSO’s entire fleet and the Marine Science Research Facility, an on-campus research aquarium, will be open for tours.
“The
Synergy Project: A Collaboration of Art and Science,” featuring works
made in collaboration with artists from Art League RI and scientists from GSO
and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will be on display in The Coastal
Institute’s Studio Blue. Guests are also invited to join in fun activities like
volcanic eruption demonstrations, sea crafts with Rhode Island Sea Grant, and fish
printing with the Coastal Resources
Center.
Several Rhode Island-based food trucks will also be onsite
with savory and sweet options. URI’s Sea
Shanty Social Club will be performing, adding a lively maritime
atmosphere to the day. Science Saturday 2024 is a Rhode Island Department of
Environmental Management certified Green Event, with GSO making concerted
efforts around sustainability to achieve this certification.
Registration for this event is suggested but not required. Register on Eventbrite.