MysticAquarium

Oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard Opens New Inner Space Center

MysticAquarium — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:23:27 GMT

In a ceremony at its Narragansett Bay Campus today, the University of Rhode Island opened the $15 million Ocean Science and Exploration Center and the Pell Marine Science Library, sparkling state-of-the-art facilities that will enable the University to remain one of the nation’s most prestigious centers of oceanographic research, exploration and education. The facility includes Institute for Exploration Founder and President Dr. Robert Ballard’s new Inner Space Center.

“This exciting building integrates key resources of the Graduate School of Oceanography to strengthen its position as a global leader in the study of the world’s oceans,” said URI President Robert L. Carothers. “It will provide a focus for new marine science activities and become a showcase for oceanographic research and discovery.”

The project was funded by $14 million in state bonds approved by Rhode Island voters in the 2004 election and $1.5 million in federal monies secured by the state’s Congressional delegation.

The centerpiece of the 41,000 square-foot facility is the Inner Space Center, which will use a satellite system and Internet2 to make it possible for scientists and students at URI and around the world to participate in deep-sea research expeditions without leaving land. The center will enable scientists ashore to “step aboard” research ships around the world as they use advanced undersea vehicles developed by the Office of Naval Research and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to explore uncharted regions of the world. Those ships include URI's research vessel Endeavor, NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer and the Ocean Exploration Trust's Nautilus.

“This new building is the culmination of a dream I first had 28 years ago to use ‘telepresence’ technology to not only make it possible for scientists around the world to participate in live undersea exploration, but also to use the excitement of exploration to motivate the next generation of explorers to prepare them for the continuation of this adventure,” said Dr. Robert Ballard, URI professor of oceanography, director of the Institute for Archaeological Oceanography and president of the Institute for Exploration at Mystic Aquarium.

The Inner Space Center will also be linked with other research institutions around the country, making it possible for researchers to interact in real time with ships at sea. The center will also be linked to classrooms across the nation, providing students in grades 4 to 8 with unprecedented access to science as it happens through the Immersion Learning™ program, founded by Dr. Ballard and Sea Research President and CEO Dr. Stephen Coan in 2002.

A $1 million state grant provided the Inner Space Center with technology to support live streaming video and educational content to schools throughout Rhode Island. In addition, an in-kind contribution from National Geographic helped equip the Inner Space Center’s television production studio and other facilities to broadcast educational programming around the world. Ballard is an explorer-in-residence with the National Geographic Society.

"With live connections from seafloor to scientists ashore, telepresence adds a whole new dimension to ocean expeditions. And with discoveries at sea viewed live in classrooms from Narragansett to Nagasaki, news rooms in living rooms, telepresence promises to help raise global ocean literacy," said Richard W. Spinrad, NOAA's assistant administrator for oceanic and atmospheric research.

The Ocean Science and Exploration Center also houses office and laboratory space, a central computing facility, administrative offices and a new campus gathering place. Offices for NOAA personnel, the Institute for Exploration and the Ocean Exploration Trust are located in the building.

The top floor of the center houses the expanded Pell Marine Science Library, one of the nation’s most important collections of oceanographic information, including the National Sea Grant Library, the Narragansett Bay Collection and Bibliography, and the administrative record of the North Cape oil spill. Established in 1968, the library’s previous site was at capacity and in need of renovation to protect its collections. The new library provides additional space for materials as well as an electronic classroom, a map room and a wireless computer network.

The architects of the center are Burt, Hill of Boston, while Providence-based Gilbane Building Co. served as general contractor. The building is expected to earn LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council for its sustainable design and construction.

About URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography

URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography is one of the country's largest and most prestigious centers of marine science education and research. Founded in 1961, it serves a community of scientists who are researching aspects of the biology, physics, chemistry, geology, geophysics and archaeology of the ocean. These include seeking solutions to practical problems such as harmful algal blooms, global warming and climate change, air and water pollution, oil spills, overfishing and coastal erosion. It is home to the Coastal Institute, the Coastal Resources Center, Rhode Island Sea Grant, the Institute for Archaeological Oceanography and numerous outreach programs like the Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting.

About Sea Research Foundation, Inc.

Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and Immersion Presents are divisions of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a private, non-profit, charitable organization incorporated in the State of Connecticut. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration Announces New Whales Up Close Program

MysticAquarium — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:30:50 GMT

For young children or those who don’t want to get waist-deep into the water during the Beluga Encounter program, Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is now offering a new way to have an up-close visit with a beluga whale. Launching on June 1, the Whales Up Close program allows guests to watch a beluga feeding and their special behaviors, with only a three-foot-high window between them and a whale.

The 45-minute program begins in the Beluga Encounter Room, where guests meet a whale trainer and learn about belugas. From there, they are led to a low window in an area of the Arctic Coast exhibit – home to the aquarium’s three belugas – that is behind the scenes and not accessible to the public.

During this portion of the program, a beluga whale will swim right up to the window, directly in front of guests. Guests will watch a trainer interact with the whale and gain firsthand insight into their many behaviors within only one foot of the beluga. These behaviors are taught for regular close interaction that includes daily physical examinations, research, exercise, playtime and learning with the whales. Guests will also have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with the whale over the window and may get the chance to touch the animal.

“Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration’s popular encounter programs bring people closer to animals than they ever thought possible,” said Dr. Tracy Romano, senior vice president of research and zoological operations at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. “This new program provides young children and others who are unable to participate in our Beluga Encounter Program with the opportunity to connect with our whales and learn about the important work our trainers do to provide the highest levels of animal care and enrichment. As with all our encounter programs, our goal is to nurture a bond between participants and the animals and inspire people to help protect ocean animals in the wild.”

The Whales Up Close program will take place daily, with a limit of six people per session. The program is open to those ages 6 and up (those under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult). Cost is $49 plus aquarium admission. The program may be purchased on-site or by reservation (recommended) and may be given as a gift. To make a reservation, call (860) 572-5955, ext. 520.

"Sea Everything" Mystic Pass Card to Offer Visitors Huge Savings For a Second Year

MysticAquarium — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:43:15 GMT

Travelers looking for value this summer need not look any further than the scenic coastal town of Mystic. Available for a second year, the “Sea Everything” Mystic Pass Card – a unique promotion launched by Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, in partnership with 30 Mystic-area businesses – provides discounts and added value during the summer vacation season and beyond.

Priced at $52, the Mystic Pass Card, with a value of up to $250, offers one-time admission to Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration (including free next-day return with ticket validation), a complimentary fountain drink at each attraction, a limited-edition Mystic tee shirt, up to 20 percent off rates at local lodging properties, up to 25 percent discounts at local restaurants and shops and discounted admission to the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center through March 31, 2010.

“This first-of-its-kind card pays for itself,” said Peter Glankoff, senior vice president of marketing and public affairs at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. “Those who visit the aquarium and seaport and just one other Pass Card partner will save money.”

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), Americans are still planning vacations for the summer, but are staying closer to home, accepting fewer amenities and shortening their stays.

“In this time of economic uncertainty and record unemployment rates, people need a vacation more than ever. The Mystic Pass Card allows visitors to experience more of this beautiful coastal area – two of the largest attractions in Connecticut, pristine beaches, an array of restaurants, luxury and family lodging and specialty shops – while remaining within their tightened vacation budgets,” said Glankoff.

The Mystic Pass Card is a result of the Exit 90 “Sea Everything” collaboration, a group of 30 businesses in Mystic that have participated in cooperative destination marketing planning, including the development of a Web site (mystic.org) and joint advertising, public relations and promotional efforts, for three years.

Last year, 11,646 Pass Cards were sold, exceeding the card’s first-year sales goal of 10,000 by 16 percent.

“Last summer, gas prices were at an all-time high, and the economy was starting to weaken. The Mystic Pass Card was the value answer for many visitors,” said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport. “We anticipate even more people will take advantage of the Pass Card this year as they stay closer to home and seek more value for their money.”

The Mystic Pass Card is available for purchase at Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, as well as at mystic.org, the Tourist Information Center in Olde Mistick Village and the Mystic Depot Welcome Center in Mystic through October 2009.

The Pass Card is $52 for adults, $48 for seniors age 65 and older, $42 for youth ages 6 to 17 and $22 for children ages 3 to 5.

For a list of participating businesses and their discounts, as well as information about Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, visit mystic.org.

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration's Beluga Whales Begin Summer Encounter Season As Visiting Animals' "Vacation" Ends

MysticAquarium — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:15:00 GMT

The beluga whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins “vacationing” in Mystic for the past nine months have safely completed the nearly 1,000-mile trip back to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. With the animals safely home, guests at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration can once again participate in the seasonal Beluga Encounter program, which allows them to wade in the water with one of the aquarium’s three resident beluga whales, Inuk, Naku and Kela.

The seven whales and four dolphins arrived at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration last September for a temporary stay while their home – the Oceanarium at Shedd Aquarium – underwent extensive renovations. Twelve staff from Shedd also remained in Mystic to provide consistency in the animals’ care.

“The opportunity to accommodate Shedd Aquarium’s animals was truly beneficial for everyone – the animals, both aquariums’ staff and our guests, who were able to see Pacific white-sided dolphins and interact with beluga calves for the first time in the Northeast,” said Dr. Stephen M. Coan, president and CEO of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., which includes Mystic Aquarium. “Their stay marked an important milestone in our long-standing animal care and research relationship with Shedd Aquarium, and we look forward to working together again in the future.”

“Having Shedd’s animals and staff here provided us the unique opportunity to share knowledge and learn from one another over an extended period of time,” said Dr. Tracy Romano, senior vice president of research and zoological operations at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. “We are sad to see them leave but grateful for the research and animal care collaborations we were able to establish. The knowledge gained from these collaborations will ultimately improve the quality of life for belugas in the aquarium setting and in the wild.”

Similar to their arrival, Shedd’s animals departed from Mystic via two carefully coordinated marine mammal transports, spending most of their travel time on a plane. Two of the dolphins were transported to Florida during a separate move. While the two organizations are experienced with marine mammal transports, the animals’ arrival and departure were two of the largest for both.

“We are pleased that all of our animals are in good health and quickly readjusting to their new homes,” said Ken Ramirez, senior vice president of animal collections and animal training at Shedd Aquarium. “Animal care is our top priority. During both transports, which were planned over the course of a year, our expert animal care staff remained at the animals’ side to ensure their needs were met and they remained comfortable both on land and in the air.”

The back pool of the Arctic Coast exhibit, which housed some of Shedd’s whales during their stay, will again be used for the aquarium’s popular Beluga Encounter program this summer.

During the 90-minute Beluga Encounter program, participants get a close-up experience with one of the aquarium’s three whales. After slipping into waterproof waders, guests get waist-deep in the water to interact with a whale and see how they breathe, spout and “sing,” or echolocate. Guests will also help aquarium trainers carry out various husbandry behaviors – natural behaviors that allow staff to closely monitor animals’ health – with the whales.

The Beluga Encounter program takes place daily now through October, with a limit of six people per session. Cost is $159 per person (cost includes aquarium admission). Participants must be at least five feet tall. Those under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult. Spaces are limited. To make a reservation, call (860) 572-5955, ext. 520.

Visit mysticaquarium.org for more information on the encounter program and the aquarium’s beluga whale exhibit, one of the largest in the nation.

About Sea Research Foundation, Inc.
Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and Immersion Presents are divisions of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a private, non-profit, charitable organization incorporated in the State of Connecticut. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration and the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk Partner to Raise Pennies for Penguins

MysticAquarium — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:13:54 GMT

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration and The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor have teamed up to help save the rapidly declining African penguin population. Through August, the aquarium and more than 15 stores at Evergreen Walk will collect “Pennies for Penguins” to help our feathered friends. Aquarium guests and Evergreen Walk customers can also enter to win a one-of-a-kind piece of art created by the aquarium’s penguins, awarded monthly through August.

The “Pennies for Penguins” campaign kicks off on Saturday, May 16, during “Paws on the Promenade” at Evergreen Walk from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring afternoon host Damon Scott from WTIC-FM. Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration’s booth will offer the chance to win free aquarium admission tickets, a family membership or a painting made by the penguins with their feet, as well as information on the plight of the African penguin.

Over the last five years, the world’s African penguin population has decreased by 42 percent. In 2000, before the Treasure oil spill, approximately 11,000 African penguins were breeding and living on South Africa’s Robben Island, the third largest breeding island for African penguins. Today, less than 4,500 call the island home. In December 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the African penguin as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

The African penguins at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration are helping their relatives across the world. They play an integral role in the African Penguin Species Survival Plan, and the aquarium staff’s work with them is helping researchers better understand penguins in the wild. In fact, the aquarium is a leader in a collaborative, nationwide effort to assist researchers in South Africa.

Last year, staff from the aquarium’s animal care, education and research departments got together to form the Penguin Task Force. Their mission is to examine all factors possibly affecting the penguins and develop a plan for the aquarium to lead and assist with education, research and conservation efforts of these species.

“Our mission is to help field researchers by sharing information, opening lines of communication and soliciting assistance from other institutions that participate in the African Penguin Species Survival Plan,” said Gayle Sirpenski, a member of the task force and co-coordinator of the African Penguin Species Survival Plan. “Having the penguins in our collections is wonderful, but we have a larger purpose: saving the species.”

Donations to help the African penguins can also be made at mysticaquarium.org.

This partnership to save the African penguins was made possible by WTIC-FM (96.5).

Have Cocktails with the Whales This Summer at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

MysticAquarium — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:24:05 GMT

Mystic’s new happy hour spot promises a “whale” of a good time! This summer, enjoy drinks, food and live music in the warm evening air at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, where Ocean Blue Catering is hosting Cocktails with the Whales in front of the Arctic Coast exhibit, home to the aquarium’s three resident beluga whales. These monthly gatherings take place on Thursday evenings – May 21, June 25, July 16 and August 20 – from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The evenings include drink specials, including Ocean Blue’s signature “Belugatini”, hors d’ oeuvres such as chicken wings and nachos available for purchase and live music in front of the Arctic Coast’s three 20-foot underwater viewing windows, providing guests an up-close look at the belugas.

These events will be cancelled in the case of inclement weather. Cocktails with the Whales replaces the Plenty of Fish in the Sea Social Nights scheduled for May 21 and June 25. Cost: $5 admission per person with cash bar and hors d'oeuvres available for purchase. Reservations are recommended. Please call (860) 572-5955 ext. 336 to make a reservation. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration to Host Open House Night for Prospective Volunteers

MysticAquarium — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:13:34 GMT

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with animals, teach kids or talk about exhibits? Now’s your chance! Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is offering a variety of volunteer opportunities. Learn about ways you can make a difference during the annual Volunteer Open House on Tuesday, May 5 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The open house includes an overview presentation on the aquarium and its mission, a behind-the-scenes look at the Fish & Invertebrates Department and on-site interviews for those interested in volunteering. Volunteer opportunities currently exist in animal care, administration, exhibits and education.

Whether you want to try something new, are passionate about protecting our environment or simply want to make new friends, volunteering can help you achieve your goals and have fun while doing it. Other benefits of volunteering include free admission to the aquarium, continuing education and training, guest passes for friends and family and discounts on programs and in the Penguins Café and gift shop.

For more information, visit the “Get Involved” section of mysticaquarium.org.

The Birds are Back in Town at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

MysticAquarium — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:54:10 GMT

Our feathered friends from down under are back to summer at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. “Birds of the Outback,” the only exhibit of its kind in New England, returns on May 2 through September 13.

Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, the enclosed 1,200-square-foot aviary houses hundreds of colorful cockatiels, parakeets and rosellas, all native to Australia. With the $3 exhibit entry fee (plus aquarium admission), guests receive a millet seed stick for feeding the birds. Once inside the exhibit, where the friendly birds sing and fly freely, simply hold the stick in the air and watch them swoop down to perch on your arm and eat right out of your hands!

Guests will also learn about the birds’ habitat and behaviors, as well as the issues and challenges currently facing birds in the wild.

Cost is $3 plus aquarium admission.

Uncasville Family Named Winners of Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration's First-Ever Scrap Art Sculpture Contest

MysticAquarium — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:21:59 GMT

In March, Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration encouraged community members to turn their trash into artistic treasures for its first-ever scrap art sculpture contest. Among the many creative, marine-themed pieces submitted, one entry stood out – “Little Moe, the Sea Horse,” created by the Walls family of Uncasville.

The family – Tiffany, Eric, Travis, Emma and Nathan – used a variety of recycled materials to create a colorful seahorse, swimming in an ocean and surrounded by seaweed. A plastic container, packing Styrofoam “peanuts”, cardboard box and small pebbles make up the water, while newspaper, ripped magazine pages and aluminum foil were used to create “Little Moe.” Seaweed, constructed from paper towel rolls and plastic bag pieces, surrounds the seahorse.

An artist for more than 20 years, Tiffany Walls stopped creating pieces once she began having children. When she heard about the contest, she and her family jumped at the opportunity.

“We love to recycle and decided to use spring vacation as a time to share our creativity and work as a family to create the sculpture,” said Tiffany Walls.

Guests during the aquarium’s Earth Day Celebration on April 18 and 19 selected the Walls family’s unique artwork as the winning piece among eight entries. The family will receive a trophy and behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium, which includes a guided tour of the campus, access to a private touch tank, reptile encounter and stops at the top of the Coral Reef exhibit, food prep kitchen and freezer and an animal exam room.

Immersion Learning to Host An Evening With Dr. Robert Ballard at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

MysticAquarium — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:45:02 GMT

On Tuesday April 21, venture into the mysterious waters of the ocean and join real-life explorers right from Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration’s main floor! From 7 to 8:30 p.m., Immersion Learning™, a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., will host an evening with Dr. Robert Ballard, the oceanographer widely known for his discovery of the R.M.S. Titanic in 1985.

From 7 to 7:30 p.m., view a live Immersion Ocean Exploration webcast on the main exhibit floor. During the webcast, hear directly from scientists and engineers involved in a variety of oceanographic research expeditions. Kids will also see how they can get involved in the world of exploration. At 7:30 p.m., Dr. Ballard will address the group, answer questions and be available for a book signing. Books will be available for purchase.

Guests may also take a special tour of the Challenge of the Deep exhibition, featuring photos, footage and artifacts from Dr. Ballard’s deep-sea expeditions, and experience “Deep Sea 3D” in the XD Theater.

This webcast is one of 25 live Ocean Exploration webcasts that will take place at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration from April 20 to 24. The webcasts are geared toward kids ages 9 and up. For a schedule of webcast times, visit mysticaquarium.org.

COST: $15. Children under 12 admitted free. Seating is limited. Reserve

your seat by calling (860) 572-5955 ext. 336.

About Immersion Learning™
Immersion Learning™ was founded by Dr. Robert Ballard and Dr. Stephen Coan in 2002. Through live broadcasts from scientific expeditions, hands-on activities and an engaging Web site, this non-profit science education organization brings ocean adventures and discoveries from Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, the University of Rhode Island and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration to more than 500,000 kids in classrooms, after-school settings, such as Boys & Girls Clubs, and other informal learning arenas each year.

About Sea Research Foundation, Inc.
Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and Immersion Learning™ are divisions of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a private, non-profit, charitable organization incorporated in the State of Connecticut. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.

North American Marine Environment Protection Assocation and Immersion Learning Announce Winners of National Marine Art Contest

MysticAquarium — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:51:22 GMT

The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) and Immersion Learning™ are pleased to announce the winners of a national art contest focused on the marine environment. The contest challenged students across North America to create a poster around the theme “Let’s change habits, not the climate”. The winning poster, created by Kevin Lopez, a fifth grader at Summit Lane School in Levittown, N.Y., will represent North America on an International Marine Environment Protection Association (INTERMEPA) poster that will be distributed throughout the maritime world.

“This is the first time that NAMEPA has participated in this global event,” stated NAMEPA Founding Chairman Clay Maitland. “We were delighted to partner with Immersion to make this contest meaningful and wide ranging. The winning poster was certainly in line with NAMEPA’s mission to ‘Save our Seas’.”

The art contest was open to students ages 5 to 13 in schools and at Immersion sites in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, including Boys & Girls Clubs and other after-school settings. Immersion, a division of Sea Research Foundation, is a dynamic, hands-on science education program that provides schools and informal learning organizations with the opportunity to host interactive science experiences for students in grades 4 through 8.

“Collaborating with NAMEPA in this contest was a natural fit for Sea Research Foundation,” said Dr. Stephen Coan, president and CEO of Sea Research Foundation. “NAMEPA’s efforts directly align with our mission to protect the ocean environment. This contest was an opportunity to build upon our invaluable partnership while inspiring students across the nation to think about ways they can conserve our marine environments and share that message.”

Lopez’s work, selected from 70 submissions, features an underwater world polluted with garbage. The animals hold picket signs that plea for help and urge us to change our ways, while a fisherman and people looking into the water ask themselves, “What have we done?”

The winning poster will be sent to Greece, where it will join entries from INTERMEPA: HELMEPA (Greece), TURMEPA (Turkey) and CYMEPA (Cyprus). The compilation poster will be distributed to maritime industry outlets, including the United Nations agency the International Maritime Organization, which is the regulatory body for the industry.

Lopez will receive a family membership to the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, an Animal Adoption Kit, 16-inch plush beluga whale and a signed book and photograph from famed ocean explorer Dr. Robert Ballard. His and the 11 finalists’ artwork will appear in a calendar and will be on exhibition at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration and on Immersion’s Web site (immersionpresents.org) in April. Finalists will also receive a letter and autographed photo from Dr. Ballard.

Finalists include:· Amanda Bohl, grade 5, Meadowbrook Elementary, East Meadow, NY· Lydia Grace Clarkin, grade 4, home-schooled, Coventry, RI· Kaylee Hernandez, grade 5, Summit Lane School, Levittown, NY· Taylor Labbe, grade 5, Anna M. McCabe Elementary, Smithfield, RI· Bernardo Díaz Lozano, grade 2, Columbia Institute, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, Mexico · Nene Masuda, kindergarten, Columbia Institute, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, Mexico · Audra J. Ravenelle, grade 5, Anna M. McCabe Elementary, Smithfield, RI· Peyton Ruhl, grade 6, Beach Street Middle School, West Islip, NY· Samantha Thomas, grade 5, Farmersburg Elementary School, Farmersburg, IN· Aliyah Torres, grade 6, Roosevelt Middle School, New Britain, CT· Kenneth James Harold Descheene, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Hollywood, FL

To see these students’ entries, visit the online art gallery at immersionpresents.org.

Work of Sea Research Foundation's Dr. Tracy Romano to be Featured in Jean-Michel Cousteau's "Ocean Adventures" Series on PBS

MysticAquarium — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:42:24 GMT

In October 2008, the beluga whales of Cook Inlet, Alaska, were added to the endangered species list. Their surroundings are a site of dramatic climate change – a global threat for species everywhere. How is climate change affecting the belugas? And are the belugas themselves indicators of climate change? Dr. Tracy Romano, senior vice president of research and zoological operations at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, is working to find answers to these questions through research highlighted in “Sea Ghosts”, part of the Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures series. The episode will air locally on April 8 at 8 p.m. on CPTV.

In this episode, Cousteau travels with his team to the high Arctic to discover why some beluga whale groups are thriving and others are disappearing. There, he meets with researchers, including Dr. Romano, in Point Lay, Alaska, to find answers.

Dr. Romano regularly travels to Point Lay, Alaska, where she studies the wild beluga population alongside other researchers and town natives. She and researchers in Point Lay are trying to better understand the travel patterns of the belugas and how those patterns may be affected by the changing climate and its effects on sea ice. The group also regularly collects blood samples to monitor the whales’ health and determine whether climate change is having an impact on their well-being.

In the future, the data from this population will be compared to that of Cook Inlet’s, with the aquarium’s three resident belugas serving as baseline. Comparison of health measures of wild belugas with belugas maintained in an aquarium setting will create a frame of reference for these values under controlled conditions, as the medical history of the animals, age, diet, water temperatures and chemistries are known.

All of this data will help Dr. Romano and her colleagues better understand belugas’ health, and how belugas respond to environmental change, including human-related factors, ultimately contributing to the long-term survival of the species.

For a preview of “Sea Ghosts”, more information on the Ocean Adventures series and local air times, visit PBS.org.

Immersion Learning Brings Dr. Robert Ballard's Ocean Exploration Live to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration April 20-24

MysticAquarium — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:48:12 GMT

This month, venture into the mysterious waters of the ocean and join real-life explorers, such as famed oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard—all without leaving dry land! Immersion Learning™, a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., brings the exciting world of ocean exploration live to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration and many other Immersion sites across the country April 20–24.

During the week of live Ocean Exploration webcasts, viewers will be able to interact directly with Dr. Ballard and other scientists and engineers involved in a variety of oceanographic research expeditions. Kids watching the programs will also be able to participate in an online question-and-answer session, voting and polling features as they watch young explorers and learn how they can get involved in the world of exploration.

The webcasts will feature recent expeditions to the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey, the Black Sea off the coast of Ukraine and the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron, Mich. Audiences will find out how marine archaeologists map and explore shipwrecks using ocean technologies such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).

“Previous Immersion broadcasts have allowed audiences to follow scientists on their expeditions as they uncover the secrets of our oceans,” said Dr. Robert Ballard, founder and president of the Institute for Exploration. “The Ocean Exploration webcasts will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how scientists make these discoveries, creating a unique and fascinating experience for viewers.”

“Immersion broadcasts bring science to students and the public in a completely new way, transporting them to a world of groundbreaking technology and unprecedented ocean exploration that they would not otherwise experience,” said Dr. Stephen M. Coan, president and CEO of Sea Research Foundation, Inc. “Just as importantly, Immersion ignites interest and excitement in children, building a foundation for future careers in science, technology, engineering and math.”

The 30-minute live webcasts will take place in the Immersion Theater in the Challenge of the Deep exhibition at the following times:

Monday, April 20: 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21: 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22: 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
Thursday, April 23: noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
Friday, April 24: 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.

In the Immersion Theater, guests will also see a new exhibit called “A New Age of Ocean Exploration,” featuring photographs, maps and information on Okeanos Explorer—NOAA’s ship of exploration—and other ways scientists are exploring our oceans. Okeanos Explorer is the only U.S. ship assigned to systematically explore the ocean for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge.

In addition to the webcasts and new exhibit, guests can see Immersion’s first-ever student ROV competition. Each day, two student teams from schools and Boys & Girls Clubs around the Northeast will work alongside world-class scientists and engineers as they design, build and test ROVs in the pool in front of the Challenge of the Deep exhibit. The competition will be included in the webcast, allowing viewers across the United States, Mexico and Canada to watch the young explorers compete in a series of challenges.

Guests may experience the Ocean Exploration webcast and ROV competition for free with admission to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. Tickets will be available at the front gate on a first-come, first-serve basis, as seating is limited.

The live webcast and competition complement Immersion’s Ocean Exploration multimedia curriculum developed for kids in grades 4 through 8 and designed to inspire young people to be part of the world of marine science, exploration and conservation. Immersion has partnered with the Institute for Exploration and NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program and Office of Ocean Exploration and Research to produce this curriculum and series of broadcasts.

The live webcasts, a detailed broadcast program guide and program resources can also be accessed online at www.immersionpresents.org.

Spend an Evening With an Astronaut at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

MysticAquarium — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:14:51 GMT

A career in veterinary medicine takes you beyond the examination table. In fact, it can take you out of this world! Find out how a veterinarian ends up in space on April 17, when marine mammal veterinarian and astronaut Dr. Richard Linnehan comes to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Dr. Linnehan’s presentation will feature photos and stories from his four space flights, including highlights from his last trip aboard the space shuttle Endeavour. During his four trips to space totaling more than 58 days, he has circled Earth a total of 942 times and gone on six space walks. His missions have included upgrading the Hubble Space Telescope’s systems, serving as both a subject and operator for space experiments focusing on the effect of microgravity on the brain and nervous system and, most recently, delivering key pieces of a space station.

After completing an internship at the Baltimore Zoo and John Hopkins University, Dr. Linnehan was commissioned as a captain in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps. During his assignment at the Naval Ocean Systems Center in San Diego, he initiated research in anesthesia, orthopedics and reproduction in support of U.S. Navy mobile marine mammal systems stationed in California, Florida and Hawaii. In 1992, he was selected by NASA to complete one year of astronaut candidate training that qualified him for flight assignments as a mission specialist. From there, Dr. Linnehan participated in four space flights. Currently, he is completing a one-year fellowship at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

The event includes a wine and cheese reception. Dr. Linnehan’s presentation is designed for adults and families with children in grades 6 and up.

Cost: $12. Registration by April 10 is required. For more information or to make a reservation, call (860) 572-5955, ext. 336.

Limited-Time Meet and Greet Training Program at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration Offers Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity to Meet a Young Beluga Whale

MysticAquarium — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:14:27 GMT

Ever wonder how aquarium staff care for beluga whales and get them to demonstrate their natural behaviors? Find out firsthand with a new, limited-time beluga meet and greet training program offered by Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration in collaboration with Shedd Aquarium. Throughout this spring break season, which runs until April 20, guests have the rare opportunity to get in the waters of the Arctic Coast exhibit to meet Shedd Aquarium’s beluga whales. For the first time on the East Coast, guests will get an up-close and personal opportunity to meet a beluga calf/juvenile. Both Miki (Mee-KEY), who turns 2 in August, and Bella, who turns 3 in July, still have their dark gray coloration, are smaller than the adult beluga whales, and can sometimes be seen nursing.

Shedd Aquarium’s seven beluga whales and four Pacific white-sided dolphins are “vacationing” at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration while their home in Chicago undergoes renovations. While an official date of their return has not been announced, Shedd’s Oceanarium is scheduled to reopen on May 22.

“Having Shedd’s animals and staff here since September has provided us the amazing opportunity to share knowledge and learn from one another,” said Dr. Tracy Romano, senior vice president of research and zoological operations at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, divisions of Sea Research Foundation, Inc. “One collaboration has been around our Beluga Encounter program. Our staff has worked closely with Shedd’s to begin the extensive training process required for this program.”

Before getting into the water, participants will learn about the history and physiology of beluga whales. After getting into waterproof waders, they will get waist-deep in the water and participate in a 10- to 15-minute training session with one of Shedd Aquarium’s whales. Guests will be alongside Shedd’s trainers in the water as they carry out various husbandry behaviors – natural behaviors that allow staff to closely monitor animals’ health.

“Participants will get the rare opportunity to connect with our whales, especially the two young whales, and gain a better understanding of the important work our trainers do to maintain the highest levels of animal care and enrichment,” said Ken Ramirez, senior vice president of animal collections and animal training at Shedd Aquarium.

The limited-time beluga meet and greet training sessions will occur twice a day through April 20, with a limit of four people per session. Cost is $79 plus aquarium admission per person. Participants must be at least five feet tall and 16 years of age. The training program takes place rain or shine. Spaces are limited. To make a reservation, call (860) 572-5955, ext. 520.

After Shedd’s animals return to Chicago later this spring, Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration will resume its popular Beluga Encounter program. To book a Beluga Encounter, call (860) 572-5955 ext. 520, or visit mysticaquarium.org for more information.