Schedule of Events

* Schedules subject to change!

Saturday, October 20: General Public

download printable schedule

ACTIVITIES & DEMONSTRATIONS

• Deep Ocean Exploration – SeaPerch Program* – Operate an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
• Dive In!* – Find out how scientists dive in to do underwater research in the cold waters of the Gulf of Maine.
• Horseshoe Crabs of Great Bay – Touch and see live horseshoe crabs and learn about their history, habits and use in research.
• Knot Tying – Learn the basics of knot tying.
• Lobsters! – Measure and band live lobsters!
• Marine Mammals Program – How do Whales stay warm in cold water? What do they eat? Learn about whales and other marine mammals in this hands–on program.
• Marine Touch Tank – Touch see, and learn about marine life in our rocky shores and intertidal zones.
• The Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation – Learn about marine conservation on the Seacoast.
• Channeled whelk behavior and early life history: – Channeled whelk or conch is one of the most lucrative fisheries in New England but hardly anything is known about their biology and behavior. At UNH conch research focuses on reproduction, fecundity, growth rates, movements, behavior in traps, and aquaculture. Come see conch egg strings (mermaid’s necklaces), baby and adult conchs, and a traditional conch fishing trap.
• Phytoplankton rules – Look through microscopes and explore the tiny plants that support life in the ocean. Learn what new identification techniques are being used to predict and identify harmful red tide events in the Gulf of Maine.
• Play Scientist by Testing Water – Learn the basics of water quality analysis by using simple instruments and doing it yourself. Find out how science impacts our day–to–day lives.
• Sea weeds – See and touch common and invasive seaweeds from Great Bay and Gulf of Maine.
• Winter flounder ecology: – Winter flounder is one of the most common ground fish caught in New England and one of the main foci of UNH marine research. Current winter flounder projects include aquaculture and stock enhancement, effects due to ocean acidification, and identifying essential fish habitat areas. Showcased will be winter flounder otoliths, or inner ear bones, which like rings of tree, provide the age of a fish as well as where it has been due to different chemical marks left in the bone

CRAFTS

• Horseshoe Crab Puppet Making
• Fish Printing – Make prints with fish and paint using Gyotaku, a Japanese art of fish painting

TALKS, TREKS & MORE

• Freshwater Trout that Live in the Ocean – Learn how UNH marine biologists have developed new methods of aquaculture locally and worldwide.
• All Aboard! – Find out how the UNH research vessel the R/V Gulf Challenger helps scientists collect information about the Gulf of Maine.
• Learn about water rescues with United States Coast Guard aboard the 47 Motor Boat Vessel
• High-Tech Boats – Visit the NOAA hydrographic research vessels Coastal Surveyor and Cocheco to learn how NOAA and the UNH Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping are developing new techniques to map our oceans.
• Guided walk around Fort Constitution
• Gundalow – Tour the newly launched Piscataqua from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Tour at no cost) 1:00 p.m. – One hour sail departing from and returning to the UNH Pier Sail costs: $20 for adults/$10 for kids
• Tour the UNH Marine Support Facility – Check out the touch tank!
• Walk and learn about the research happening on the UNH Pier.
• Seacoast Science Center – Learn about the exciting activities at the Seacoast Science Center
• Tour the historic Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and check out the views from above.

*Check program on event day for scheduled times.

And much more!