Marine Science Day A Big Hit

Activities ranged across the 40-acre VIMS campus, from the new Seawater Research Lab to the VIMS beach on the York River. Because the featured animal for this year’s event was the scallop, several activities and displays focused on this once-troubled resource, which with the help of VIMS scientists now sustains the most profitable fishery on the East Coast. In the Children’s Pavilion, younger visitors were able to practice scallop printing and don a mask that allowed them to see the world through a scallop’s many eyes. They also got a chance to drive a robot sub. VIMS’ lower campus featured the ever-popular seining activity, which allows visitors to collect, observe, and release small fish and invertebrates in the York River. Visitors were also able to tour the VIMS Oyster Hatchery, Seagrass Nursery, and Teaching Marsh. Read about all the exciting activities here and get ready for more great open houses to come!