The Ocean Discovery Zone is a hands-on activity station designed to give non-scientists of all ages access to information on deep sea exploration, oil and methane in marine ecosystems, and the importance of healthy oceans. Visitors can meet and talk with ECOGIG marine scientists and outreach specialists to learn about their research expeditions and the tools they use to collect information about the deep sea ecosystems. Exhibit highlights include a deep-sea coral building station, tube worm build, simulated natural gas seep, and a tank where participants can drive model ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) and become an honorary member of the ECOGIG ROV pilot team. Participants can also interact with a variety of displays and videos to learn more about unique deep sea ecosystems and exploration.
Click to see photos of all the different ways we've set up the ODZ at events across the country!!
The Ocean Discovery Zone is available at a variety of events and schools throughout the year. In the fall we set up the exhibit at major college football games. This initiative - Science at the Stadium - began in 2014 at the University of Georgia and expanded to Florida State University and Pennsylvania State University in 2015 and 2016. Additional Ocean Discovery Zone appearances have included the Atlanta Science Festival, Philadelphia Science Festival, Calvert Marine Days (Maryland), Ocean Discovery Day (New Hampshire), Eventapalooza - Ocean Friends Forever (Pennsylvania), the Athens Montessori School Fall Festival, KITES (Kids Interested in Technology, Engineering and Science) Festival (Atlanta), and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory open house in 2016. We have brought elements of the Ocean Discovery Zone to several schools throughout the Southeast and to our annual Ocean Discovery Camp.
See photos of the ODZ at the 2016 Atlanta Science Festival on Facebook!
We debuted our new "build a tube worm" craft at the 2017 Athens Water Festival - it was a hit! (c) ECOGIG
Dr. Annalisa Bracco sharing ECOGIG research and information about the Gulf of Mexico to a group of Cowan Road Middle School students (Griffin, GA). Photo courtesy of Steven Taylor, CEISMC
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