NARRAGANSETT, R.I., Oct. 2, 2018—The public is invited to a fun-filled day at the University of Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay Campus, meant to showcase the groundbreaking research being conducted at the world-renowned Graduate School of Oceanography, and to demonstrate its impact, locally, regionally and globally. The open house is free and will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the University’s Bay Campus, 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett.
With its theme of “Ocean Science for the Ocean State,” the open house will offer something for guests of all ages, including hands-on activities for kids and opportunities to speak with experts on ocean-related topics. The planned interactive ocean science exhibits include a marine life touch tank, demonstrations of remotely operated underwater vehicles, opportunities to use various oceanographic sampling equipment, and earthquake and volcanic eruption demonstrations.
There will also be tours of the R/V Endeavor, the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center, and the Inner Space Center.
A Coastal Institute art display featuring two dozen paintings by Rhode Island artist Lori Jeremiah will showcase the fragility of our coast through images of local marshes threatened by sea level rise.
Other planned activities include a plankton drawing workshop, an oceanography career workshop, an Ocean Engineering wave tank demonstration, and more.
Thousands of visitors attended last year’s open house, and online registration for some tours — including the nuclear reactor tour and the R/V Endeavor tour — are required in advance.
“The Graduate School of Oceanography is a tremendous asset to the state, and is a catalyst in ocean and coastal research and education benefitting Rhode Island, our nation, and the world,” says GSO Dean Bruce Corliss. “GSO provides ‘ocean science for the ocean state’ and the open house is an invaluable opportunity to share our work with the community and inspire those young and old alike to learn more about the ocean sciences.”
For more information or to register for tours by the Oct. 12 deadline, visit the GSO website.
URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus is home to the URI Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO), one of the world’s premier oceanographic institutions. Founded in 1961, GSO has built a reputation for excellence in deep water oceanographic research, coastal planning and management, sustainable fisheries and monitoring the health of Narragansett Bay. With operations, researchers, faculty and students worldwide, the Bay Campus education and outreach programs train the next generation of scientists and policymakers, while ensuring Rhode Island’s K-12 teachers and students gain an appreciation for the importance of ocean science through a variety of hands-on programs.
On Nov. 6, Rhode Islanders will vote on Question 2, a $70 million higher education general obligation bond that includes $45 million for upgrades to the Narragansett Bay Campus. If approved, proceeds from the bond will be used to improve the GSO’s pier (required to accommodate a newly awarded Regional Class Research Vessel from the National Science Foundation valued at more than $100 million), construct a 20,000-square-foot Ocean Technology building, a Marine Operations building and fund other necessary improvements to campus facilities.