The Aquarium of the Pacific held a full-day of family fun complete with an ocean of entertainment and preservation education at the 10th annual National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) interactive event.
On Saturday, November 12, the Aquarium of the Pacific hosted NOAA with this year’s timely theme, “Social Media for Social Change,” highlighting how these tools can push the public to be better stewards of the ocean and climate. NOAA was on-hand to enrich life through science and held many activities to engage the young and young-at-heart to explore through hands-on learning and gain a better understanding of the changing environment and how to get involved.
The interactive event held interesting and super-engaging displays with marine biologists and oceanographers, including:
Ocean conservation– the public was able to speak to NOAA representatives to learn about marine life safety and ocean preservation such as: sea lion & seal protection and how it’s important to keep a distance and avoid the urge to take a selfie with seals which could harm their health, salmon protection and how to take unused prescription drugs to local law enforcement agencies to help breed salmon safely and with wellness in the waters, and the importance of marine aquaculture (the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of marine plants and animals). The public was also given a “Seeds for Salmon” kit and a small booklet on “Marine Wildlife Viewing Guidelines” to help them become better citizens of the ocean.
Selfie preservation– the public was invited to take a “selfie” pledge to personally help preserve the planet and ocean. Attendees had fun taking a “selfie” with a sign that stated their promise. They could pick from several signs including, “I will take shorter showers,” “I will cut up plastic six-pack rings,” “I will pick up litter when I see it,” and “I will turn off the water when brushing my teeth.”
Weather watch– a live “mini” tornado was on display along with information on weather forecasting, cloud detection, and marine weather services. Attendees also learned about changes in the atmosphere and weather warnings and how to better understand hazards and advisories
Amazing robotics– underwater robotics were demonstrated which are used to explore the deep sea, take a closer look at marine life, and also used to take samples to analyze
Safety and suits: the public was also invited to try on a survival suit and learn what it’s like to respond to a mock oil spill. The public got to touch and try on the survival suit and even had some even fun posing for pictures as part of the safety crew!
Youth movement– the event also announced the winners of the 2016 NOAA Art Contest which involves the youth and raises awareness to NOAA’s mission by having students from the Long Beach Unified School District in grades 9-12 research a selected theme and then incorporate concepts that they have learned into their artwork. This year’s art contest theme was, “Marine Mammals and People: A Tale of Two Species.”
The Aquarium of the Pacific held a full-day of family fun complete with an ocean of entertainment and preservation education at the
To learn more about the Aquarium of the Pacific and to find out about upcoming events please visit, www.aquariumofpacific.org.
NOAA: NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. For more about NOAA visit www.noaa.gov or facebook.com/NOAA.
AQUARIUM: The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important challenges facing our planet are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in search of sustainable solutions. Programs for adults include Aquatic Academy evening courses in current ocean issues, the ongoing Guest Speaker Series, and visual and performing arts events. The Aquarium is dedicated to conserving and building nature and nature’s services by building the interactions between and among peoples. Home to more than 11,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include the Molina Animal Care Center, Shark Lagoon, and Horses and Dragons and Vanishing Animals exhibits. Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. The Aquarium has won a 2015 Travelers’ Choice Award for Aquariums, as awarded by TripAdvisor® travelers. The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for 12 months, VIP Entrance, and other special benefits. For more information visit www.aquariumofpacific.org.
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