OSU’s Hatfield Center to host Marine Science Day on April 14

Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center will hold its annual Marine Science Day on Saturday, April 14, giving visitors an opportunity to see laboratories behind-the-scenes, interact with student scientists and learn more about marine research. The once-a-year open house event is free and open to the public. Marine Science Day runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center, located in Newport southeast of the Highway 101 bridge over Yaquina Bay. It will feature interactive, hands-on exhibits and opportunities to talk to researchers from OSU and other federal and state agencies. This year’s theme is “The best work happens together; collaborations and partnerships.”  Researchers will showcase their work on marine mammals, oyster aquaculture, ocean acidification, ocean noise, fisheries, deep sea vents and more. Visitors can learn about mapping the ocean sea floor, observe microscopic plankton, tour a genetics lab and explore the newly remodeled Visitor Center. Special activities for children will be offered by Oregon Sea Grant and the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The Oregon Coast STEM Hub will also be available to engage K-12 students interested in pursuing marine studies. Special events include: A public feeding of the octopus in the Visitors Center at 1 p.m. A lecture at 2:30 p.m. by Kaety Jacobson and Amanda Gladics of Oregon Sea Grant and OSU Extension, on “Why partnerships work: Stories of bringing science and community together.” More information on the event is available online at http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/marinescienceday