Ocean Discovery Day

All are welcome to Ocean Discovery Day where you'll discover Marine Science and Ocean Engineering at UNH! From ocean acoustics to plankton, there's something for everyone! Designed to engage explorers of all ages, Ocean Discovery Day offers a variety of hands-on activities and presentations.

Get a glimpse at the latest technology used to map the ocean floor, see how scientists use data sondes to monitor the water quality in the Great Bay Estuary and how acoustic technology is used to study marine life. Participants can operate a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), touch a sea star, try your hand at knot tying or painting with fish, and so much more. This family-friendly event is FREE!

When

Student Day
Friday October 17, 2025

Public Open House
Saturday October 18, 2025

Where

Jere A. Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory
UNH Campus
24 Colovos Road
Durham, NH 03824

Parking

Parking for each event varies. Please see individual program page for parking information.

For directions to the UNH Durham campus as well as parking and campus maps, visit the UNH Transportation Center website.

Volunteer speaking with students by tank.

Student Day

Our Student Day is designed for educators and organizations to visit with students. They’ll get their hands wet exploring and learning about our marine ecosystems at this interactive event.

Volunteer showing kids a horseshoe crab.

Public Open House

Join us at the Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory on the UNH Durham campus for the Ocean Discovery Day Public Open House, featuring family friendly activities, demonstrations and tours.

A group of people inspecting a small yellow boat.

Exhibitors

Faculty, students, staff and partners have the opportunity to promote efforts as Exhibitors in the area of marine science, STEM education, marine history and more.

Volunteer with students over a touch tank.

Volunteers

Ocean Discovery Day would not happen without the hundreds of individuals who volunteer their time in a large range of activities from greeting guests to working along side of our researchers. Volunteer registration will open in summer 2024.

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2024 ACTIVITIES
3-D Topography Sandbox - Possibly the coolest sandbox ever! You can "move mountains" with our 3D topography sandbox. Every hill, valley, or mountain you create in the sand will automatically change color to match its new "elevation" – and it's all projected on the screen!
Aquaculture – Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is a self-contained aquaculture system that allows multiple species to grow at the same time within a single floating structure. “Multi-trophic” refers to levels of a food web. Each of the different species in the IMTA system provides a benefit to the others: Steelhead trout, blue mussels, kelp and dulse. Find out why aquaculture is important to the local economy
Autonomous Surface Vehicles – These unmanned surface vehicles play a vital role in collecting data for our researchers.
Changing Arctic - Learn about permafrost and how it impacts our environment. You even get to see a glacier flow demonstration!
Coastal Ecosystems - Learn about some amazing creatures and coral that we find in the oceans. You'll even see live jelly fish!
Coastal Restoration: Salt Marsh Showcase with a Side of Microplastics - Here we will showcase salt marsh restoration with a focus on microplastics within salt marsh sediment. Take a sediment core from a "salt marsh" cake.
Estuaries - Estuaries occur where "rivers meet the sea." They provide critical wildlife habitat, nurseries for many marine species, buffering from coastal flooding, recreational enjoyment, and safe harbor for marine commerce and the maritime industry. New Hampshire is home to two major estuaries: the Great Bay Estuary and the Hampton-Seabrook Estuary.
Fish Printing – Creating art with fish!
Fish and Movement Ecology - See how researchers use both acoustic telemetry and passive integrative transposder (PIT) telemetry to track fishes and other animals.
Immersive Deep Sea Room - How do we explore the ocean? Lean all about the technologies that our researchers use to explore the deep.
Incognito Invertebrates - Meet a mussel scientist and even touch these little invertebrates. There will be mussels, nudibranches, and snails!
Lobsters! Have you ever measured a lobster? How about banding a lobster? Give both a try at this exhibit!
Knot Tying - Proper knot tying it critical for research vessel safety. You will have the opportunity to try your hand at knot tying.
MANTA RAY: Marine Research Vehicle - The Marine And Naval Technological Advancements for Robotic Autonomy (MANTA RAY) group is a multi-vessel project bringing together multiple departments in STEM at UNH. The MANTA RAY robotic will be demonstrated in the Engineering Tank.
Marine Chemistry and Climate Change - Wear a lab coat, sport some safety glasses and have your picture taken while you learn about ocean acidification!
Marine Mammals Program – Ever wonder how a whale stays warm in the fridge ocean waters or how long is a humpback whale? Visit the Marine Mammals table to find the answers to both questions and more!
Ocean Acoustics - Participants will have an opportunity to hear the different sounds of animals as they interact in their underwater environment.
Ocean Visualization – Researchers collect and data this data is transferred into advanced visualization tools through the “VisLab”.
Research Vessels - Research vessels are an important tool to marine scientists. Learn the different ways vessels are to used to conduct marine research.
Rocky Shore/Marine Touch Tank - What creatures might you find in the inter tidal zones? Have an opportunity to see and touch those creatures.
Scale Floating Wind Turbine Demonstrations - Head on over to our tow/wave tank to see a turbine in action!
Seacoast Science Center - The Seacoast Science Center will be highlighting the importance of the intertidal zone, and an invasive species to be on the look out for! Join us to help gather citizen science data on invasive european green crabs. Students and participants will get an up close look at green crabs, and interact with fun intertidal zone activities.
Sea-ing Sounds - A sound based scavenger hunt!
Shake It Up: Science Fun with Beach Sand - This exhibit will demonstrate how beach sand plays a role in shaping beaches and coastal areas. Different sand grain sizes can be observed. The impact of different sand grain sizes on the shape or slope of a beach will be investigated. The process of momentary sand liquefaction (similar to quicksand!) will be demonstrated in real time and audience members have a chance to create their own momentary sand liquefaction event. Sand liquefaction will be discussed in relation to coastal structures and communities.
Shellfish Behavior and Health Monitoring - Learn how ocean changes influences the behavior and health of coastal marine invertebrates.
Shellfish Rockweed Habitat - Learn how rockweed growing on intertidal rocks creates a special habitat and allows oysters to survive in this extreme environment.
Squid Dissection – Dissect a squid! This is a popular activity that takes approximately 30 minutes. Participants can expect to wait in line for the activity. Place holding is not allowed.
The Gundalow Company - A gundalow is a shallow drafted type of cargo barge, once common in the Gulf of Maine's rivers and estuaries. The Gundalow Company mission is to protect the Piscataqua Region's Maritime heritage and environment through education and action. Representatives will be on hand to talk about educational opportunities at the Gundalow Company.
Tidal Turbine - Tidal turbines convert fast-flowing tidal currents into electric energy. Two different types of turbines, axial flow turbines or cross-flow turbines can be used.
Weather Forecasting/Visualization – Check out the interactive weather forecasting map.
Water Characteristics
Wave Energy Demonstrations
Wind Turbines - Floating wind turbines are used offshore to generate electricity. These turbines are enormous! We have a scaled model for you to see as you learn more about offshore wind energy.