Category Archives: kids

High school students investigate marine science careers at the HMSC

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Registration is now being accepted for the April 17 Career Days at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport.

Open to all high school students, this year’s event – “CSI – Careers in Science Investigation” – will focus on some of the mysteries scientists attempt to unravel: What’s causing marine “dead zones”? What do whales do when no one is looking? How does a scientist determine why a marine animal died?
Students will have the opportunity to meet working scientists and learn what their jobs are really like, to explore the high-tech equipment and techniques researchers use to investigate the ocean, and to tour  labs and research facilities at the HMSC.

Registration is $15 per student, and preregistration is required by April 3. For more information visit Oregon Sea Grant’s marine education program on the HMSC Web site.

Learning and fun for homeschoolers at the HMSC

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Registration is open for the annual Home School Days program at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport.  Conducted by Oregon Sea Grant’s marine education program, the March 20 event offers age-appropriate classes and activities for home-schooled children from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, with activities ranging from ocean-themed crafts to hands-on animal labs and  guided tours of the HMSC.

The fee $20 per child, and pre-registration is required; classes typically fill quickly, so home school parents are encouraged to register early. For a full schedule of classes and registration information, visit the HMSC Education Web site.

Fun and learning at the HMSC Visitor Center

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Marine fossils and sea turtles take center stage in February and March as OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center presents two special learning and exploration events for the whole family.

On Saturday, Feb. 9 at 11:30 a.m., join us for FossilFest, one of our most popular winter events and a chance to learn about the fascinating fossils you can find on the Oregon coast. Bring your own specimens for expert identification or to swap with other fossil enthusiasts, or pick up a free fossil from our sample table and start a new hobby. Guest speakers include Dr. William Orr of the University of Oregon and Guy “the Oregon Fossil Guy” DiTorrice of Newport. Children’s activities, presented by the North America Research Group (NARG) include digging for shark teeth, making a shark tooth necklace, painting a fossil replica, and an ammonite toss.

On Saturday, March 1, come learn about the fascinating world of sea turtles as the Visitor Center hosts Sea Turtle Saturday, starting at 11:30 a.m. Speakers include Dr. Larry McKenna, author of “Almost Gone,” the story of the endangered leatherback sea turtle, and Dr. Selena Heppell, an OSU marine biologist who will talk about successful turtle conservation efforts around the world. Kids can take part in a Leatherback Painting Contest where everone goes home a winner!

The Visitor Center is located on Yaquina Bay in Newport, just south of the Yaquina Bay Bridge. Admission is by donation.

Follow the clues to coastal adventure and learning

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Part treasure hunt, part family game, part exploration of the natural and cultural wonders of the Central Oregon Coast: That’s Oregon Coast Quests, a new, self-guided adventure game that’s fun for visitors and residents alike.

Modeled after letterboxing and geocaching – increasingly popular pastimes in which participants use maps, clues and even GPS units to find caches hidden in the countryside – Oregon Coast Quests challenges participants to follow a map and find a series of clues designed to help them locate a hidden box of surprises — and have fun learning about the central Oregon Coast while they play.
Read more … 

Kids’ poster contest: Ocean and climate

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Kids from kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to enter our children’s poster contest as part of SeaFest, the summer marine festival and open house at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, on Oregon’s central coast

Young artists are invited to enter hand-drawn posters reflecting one of four age/theme categories about the ocean and our changing climate. The contest is sponsored by the HMSC, Oregon Sea Grant and the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

The deadline for entering is June 8; winning posters will be awarded prizes, and will be displayed at the science center during this year’s SeaFest on Saturday, June 23.

Read the contest rules
Visit the SeaFest site

Summer 2007 marine science day camps for kids

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It’s not too early to sign your child up for this summer’s marine science day camps at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. The four-day, age-appropriate summer camps on the Central Oregon coast are designed for youngsters 8-12 and 13-17 and cover a variety of marine-science topics. Hands-on classes and outdoor field adventures cover topics ranging from marine biology to geologic processes, marine mammals and oceanography. Classes and field trips are led by experienced educators from Oregon Sea Grant’s marine education program.

Registration fees range from $120-$140, and cover all instructional materials, field-trip transportation and a camp T-shirt. Lunches are not included.

Our day camps are extremely popular and fill fast – register early to assure your child a place!