CBNERR Public Programs
Community outreach is a priority for the CBNERR Education Department. Reserve staff provide environmental programs at Estuaries Day and Marine Science Day, as well as offering a Discovery Lab series open to the public on various marine science topics.
Discovery Labs
The Discovery Lab series provides fun, family-friendly experiences and lifelong learning. Each lab focuses on a specific topic through a series of stations that provide hands-on activities for kids and adults. Participants look through microscopes, observe live animals, partake in crafts and games, and view research posters. Both VIMS faculty and students participate as speakers, sharing their research with the general public in an intimate setting.
2026 Dates and Topics
- January 20: Shipwrecks, Register Here
- February 10: Love in the Ocean
- March 17: Marine Mammal Madness
- April 21: Seagrass
- September 15: Exploring the Deep
- October 23: Mad Lab/Trunk or Treat
- November 17: Blue Crabs
Registration is required for all labs. Registration will open one month prior to the lab.
Time and Place
- The labs run from 6-8:00pm, starting with exploration of the lab, the speaker at 6:30pm, and then more lab exploration.
- The labs will take place on the VIMS campus in Gloucester Point, at the Catlett-Burress Education Lab.
Audience
Discovery Labs are appropriate for all ages.
Cost
Discovery Labs are free.
Contact
Contact Sarah Nuss, mcguire@vims.edu for more information.