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Marine Science Day 2026

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Join us for Marine Science Day 2026!

We are thrilled to be hosting our 24th annual Marine Science Day open house event on Saturday, May 30, 2026. For one day a year only, nearly every corner of our campus is open to the public to speak to our scientists and students while getting a behind-the-scenes look at the important research and advisory services the Batten School & VIMS provides to the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond!

Located in Gloucester Point, this fun-filled family-friendly event features exhibits, children's activities, seining in the York River, tours, seafood cooking demonstrations, and more. This event is completely free, open to the public, and takes place rain or shine! All exhibits and timed activities are included with entry. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on site throughout the event.

Registration

Advance registration is highly encouraged to aid in timely check-in on the day of the event. Please use the link below to request tickets for each member of your party, and if possible, print and bring with you on the day of the event.

REGISTER FOR THIS YEAR'S EVENT HERE!

Marine Life Costume Contest

All ages are invited to participate in the MSD 2026 Marine Life Costume Contest by wearing original costumes of marine plants or animals.  Awards will be given for:

  • most original plant or animal
  • most creative use of sustainable materials
  • best group costume
  • best representation of a plant or animal
  • grand prize

REGISTER FOR THE COSTUME CONTEST HERE!

MSD 2026 Timed Events, Exhibits, Activities, and Vendors

Timed Events:

  • 10:15 - 10:35: Fish Gut Content Analysis Demonstration #1
  • 10:30 - 12:00: Marine-Related Career Fair
  • 11:00 - 11:30: Marine Life Costume Contest Parade and Award Ceremony (Check-in begins at 10:30)
  • 11:15 - 11:35: Fish Gut Content Analysis Demonstration #2
  • 12:15 - 12:35: Fish Gut Content Analysis Demonstration #3
  • 12:30 - 1:30: Marine Science Trivia provided by Mega-Awesome Trivia
  • 1:15 - 1:35: Fish Gut Content Analysis Demonstration #4
  • 2:15 - 2:35: Fish Gut Content Analysis Demonstration #5

Educational Exhibits and Tours:

  • Acuff Center for Aquaculture Tours
  • Algal Evolutionary Ecology at VIMS ESL
  • The Aquaculture Collective (AquaCo) 
  • Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Technology Center (ABC)
  • Aquatic Health
  • Biosensors Lab Tour: How Mice Can Help Us Detect Oil Spill Pollution
  • Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs
  • Claw & Order: Disease Ecology Unit
  • CBNERR-VA presents: D.R.O.P. with Splash!
  • CCRM presents: Innovation and Crowd Sourced Data to Restore the Bay
  • Computer Models in Marine Science
  • The Eastern Shore Laboratory (VIMS ESL)
  • Green Team
  • Invertebrate Collection 
  • Multispecies Research Group (MRG)
  • Nunnally Ichthyology (Fish) Collection
  • Operation: Fish Edition
  • Oyster Insights
  • Plastic Pollution
  • Sampling the Next Generation (Fish Recruitment Survey)
  • The Virginia Clean Marina Program
  • Virginia Sea Grant
  • Zooplankton: Weird and Wonderful Drifters
  • Fairfield Foundation
  • NOAA Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

Family-Friendly Activities:

  • BeyondPhotos DC interactive photo booth
  • Fish Printing craft
  • MRG Shark & Fish Craft Station
  • Shellfish Farming Station
  • Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS @ VIMS) photo booth

Outdoor Exhibits and Activities:

  • Carl Hershner Interpretive Teaching Marsh
  • Coastal Forest Boardwalk
  • Exploring the York River: Seining and Collecting Animals
  • Ken Borkey Native Plant and Pollinator Garden
  • Scientific Diving Demonstration
  • Seagrass Greenhouse Tours
  • Vessel Tours

Vendors:


Marine Science Day 2026 is made possible by the generous support of:

                                   The Owens Foundation logo             

     

          Chesapeake Bank   |   Bank of America   |   Elizabeth Cabell