Dauphin Island Sea Lab Provides Wonderful Education and Outreach Opportunities to Learners of All Ages.
March 20, 2023
Discovery Day
Date: April 22, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Dauphin Island Sea Lab
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab team is making plans to bring Discovery Day back online in 2023. The open house event was last held in 2019.
It offers an opportunity for the public to learn about the current research our team is working on and learn more about the coastal ecosystem we live in.
We invite you to mark your calendars for Saturday, April 22, 2023, to join us.
MATE Northern Gulf Coast Regional ROV Competition
Date: April 28, 2023
Discovery Hall Programs hosts the annual Northern Gulf Coast regional competition for the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) ROV Competition program. In this competition, student teams, facilitated by their teachers/mentors/coaches, design, build, and test their own unique ROV before coming to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to compete against student teams from across the Gulf coast in a series of science-based missions.
The 2023 regional competition will include SCOUT, NAVIGATOR, and RANGER ROV class competitions. This multi-day competition consists of two mission attempts, a marketing display poster, and an oral presentation. The competition is held over a 3-day period beginning Friday afternoon (safety inspections and a career panel discussion), followed by pool demonstrations (Saturday), and engineering design presentations and an award ceremony (Sunday).
The winner of the RANGER class qualifies for the International MATE Competition, held in Longmont Colorado in 2023.
Keep in touch with all the happenings by joining our
DISL ROV Competitions Facebook group.
The primary mission of the
Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center is to provide the marine technical workforce with appropriately educated workers and to use marine technology to create interest in and improve STEM education. The MATE ROV Competition is about student learning. It is designed to be an event that challenges students to apply the physics, math, electronics, and engineering skills they are learning in the classroom to solving problems from the marine workplace. Mentors (teachers, parents, working professionals) are expected to limit their input to educational and inspirational roles and encouraged to focus on the benefits of the learning process and not simply on "winning" the competition.
For more information, please email
rovcompetition@disl.edu or contact Discovery Hall's ROV Competition Coordinator, Rachel McDonald at (251) 861-2141 x5076.
Cocktails with the Critters
Date: May 4, 2023
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tickets: $60 individual
Become a Sponsor: $500 Patron / $1000 Underwriter / $2500 Event Sponsor / $5000 Signature Sponsor
Location: Bluegill Restaurant on the Causeway
A picture-perfect sunset and an evening with friends. That's the plan for the annual Cocktails with the Critters hosted by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation.
The virtual auction will open for bids on April 26, 2023 at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on May 3, 2023. You can view the auction items and become a bidder before the auction opens at
this link.
With the success of the virtual auction in 2020, the auction will once again be held virtually in 2023.
Check back for more details on the 2023 event at sealabfoundation.org.
Cocktails with Critters, the major fundraiser for the DISLF will be Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 6:00 till 9:00 at The Blue Gill on the Causeway. As always, this will be an exciting evening overlooking Mobile Bay with live music, delicious hors d'ouevres along with tasty wine and beer. The Foundation is seeking sponsors for this ever-popular event. A portion of the proceeds raised this year will be used to fund student scholarships and other projects at the Sea Lab.
Sea Lab Science Friday: STEM: The Ocean Version
Date: May 12, 2023
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Three classes offered throughout the day, and you can attend one, two, or three classes.
Cost: $10 per class
Register: Complete form for each participant.
Sea Lab Science Friday is a 'drop-in' field class program hosted by Discovery Hall Programs perfect for homeschooled students, parents and caretakers seeking enrichment opportunities.
Learners can participate in one, two, or all three of the classes offered during Science Friday.
STEM: The Ocean Version focuses on ocean technology used to protect, clean, and explore our ocean.
Ocean Drifters - 9:30-11:30 am
There's motion in the ocean! And it's important! Ocean currents determine the distribution of ocean animals, suspended and dissolved materials as well as heat and energy. Drifters are a type of technology that scientists use to study ocean currents. Come build with us as we design, build, and test our own mini-drifter using our engineering skills. We'll also track a full-size ocean drifter using satellites and an app and discuss the significance of nearshore currents in barrier island dynamics.
What to wear and bring: comfortable shoes that can get wet and sandy, a hat to shade the sun while outside, sunscreen, a water bottle, and your creativity.
Suitable for: ages 10 and up, or for all ages with an accompanying adult.
Trash(in) the Ocean - 1:00-3:00 pm
Marine debris is a huge problem that impacts marine life everywhere. Join us to learn more about marine debris and microplastics. We'll play the role of a beach-dwelling animal and understand how hard trash is to avoid. We'll explore how scientists collect and analyze data by collecting our own and comparing it to that collected across the world as we take part in a citizen science project using NOAA's Marine Debris Tracker app.
What to wear and bring: a device (if you can), comfortable shoes that can get wet and sandy, a hat to shade the sun while outside, sunscreen, a water bottle, and your sense of stewardship.
Suitable for: ages 10 and up, or for all ages with an accompanying adult.
ROVing the Gulf - 3:00-5:00 pm
Do you like to build things and then see if they work? If so, then this class is for you! Scientists, ocean engineers, and explorers use remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) as they visit, study, and work in the ocean, especially in the deep sea. In this class, we'll learn more about ROVs, buoyancy, and hydrodynamics and then team up to build and drive a ROV in the Sea Lab pool.
What to wear and bring: a hat to shade the sun while outside, sunscreen, a water bottle, and your building skills.
Suitable for: ages 10 and up, or for all ages with an accompanying adult.
Drop-in field class focsued on ocean technology used to protect, clean, and explore our ocean. This class is perfect for homeschooled students, parents, and caretakers seeking enrichment opportunities.
Day Camp: BIO Blitz
Date: June 1, 2023 or June 15, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $60 per student
Location: Discovery or Endeavour Hall
Register
This day-long camp for ages 8-10 turns campers into Barrier Island Observers. Campers will set out on an expedition across many of the diverse habitats of Dauphin Island, including the beach, salt marsh, and maritime forest. They will document their findings, through various creative media, along with their journey. While exploring barrier island ecology, students should be prepared to get wet, sandy, and muddy.
Recommended attire: Comfortable shoes and clothing. Campers may get a little wet and messy.
What to bring: refillable water bottle, sunscreen, towel, and lunch (refrigeration provided)
To sign up, please submit the application form and $60 registration fee (payable to DISL) by email or mail to:
BIO Blitz
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
101 Bienville Blvd
Dauphin Island AL 36528
Email:
DHPsummer@disl.edu
Day Camp: Oceans Alive!
See, touch, and learn about the marine plants and animals that call Alabama home.
Date: June 2, 2023 or July 6, 2023
Time: 8:30-11:30 (5-6yrs) 1:30-4:30 (7-8yrs)
Cost: $45 per student
Location: Discovery or Endeavour Hall
Register
The Gulf of Mexico offers a wealth of material for developing minds and curious senses in "Ocean's Alive," a half-day adventure for children ages 5 through 8 and their parents/grandparents. Combining arts and crafts with a beach walk adventure, the educators at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab usher children and adults into a deeper appreciation of the marvelous Alabama coast. Lessons in marine biology, ecology, and zoology are introduced in hands-on activities so fun, your children will discover that learning can be a blast.
What to wear: Clothes that can get a little wet and a little messy
Things to bring: water shoes, a water bottle, sunscreen, a bathing suit or other clothing that can get wet, and a towel
Parents/guardians are required to attend, must be 18 years of age or older, and may be responsible for no more than 3 children. Parents/guardians should be capable of navigating the Dauphin Island Sea Lab south campus area, which includes gravel, as well as walking out onto the beach. Only those children enrolled should attend; no younger/older siblings, please. Everyone should be prepared to get wet. There will be a short mid-afternoon break with snacks and drinks provided.
To sign up, please submit the application form and $45 registration fee (payable to DISL) by email or mail to:
Oceans Alive!
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
101 Bienville Blvd
Dauphin Island AL 36528
Email:
DHPsummer@disl.edu
Day Camp: Survivor: Dauphin Island
Campers will learn about coastal fishes and how to reel them in.
Date: June 8, July 5, or July 21, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $60 per student (parent attendance permitted, but not required)
Location: Discovery or Endeavour Hall
Register
Join us for a 'reel' adventure and put your survival skills to the test. Campers, ages 10-13 years old, will learn about Alabama's fishes, which ones are edible, how to toss a cast net, how to bait a crab trap, how to drag a seine, and how to bring in the catch of the day while pier fishing. Campers will also get up close and personal with their catches as they learn about each different species brought ashore! You never know exactly what you'll reel in! There will be swim time and an afternoon snack provided in addition to frequent water breaks.
Recommended attire: Comfortable clothes/shoes and a swimsuit.
What to bring: Lunch, sunscreen, hat, towel, and refillable water bottle
To sign up, please submit the application form and $60 registration fee (payable to DISL) by email or mail to:
Survivor: Dauphin Island
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
101 Bienville Blvd
Dauphin Island AL 36528
Email:
DHPsummer@disl.edu
Day Camp: Ocean Bytes
Campers will get the chance to use the tools scientists use to study the oceans.
Date: June 9, 2023 or July 7, 2023
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $75 per student (parent attendance permitted, but not required)
Location: Discovery or Endeavour Hall
Register
In this single-day camp, we explore the world of ocean technology through hands-on e(nvironmental)-STEM activities! Campers will get their feet wet using some of the tools scientists use to study the oceans, including underwater robots, drones, and GPS along our beaches.
Back inside, campers will be challenged to design and build circuits in a creative make-and-take activity focusing on deep-sea animals.
An afternoon snack will be provided and refrigeration is available.
Activities are not water-focused, but some areas we visit may be wet or muddy.
Recommended attire: Clothes that can get a little wet and a little messy. Sneakers or sturdy water shoes are recommended. Please no flip-flops or sandals.
What to bring: water bottle, a sack lunch, a change of clothes, a towel, and sunblock.
To sign up, please submit the application form and $75 registration fee (payable to DISL) by email or mail to:
Ocean Bytes
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
101 Bienville Blvd
Dauphin Island AL 36528
Email:
DHPsummer@disl.edu
