Seacoast Science Center Inc

IT IS THE MISSION OF THE SEACOAST SCIENCE CENTER TO SPARK CURIOSITY, ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING, AND INSPIRE CONSERVATION OF OUR BLUE PLANET. THE CENTER'S PROGRAMMING AND EXHIBITS ENCOURAGE VISITORS AND OTHER PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT SO THAT THEY MAY BE MOVED TO ACTION, DEVELOP CONSERVATION ETHICS AND TAKE PERSONAL ACTION TO ENSURE A HEALTHY OCEAN. THE CENTER IS LOCATED IN HISTORIC ODIORNE POINT STATE PARK AND OPERATES UNDER AN ONGOING CONTRACT WITH NH DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION. THE CENTER OFFERS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ENVIRONMENTAL DAY CAMPS AND INTERPRETIVE EXHIBITS AND AQUARIUMS FOR VISITORS AND SCHOOL GROUPS. VISITORS REPRESENT A DIVERSE AUDIENCE FROM TODDLERS TO GRANDPARENTS. AS A CULTURAL MAINSTAY IN THE SEACOAST, THE CENTER FEATURES EDUCATIONAL CONTENT HIGHLIGHTING THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ODIORNE POINT STATE PARK AND THE ECOLOGY OF ITS 7 DISTINCT HABITATS AS WELL AS THE ECOLOGY OF THE GULF OF MAINE INCLUDING OPEN-OCEAN, NEARSHORE AND

PROGRAMS: THE SEACOAST SCIENCE CENTER OFFERS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ENVIRONMENTAL DAY CAMPS AND DAILY PUBLIC PROGRAMS FOR VISITORS AND SCHOOL GROUPS. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE OCEAN AND ITS CRITICAL INFLUENCE ON OUR DAILY LIVES THROUGH THE PERSPECTIVE OF ODIORNE POINT STATE PARK AND SEACOAST NEW HAMPSHIRE. IT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SEACOAST SCIENCE CENTER'S EXPERIENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMING TO INCREASE OUR VISITOR'S UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS OF THE OCEAN. IN TURN, WE HOPE TO MOTIVATE THEM TO TAKE PERSONAL ACTIONS IN THEIR DAILY LIVES THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO A HEALTHY OCEAN.

OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: PRINTING EXPENSES RELATED TO SUSTAINING SSC'S ONGOING MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM.

EXHIBITS: THE SEACOAST SCIENCE CENTER FEATURES OVER 35 INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITS. THE "DISCOVERY DOCK" EARLY LEARNING ACTIVITY CENTER IS AN INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT DESIGNED TO BE A SPACE WHERE YOUNG CHILDREN CAN EXPLORE THE WORKING WATERFRONT. "H2O TODAY" IS AN EXHIBITION THAT EXAMINES THE DIVERSITY AND CHALLENGES OF OUR GLOBAL WATER SOURCES AND PROMOTES CONVERSATION, CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION THROUGH ART, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. "MARINE MAMMALS OF THE GULF OF MAINE" IS COMPRISED OF A COLLECTION OF INTERPRETIVE VIDEOS, INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND ARTICULATED SKELETONS INCLUDING "TOFU" A 32-FOOT JUVENILE HUMPBACK WHALE. THE "GULF OF MAINE EXHIBIT HALL" FEATURES 10 AQUARIUM EXHIBITS CONTAINING A VARIETY OF FISH AND MARINE INVERTEBRATES FOUND IN THE GULF OF MAINE. THE CENTER ALSO OFFERS AN INTERTIDAL TOUCH TANK WHERE VISITORS MAY HANDLE CRABS, SEA STARS AND MARINE INVERTEBRATES COMMONLY FOUND IN THE TIDE POOLS ALONG THE NH COAST.

MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE: SEACOAST SCIENCE CENTER IS THE FEDERALLY AUTHORIZED ENTITY RESPONSIBLE FOR RESPONDING TO DEAD AND STRANDED MARINE MAMMALS ALONG THE COAST OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND NORTHERN MASSACHUSETTS. EACH YEAR SSC MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS RESPOND TO BETWEEN 150 AND 300 CASES. RESPONSES ARE EXECUTED TO PRESERVE PUBLIC SAFETY, ENSURE ANIMAL SAFETY AND FOSTER THE COLLECTION OF SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON THE HEALTH AND STATUS OF THESE PROTECTED ANIMALS. MARINE MAMMAL NATURAL HISTORY AND MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE OPERATIONS ARE THE SUBJECT FOR SCHOOL AND PUBLIC PROGRAM CONTENT AT THE SEACOAST SCIENCE CENTER.