Calendar of events

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Calendar of events

Marine Science Center program information
The Marine Science Center offers a wide variety of program for children and adults throughout the year. Students young and old can discover the many wonders of marine life in environmentally rich Volusia County. For more information, please call the Marine Science Center at (386) 304-5545.

Please note that program dates and fees may be changed without notice; weather may also affect programs. Programs are open to the public, and registration fees may apply. For advance registration or more information, please call the Marine Science Center, at (386) 304-5529.

Program times are 10 a.m. Wednesdays and 1 p.m. Saturdays unless otherwise noted.

2008

Guided Tours
Daily
Marine Science Center – Entrance
Guided tours of the Marine Science Center are offered daily by the education staff. Please call for times, or check our activity board at the MSC entrance for specific tour times. Please allow a minimum of one hour to participate in the tour. No registration is required, however space is limited.

November

Raptors – Live!
Saturday November 22, 11:00 a.m
MSC Lab
Free with admission to the MSC
No group of birds captures our imagination like raptors. Join us for this rare opportunity to meet the new collection of raptors. From the diminutive eastern screech owl to the power of the red-tailed hawk, this program will introduce visitors to the wide range of raptors found in Volusia County. Learn about the extraordinary adaptations that have made them the rulers of the air.
Participants should meet in the MSC lab. Registration is required.
Please call (386) 304-5545.

Owl Pellet Lab
Saturday Nov. 22nd, 1:00 pm
MSC Lab
Minimum age is 10 years old
Free with admission to the MSC
What does an owl eat? How does it digest? Join the MSC Educators for this unique opportunity to take a closer look at what an owl eats and how it digests. What is an owl pellet you ask? Come and find out! This is a laboratory/dissection activity – gloves will be provided. Registration is required. Please call (386) 304-5545

A Whale of a Tale – All about the Right Whale
Sunday, Nov. 23, 2:00 p.m.
MSC Lab
Free with admission to the MSC
Join the MSC Educators for this presentation all about these elusive marine mammals. Learn about their migration, their long natural history, and why they are called the “right” whale. Registration is required. Please call (386) 304-5545

December

Between the Tides – Life on the Sandy Beach
Wednesday, Dec. 3 , 10:00 a.m.
Smyrna Dunes Park, New Smyrna Beach
Free with park entrance fee of $3.50
Join Marine Science Center staff for a guided beach walk at Smyrna Dunes Park and explore the salt marsh, mangrove and inlet ecosystems of the park. Interested persons are asked to meet at the picnic tables at Smyrna Dunes Park, New Smyrna Beach. Participants should dress for the outdoors, bringing sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. Come prepared to hike the beach and nature trails of this beautiful 250 acre Volusia County park.
Registration is required. Please call 386-304-5545

Super Sharks!
Saturday, Dec 6, 11:00 a.m MSC Lab
Free with admission to the MSC
Sharks are top predators in the marine food web and important to the ecological balance of this aquatic system. Sharks have been swimming the seas for over 450 million years, and there are 460 known species of sharks ranging in size from the gigantic whale shark to the miniature dwarf shark. Come to the MSC to learn about the natural history of sharks, how they feed and the most common species found in Volusia County. Presentation will end with a live shark feeding! Registration is required. Please call (386) 304-5545

Raptors – Live!
Saturday, Dec. 6, 1:00 p.m.
MSC Lab
Free with admission to the MSC
No group of birds captures our imagination like raptors. Join us for this rare opportunity to meet the new collection of raptors. From the diminutive eastern screech owl to the power of the red-tailed hawk, this program will introduce visitors to the wide range of raptors found in Volusia County. Learn about the extraordinary adaptations that have made them the rulers of the air. Participants should meet in the MSC lab. Registration is required. Please call (386) 304-5545.

Native American Life on Mosquito Lagoon -- Turtle Mound Field
Wednesday, Dec. 10th, 10:00a.m
Meet at the Turtle Mound Parking lot, Canaveral National Seashore.
Free with park admission of $5.00/car. Join Michael Brothers on a trip through Canaveral National Seashore south of New Smyrna Beach. Turtle Mound is the largest Native American shell midden in the United States. Join us for this exploration of unique archaeological site and the natural communities it supports. This seashore supports the longest stretch of undeveloped beach remaining on Florida’s east coast. This 25-mile barrier island and its waterways offer sanctuary to 1,045 species of plants and 310 species of birds. The seashore is also home to fourteen endangered or threatened species, including sea turtles, West Indian manatees, southern bald eagles, wood storks, peregrine falcons, eastern indigo snakes, and Florida scrub jays. Reservations are required. Please call (386) 304-5545.

Lighthouse Point Park Dune Walk & History Talk
Saturday December 13th 1:00 p.m.
Meet at the main pavilion in Lighthouse Point Park Free with park admission of $3.50/vehicle Join the MSC staff for a hike along the dune ecosystem and hear the fascinating history of the Ponce Inlet area and the hotel that never was! The park is home to many unique species of plants and animals. Come prepared to hike the beach and nature trails of this beautiful Volusia County Park. Reservations are required. Please call (386) 304-5545.

Life in the Mangrove Forest -- Lighthouse Point Park
Wednesday, Dec 17th, 10:00 a.m.
Lighthouse Point Park, Ponce Inlet
Meet at the main pavilion in Lighthouse Point Park
Free with park admission of $3.50/vehicle
Join Marine Science Center staff for a guided walk into the mangrove forest at Lighthouse Point Park and explore the salt marsh, mangrove and inlet ecosystems of the park. Interested persons are asked to meet at the main pavilion at Lighthouse Point Park. Participants should dress for the outdoors, bringing sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. Come prepared to hike the beach and nature trails of this beautiful 52 acre Volusia County park.
Registration is required. Please call (386) 304-5545

Raptors – Live!
Saturday, Dec. 20, 1:00 p.m.
Free with admission to the MSC
No group of birds captures our imagination like raptors. Join us for this rare opportunity to meet the new collection of raptors. From the diminutive eastern screech owl to the power of the red-tailed hawk, this program will introduce visitors to the wide range of raptors found in Volusia County. Learn about the extraordinary adaptations that have made them the rulers of the air. Participants should meet in the MSC lab. Registration is required. Please call (386) 304-5545

Florida Natives vs. Exotics Saturday
Dec. 27th, 1:00 p.m.
MSC Lab Free with admission to the MSC Take a guided walk through the MSC exhibit gallery with an educator, as they discuss one of the threats to biodiversity – introduced species. With many species, such as pythons, lion fish, iguanas, Indo-Pacific geckos, brown anoles, being introduced to Florida, native species can be out-competed. We will also discuss the animals naturally occurring in Florida and the role they play in the ecosystem.

Environmental learning opportunities

The Volusia County Marine Science Center is expanding its learning opportunities with a new series and will offer programs where participants can explore archaeological sites, mangroves and wildlife havens, and participate in guided beach walks.

Participants should meet at the designated location and dress for the outdoors, bringing sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. Advance registration is not required. All programs are free and open to the public, though park entrance fees may apply.

All programs are open to the public, and registration fees may apply. For advance registration or more information, please call the Marine Science Center, at (386) 304-5529.