The Virginia Institute of Marine Science is planning several events at its Gloucester Point campus this spring.
The next Discovery Lab, “Bye-Bye Bycatch,” will be held on Wednesday, April 17, from 6-8 p.m. in the Catlett-Burruss Research and Education Lab at VIMS.
Learn how to keep marine animals safe while fishing. Test your skills building bycatch reduction devices in fun engineering challenges and learn about what technologies keep fish in nets and turtles out. Derek Jackson will discuss his research on bycatch reduction in Pacific halibut fisheries.
Discovery Labs are free, family-friendly programs provided each month by the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia at VIMS. These programs are designed with elementary-aged youth and their parents in mind. Registration required.
After Hours
VIMS will hold its next After Hours lecture on Thursday, April 18, at Watermen’s Hall from 7-8 p.m. April’s topic will be “Monitoring PFAS, the Toxic ‘Forever Chemical.’”
Don Axelrad will share information on his post-graduate career researching and monitoring PFAS, which are a group of “forever chemicals,” which are named that due to their nearly indestructible toxins that cause major health problems in humans. Axelrad will describe his work on PFAS monitoring in Florida.
After Hours lectures are designed for an adult audience. The lecture will be held in-person and will also be available as a livestreamed webinar. Registration is required for this free event.
Paint-along
Impressionist painter Tricia Bass of Evergreen, Colorado, will host a paint-along and painting demonstration on Monday, April 22, which is Earth Day, from 5-8 p.m. on the Riverfront Lawn at VIMS.
Participants can bring their own easel and painting supplies or they can paint on one of two shared easels. A suggested supply list will be sent to attendees upon registration. Observers are also welcome, but are encouraged to bring their own chair.
This free event is geared toward adults, but a limited number of children may attend if accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Registration required.
Marine Science Day
VIMS will hold its 22nd annual Marine Science Day open house on Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. This free, family event features exhibits, children’s activities, seining in the York River, tours, seafood cooking demonstrations, mini-lectures and more. All ages are invited to participate in the Marine Life Costume Contest, with several prizes to be awarded.
Advance registration is highly encouraged to aid in timely check-in on the day of the event.
Registration for any VIMS event can be found by visiting vims.edu.