Marine Science Center facts for kids
Marine Science Center signage
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Aerial photo of the Marine Science Center
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| Date opened | 2002 |
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| Location | 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, Fl 32127 |
| Coordinates | 29°4′51″N 80°55′34″W / 29.08083°N 80.92611°W |
The Volusia County Marine Science Center is a super cool place in Ponce Inlet, Volusia County, Florida. It's a special center where you can learn all about ocean life and the history of nature. It also helps injured sea animals get better! The center first opened its doors in 2002.
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Amazing Exhibits
The Marine Science Center has many exciting things to see and do. You can explore different parts of the ocean world and learn about the animals that live there.
Giant Whale Skull
One of the most impressive things you'll see is a huge skull from a humpback whale. Humpback whales are some of the biggest animals on Earth. Seeing their skull helps you understand just how enormous these gentle giants are!
Freshwater Turtle Fun
The center also has exhibits with freshwater turtles. You can learn about these amazing reptiles and how they live in rivers and lakes. It's a great chance to see different kinds of turtles up close.
Reef Aquarium Adventure
Imagine looking into a giant fish tank that holds 4,876 gallons of water! This huge tank is a hexagonal artificial reef aquarium. It's designed to look like a real coral reef, which is a busy underwater city for fish and other sea creatures. You'll see many colorful fish swimming around, just like they would in the ocean.
Stingray Touch Pool
Get ready for a hands-on experience at the stingray touch pool! Here, you can gently touch cownose rays as they glide through the water. It's an amazing way to connect with these unique ocean animals and learn about their smooth skin. Remember to be very gentle and follow the rules to keep the rays safe and happy.
Helping Animals: The Rehabilitation Center
The Marine Science Center isn't just a museum; it's also a hospital for injured animals! They have a special area called a rehabilitation center.
Sea Turtle Rescue
The center works hard to help sick or injured sea turtles. When a sea turtle is found hurt, maybe from a boat strike or getting tangled in fishing line, it's brought to the center. Experts give the turtles medicine and care. They help them heal so they can go back to their ocean home.
Seabird Care
Just like sea turtles, many seabirds also get hurt. The center rescues and cares for injured seabirds. They might have broken wings or be sick from pollution. The team at the center helps these birds recover. Their goal is always to get the birds strong enough to fly free again.
How You Can Help
The work at the Marine Science Center is very important for protecting ocean animals. You can help by learning about marine life and keeping our beaches and oceans clean. Every little bit helps protect these amazing creatures!
