Biology

There’s nothing like surfing: the adrenaline rush when you are about to ride the wave, or the feeling of deep connection with the ocean. What is it about surfing that makes people fall in love with it? Join passionate surfers Chris Clarks and Phil Bresnahan as they share their love for surfing, the science of surfboard shaping and a citizen science approach to keeping our oceans healthy.

Guests will explore the ocean and play with phenomena, science, and nature through hands-on activities at the aquarium. Each day, floor programs will focus on one ocean-related topic including plankton, diversity of whales, and fish buoyancy. Guests will have fun engaging in these hands-on activities and learning about how they can connect understanding to protecting our ocean planet.

Join us at Petco Park on Saturday, March 2nd for a day full of FREE, FUN SCIENCE! From 10-5 the park will be packed with over 130 different hands-on activities showcasing STEM for participants of all ages!

Have you ever peered inside a brain? Ever touched a brain? Dissect a brain with scientists from San Diego State University's Brain Development Imaging Labs. Kids (ages 4-12 years) are welcome to join us as we learn about the parts of the brain, how it works, and even tease our own brains with optical illusions. Kids will be divided into two groups (younger kids and older kids) led by a brain scientist so that they can learn brain science in language they can understand. Parents can learn about exciting research that the Brain Development Imaging Labs is conducting.

Explore nature nestled right in the heart of Mission Valley! This special event will include lots of opportunities for kids to practice hands-on science, learn about nearby nature, and share their new knowledge with the community. Kids will get to skim for plankton samples and analyze them, collect river water samples and test the water quality, and go on a guided nature walk along the San Diego River! This hands-on learning opportunity is a great way for the whole family to get outdoors and get to know our region’s namesake waterway!