Turn into an oceanographer when you visit the new Ocean Explorer Centre at Dunstaffnage near Oban to discover how the marine environment works:
- You can operate an underwater observatory to discover what lives in the Firth of Lorn and what it sounds like down there!
- Put on a lab coat to view algae under a research microscope. Did you know these green blobs produce half of the oxygen you breathe - and soon perhaps also the fuel that drives your car?
- Get to know the technology that helps oceanographers explore the ocean currents that make Scotland's climate so much milder than the conditions in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Kids and those young at heart can crawl through our Arctic tunnel to find out what creaking glaciers sound like and what kind of animals live on, in and under the rapidly melting sea ice.
- A cool (polar themed) little cinema shows short films about the work marine scientists from Oban and elsewhere do.
- 13 molecule models are hidden around the Ocean Explorer Centre. Count the different atoms and answer the questions to receive a fishy reward!
- My Beach Science Survey – take a clipboard and bucket and follow the clues to find out about the local ecology of our beach. Discover more about seaweeds and marine life and answer a riddle or two! Take photos as you go along and identify your finds back at the centre. A fun family activity.
- Find out from Darcey how litter is affecting the planet and what you can do to help.
- Film guides to the centre are available in French and German.
- The Café Scientifique serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and cakes and our small shop stocks a small but exciting range of sea and science related items.
The centre also holds a range of events such as talk, walks, workshops, readings and film screenings - and works with schools and special interest groups. Keep an eye on the website to check what is on next.
The Ocean Explorer Centre sits on the shores of the Firth of Lorn, next to Dunstaffnage Castle 3 miles north of Oban. It is the visitor and outreach centre of the Scottish Association for Marine Science - Scotland's premier independent marine research organisation and one of 13 partners of the University of the Highlands and Islands. See if you can spot the scientists while you visit...
During your visit you can also find out more about our Marine Science degree courses available here at SAMS UHI. Or, explore our website for more information www.sams.ac.uk/study.
2019 opening times: 01 Apr - 19 Dec: Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm
2020 opening times: 06 - 24 Jan: Mon - Fri 12 - 2pm // 27 Jan - 27 Mar: Mon - Fri 11am - 3pm // 30 Mar - 18 Dec: Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm