Study the marine environment every day, with this lasting exhibit. Participants help a CCE educator to create a healthy marine habitat in a 10-gallon aquarium, then learn about local marine life as they add shellfish, crabs, snails, fish, and algae. Equipment and instructions are left for easy maintenance.

Let us bring the bay to you! This hands-on presentation introduces participants to local marine life with our traveling touch tank – observe and hold live sea animals such as clams, scallops, shrimp, crabs, snails, fish, algae and more. CCE staff will be responsible for containing any watery mess.

Participants will learn about the anatomy and biology of sharks, one of the oceans most misunderstood predators. They will handle and view preserved specimens of sharks, scales, skin, bones, teeth and jaws, and use microscopes to get up close. Add a full audience participation shark dissection is available for an additional fee. CCE staff will be responsible for containing and disposing of any mess.

Students learn about the biology and importance of eelgrass, a vital underwater habitat. We will discuss the causes of its population decrease and the ways that CCE is working to restore it. Students will take part in restoration by making burlap “tortillas” (Spring, Summer) or weaving live grass shoots into them (Fall only).

Arguably the most interesting looking of our local fish species, the lined seahorse is a rare species to find on Long Island. Learn why they look the way they do and all about their interesting traits and characteristics, and why they are so rare. Then learn about our Seahorse Conservation Initiative and how we measure and study them in the wild. Will include live or preserved specimens for observation. Great follow-up to “Intro to Marine Meadows”.

Marine Science is an interdisciplinary field, merging biology, chemistry, geology, physics, engineering, art and design, etc. Chat with educators and scientists in the fields of marine and environmental sciences. Find out how scientists study and sample the ocean, discover volunteer and educational opportunities, ask questions, and get inspired about your future career path.

Learn about the anatomy and ecological importance of Long Island’s local “shellfish” including snails, clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops. Study the major details of the shells with this hands-on activity, and learn to identify them using scientific field guides. Each participant will design and create an artistic display board to take home that serves as both a reference and beautiful piece of art.

Students will discover how various kinds of pollution make their way to the bays and ocean and how it affects the local marine life. Program includes hands on activities, introducing the amazing properties of water, and allowing students to practice real water quality testing methods. Students will also explore what they can do to help clean up our local bays and watersheds.

Our early childhood education programming is designed to reach our littlest future stewards. Bay Buddies is a co-learning experience for caregivers and children ages 3-5 years. Discover and learn through hands-on activities, including touch tanks with live marine animals, story time, artistic expression, and more!

From the structured and methodical broken seashell mosaic to the randomness and chaos of an abstract marine debris collage, students will create with materials found around our Tiana Bayside location. We will discuss the impact on the environment from single use plastics and human behavior. We will also talk about what we can all do to help reduce our plastics consumption and help improve our planet’s health.

Choose a local marine species or coastal habitat and let’s plan an acrylic painting session! Seahorses, clams, whales, sharks, horseshoe crabs, fish, and coastal habitats are a few examples of subject matter for an amazing painting!

Add a CCE Marine educator for a more in depth lecture on the chosen species.

Using various mediums on different types of paper students will create a multi-medium collage based on your local marine species of choice.

Add a CCE Marine educator for a more in depth lecture on the chosen species.

Students will learn about derelict fishing equipment and the work CCE Marine does to diminish the sad reality of ghost fishing. Working with our ArtSea director, Carolyn Munaco, participants will be guided through the steps to create a marine-themed painting on a reclaimed fishing buoy.

After a talk about what makes up a habitat and the different marine habitats found locally, students will have the freedom to create their own marine habitat diorama. Participants will be provided with a box, tools and several mediums like paint, clay, and markers necessary to complete this project. This is a lengthy project that requires approximately 4 hours of time. You have the option of 2-2 hour or 4-1 hour sessions.

Choose a local marine species or coastal habitat and let’s create a watercolor painting! Seahorses, oysters, whales,, horseshoe crabs, scallops and coastal habitats are a few examples of subject matter for fun watercolor session using traditional and not so traditional forms of watercolor painting.

Add a CCE Marine educator for a more in depth lecture on the chosen species.