New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
Encyclopedia
University of Otago
The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
, scientists and educators engage with the community and provide the opportunity for visitors to experience "real" science in an authentic setting.
The New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, incorporating the Westpac Aquarium, interprets the local marine environment, conservation issues and current research through live display and interactive exhibits, hands on experiences and knowledgeable staff. The Centre offers a variety of programmes throughout the year for primary and secondary schools and gifted and talented students from across southern New Zealand. An outreach programme is also run in the Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough district using the facilities of the Touch the Sea Aquarium in Mapua.
The NZ Marine Studies Centre, incorporating the Westpac Aquarium, runs the following community programmes:
- School Visits "Hands-on, Feet-wet" - classes from early childhood to senior secondary visit the Centre for an intensive programme of study including field surveys, laboratory analysis and interactive discussion.
- Gifted and Talented Programme "Oceans of Potential" - An immersion programme for secondary students from southern New Zealand schools.
- Off-Site Programmes " Ocean Outreach"- a full marine programme for schools is run in the Nelson/Marlborough/Tasman district
- Traveling Exhibits and Workshops "Window on Marine Research" - Community programme for special interest groups (eg college abroad, tour operators) and those unable to travel to Portobello.
- Teacher Development "Science and the Sea" - Professional development in science for teachers and development of teaching resources.
- Westpac Aquarium - interprets the local marine environment, conservation issues and current research through live displays, interactive exhibits and knowledgeable staff. Open daily to the public.
The NZ Marine Studies Centre and Westpac Aquarium are on the same site as the Portobello Marine Laboratory
Portobello Marine Laboratory
The Portobello Marine Laboratory is located on the end of a short peninsula close to the township of Portobello, within the limits of the city of Dunedin in New Zealand's South Island...