Drop-In to MLML Open House: Track a “Sea Lion” Through the Halls

"Track Me!" reads the label on Tamale's collar (photo: E. Loury)

If something small, furry and tagged bumps into your leg during Open House, don’t worry – it’s probably just a student’s pet posing as a marine mammal!  These visitors below have successfully tracked down Tamale the would-be sea lion by following the beeping noises transmitted from Tamale’s tag to their receiver antenna.   Scientists in the Vertebrate Ecology Lab use this method to relocate their tagged animals in the field.  Come to our Open House to give it a try for yourself!

MLML Open House is Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1.

photo: E. Loury

Drop-In to MLML Open House: Hagfish Slimefest

photo: E. Loury

How basic can you be and still be called a fish? With no eyes and no jaws, hagfish would certainly take the prize.  They aren’t all about minimalism, though – they actually have five hearts!  What makes these simple fish fascinating is the defense that earns them the name “slime eel.”  Come to the Icthyology Lab during Open House to watch the hagfish exude some of their slimey goodness – it sure makes for some fun photo taking!  (Marine scientist love slime…)

MLML Open House is Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1.

photo: D. Haas

Drop-In to MLML Open House: The Bottle Drop – See Niskins in Action

photo: E. Loury

Biological Oceanography student Shana Carmichael readies a Niskin bottle to show Open House visitors how scientists use it to collect water at different depths in the ocean.  The bottles are arranged in a carousel on a CTD instrument like the one shown below (and modeled here).   Scientists lower the instrument to the depth of interest in the ocean, then send down a “messenger” weight that triggers the bottle to close at both ends.   Each bottle can be filled with water from a different layer of the ocean, allowing scientists to sample oxygen, nutrients, plankton and other water components across a range of depths.  Come to Open House to see a nifty Niskin for yourself!

MLML Open House is Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1.

photo: E. Loury

Drop-In to MLML Open House: This Fish Isn’t Too Cool For School!

Fish skeletons displayed in the Ichthyology Lab (photo: D. Spear-Hooton)

This sunglass-wearing fish skeleton thinks MLML is the coolest!  When you come to the MLML Open House, be sure to take a stroll around the Ichthyology Lab.  The fish skeletons reconstructed by MLML students are sure to impress you.  The guy wearing the sunglasses is a giant seabass, while the large fish skull in the foreground is from a Hawaiian grouper.  They hope you’ll say aloha in a couple of weeks!

MLML Open House is Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1.

photo: E. Loury

Drop-In to MLML Open House: The Art of Science… Or Is It the Science of Art?

MLML students play paint-by-number

Sometimes we all need a break from the daily grind.  What’s a good way to take a breather?  How about taking some time for arts and crafts!

These MLML students are taking some time after-hours to paint the aquarium scene for the 2009 puppet show.  MLML alumna Heather Hawk lent her expertise and drew the fantastic backdrop, then directed her peers to fill the corals in with the proper colors.

If you’d like to see the 2009 Open House puppet show featuring Harry Spotter, take a look here!

Aquarium scene backdrop

MLML Open House is Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1

Drop-In to MLML Open House: Like Sand Through Your Fingers

photo: E. Loury

Open House is a great chance to take a hands-on approach to science. Geological Oceanography Lab student Briar Kitaguchi shows visitors how wind can sort sand grains by size by moving them different distances.  Ocean waves and currents can do the same thing, allowing geologists to interpret the history of sediment movement by looking at the size of the grains.

photo: E. Loury

MLML Open House is Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1.

Drop-In to MLML Open House: Discover Chromatography – We Want These Colors to Run

photo: E. Loury

How do biological oceanographers identify the phytoplankton in water samples they collect at sea?  They can use a technique called chromatography that separates the pigments that phytoplankton use for photosynthesis.  The major groups of plankton contain different pigments, and those pigments  produce a color spectrum when they separate by weight.  Scientists can use this color spectrum “fingerprint” to identify the type of phytoplankton the pigments came from.

You can try your hand at chromatography at MLML’s Open House thanks to the Biological Oceanography lab!  Did you know that pen ink is composed of many different pigments?  Watch the ink separate into a spectrum of colors to see for yourself!

MLML Open House is Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1.

Drop-In to MLML Open House: Take a SCINI Dip

photo: E. Loury

Did you ever think that using a video game controller could be a useful scientific skill?  At Open House you can get the chance to pilot SCINI, a remotely operated vehicle.  SCINI stands for Submersible Capable of under-Ice Navigation and Imaging, and helps MLML researchers explore the frigid waters of Antarctica. With the touch of a button, you can make SCINI dive and surface, and move side to side – just without the Antarctic chill!

MLML Open House is Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1.

photo: E. Loury

Drop-In to MLML Open House: Try Your Luck at the Opportunity Drawing

photo: E. Loury

Open House is not only a great educational opportunity, it’s the biggest fundraiser for the MLML student body.   The event is free to attend, but you can support us by buying tickets for the opportunity drawing.  We will have a bunch of amazing prizes you won’t want to miss!

Feeling lucky? Our prizes could be yours! (photo: E. Loury)

MLML Open House is Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1.

Drop-In to MLML Open House: The Fish Will Open Up Their World To You

photo: E. Loury

Have you ever looked a rockfish square in the eyes and felt its slippery scales?  Open House is a chance to discover interesting creatures and explore exciting careers – maybe Katie from the ichthyology lab is helping nurture a future fisherman or fish biologist!

MLML Open House is Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1.