The following story originally appeared on the website for William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS. – Ed.

The 23rd annual Marine Science Day, the marquee open house event at William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS, drew more than 2,000 attendees on Saturday, May 31, to the sunny, waterside campus in Gloucester Point.

With open access to academic buildings and laboratories, the public was able to learn and interact with scientists and students who presented their marine research through posters, hands-on activities and educational demonstrations. 

From Chesapeake Bay blue crab touch tanks and seining in the York River to a marine science career fair, seafood cooking tutorial and marine life costume contest, there were exciting and varied exhibits for attendees of all ages.

“We have children that range in age and every one of them loves it,” said Melissa Davidson. “We have a 7 year old, a 12 year old and a 17 year old, and every year they all love it. It’s so valuable, and it really gives us great opportunities to learn new things and have hands-on experiences. It’s wonderful.” 

Eric Anderson was similarly glad to return to Marine Science Day, after attending for the first time in 2024 with his young son, Brandon.

“We came last year and really enjoyed it, so we came back this year,” said Eric. “My son is a little older this year, a little more interactive and able to listen. I think it’s really important, the repetition year after year, so this will be an annual event for us.” 

The event drew attendees from across the Commonwealth.

“The kids are excited, and they like the new experiences and the science, fishing, whatever else we can see out here,” said Shannon Tillery, who brought her entire family to Marine Science Day from Petersburg. “They’re learning they can be whatever they want to be.” 

The event was brought to life by approximately 275 staff, students and other supporters who volunteered their time to organize and set up the open house, direct traffic, present research, supervise activities and more. 

“Marine Science Day is a wonderful opportunity for knowledge sharing as members of the community get a unique glimpse behind the brick walls of our campus to experience firsthand the impact of the research happening here,” said Kristen Sharpe, the assistant director of outreach and engagement who leads the event. “Meanwhile, our faculty, staff and students have the chance to engage with the public to share information about their work — and develop really fun and engaging ways of sharing that information.” 

Students at the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS especially benefit from the ability to practice communicating science to new audiences.

Sharing with the public and kids is probably my favorite thing and why I wanted to go to grad school in the first place,” said M.S. student Elena Hoang, who worked at the crab touch tanks, one of the day’s most popular exhibits. “I like seeing when they’re hesitant at first about something that might be scary, like a big blue crab, but then once they touch it or even hold it for the first time, they get really excited.” 

Fellow M.S. student Robyn Dudrick, who represented the microplastics lab, was also gratified by seeing families express interest and excitement about marine science.

“We love to encourage community engagement and citizen science, so it’s really fun to see the kids playing and getting hands-on engagement while their parents are asking really insightful questions,” she said. “It’s fulfilling to hear the kids saying, ‘I’m going to be a scientist when I grow up. I like to get wet and dirty.’” 

In the spirit of community engagement, the Batten School & VIMS once again hosted the Communal Quilt Project led by Steve Prince, director of engagement and distinguished artist in residence at William & Mary’s Muscarelle Museum of Art. Attendees created their own quilt squares to add to what will become a mile-long quilt. Prince said he saw a connection between the project and Marine Science Day, “because as people here are thinking about public access and knowledge sharing, and how much more knowledge that we need to share between us, this becomes another opportunity where we can connect through art-making.” 

By the end of the day, volunteers had heard from countless visitors about how insightful and meaningful they found the open house event to be.

“It is always humbling to hear from members of our community who are inspired by the activities and information, whether they are motivated to make more conscientious decisions in their daily lives or inspired to pursue the field of marine science as a career,” said Sharpe. “Marine Science Day provides an opportunity for ocean and science enthusiasts, young and old alike, to see themselves as part of the Batten School & VIMS’ mission to provide science for solutions.” 

Marine Science Day 2025 was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, The Owens Foundation, Canon Virginia, Bank of America, Phillips Energy, Southern Trade Realty, Alanton Garden Club, Stephen Barry and Ratcliffe W. Harris.

To see more images from the annual open house, view the Marine Science Day 2025 photo gallery.