Marine Science Day 2021

An Intro to Scientific Illustration with Val Kells, Scientific Illustrator

Join world-renowned scientific illustrator Val Kells as she demonstrate how to professionally draw a marine organism. With more than 30 years of experience, Val has an impressive portfolio and has worked on a variety of projects—from field guides to museum exhibits.

Disease in Striped Bass: Understanding Mycobacteriosis

Mycobacteriosis has long been a baffling disease affecting striped bass populations in the Chesapeake Bay. Join ODU graduate student Josh McGilly as as he describes how he and VIMS scientist Jameson Gregg are teaming up to learn more about the disease's effect on striped bass populations and how their research may help inform management decisions.  

Gyotaku: The Art of Fish Printing

Retired VIMS educator Dr. Carol Hopper-Brill provides guidance on the fine art of fish printing or gyotaku.

Microplastics and our Environment

VIMS graduate students Ashley King and Meredith Evans Seeley describe microplastic pollution and the steps we can all take to help address this growing issue.

All Drains Lead to the Ocean: A Watershed Demonstration

CBNERR-VA educator Tara Rudo uses an enviroscape to describe watersheds, threats to their health, and what we can all do to protect watersheds for our own and future generations.

Fish On! VIMS Research Informs Recreational Fisheries

Researchers Susanna Musick and Troy Tuckey of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science explain how data collected at VIMS through programs like the Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program and Juvenile Fish and Blue Crab Trawl Survey are used to inform management of recreationally important fishes.

Cooking Demonstration: Golden Tilefish Fish Tacos

Chef Win Goodier of Nuttall's Store in Ware Neck, Virginia shows how to make a tasty fish taco using Golden tilefish.

Marine Life Drawing Lesson for Beginners

Katie Shelton, a conservation intern with the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia shows how to draw a seahorse!

Careers in Marine Science

Tara Rudo, Marine Education Specialist with the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERR-VA) takes you through the many career fields that go hand-in-hand with marine science. Joining her for a Q&A session are four marine scientists with a broad range of experience.

The Science of Offshore Wind

Dr. Mark Luckenbach, VIMS Associate Dean of Research and Advisory Services, and Mr. Darrell Shier, Environmental Manager with Dominion Energy, discuss the science of offshore wind and how marine research like that conducted at VIMS is used to advise on the development of this energy source.

Beach Seining Adventure

Join Tara Rudo and Matthew Thayer, marine education specialists with the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science as they identify animals caught while seining in the waters of the York River and Chesapeake Bay.

Ocean Acidification and Oysters

Ocean acidification, the lowering of the ocean's pH due to increased carbon dioxide levels, poses challenges to many marine plants and animals, including oysters. Learn how VIMS PhD student FeiDa and a team of colleagues at VIMS is collaborating to better understand ocean acidification, how it impacts oysters, and what those impacts might mean for the aquaculture industry, watermen, and oyster restoration.

Inside W&M's School of Marine Science at VIMS

VIMS is home to William & Mary’s School of Marine Science, one of the largest marine science graduate programs in the U.S. VIMS provides students with an unparalleled education, the opportunity to perform groundbreaking research, and training that prepares them to serve as leaders in their field. In this session, admissions staff and current graduate students give you inside access to the education programs offered at VIMS, and answer questions from viewer questions.

Ghost Forests

Ghost forests consist of dead trees adjacent to marshes, and are a striking feature indicative of sea-level rise. Recent research conducted by Dr. Matt Kirwan at VIMS has shown that ghost forests are widespread, ecologically and economically important, and globally relevant to the survival of coastal wetlands. Join us as Grace Molino, a PhD student in Dr. Kirwan's lab, helps us understand the cause of ghost forests and what they can tell us about our changing coastlines.

Tour of the R/V Virginia

Follow along as we tour VIMS' flagship vessel, the R/V Virginia. You'll get an inside look at the state-of-the-art vessel and hear from captain and crew.

Coastal Resilience: Forecasting Tidal Flooding and Storm Surge

Coastal Resilience: Helping Communities Adapt to Rising Waters

Rising sea levels require individuals and coastal communities to think differently about how they live, work, and play along the coast. Researcher Pam Mason of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science explains the tools and resources VIMS has developed to help communities adapt to and plan for coastal change.

Innovative Solutions for Pollutant Detection

Professor Mike Unger and Ph.D. student Kristen Prossner walk us through their innovative approach to developing antibodies that can detect a variety of pollutants and the cutting-edge equipment that allows this to be done in minutes.Tune in to this short presentation and Q&A session to learn about a truly innovative approach developed at VIMS to detect environmental contaminants.

Dissecting Data Lesson Plan

Celia Cackowski, an educator with the Marine Advisory Program at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, demonstrates a lesson plan that simulates a study of fish diets using Play-Doh© and beads.

Art and Costume Contest Awards Ceremony