Home
Engage
Marine Science Day

Marine Science Day 2025

Join us for Marine Science Day 2025!

We are thrilled to be hosting our 23rd annual #MarineScienceDay open house event on Saturday, May 31, 2025. For one day a year only, nearly every corner of our campus is open to the public to speak to our scientists and students while getting a behind-the-scenes look at the important research and advisory services VIMS provides to the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond!

Located in Gloucester Point, this fun-filled family-friendly event features exhibits, children's activities, seining in the York River, tours, seafood cooking demonstrations, and more. This event is completely free, open to the public, and takes place rain or shine! All exhibits and timed activities are included with entry. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on site throughout the event.

Registration

Advance registration is highly encouraged to aid in timely check-in on the day of the event. Please use the link below to request tickets for each member of your party, and if possible, print and bring with you on the day of the event.

Marine Life Costume Contest

All ages are invited to participate in the MSD 2025 Marine Life Costume Contest by wearing original costumes of marine plants or animals. Awards will be given for:

most original plant or animal
most creative use of sustainable materials
best group costume
best representation of a plant or animal
grand prize. Grand Prize winner receives an official Marine Science Day t-shirt as well as a VIMS prize pack valued at $50.

MSD 2025 Timed Events, Exhibits, Activities, and Vendors

Timed Events

11:00-11:30 AM: Marine Life Costume Contest Parade and Award Ceremony in Watermen's Hall

12:30-1:30 PM: Marine-Related Career Fair in Hargis Library, Watermen's Hall

1:30-2:30 PM: Seafood Cooking Demonstration in McHugh Auditorium, Watermen's Hall

Exhibits and Activities

Tours of our facilities - including the Visitors Center Aquarium, Nunnally Ichthyology (Fish) Collection, Acuff Center for Aquaculture, Seagrass Greenhouse, Oyster Nursery Pad, Carl Hershner Teaching Marsh, Riparian Forest, Native Plant and Pollinator Garden, and more!
Scientific exhibits where you can learn more about the amazing research being conducted by VIMS scientists from pole to pole!
Scientific demonstrations including fish dissections in the Fish Collection and fish gut content analysis demonstrations by Multispecies Research Group staff in the Fish Processing Lab (provided every 30 minutes from 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM)
Educational crafts, activities, and games including the ever-popular fish printing, an activity on "how to be a shellfish farmer," and more!
Seining in the York River - jump into waders and get up close and personal with charismatic Chesapeake Bay creatures (crabs, fish, and more!) while seining on the VIMS beach
Photo opportunities with TapSnap interactive photo booth and the Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS) at VIMS' "Picture Yourself as a Scientist" exhibit
Communal Quilt Project - create your own quilt square with fabric, scissors, and glue to be incorporated into the Communal Quilt! The Communal Quilt Project is the brainchild of Steve Prince, Director of Community Engagement and Artist-in-Residence at the Muscarelle Museum of Art.