The Vast and Exciting Arctic World Comes to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration Live via Webcast

By Becky Giantonio

Mystic, CT - This February, venture to the ends of the earth to meet the fascinating animals that live there and the people who work with them. Immersion Learning™, a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., brings the vast and exciting Arctic world live via webcast to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration and many other Immersion sites across the country on February 10 to 12.

During the week of live Marine Mammals of the Arctic webcasts, viewers will have the opportunity to interact directly with scientists and trainers who work with marine mammals to better understand their behaviors and physiology, as well as the impact of humans and climate change on these animals. Kids watching the programs will also be able to participate in an online question-and-answer session and polling features as they hear from these experts and learn how they can help protect the oceans.

Viewers will get a firsthand look at polar bear research, seal rescue and rehabilitation efforts at the aquarium, satellite tagging and population surveys of ringed seals and beluga research that involves a unique collaboration between the people of Point Lay, Alaska, and researchers, including one based at Mystic Aquarium. Kids will also meet the three winners of Immersion’s first-ever Goldfish Training Contest, who will each serve as an “apprentice trainer” during one day of Webcasts and work closely with the aquarium’s beluga whales and professional trainers.

“Sea Research Foundation is devoted to protecting our ocean planet, and the Arctic is currently one of the most threatened places,” said Dr. Stephen M. Coan, president and CEO of Sea Research Foundation. “In providing kids an up-close look at these amazing animals and the dangers they are facing, we hope to inspire them to become ambassadors for the Arctic regions and beyond.”

The 30-minute live webcasts will be available at immersionlearning.org at the following times:

Wednesday, February 10 and Friday, February 12: 10 and 11 a.m. and 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
Thursday, February 11: 1, 2 and 3, 5 and 7 p.m.
These live webcasts complement Immersion’s Marine Mammals of the Arctic multimedia program, developed for kids in grades 4 through 8 and designed to inspire them to be part of the world of marine science and conservation by helping to protect marine mammals and their ocean home. Program elements include hands-on activities and lesson plans for use in schools and after-school settings and online games, projects, videos and photos.

A detailed webcast program guide and program resources are also available at immersionlearning.org.

About Immersion Learning™
Immersion Learning™ was founded by Dr. Robert Ballard and Dr. Stephen Coan in 2002. Through live broadcasts from scientific expeditions, hands-on activities and an engaging Web site, this non-profit science education organization brings ocean adventures and discoveries from Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, the University of Rhode Island and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration to more than 50,000 kids in classrooms, after-school settings, such as Boys & Girls Clubs, and other informal learning arenas each year.

About Sea Research Foundation, Inc.
Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and Immersion Learning are divisions of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3organization. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.

To view Mystic Aquarium's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-38-Mystic_Aquarium_&_Institute_for_Exploration