VUCEL Open Day brings in the crowds
Saturday’s wild weather didn’t dampen the Victoria University Coastal Ecology Laboratory (VUCEL) Open Day, with more than 1,000 visitors flooding through the doors. The state-of-the-art marine laboratory in Island Bay held its annual opening day, entertaining visitors of all ages with various interactive activities and displays.
“Guests got a chance to test the salinity preferences of whitebait, and estimate the age of baby fish by counting daily growth increments on fish ear bones under a microscope. Younger visitors were guided through science activities with the aid of a scavenger hunt, which was very popular, ” says Dr Jeff Shima, Director of the Coastal Ecology Laboratory.
Visitors also got an insight into the laboratory’s latest research and findings, with 30 dedicated volunteers, including postgraduate students and technical and academic staff from the School of Biological Sciences, generously donating their time. “Their efforts helped to create another fantastic open day,” says Dr Shima. “I think this year’s was the best yet.”
Photographs of the event can be seen here: VUCEL Open Day 2015