The Boothbay Sea and Science Center (BSSC) is pleased to announce that this summer they will be welcoming Gray Ferris as the Center’s waterfront director and Taylor Grace as the education director.

Summer 2016 will be Gray’s third season as the waterfront director at the Boothbay Sea and Science Center (BSSC).

“I have a hard time imagining spending summers anywhere but in beautiful Midcoast Maine teaching sailing and science at the Boothbay Sea and Science Center,” said Gray. Gray feels fortunate to have not only learned to sail on these waters, but also to have had the opportunity to teach sailing. He is a US Sailing Level 2 certified sailing instructor. In addition to teaching sailing, Gray is also a professional French horn player and brass teacher. He received his master’s degree in music performance as well as his associate’s degree in entrepreneurship from the University of Arizona in Tucson. As an undergraduate, Gray attended the University of New Hampshire in Durham, where he spent his non-sailing time working on a bachelor degree in education. Gray is currently a member of the Orquesta Filarmonica Sinaloa de las Artes as well as a music teacher with the Instituto Sinaloense de Sinaloense de Cultura in Culiacan, Mexico. Previously, he was member of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra in Knoxville, Tennessee.

On May 7, Taylor Grace graduated from Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) with a bachelor of science degree in marine biology and a minor in international business and logistics. While at MMA, Taylor worked as an assistant wetlab specialist and as the Academy’s divemaster. His growing passion for community based education was exemplified during his presentations of the Academy’s wetlab to students from local high schools and in the diving courses that he helped teach.

"I have seen several presentations with animals throughout my life. I have learned that the most important aspects of the presentations are to be accurate, truthful and passionate. Passion and excitement are things that travel from person to person," said Grace.

Among Taylor’s many accomplishments, he is most proud of his research on red octopuses (Octopus rubescens) and spiny scallops (Chlamys hastata) in western Washington state. This research allowed him to gain more knowledge in invertebrate behavior and ecology — his favorite area of biology. Taylor looks forward to sharing his experiences, enthusiasm, knowledge and passion with the BSSC participants.

The mission of the Boothbay Sea and Science Center is the advancement of sailing, boating and ocean sciences by minimizing economic and physical obstacles and further to develop independence, self-confidence, teamwork and volunteerism in the participants. To inspire individuals to strengthen themselves and their community through the enjoyment of the sea.

For more information about BSSC and/or to register your child online, please visit the Center’s website at www.boothbayseaandsciencecenter.org or call 207-350-5357. BSSC invites you to “Like” them on Facebook!