The Boothbay Sea and Science Center (BSSC) is hosting educational programs on Thursday, July 10 and Friday, July 11 on the problem of marine debris around the world, presented by the Rozalia Project. During the programs, the Rozalia Project’s team members will demonstrate the use of underwater robots (ROVs) and sonar as well as nets to locate and remove marine debris. Program participants will get a chance to remove and catalog trash from the water — sharing in an immediate and positive impact on the underwater world and, hence, becoming active parts of the solution.

On Thursday, July 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Ocean Point Marina, Rachael Miller will present “The Rozalia Project and You.” This event is free and open to the public. The program is sponsored by the Boothbay Sea and Science Center, and hosted by Dan Miller, owner of the Ocean Point Marina. The S/V American Promise will be dockside at the Marina.

On Friday, July 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Rozalia Project will work with BSSC sailing and science program participants. Hands-on experiential learning activities related to collecting, analyzing and cataloging marine debris as well as use of ROVs will be the subjects for the day. To enroll your child in this Friday program, please contact Pauline Dion at 207-633-2012.

Rozalia Project founder, Rachel Miller and Dr. Nicole Poulton, member of the BSSC Board of Directors and Research Scientist at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, have been working over the past year on bringing back the around-the-world voyager and Rozalia research vessel American Promise to the Boothbay Region. Thanks to Dan Miller’s overwhelming generosity and support the Rozalia Project will return to the Ocean Point Marina in East Boothbay, the ideal location for the program. Together Dr. Poulton and Miller are hoping that hands-on community involvement here on the Boothbay peninsula, and the use of Rozalia’s innovative technology and research and data collection techniques, will mark the first step in controlling the spread of marine debris in our area.

“It is an honor and a privilege for BSSC to welcome back the Rozalia Project to the Boothbay peninsula,” said Dr. Nicole Poulton, “we’re very appreciative of the opportunity to continue the dialogue that BSSC began during the Rozalia Project’s visit in June of 2013.”

This summer, BSSC’s inaugural educational collaboration with Bigelow Laboratory and the Rozalia Project will start the Center on the path to becoming a regional learning center for marine science, maritime history, seamanship, navigation, safety at sea, meteorology and boatbuilding.

This summer, BSSC will pilot its four-week Science Programs at the Little River Boat Club & Marina in East Boothbay beginning Monday, July 7. The “Budding Scientist” program (weekly sessions) for ages 5-7 will meet Monday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. The “Emerging Oceanographers” program (two 2-week sessions) for ages 8-17 will meet Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Enrollment in the Sailing Program is not a requirement for participation in the Science Programs. Both programs have a maximum enrollment of six students.

For more information about these programs and to download Registration materials, visit www.boothbayseaandsciencecenter.org. Limited scholarship support is available. Eligibility is based on need.