62nd Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days

Thu, 06/27/2024 - 2:30pm

LISA KRISTOFF

This youngster was one of the 630 people who visited the Research Touch Table at the new Gulf of Maine Discovery Center grand opening on June 26. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

The Climate Wheel, a new learning tool. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Research Touch Table. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Close up of a specimen under the microscope. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

This youngster was one of the 630 people who visited the Research Touch Table at the new Gulf of Maine Discovery Center grand opening on June 26. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

The Climate Wheel, a new learning tool. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Research Touch Table. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Close up of a specimen under the microscope. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

The grand opening for the public of the Gulf of Maine Discovery Center, formerly the site of the Maine State Aquarium, was held Wednesday, June 26 during the 62nd Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days Festival.

People were greeted by Beth Trussell, Boothbay lab lead administrator, and Sunny Hong, Boothbay Lab administrator, at the welcome desk/ticket counter.

DMR’s Education Division Director Dottie Yunger said 630 adults and children came to check out the Discovery Center. “People were excited to learn about DMR's research and researchers. They liked the new modern feel. Kids spent a lot of time on the lobster boat, named Lawbster. They enjoyed hoisting the lobster trap and banding toy lobsters. People were also fascinated watching the moon jellies swirl around the specially designed tank.”

The staff at the Touch Tank were knowledgeable about each species included. Also at the Center is the Climate Wheel, a vertical unit on the wall near the Research Touch Table. All you need to do is select one of the sea species, lobster, for example. Information includes how changes in the Gulf of Maine are affecting lobster population and habitat.

The Research Touch Table resembles a large screen TV, but lies flat, taking viewers into the ocean depths to see what lies beneath.

And the full-length skeleton of a minke whale was an attention getter, created by Dan Dendanto and colleague Courtney Vashro. Dendanto directs The North Atlantic Fin Whale Catalogue and has been a whale researcher for 35 years. He is a staff member at the College of the Atlantic (COA) in Bar Harbor.

The Center is at 194 McKown Point Road, West Boothbay Harbor. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Labor Day.