Celebrate World Ocean Day and kick off summer with the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit at the St. Lucie County Aquarium on Thursday, June 6 from 10am to 3pm. This family-friendly event will feature hands-on activities, crafts, a beach clean-up, and special aquarium tours. Scientists from the Smithsonian Marine Station will be there to demonstrate their world-class research and ways that they’re working to help save our ocean. Whether you live on the coast or inland, we all need a healthy ocean to survive and thrive. The ocean generates over half of the oxygen we breathe, feeds us, helps regulate our climate, and provides us with endless fun!

When: Thursday, June 6, 2024; 10:00am- 3:00pm

Where: Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit at the St. Lucie County Aquarium

The celebration will take place both inside and outside of the Aquarium, which is located next to South Causeway Beach on South Hutchinson Island. Don’t miss fish feeding tours inside of the Aquarium at 10:30am and 2:30pm, as well as fascinating behind-the-scenes tours at 11:30am and 1:30pm. Outside, test your ocean knowledge with a game and partake in a beach scavenger hunt and clean-up for prizes. Explore fascinating marine artifacts and make a craft at the beach-combing discovery station. Finally, meet Smithsonian scientists and learn about their research through hands-on activities.

Admission to the Aquarium, located at 420 Seaway Drive on South Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce, is $4.25 for adults and $3.25 for seniors (55+) and children. Children under four are free! All World Ocean Day activities are included with Aquarium admission. For more information, please contact the Smithsonian Education Office at 772-465-3271 or SMSEducation@si.edu.