Today I want to take you on a quick tour of the Marine Science Education Center
Pictured is the education center located on the grounds of the Marine Science Institute here in Port Aransas.
The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute is the oldest and most significant marine research facility on the Texas coast. The Institute is dedicated to the three central functions of a major university, research, education, and outreach, as they apply to the Texas coastal zone and other marine environments. As an organized research unit, the primary goal of the Marine Science Institute is to improve understanding of the marine environment through rigorous scientific investigations.
This is the plaque at the base of the sculpture titled, Interdependency. The sculpture contains over fifty marine species and symbolizes the interdependent nature of our marine world.
Inside the Educational Center are a number of interactive exhibits designed to explain the mysteries of the coastal zone.
For example here is a game teaching where fish are found in the Gulf. The lighthouse mural on the right is named the Lydia Ann lighthouse.
There is a telescope inside the center so that you can look at the Lydia Ann lighthouse. I took a photo through the telescope and you can see it off in the distance.
There are also interactive displays.
Here is a fishing boat on the bay with a little pond filled with fish that can be caught with a magnet on a rod (yes,the fish have a metal spot with which you have to connect)
Here’s what the boat looks like loaded with tourists (actually my family – daughters and grandkids)
There is so much more to see and feel but we are just about out of time. Here is an aerial view so you can get an idea of how large.
Fiction Favorites 
A good-looking family you have there, John. That is one large, spread-out center. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I enjoyed it and glad you did too. Thanks for the compliment, Suzanne.
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You family looks supremely happy, John.
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Thanks Keith. I believe they are.
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Thanks for the tour. And here I thought you just hung out on the beach with a cold one 😉
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To quote the Beachboys, “I get around.”
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Looks like a fun place. How did you get the aerial view?
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Went to the website and they had one there. Thank heavens cause I could not find a tree tall enough.
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Tie a bunch of balloons to your belt and float up to the right height. Probably need a tether to something to pull yourself back down. 🙂
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Or take a pin. Just know when to stop popping balloons
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That would work. Just beware of any birds.
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Or kids with bb guns
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First — Happy birthday, John! I hope your day is everything you want it to be.
Yet you gave us the gift of this post and virtually visiting the Marine Science Institute. OMG… who knew the place was so huge! I’m glad you included that aerial photo — it gave a lot of perspective. The sculpture is fascinating; love the imagination that combined all those creatures into one. But the best thing was the family photo, with everyone in the spirit of the fun. Happy birthday hugs!
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Thanks Teagan. They did have fun and Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes. Hugs
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I’m really enjoying your new series of posts. I love the tarpon sculpture and thought it was the best part, until I saw your family. They look like they were having a great time and really made the post outstanding.
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Aw. You are too kind. (I’ll take it though)
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Good morning, John, and thanks for that very informative post,
Pit
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🙂
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What a great looking family you have, John! This was a wonderful tour…thanks for taking us along. 🙂
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Thank you, Jill
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I just saw it’s your B-day, John — Happy Birthday and many more! Thanks for letting me tag along on your tour. ‘Twas lots of fun because I love learning and seeing all this marine nature. And that’s a handsome family you’ve got — you must be mighty proud!
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I am proud, Debbie. Thanks for the birthday wishes. 🙂
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Great photos 🙂
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Thank you, Jacqueline. 🙂
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Happy Birthday. I heard today’s the big day. Handsome family, John.
Austin Marine Science Institute is huge, like a city onto itself. This is the type of place I like to visit on a rainy day. 🙂
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Yes. Today is the day. Thanks, Tess.
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You are welcome, John. ⭐
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🙂
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Oh, thanks for the tour! I have been by there many times but never stopped. Great looking family and happy birthday to you! Love the work of Kent Ulberg.
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Thank you so much for the birthday wish. Yes Kent’s work is terrific. Thanks for the family compliment.
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Thank you for the lovely and to me previously unknown marine life center one Port A. I look forward to visiting. Congrats to you also for such a superb family!
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Thank you, Pat. So nice to have you stop by. 🙂
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“Understanding the marine environment through scientific research” sounds like a worthy goal. I’m not sure about that boat in the second last picture, though. It looks dangerously overcrowded to me. 🙂
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Ha ha ha. Lucky it didn’t sink.
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Nice-looking family John!
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Thank you , Teri. They are the sweetest.
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Lovely family, John! A very interesting post about the Marine Science Education Center.
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Thank you, Michelle.:-)
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🙂
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🙂
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Love the fish sculpture, that’s very cool.
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It is amazing in person. Photos (especially mine) don’t do it justice. Thanks
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