Marine

Get ready, get set….Explorathon!

September 26, 2016 by Marine Directorate Communications No Comments | Category Collaborations, Marine Directorate general, Marine Directorate Science, Marine Litter, Oceanography

For the first time, Marine Scotland will be taking part in Explorathon; an extravaganza of discovery, debate and entertainment to celebrate European Researchers’ Night.

This Friday events will take place during the day and night, in around 300 cities across Europe, and we can’t wait to get involved.

During the day we will be in a marquee on St Nicholas Street (Aberdeen) with a team of scientists ready to tell you everything you need to know about marine litter and microplastics. For example, did you know that a plastic juice bottle that gets left on the beach, instead of being recycled, will be floating around in the ocean far longer than the person who left it there? Hundreds of years longer actually. Or that the thousands of tiny little microbeads used in some beauty products could be served up in that tasty fish you’re enjoying for your dinner? Fish and microbeads anyone?

In the evening, we will move to Aberdeen Science Centre, where we will be showing you how we find out the age of fish and whales. We have the shell of a Quahog that has seen at least one century come and go, an extremely large whale skull that was found on Aberdeen beach and a wonderful selection of teeth, and other specimens, for you to examine under the microscope.

The full programme of Explorathon events can be found here. Most events are free and open to all ages so come along, bring the family and get set for unlimited discovery!

Further Information:

• Explorathon is funded by the European Commission under Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions
• Follow the fun on twitter @ernscot #EXPLORATHON16

Tags: aberdeen science centre, Explorathon, marine litter, microbeads, microplastics, Quahog, research

Comments