The Virginia Aquarium Brings The Ocean To Bent Mountain

Surf’s up in Bent Mountain! The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center has packed up the ocean, taken it on the road and is bringing it to Bent Mountain Elementary School on November 20, 2008. The Ocean in Motion mobile aquarium features live animals from Virginia’s marine environment ...All packaged for the road.

The adventure begins with a newly produced, lively, interactive assembly, P.T. Phylum’s Amazing Animal Adaptations of the Chesapeake Bay, which introduces students to some of the Atlantic coastline’s most dynamic animal inhabitants. This informative and sometimes humorous program focuses on aquatic habitats, the animals, and their adaptations. Aquarium educators also touch on current issues affecting the bay and ocean.

Moving from the assembly to a live animal experience, students get up-close and personal with hermit crabs, sea stars and other invertebrates. The program culminates with a stop at the aquarium truck, where students “dive into an underwater experience.” Inside the truck, juvenile permit and sheepshead frolic through seagrasses, inquisitive feather blennies peek from behind pilings and butterfly fish sit tucked in a shipwreck.

This year, the Ocean in Motion truck will travel to nearly 100 schools, many libraries, and various community events throughout Virginia. Ocean in Motion, like all Virginia Aquarium school programs, was developed to meet the needs of schools and educators, and enhances the Virginia Standards of Learning.

The Virginia Aquarium is located at 717 General Booth Boulevard in Virginia Beach. For more information about the Virginia Aquarium Ocean in Motion program at Bent Mountain Elementary School call (540) 929-4281. Ocean in Motion reservations can be made through Aquarium Guest Services by calling (757) 385-0300.