Ocean Explorer Centre
+44 1631 559123

It’s United Nations International Youth Day! The theme for this year’s event is "youth engagement for global action" which ties in well with our recently launch...ed five-year strategy, ahead of the UN Decade of the Oceans 2021-2030. Part of our strategy is education. We are committed to deliver training to those as young as nursery right through to PhD, so they can be well-equipped, inspired and ready to play a key role in providing a better future for our oceans. So today, we’d like to thank and celebrate all the young people who have joined us here at SAMS over the years, whether that be taking part in our outreach events or choosing SAMS UHI to study marine science. Your commitment to SAMS is paramount in our journey towards a healthy #OceanInBalance. SAMS is an academic partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands and associate institution of the United Nations University. Find out more about IYD at https://bit.ly/30Q2ebP. : SAMS outreach Ocean Explorer Centre

Oban High School’s head teacher explores our neighbourhood and site with his dogs...

While we remain closed for now, we used our time without you lovely visitors to develop an online shop with lots of ocean-inspired tops and bags. Please check it out...

For marine biologists it's exciting to find out that arrow worms, who we learnt were strict meat only eaters, do also like a bit of phytoplankton 'veg' and are as such much more versatile than we thought.

Happy World Oceans Day 2020!

Our new-look Ocean Explorer Magazine out now! The Scottish Association for Marine Science is delighted to publish a very special issue of our Ocean Explorer Magazine. This 39th issue is a little different from the others, published in a fully digital format. It contains news and features about SAMS science and covers a range of issues through articles produced by our communications team and guest authors.... Find out more about how scientists and fishermen are working together to understand fish populations; why the vaquita is on the verge of extinction; how algae is turning Antarctica's snow green - and more. We'd love to know what you think of the new format. https://samsmagazine.com/

THE OCEAN EXPLORER CENTRE IS NOW CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) OUTBREAK. We look forward to seeing you once the centre re-opens. Please check back for updates. To keep up with our ocean news please follow SAMS ... Twitter @SAMSoceannews or The Scottish Association for Marine Science. See more

Elaine and I had a great time at Park Primary School, Oban on Tuesday. The pupils had been learning about water so we went in and delivered our workshops on microplastics and marine pollution. The children were very enthusiastic and participated so well! Good fun and good learning was had by all!

#BeTheNewWave Check out this fantastic video case study, highlighting The Scottish Association for Marine Science student journey: http://bit.ly/36XQMKZ #ThinkUHI #ScotlandIsNow #Aquaculture #Careers

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR VISITORS AND FRIENDS! We hope you have a very happy time over the holiday period. We will be shutting at 4 pm on Friday December 20th and re-opening on Monday 6th January. Our hours in January will be 12 noon to 2 pm only. We look forward to seeing you again in the New Year.

We had a super afternoon yesterday with Rockfield Primary 1's! They have been learning all about the Polar Regions, climate change and topics such as reduce/reuse/recycle. Elaine Mitchell SAMS Arctic Research Assistant who has worked on both Arctic research stations and on research ships talked to the children about life on a Polar cruise. They found out about Arctic animals and had a close look at all the equipment you need on board ship. They also tried on some of the cloth...ing scientists need to wear to work in that cold environment. The children also played the Microplastics Detective Game with Helen and for children so young demonstrated that they really were very well informed about plastic in the environment and how to help! They enjoyed using the microscope to discover all the loose fibres on their clothing. Afterwards they listened and participated in a storytelling session about Jackie the Jackdaw - Ocean Superstar! It really was a privilege to go into the school and see first-hand the great work that is being done :-) #microplastics #Arctic #Science

We have just announced that Festival of the Sea 2020 will take place on 23/24 May! More details to come in the New Year....

Last week our intern Ellooddiie was very busy making our Christmas Tree for the St Conans Kirk, Loch Awe Christmas Tree Festival. It was quite a technical challenge making it out of the cardboard, attaching the bottles and keeping it upright! The idea behind it was to highlight marine pollution in Argyll and to think about what we can do to save creatures such as 'Sandy Claws' the crab. Thanks to Janie at Footprint Alba for providing ocean-washed bottles and other marine litter collected by volunteers in the area.Well done to everyone in the community who designed such amazing Christmas Trees! What a wonderful event!