This spring, Phillips Wharf Environmental Center is bringing the Chesapeake Bay to area schools, summer camps, and private events, with its Fishmobile. The non-profit is now accepting 2020 reservations for the traveling aquarium, with dates beginning Apr. 13 and continuing through Nov. 1.
“Our traveling aquarium provides students with hands-on learning experiences that help us better understand the Chesapeake Bay’s creatures and science,” explained Phillips Wharf Estuarium Manager Sarah Moffat. “Imagine comparing your arm span to an osprey’s wingspan, or seeing the differences between a turtle and a terrapin, or touching a horseshoe crab for the first time.”
The Fishmobile is equipped with 13 estuarine tanks, two touch tanks, and interactive displays and exhibits focused on the Chesapeake Bay and its inhabitants.
“It’s an unforgettable experience,” continued Moffat. “It’s great to see children’s faces light up as they explore our oyster reef tank with blennies, gobies, toadfish, grass shrimp, and more.”
Other animals include the Chesapeake’s diamondback terrapin, horseshoe crab, northern pufferfish, lined seahorse, American eel, flounder, snapping turtle, blue crab, spider crab, and more.
Phillips Wharf also offers customized, age-appropriate educational programs in school classrooms, with K – 5th grade students learning about critters of the Chesapeake Bay, and 6th – 12th grade students learning the science behind oyster restoration, aquaculture, and nurseries by utilizing a simulated oyster set.
horseshoe crab
The Fishmobile’s operations are made possible through the generous sponsor support of its sponsors, including Perdue, Choptank Electric Cooperative, Christmas in St. Michaels, and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.
For pricing and more information about Phillips Wharf’s Fishmobile and classroom programs, go to bit.ly/fishmobile, or contact Missy Cannon Helgason at [email protected] or at 410-886-9200.
Phillips Wharf Environmental Center’s mission is to encourage, educate, and engage Chesapeake Bay stewards of all ages through interactive experiences showcasing the Bay’s ecosystem and its inhabitants. For more information, visit phillipswharf.org.
Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.