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Dive into this Discovery Lab where you'll learn about shark anatomy, species, behavior, and conservation. W&M Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences graduate student and shark enthusiast, Paul Clerkin, will talk about his research on sharks and eDNA.

Join us for the first After Hours lecture of 2025, where Dr. Richard Snyder, Director of the W&M Batten School & VIMS' Eastern Shore Laboratory (ESL) celebrates the importance of shellfish in our region.

Join us for a special Valentine’s Day-themed After Hours lecture with Dr. Jeff Shields, Professor at William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS, who will enlighten us on the variety of weird, whacky, and wonderful ways that marine animals reproduce!

This Discovery Lab is all about turtles that live in salt and brackish water. You'll follow turtle life cycles from shore to sea with fun games and demos. Our speaker, W&M Professor Dr. Randy Chambers will present his research on Diamondback Terrapins.

This Discovery Lab is all about how scientists can glimpse that fascinating past by studying fossils of creatures that lived long ago. 

Dr. Rom Lipcius, Professor at the Batten School & VIMS, will provide attendees with a look at the history and future of blue crab populations in the Chesapeake Bay - based on findings from the annual Bay-wide Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey.

At the April Discovery Lab, you'll learn about the science of plastic, what it is, how it affects our oceans and coasts, and what we can do about it.

Dr. Angelina Dichiera, Assistant Professor at the Batten School & VIMS, will explain how eDNA can be used to detect and monitor the presence of endangered sturgeon in Bay tributaries, and help guide recovery and conservation of these “living fossils.”

At this month's Discovery Lab, visitors will learn how farming shellfish can be the future of sustainable seafood, from the estuary to your plate!