There are certainly several ways to discover the oceanographic department of Florida Atlantic University (Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute), but for a first visit, the best solution is undoubtedly to start at the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center and stop there if possible a day. It is the public gateway that allows visitors to discover the oceanographic research-themed exhibits and get an up-close look at the cutting-edge methods and technologies that are used.
First, a trip back in time
It’s a short journey through the history of the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute that literally immerses the visitor in a rich 50-year history, highlighting and showcasing the greatest discoveries and achievements of the institute and the same goes for the ongoing efforts of marine scientists and engineers here in the United States and around the world. Thus, with more than 9,400 dives and the use of the Johnson Sea Link submersible, capable of reaching depths of around 800 meters and more, the institute was able to explore the ocean floor and collect numerous samples to build collections. of marine sponges and microbial creatures numbering in the tens of thousands.
In another area, the viewing of “Discovery Spotlight” is a highlight of this presentation, because the visitor then has the opportunity to project themselves into the future with, for example, the program for young people, “Keep the Sea of Debris” , which deals with the issue of marine debris and its harmful consequences on the environment and the future of the planet. The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute is familiar with the subject, having explored and examined two famous shipwrecks on the ocean floor:
– That of the booster of the Challenger space rocket, of which a defective O-ring caused the explosion in 1986.
– That of the wreck of the USS Monitor, a Civil War battleship, which sank in 1862.
A center with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment
The objective is to raise visitor awareness of the importance of research on marine flora and fauna and to put them in contact with experts in order to encourage people of all ages to work together to conserve the planet. To accomplish this, the center has aquariums with a total capacity of approximately 1,000 gallons and is home to more than 80 different species of plants and animals. To complement this, interactive exhibitions with videos and live commentary highlight fascinating marine environments, seagrass meadows and coral reefs, not forgetting demonstrations relating to the sustainable aquaculture systems set up by the institute.
Finally, the visitor can get a virtual overview of the FAU Harbor Branch through a series of videos showcasing all the facilities and various amenities as well as views of the 144-acre campus located along the Indian River Lagoon.
A series of exhibitions throughout the year on different themes
– Conservation of marine mammals: an overview of the behavior of dolphins, local manatees, whales and health problems, but also great stories of rescues of these same marine animals by the institute team.
– Aquaculture and conservation of marine flora and fauna reserves: a presentation of cultivated plants and animals raised by researchers in sustainable life and reproduction systems that they have developed. The goal is to help feed human populations and protect the environment.
– Health of marine ecosystems: an analysis of the relationships between human activities and environmental health by developing knowledge of important species such as seagrasses, turtles, sharks and corals.
– Biomedical and marine biotechnology: a presentation of researchers who discover, test and analyze the medicinal properties of chemicals from marine environments.
– Ocean engineering and exploration: a presentation of cutting-edge technologies for discovering, mapping, sampling and observing the diverse organisms and habitats of the ocean.
The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) within the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) organization and network
The HBOI, founded in 1971 in Fort Pierce, is a non-profit oceanographic research institution attached since 2007 to Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and managed by it since.
As for Florida Atlantic University (FAU), it was established in 1761 and is a public research and teaching university. It is a member of the State University System of Florida and is the fifth public university in the state.
With 30,171 students, an academic staff of 1,600 teachers and researchers, an administrative staff of 1,500 employees and an annual budget of around a billion dollars (982 million in 2022), FAU is currently considered one of the universities the most dynamic in Florida. It is classified among “R2: Doctoral universities – High research activity”.
Its main campus is in Boca Raton, in the southeast of the state, in addition to its five satellite campuses which are located respectively in Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Jupiter and Fort Pierce.
Note that when visiting the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center in Fort Pierce, students can go to an “Information Station” dedicated to them. They will be able to discover the next generation of scientific studies in the marine world as well as the numerous educational programs offered on FAU’s six campuses.
For more information or to make a reservation
Call 772-242-2293 or stop by the Ocean Discovery Visitor Center located at 5600 US 1 North – Fort Pierce, FL.
Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
The gift shop offers a variety of FAU Harbor Branch merchandise as well as ocean-themed and eco-friendly gifts.
A donation of five dollars is encouraged to help support awareness programs.
Sources : https://www.fau.edu/hboi/discover-fau-harbor-branch/ocean-discovery-visitors-center/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harbor_Branch_Oceanographic_Institute#Accomplishments
