Cal Poly holds marine education fair for public
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.-
Costal Marine Science Cal Poly students and professors held an interactive educational event at the Cal Poly Pier in Avila Beach. Community members were invited to hear about the research and interact with marine wild life.
“What is really cool is that we are involved in communicating ocean science through in an informal audience,” said Cal Poly Student Katey Fitzgerald.
Families got the chance to play with sea critters and hear how our changing ocean's eco system is affecting them.
“This is a Piezaster gigantic sea star,” boasted Cal Poly student Audrey as she pet the large sea star.
“This is an opportunity for the local collage students and professors to share the detail of their research. To translate it to the public,” said event attendee Marie Rainwater
Students explained to visitors how the ocean thrives.
“All algae needs is a place to settle and enough light to grow,” one student told a large group of kids gathered around his booth.
The students also educated on lookers about what things are harming the marine environment.
“It is extremely relevant because we are facing a climate crisis,” said Rainwater.
The research Cal Poly does is in hopes to find ways to prevent harmful environmental impacts.
“So this something that a whale might eat. It's a crab. Especially a grey whale, because its a bottom feeder,” said Cal Poly student Micheal holding up large white crabs.
The group presented on going research including projects aimed at protecting Morro Bay’s ecosystem, sustaining local fisheries, and mapping ocean currents.
“We have gotten great opportunities to create these interactive activities with the public,” said Fitzgerald.
“We are trying to answer questions that have conservation and management implications,” noted Cal Poly Biological Science professor Benjamin Ruttenberg.
