TO: News Editors, Directors

WHAT: The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and its J.L. Scott Marine Education Center will celebrate the opening of its Ocean Today Kiosk with an Ocean Connection Celebration, a free festival-style event featuring pontoon boat rides, live animal encounters, art activities, face painting, interactive learning, refreshments and art show. Media welcome to attend for photo/interview opportunities.

WHERE: Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, Miss.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

SPECIFICS: GCRL, including the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center, is one of five pilot sites in the nation to debut the Ocean Today Kiosk, an interactive interpretive learning station, featuring national ocean news and video from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, as well as key regional stories.

All five pilot sites open their kiosks to the public, Saturday, Sept. 27, in conjunction with the opening of the Smithsonian’s Sant Ocean Hall in Washington, D.C.

The “ocean connection” theme celebrates the lab’s connection to the Smithsonian and emphasizes the interconnectedness of our world and its oceans.

The J.L. Scott Marine Education Center is the outreach and education arm of the GCRL.

CONTACT: Martha Duvall, 228.327.8775 or 228.872.4254