Marine Education Center

Marine Education Center

The Marine Education Center welcomes back Summer Camps and Teacher Workshops in June 2021! All on-site activities will follow current USM health guidelines in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Osprey Point Interpretative Trail
During a trip to the MEC, plan to see the sights on the universally accessible Osprey Point Interpretative Trail. A walk on the quarter-mile trail guides visitors through different coastal habitats. Breaks in the native plant undergrowth and tree canopy offer framed views of Davis Bayou and tidal marsh habitats. Cross the pedestrian suspension bridge to observe the transition in habitats from forested bayhead to tidal marsh. The site is home to a large population of animals including resident osprey, raccoons, alligators and coastal birds.

Innovative Field-Based Educational Experience

The Marine Education Center (MEC) at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Cedar Point site in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, serves as the education and outreach arm of the School of Ocean Science and Engineering.

MEC programs reflect coastal science research conducted within the Gulf of Mexico and provide participants with a better understanding of the Gulf. This approach advances the understanding of coastal and marine science within the public sector and provides the tools coastal residents can use to become more effective stewards and advocates for the Gulf of Mexico through innovative, field-based educational experiences.

Plan Your Visit

Our Programs

Teachers bring their students to the MEC for an outdoor, immersive program knowing the experience can have a profound impact on a young person’s life, sparking an interest in a STEM career.