Seacoast Science Center

10/05/2026

🌊 Exciting News! 🌊 Registration for our December Vacation Camp at Seacoast Science Center is now OPEN! Starting today, Monday, October 5th, you can secure a spot for your little explorers. Each day is based on a new theme, giving campers the opportunity to explore and discover in Odiorne Point State Park and around the Center. Our Treks program welcomes campers aged 4-5, and the Safari program is perfect for those in grades K-5. Choose to register by the day or sign up for a full 7-day of adventure! Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity for fun and learning over the holiday break. 🌿 Secure your spot today! Head to our Camps page to learn more!

10/04/2026

An update following the recent nor’easter from our SSC Marine Mammal Rescue. These storms can be stressful for wildlife, and this update is a great reminder that often the seals monitored by the team need space and time to recover. 🌧️

If you see a seal, or other marine mammal, on the beach, keep your distance and do not approach. Contact your local marine mammal stranding response organization who can assess the animal and situation. From NH to Beverly, MA, that is our team. Save their hotline number so you have it handy: 603-997-9448. 🦭

The nor'easter created a busy week for our Marine Mammal Rescue Team! Since the wave action and storms began on Thursday, September 24, our team has responded to 6 harbor seals, 1 gray seal, 1 unidentified seal, and parts of a deceased whale.

We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated volunteers who went out both during the storm and in the days afterward to collect important data and monitor animals as they recovered from a difficult weekend. Their work is an essential part of our response program! 💙

One case in particular was a harbor seal weanling at Doughty Point in Gloucester, Massachusetts, on September 29. The approximately 5-month-old seal was in good body condition, responsive, and was observed napping while our volunteers monitored it. After consulting with our on-call veterinarian, we made the decision to continue monitoring the animal rather than intervene.

Our volunteers monitored the seal through sundown. The following morning, the seal was sighted again in a similar location and remained quiet, alert, and responsive (QAR). Its respiration rate was also lower than the elevated respiration rates observed the day before. We hope that this indicated the animal was recovering. When our volunteer returned around 11 am, the seal was no longer in the area.

This case is a great reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do for a seal, especially after a storm, is to give it space and time to recover. Storms and heavy wave action can be stressful for wildlife, and seals may need time to rest, regulate their body temperature, and regain their strength.

Thank you to our volunteers for putting in the time and effort to monitor these animals, especially during challenging weather conditions! 🦭💙

If you see a seal on the beach, please keep your distance and do not approach, touch, or attempt to return it to the water. Contact your local marine mammal stranding response organization so trained responders can assess the situation. From NH south to Beverly, MA, please call our hotline 603-997-9448.

10/03/2026

A big thank you to this wonderful group of volunteers from Vygon, who joined us as we wrapped up the month of September! ☀️

They jumped right in, helping with projects around the Center and grounds. Volunteer groups like this make such a difference—not only helping us prepare for our busy season, but also getting things in order as we head into the cooler months along our coast. 🌊

Thank you for a day of sun, smiles, and support! We’re so grateful for your time and teamwork. 🫶

10/02/2026

🦀 Go on a Green Crab Hunt! 🌊

Join us Saturday, October 3 at 10 AM for a hands-on rocky shore investigation and become a community scientist! Learn how to identify and safely handle invasive green crabs, collect valuable data for ongoing research, and explore the tide pools at Odiorne Point State Park. 👀

🔬 Get trained by our naturalists, then head to the rocky shore for a real field investigation. Come get your hands wet and help contribute to local research!

📅 Saturday, October 3 | 10 AM
📍 Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point State Park
➡ Find the details by following the Plan Your Visit link in our bio. Program ticket includes admission to the Center.

10/01/2026

🦭 Registration is OPEN for the 2027 Rescue Run: Race for Marine Mammals!

Lace up for a 5K through beautiful Odiorne Point State Park and run in support of SSC’s Marine Mammal Rescue team! Every registration helps our team respond to marine mammals in need along our coast.

🏃 Register early and save! Early Bird pricing is available through December 31, with registration rates increasing as race day gets closer.

Ready, set, register ➡ https://www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/rescue-run-race-for-marine-mammals

🤲 Want to Do More? Turn your Rescue Run into an even bigger impact! After registering, see options to create your own PledgeReg fundraiser and invite family and friends to support your run and SSC Marine Mammal Rescue. All the details are on the race page. 🦭

09/30/2026

🦉 October Member Benefit! 🐢

We love when our friends at Center for Wildlife come visit us—and now it’s your turn to visit them! SSC members are invited to visit the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, ME, where you can get up close with local wildlife and learn more about the animals in their care, as they celebrate their 40th anniversary.

Enjoy FREE admission to their Nature Center throughout October! This reciprocal benefit includes free entry for up to four individuals. The Nature Center is open to the public Thursday–Sunday, 10 AM–4 PM.

Please note that special event tickets are not included in this reciprocal membership benefit.

Not a member yet? Head to our membership page to learn more about this and other benefits.

09/30/2026

🚍 This week's field trip report for Seacoast Science Center. 🚍

We have several busy field trip days coming up to wrap up this week, specifically on Thursday, October 1, and Friday, October 2. The mornings are typically the busiest, so we suggest visiting in the afternoon if you prefer a quieter time to explore our aquariums and exhibits. You can plan your visit on our website by selecting "Visit" from the menu.

09/29/2026

At Seacoast Science Center, we appreciate the support of our corporate and community partners, but truly love when they stand alongside us at our events and programs to learn and explore. On September 20th, we hosted our 24th annual BioBlitz, and Normandeau Associates, Inc. dove in to discover the fascinating species that call the habitats found in Odiorne Point State Park home.

Thank you to Normandeau for joining us to take part is this community science event, helping us add to our growing catalogue of species found along our coast. And, for their continued support! 🫶

09/29/2026

🦭🐋🐬 SEALS, WHALES & DOLPHINS… OH MY! 🦭🐋🐬

We are thrilled to dive into our next Big Fish Little Fish theme with our preschool friends this Thursday, October 1st, and on October 8th. Activity stations will be set up around the Center from 10 AM to 4 PM, allowing early learners to explore the marine mammals that inhabit our shores. Additionally, during our 11 AM naturalist-led session, we’ll embark on an exciting marine mammal-themed adventure together.

This theme will run for two weeks, and participation is free with SSC admission. For more details and to reserve your tickets, please visit our website or click on the “Plan Your Visit” link in our bio.

09/25/2026

Happy National Lobster Day! 🦞✨

Did you know our favorite local crustaceans come in a vibrant rainbow of colors? Behind every rare blue, orange, calico, or pastel "cotton candy" lobster at Seacoast Science Center is a fascinating genetic story.

These incredible residents are much more than just a beautiful sight—they are living genetic marvels! Scientists study these unique color morphs to unlock secrets about marine genetics, protein mutations, and ocean health.

Swipe through our graphics to check out the rare odds behind these brilliant shells, and learn how a simple genetic twist creates an underwater masterpiece! 🧬🌊

Now that you know more, tell us what your favorite color morph is in the comments below! Then, come visit our lobsters for an up-close look at these living genetic marvels in person! 🦞✨