Eyes on the Ocean

What happens when you drop a robot into the Atlantic? How do scientists know if ocean currents are slowing down? What did the ocean look like 20,000 years ago?

Drop into The Hive (Floor 1, Science Mall) on Saturday 21 February and explore with the scientists studying our changing ocean.

• Steer ocean gliders - the robots that dive beneath the surface to measure temperature and currents

• Handle a deep-sea sediment core - see what the ocean floor reveals about Earth's climate history

• Ocean current mixing - discover how ocean currents move heat around the planet use ice and food dye

• Play the tipping point game - will the ocean circulation shut down or keep flowing?

• Get hands on with Puffersphere 3D projection - a giant inflatable globe projecting interactive ocean data

• Examine microscopic sea creatures through 3D viewers - these tiny shells tell us about ancient oceans

• Create ocean art inspired by real research

A team of international ocean scientists will be on hand to answer your questions, share stories from research expeditions, and show you the tools they use to study the deep ocean.

Activities suitable for ages 5+.

Don't miss 'How the ocean shapes the world' - an exciting talk with Helen Czerski, lively interactive debate, and a screening of Ocean Odyssey 3D in the IMAX that day too!

Credits: Exhibition convened by the EPOC project (www.epoc-eu.org) with contributions from National Oceanography Centre, Scottish Association for Marine Science, University College London, University of Leeds, Greenwich Museums Trust, University of Edinburgh and PufferFish.