Inner Space Center

03/27/2026

The ocean depths are full of secrets.

To unlock them, scientists use landers like this one, equipped with cameras and advanced sensors that measure temperature, oxygen, and other environmental conditions. These landers sit on the seafloor for weeks to months at a time, collecting long-term data in the depths.

Join us live from aboard the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster to see these landers in action and learn how they help us restore deep-sea ecosystems!

Watch the livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/live/DRqxryfMmFg?si=IPoRVUMcezFp1a-2

03/13/2026

Coral communities in the deep zones of the Gulf suffered significant damage following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, and since then, an expert team has assembled to address the unique challenges restoring these corals.

In the Hidden Gulf, get an intimate look into these restoration efforts, following a field expedition to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, where experts use different technologies —including benthic coral nurseries, remotely-operated vehicles, and deep-sea saturation divers—to reach and restore deep-sea coral habitats in the Gulf.

Watch "Hidden Gulf" now: https://youtu.be/QcmNVSFyExQ
Visit this link to learn more about the restoration projects: https://marinesanctuary.org/mdbc/
See more videos from restoration missions in the Gulf: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1PyeQVvaPYTmz9p3bUSvOzogvdUXVd44

03/09/2026

Embark on a journey to the deep Gulf, where coral habitats support a wide array of fish and other animals. Corals in the mesophotic, or “middle light,” and deep zones of the northern Gulf faced unprecedented challenges following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. The Hidden Gulf spotlights efforts to restore deep-sea corals after the spill, while highlighting the importance of these understudied habitats to the broader ecosystem.

Alongside stunning footage of the seafloor, follow along with a field expedition around Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, where experts race against the clock to achieve their ambitious goals for the mission. The documentary features the highly technical methods–including remotely-operated vehicles and saturation divers–used to reach and restore deep-sea coral habitats in the Gulf.

Watch the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcmNVSFyExQ
Visit this link to learn more about the restoration projects: https://marinesanctuary.org/mdbc/

08/24/2024

Great funding opp and a chance to learn more! 👇👇

NOAA Ocean Exploration and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation have a long history of working collaboratively to support ocean education. Since 2003 they have leveraged the public-private partnership to enhance America’s environmental literacy through the development of educational materials ...

08/02/2024

Did you miss today’s LIVE connection? Tune in again tomorrow! 👇👇

Right now, in the Gulf of Mexico, saturation divers are hard at work trying to restore and learn about the seafloor. Join the expedition LIVE on Saturday 8/3 at 11 a.m. EDT to learn about saturation diving and how it’s being used to restore the Gulf of Mexico.

Follow the link for more information about how to watch this livestream and to see the whole program line up: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/news/oer-updates/2024/mdbc-livestream-promo.html

Space Center

08/01/2024

Be sure to tune in tomorrow, August 2, LIVE!! 👇👇

With little to no light, crushing pressures, and near-freezing temperatures, mesophotic and deep-sea habitats are not easy places to live (at least by human standards!) Join scientists LIVE from the open ocean on Friday 8/2 at 2 p.m. EDT to learn about what it takes for animals to survive in the deep sea — and how people are working to restore these habitats.

Follow the link for more information about how to watch this livestream series and to see the whole program line up: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/news/oer-updates/2024/mdbc-livestream-promo.html

Space Center

03/08/2024

The ISC’s 2024 Ocean Science Exploration Camps are filling up fast! In one week’s time, our camps are now 80-90% full. If you have a middle and/or high schooler with interests in ocean science, make sure you grab those last few spots available!

Ocean Science Exploration Camp is the Inner Space Center’s summertime, week-long, Rhode Island, day camp. Through a variety of hands-on activities, demonstrations, and field investigations (t…

03/01/2024

Got summer camps? We do! And 2024 marks TEN years of Ocean Science Exploration camp!

Registration is NOW OPEN for these week-long day camps (9am- 3pm daily) for middle and high schoolers at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography campus in Narrangansett, RI. This summer’s camps will focus on physical oceanography.

These camps fill up FAST! Sign up today!

Ocean Science Exploration Camp is the Inner Space Center’s summertime, week-long, Rhode Island, day camp. Through a variety of hands-on activities, demonstrations, and field investigations (t…

02/16/2024

Will you be at in New Orleans next week? We hope to see you at the opening plenary, but also stop by the URI Graduate School of Oceanography exhibit and say hello! There are MANY -led oral and poster presentations, as well as Town Hall events and other workshops taking place throughout the week!