Over 1,000 Visitors Experience NASA Sea Level Science Firsthand at UGA Aquarium For World Ocean Day

Over 1,000 visitors engaged with NASA sea level science firsthand at the University of Georgia Aquarium on Skidaway Island on World Ocean Day, June 6, 2026. The free event was supported by NASA’s Science Activation program through the Sea Level Education, Awareness, and Literacy (SEAL) project—a national initiative linking NASA sea level rise data with educators and coastal communities.

SEAL is a collaborative partnership between NASA and four NOAA Sea Grant programs dedicated to expanding sea level rise understanding across U.S. coastal regions. By co‑developing lesson plans, interactive activities, and place‑based learning experiences, SEAL enables educators to immerse learners in real NASA observations, models, and projections while fostering community resilience against climate change.

During World Ocean Day, SEAL partners at Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, alongside the Coastal Equity and Resiliency Hub at Georgia Tech, led immersive hands‑on activities. Attendees participated in the “Tumbling Tower” game—representing the impact of rising seas through block removals—and created “sea level friendship bracelets” using colored glass beads to visualize observed sea level rises along local shorelines.

The gathering also unveiled an augmented reality sandbox pioneered through the SEAL project. Guests transformed sand into coastal terrain, watching NASA‑informed sea level rise projections evolve their designs in real time. Interactive simulations allowed participants to test resilience strategies, such as building dunes or relocating homes, to explore potential adaptations for future climate challenges.

Education professionals—ranging from formal classroom teachers to informal mentors—left the event equipped with four distinct SEAL lesson plans tailored for both school curricula and casual learning environments. These resources guide students through key sea level rise concepts, modeling techniques, and societal impacts using authentic NASA data and interactive STEM tasks. Until digitally archived, educators may request these materials by contacting Shannon Matzke via email.

“World Ocean Day is an annual tradition,” said Shannon Matzke, Marine Educator and Public Program Coordinator at UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. “Supported by NASA’s Science Activation program, the free nature of this year’s event broadened our reach to diverse audiences. Integrating SEAL activities amplified the experience, particularly for those residing in coastal communities already affected by sea level rise.”

The SEAL project receives grant support under NASA cooperative agreement number NNH21ZDA001N-SCIACT and is included within the broader NASA Science Activation Program portfolio, which connects learners directly with authentic NASA scientific experiences via partnerships with educators and community groups.

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