The thrills and wonders of being a marine research scientist can now be experienced by all ages with Arizona Science Center’s new, limited-time immersive exhibition OceanXperience.
Now through September 2, OceanXperience invites guests to climb aboard an interactive replica of the most advanced marine research and media vessel ever built while embarking on immersive research missions of the world’s oceans and marine ecosystems. The international traveling exhibition follows OceanX’s renowned OceanXplorer vessel, giving each guest access to the cutting-edge science, technology and media the ship uses to explore the ocean and bring it back to the world.
During the immersive journey, guests will become true explorers as they uncover the ocean’s secrets and create compelling media to help connect people worldwide with our oceans. As the exhibition unfolds, guests will step inside recreations of the vessel’s most fascinating rooms where they will get to conduct experiments just like OceanXplorer scientists, study groups of marine creatures and experience the thrill of exploring some of the ocean’s most remote locations through one-of-a-kind immersive experiences.
“OceanXperience utilizes bold scientific exploration, state-of-the-art technology and compelling storytelling to create an immersive experience,” says Arizona Science Center CEO Guy Labine. “The exhibition aims not just to educate guests of all ages but also to forge a connection with the oceans, inspiring them to actively engage with, comprehend, appreciate and safeguard this majestic realm.”
With a diverse range of guided research missions available, guests have the option to experience the ocean in unique ways each time they visit, which include studying orca group dynamics by virtually tagging a whale and collecting data to learn how members coexist, researching complex humpback whale communication or exploring the tropical habitat of great hammerhead sharks.
On each research mission, guests will become scientists aboard the OceanXplorer for a day, recording their research using RFID technology and engaging in interactive research activities within the vessel’s Mission Control room, Bridge, Wet and Dry Labs, Sub Hangar room and more. In the exhibition’s groundbreaking HoloLab, visitors wear HoloLens 2 headsets and learn how to use technology for scientific research and collaboration. In the immersive area, guests will experience the unforgettable feeling of being a daring marine explorer 40,000 leagues under the sea as they watch footage of an OceanX submersible descending into the ocean depths and witness authentic sights and sounds cinematographers captured during previous OceanXplorer missions.
OceanXperience is based on the upcoming OceanXplorers TV series produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and OceanX in association with Earthship Productions for National Geographic. The series follows a fearless team of pioneering scientific storytellers exploring the deepest and most inaccessible areas of our world’s oceans while highlighting their achievements and the challenges they face along the way.
Created and toured internationally by Flying Fish, the OceanXperience exhibition underscores OceanX’s mission to preserve, restore and discover the fascinating marine ecosystems of our planet through awe-inspiring media, cutting-edge technology and trailblazing science and research. OceanXperience aims to increase awareness of our oceans and inspire lifelong learners, future conservationists and change makers.
“OceanXperience elevates OceanX’s mission to educate people about the wonders of our ocean, most of whom only get to see the unique life forms and ecosystems through a screen at home,” said Mark Dalio, Founder and Co-CEO of OceanX. “Our oceans require our care, attention, and appreciation right now, and what better way to form a deep bond with our oceans than to put yourself in the shoes of an ocean explorer.”
OceanXperience is now open daily to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through September 2, 2024. The exhibition is free to visit with an Arizona Science Center Membership or general admission ticket. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.AzScience.org.
Photos courtesy Arizona Science Center
