Camps

Ocean Science Exploration Camp is the Inner Space Center’s summertime, week-long, Rhode Island, day camp (9am-3pm daily). Through a variety of hands-on activities, demonstrations, and field investigations (that often require off-campus field trips), campers explore a core oceanographic theme (biological oceanography, geological oceanography, chemical oceanography, physical oceanography, and/or ocean exploration/technology). Campers also tune into live oceanographic expeditions, engage with scientists that are involved in ocean research, and make connections to career pathways.

The ship requires heavy-lifting equipment to launch and retrieve its remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) after a dive.

Students connect with scientists, live, onboard the EV Nautilus in the Pacific!

This site had a fantastic “amphitheater of chemosynthetic life.” Here we saw bathymodiolus mussels, methane hydrate or ice, and ice worms. There were also a number of sea urchins, sea stars, and fish in this area. Most impressive about this ledge was large accumulation of hydrates under the ledge as well as the large collection of mussels hanging upside down and a group of mussels that hung down off the ledge. Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Gulf of Mexico 2014 Expedition.

ISC campers investigate the property of pH.

Hydrothermal-vent chimney. In the center of the photo, you can see the vent fluid which appears like dark smoke due to the high levels of minerals and sulfides contained in the fluid. Look closely, and you will also see the chimney is crawling with Chorocaris shrimp and Austinograea wiliamsi crabs.

2024 marks TEN years of Inner Space Center (ISC) Ocean Science Exploration Camp! During the ISC’s Summer 2024 program, campers will explore the relationship between the ocean and the atmosphere, the transfer of heat, water, and other substances between these two regions, and links to global climate. Narragansett Bay offers a unique estuarine environment through which coastal circulation and associated biogeochemical processes can be explored. Using the tools and techniques of physical oceanographers, campers will investigate basic oceanographic concepts such as density, buoyancy, water pressure, and salinity, as well as explore the science and dynamics of ocean currents, tides, and waves.

Registration is now open! Registration is on a first come first serve basis.

To register for the middle school week of camp (July 8-12, 2024 ), please click here

To register for the high school week of camp (July 15-19, 2024), please click here

Cost: $495 (Payment via check is preferred. The ISC cannot accept cash payments, and a processing fee applies to CC payments).

A 15% registration discount is available for campers of current URI faculty/staff/students.

A limited number of registration scholarships are also available.

For all questions, please email: erin_bilbo@uri.edu and/or holly_morin@uri.edu (right now the ISC camp specific email is not working properly- apologies for any inconvenience!)

Previous Ocean Science Exploration Camp themes:

Coastal Ocean Dynamics (chemical & geological oceanography; 2023)
Biological Oceanography (2022)
Multidisciplinary Oceanography Explorations (2021)
Physical Oceanography (2019)
Biological Oceanography (2018)
Geological Oceanography (2017)
Chemical Oceanography (2016)
Physical Oceanography (2015)
Ocean Technology (2014)

Previous Ocean Science Exploration Camp themes:

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International hub for ocean science exploration