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Marine Science Institute (San Francisco Bay)

Coordinates: 37°30′17″N 122°13′02″W / 37.504859°N 122.217147°W / 37.504859; -122.217147
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Marine Science Institute
Marine Science Institute Logo
MottoDiscovering Our Bay
Established1970; 54 years ago (1970)[1]
MissionCultivate a responsibility for the natural environment and our human communities through interdisciplinary science education.
FocusMarine Education
ChairJames Crawford[2]
Executive DirectorMarilou Seiff
BudgetUS$1,775,000[3]
Address500 Discovery Parkway, Redwood City, CA 94063[4]
Location,
California
,
US
Coordinates37°30′17″N 122°13′02″W / 37.504859°N 122.217147°W / 37.504859; -122.217147
Websitewww.sfbaymsi.org Edit this at Wikidata

The Marine Science Institute (MSI) is a nonprofit organization focusing on marine science research and education. MSI was founded in 1970[1] and currently is situated in Redwood City, California, adjacent to the Port of Redwood City.[4] In the San Francisco Bay Area MSI has a mission driving marine education for schoolchildren and continues to receive grants to supplement their donations.[5]

Education and research

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The Marine Science Institute offers tours of the Bay in Antioch in the January and February months, and the rest of the time based out of Redwood City at their main location and research station along the banks of Redwood Creek.[6] The institute allows students at schools around the bay to observe and interact with the natural environment.[7] Marine life is often collected, measured for size, and documented to add to a database to continually monitor conditions and overall health within the bay. MSI also trains teachers in integrating technology and science into their own curriculums.[8] The Marine Science Institute also hosts an Earth Day celebration annually.[9][10] Other events organized by MSI include coastal hikes, cleanups, tide walks, and voyages for the general public.[2]

Robert G. Brownlee

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The 90-foot (27 m) by 30-foot (9.1 m) research vessel[11] built to satisfy the needs of MSI was named after Robert Brownlee whose foundation donated funds for the vessel. Construction of the steel vessel with hull depth of 11.8-foot (3.6 m), hull 474,[12] was completed by the Marco Shipyards in Seattle in 1998.[13] Original specifications for the craft had a propulsion system, that could reach 12 knots, comprising two 860-millimetre (34 in) propellers driven by a pair of 250 horsepower Cummins diesels. The vessel, which can fit up to 70 students, has facilities for several science activities including studying plankton and fish with holding tanks below deck as well as running hydrology tests.[14] Following the Cosco Busan oil spill the vessel was used to take children out showing the damage the Bay Bridge suffered firsthand as well as take comparative data on how the spill affected marine life in the area.[1]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Tucker, Jill (17 November 2007). "Marine Science Institute gives youths up-close look at oil spill". SFGate. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b Murzi-Moyce, Tiff (2016). "BayLines". Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Annual Report 2015" (PDF). Marine Science Institute. 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Directions". Marine Science Institute. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  5. ^ Californial Coastal Conservancy (24 March 2016). "Explore The Coast Grants Program". p. 11. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  6. ^ Johnson, Jason B. (2 April 2004). "Voyage of Delta discoveries". SFGate. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  7. ^ Walsh, Austin (19 March 2016). "Tech aims to sponsor field trips: Redwood City students get trip through new program". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  8. ^ Yamamoto, Nancy (30 July 2012). "Science Lab in San Mateo County – Classroom by the Bay". KQED. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  9. ^ "Port sponsors family-friendly events: Sailing, STEM festival and Earth Day event mark busy Saturday". San Mateo Daily News. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Earth Day Events in the Bay Area". San Jose Mercury News. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  11. ^ Bartlett, Jean (20 November 2012). "Making science fun — Skyline teacher emphasizes the cultivation of wonder". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  12. ^ "USCG Doc. No.: 1065176". USCG Vessel Documentation Center. 16 March 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  13. ^ Ship & Boat International. Pax Marine Press AB. 1998. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  14. ^ Lowrey, Angela. "Research Vessel Robert G. Brownlee". Delta Diablo. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
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