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Shark Week at the Science Museum

Courtesy of the Science Museum of Virginia

 

 

It’s been thirty years since The Discovery Channel began airing its infamous Shark Week. To celebrate, the Science Museum of Virginia is hosting a bunch of FIN-tastic events.

 

One event is an ongoing museum-wide shark-themed scavenger hunt. Chuck English is director of playful learning and inquiry at the Science Museum of Virginia. He says the week-long exploration into the science of sharks will focus on more than just  the Great White.

“You know Virginia’s got ten common sharks off of our shores, and most of them are absolutely harmless. I mean they’re just part of the ecosystem,” English says. “They’re not all giant predators that are out to get us. That’s not the case. There are a lot of gentle giants out there that we need to be aware of too.”

But for those who do want their fill of Great Whites, a film on the species will be playing on the museum’s giant-screen theater all week.

The museum is also hosting a free talk on the Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s shark research program, and guests can even watch a dogfish shark get dissected.

“To take a look at the cartilage, the organs, the different systems that help a shark survive the different oceans of the world,” explains English.

Shark week events will run at the museum through Sunday July 29th.

 
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Mallory Noe-Payne is a Radio IQ reporter based in Richmond.