Underwater life, unseen rockpool worlds and inspiring ocean talks feature in the museum team's Festival presence this year.
The Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival on March 15-19 this year is a full program of ideas, art, music and actions, solutions and innovations, toward improving ocean health and encouraging the community to accelerate positive change.
Over four days, teams from the Australian National Maritime Museum will demonstrate the latest remotely-operated underwater vehicle (ROV) technology, a pop-up exhibition, hands-on craft and workshops, and join the conversation at Science in your Swimmers talks.
The sea comes to the surface in demonstrations and hands-on sessions for students and Festival-goers in North Bondi, exploring the latest design and technology in ROVs. Students will discover features and potential applications while exploring local rockpool life. Visitors can expect to see an array of underwater creatures, minerals and plants, depending on what is washed up in rockpools each day.
The world of plankton and the crucial part it plays in oxygenating oceans and sustaining marine life is revealed in demonstrations and workshops, using digital microscopes. Sessions take place in the Sea Science showcase on both days of the weekend, and are free.
ROVs have been a key part in the museum's education program since 2019, connecting students and visitors with leading-edge technology and exploring what lies beneath the surface. A first in Australia, and possibly the world, the Ocean Science and Sustainability school program is STEM-focussed, allowing students hands-on experience with leading-edge technology used for underwater exploration, maritime archaeology, testing, surveying and industrial purposes
The Museum's Head of Education, Mathew Sloane, said 'We are delighted to be bringing our new 'deep-tracker' ROV's to the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival and sharing the thrill of having a 'fish-eye view' of our local sea life. We would expect to see things such as small fish, crustaceans and marine plants - but it is really more about the fun of ROV operations and gaining an idea of what they can do.
'The museum is currently developing our existing education program; we want to ignite the imaginations of young people and engage them in the challenges and opportunities of maintaining healthy waterways and oceans. It's our aim that an increased sense of understanding will also bring a greater sense of engagement and care for preserving the health of our marine environments. It's also about practical maritime exploration and fun.'
The Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival will present the Blue Solutions Summit on March 30, hosted by the Australian National Maritime Museum. This event elevates ocean-focused action by businesses, brands and government, with a push to drive pledges to act on ocean health issues and opportunities as part of nation's response to the current UN Ocean Decade.
For the full Festival program visit here
Images and video accessed here
About the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival
The Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival is on March 15 - 19 and includes the Blue Solutions Summit, presented with Ocean Impact Organisation and hosted by the Australian National Maritime Museum, to elevate ocean-focused action by businesses, brands and government, with a push to drive pledges to act on ocean health issues and opportunities, as part of the nation's response to the current UN Ocean Decade.
