| Founded in 1930, the WHOI is the largest | | | | forms and natural processes of the deep sea. |
| independent oceanographic research institution in the | | | | Student groups visiting the WHOI Exhibit Center can |
| U.S., with staff and students numbering about 1,000. | | | | enhance their visit with a presentation by a docent. A |
| For student group travelers with an interest in | | | | group presentation provides visitors with an overview |
| science or marine biology, the WHOI offers a | | | | of what they will see and learn throughout the |
| fascinating world of ocean research. Its research | | | | center. |
| departments include Ocean Physics and Engineering, | | | | During the summer months, WHOI volunteers guide |
| Biology, Marine Chemistry, Oceanography, and | | | | visitors on free walking tours through the WOHI |
| Geology. The facility's four Ocean Institutes have an | | | | dock area and other restricted village facilities. The |
| ambitious agenda for future ocean research to | | | | one-hour tours provide background on the research |
| benefit society and include the Coastal Ocean | | | | conducted at WHOI and on the history of the |
| Institute, Deep Ocean Exploration Institute, Ocean | | | | institution. Tours run from late June through early |
| and Climate Change Institute, and the Ocean Life | | | | September, Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. and |
| Institute. WOHI also operates four main research | | | | 1:30 p.m. |
| vessels: Atlantis, Knorr, Oceanus, and Tioga. | | | | Combined with a visit to WHOI, students may opt to |
| Students touring the WHOI's Ocean Science Exhibit | | | | continue their marine world experiences at the New |
| Center learn about the ocean science research | | | | England Aquarium in Boston. The Caribbean Coral |
| programs and the vessels and tools developed by | | | | Reef Exhibit is a 200,000-gallon tank and the |
| engineers and scientists for that research. Short | | | | centerpiece of the aquarium. The reef |
| videos provide an introduction to WOHI, show a day | | | | accommodates not only sharks, sea turtles, and |
| in the life of the deep submersible Alvin, and highlight | | | | barracuda, but also hundreds of smaller exotic tropical |
| the discovery and exploration of the wreck of the | | | | fishes, and is one of the most accurate recreations |
| Titanic. | | | | of its kind. |
| Students then step into a full-size model of the inner | | | | During their visit to the aquarium, students can also |
| sphere of Alvin and imagine life at the ocean floor | | | | explore the world of penguins, sea dragons, seals, |
| while watching vivid footage taken at deep-sea | | | | freshwater fish, and much more. Whale watching |
| hydrothermal vent sites. Interactive exhibits feature | | | | cruises whisk students to whale feeding grounds, just |
| whale and dolphin research and explore the roles | | | | 30 miles east of Boston. The aquarium's giant IMAX |
| sound and hearing play in the lives of marine | | | | screen takes students on journeys to the bottom of |
| mammals. Other exhibits and videos feature the life | | | | the sea, outer space, and everywhere in between. |