SHARK WEEKEND AT THE SCIENCE MILL
July 12, 2025 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm
July 13, 2025 (Sunday) 12pm - 5pm
Experience a "jaw-some" weekend exploring the world of sharks in Johnson City this July. Explore the world of sharks through hands-on activities, participate in live dogfish shark dissections in our interactive workshop, and learn from shark expert Matt “The Shark Guy” Marchant. Discover why these top predators are so important to ocean ecosystems in this deep-sea adventure, without ever getting wet!
ACTIVITIES
See Like a Shark! - Ever wonder what sharks see as they hunt for prey in the fading light of the ocean’s depths? As they swim deeper, fish become harder to spot, so contrast becomes key to visibility. In this activity, guests will mimic shark vision to search for and find hidden prey!
Electric Snack Attack - Something’s buzzing deep in the ocean! Come to the Science Mill and experience how sharks find their food using electroreception. Try hunting for prey using a specialized tool that mimics a shark’s sixth sense called electroreception!. Learn how sharks use tiny pores on their snout, called Ampullae of Lorenzini, to detect the faint electrical signals given off by other animals in the water. See if you can sense your prey like a shark would in the deep, dark ocean!
Chomp Challenge - Can your shark survive the deep sea? Design and build your very own shark or shark mouth using a variety of creative materials. Will it slice, grip, or crush? Add fins, teeth, and anything your shark needs to thrive—then put your creation to the test by feeding it different prey.
HANDS-ON WORKSHOP: SHARK DISSECTIONS (Sat, july 12)
Explore the different adaptations of dogfish sharks in this hands-on workshop designed for kids. Led by one of our Science Mill Education Specialists, participants will conduct a real shark dissection, examining both external features like scales and internal systems including stomachs and gills. Discover why these predators are perfectly adapted to their marine environment through step-by-step investigation, facts, and answers to curious questions.
Ages 8-17 only. Additional workshop fee required. Caregivers welcome to observe but must maintain classroom etiquette.
Workshop schedule:
July 12 (Sat), 11:30am (20 spots max)
July 12 (Sat), 2:30pm (20 spots max)
SPECIAL GUEST: MEET MATT “THE SHARK GUY” MARCHANT (Sat, july 12)
We’re excited to welcome Matt "The Shark Guy" Marchant back to the Science Mill for Shark Weekend on Saturday, July 12, 2025! Matt is a shark photographer, author of the Learn About Sharks book series, and a passionate conservationist who loves sharing his knowledge with the next generation. He’ll be at the museum talking all about sharks and answering your biggest shark questions. This is a FIN-tastic chance for families to dive deep into the world of sharks with our visiting shark expert!