A series of events are planned to commemorate the contributions of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences over the past 120 years while marking World Ocean Day.

BIOS, which has been conducting ocean research since 1903, will be hosting a symposium, a celebration reception and an open house, while promoting new opportunities with Arizona State University.

Mark Guishard, the chief operating officer, said: “ASU BIOS is looking forward to welcoming the community to some public events around World Ocean Day. The ASU BIOS celebration theme is Navigating Ocean Sciences Since 1903.”

The invitation-only symposium is being hosted on June 7 at XL O’Hara House in Hamilton.

It will bring together stakeholders including leading ocean scientists, community leaders and elected officials, and corporate partners from the financial and risk industries.

Key themes to be discussed through keynote addresses and panel discussions include: ASU BIOS Future Opportunities; Ocean Observations and Trends; Autonomous Systems and Robotics; and Ocean Services.

BIOS said of the event: “Together we will explore innovations in marine science to meet the challenges of the future to improve planetary health, economic growth and the lives of people around the world.”

After the symposium on June 7, BIOS will host a celebration reception at Tucker’s Point which will be attended by esteemed scientists, researchers and ocean enthusiasts.

Dr Guishard said: “We invite the public to join us in celebrating more than 120 years of marine and ocean research conducted in Bermuda through BIOS, which is part of Arizona State University.

“There will be live music provided by The Unit featuring Gita Blakeney-Saltus, food drink and some short comments, with one or two exciting announcements.”

BIOS will host its open house on June 8 where visitors can explore its exhibits and demos, tour the facility including the research vessel Atlantic Explorer, and participate in talks highlighting its various programmes. Research staff will be on hand to share details of their work and answer any questions.

Dr Guishard added: “The public are invited to come visit our ocean science facilities and participate in engaging talks highlighting our programmes.

“Our research and education staff will be on hand to share their work and answer questions. Our technology and research vessels will also be on show for the public to explore.”

On board the research vessel, visitors will be able to learn how to collect samples using a plankton tow, participate in plankton identification and coral labs, and delve into coral reef ecology and resilience to climate change at the mesocosm facility.

The event hopes to inform the public about the ocean, the local marine environment and the ocean technologies used to study them.

There will also be a virtual-reality experience called “Drop in the Ocean” exploring the world of plankton and coral.

BIOS’s community partners Bermuda Zoological Society, Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme and the Sargasso Sea Commission will be on hand to showcase their work.

Food vendors will be on site.

• For more information, visithttps://bios.asu.edu/about/events/