Unseen Oceans, An Experience You Shouldn't Miss, by Diego Sanchez

 Please enjoy this article from DMHS's "Introduction to Journalism" class.

Did you know that humans have only explored 5% of the world’s oceans? Or that the oceans cover 71% of earth?

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science’s temporary Unseen Oceans exhibit attempts to teach us more about the oceans. Julio Poletti, the museum’s Manager of Media Relations and Communication, says, ”The Museum hopes that visitors will learn about the wonders of the ocean, the latest research and technologies used to study it, and the importance of ocean conservation. We also hope that visitors will take away a sense of awe and wonder about the ocean's mysteries and complexity, as well as an awareness of humans' impact on the ocean and the need to work towards its preservation.”  

As you walk inside of the exhibit it gets very humid and dark. There are fish everywhere that make you feel as if you are in the ocean. There is a reflection of water from a projector on the floor adding to the atmosphere. There are a lot of big UV lights above you to show the bioluminescent fish, like the fish tornado, a huge tornado of bioluminescent fish. It’s an interesting experience overall, packed with scientific facts.

“The Museum chose to put on this exhibit because it aims to showcase the latest ocean science and research and the technologies and methods used to explore and understand the ocean,” says Poletti.  “The information presented in the exhibit is important because it provides visitors with a better understanding of the ocean's vast and complex ecosystem, as well as the ways in which we can work to protect it for future generations.” 

The exhibit has many information stations. Jenna Chervin, a Museum Educator, says, ”This exhibit is so diverse (just like life in the ocean) and there are so many things to enjoy. My favorite area is the “fish tornado.” A variety of fish and other sea animals are arranged in a tornado shaped sculpture. Each animal glows a neon green or orange under the black light. It is beautiful to look at and demonstrates how scientists are learning that some animals fluoresce, or glow, under the blue light of the ocean”

“I like many parts of this exhibit (I am the curator on the team),” says Dr. Paula Cushing, Senior Curator of Invertebrate Zoology. ”The interactive sandbox projector where visitors can create their own mountains, bays, rivers, and beaches, or the video game that allows visitors to drive a submersible and explore different species living in the ocean.” 

Guest at the museum seem to love the Unseen Oceans exhibit. One guest said, ”I love everything about this exhibit but I really love the fish tornado with the bioluminescent fish and my kids really love the sandbox were you build mountains.” Another guest said, “I love the short film about the ocean and the luminescent fish.” Yet another said, “I really love the ocean and I'm really glad they added this exhibit to the museum.”

The Unseen oceans exhibit is awesome and interesting. You can find it at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. It is free with admission, but it is a temporary exhibit closing on April 9. See it while you can!

Diego Sanchez is a 7th grader at DMHS. He loves reading, especially Greek mythology.