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January 2012 www.sname.org/sname/mt (focus on education) [PULL-QUOTES]: e biology laboratory is well equipped for the teaching of general biology, invertebrate zoology, and marine biology. Aerial photo of the Sþÿ U N YUNY Maritime þÿ CCollege campus. Detailed models of the ocean oor are a lesson in Gulf Coast ecology and geology. Videos, photographs, and intricate scale models of the various type of ships, drill- ing rigs, oshore production facilities, and other equipment used to extract petroleum and natural gas from under the sea illus- trate the when, where, why, and how of the North American drilling industry from the late 19th century to modern times. A Hall of Fame features industry pioneers, and an oil careers exhibit includes a hands-on, hats-on display of uniforms. Outdoor environment Outdoors at the Ocean Star, metal gang- ways and decks rattle underfoot, and the heft and height of the rig?s decks and their onboard equipment can be experienced rsthand. Standing on the drill oor, it?s a 193-foot shot, straight up to the top of the derrick, and at her working weight of 5,096 tons, Ocean Star was a formidable presence during her 15 years of service in the Gulf of Mexico. Equipment on view includes seismic equipment (?Christmas trees? and a ?monkey board?): a giant block-and-tackle system used to control the drill?s descent; drill bits; coring bits; power tongs; drill collars; a blow-out pre- venter; a helicopter; and the all-important crane used to move men and material on and o the rig. Attracting approximately 40,000 visitors a year from across the nation and around the world, Ocean Star is open year-round and has received enthusiastic reviews, including being listed as a ?Must Visit? museum by Go Guides Destination, named ?Best Museum in Galveston? by Islander magazine, and referenced as a point of interest by Newsweek and Corporate & Incentive Travel magazines. In addition to tours for the general pub- lic, Ocean Star oers onboard accredited teacher workshops and education supplies such as ?Knowledge Boxes? and ?Playing With Petroleum Kits? that are estimated to impact some 90,000 students annu- ally. ere are also ?Tour Plus? programs designed for students in grades three through twelve, overnight programs, Boy Scout and Girl Scout badge workshops, and monthly family day events. For those unable to visit Ocean Star, a mobile oileld learning unit (MOLU) travels to schools throughout the state. Since the introduc- tion of the MOLU in 2008, approximately 23,000 students already have experienced the program in 187 schools. Ocean Star also is available for event rentals. The museum also depicts the ties between modern lifestyles and the need for petroleum through an exhibit of toys, shoes, cell phones, computers, deodorants, dispos- able diapers, household cleaners, paints, cosmetics, and medicines that are all con- nected to oshore oil and gas production. Transportation and climate control are also an integral part of today?s world, and although progress is being made in the development of alternative energy sources for these, it is estimated that fossil fuels will be needed to help power them for many decades yet to come. Oceanic and other exhibits illustrate the many steps taken to protect the envi- ronment during oil and gas exploration and extraction. Rig platforms are shown supporting the growth of coral and other marine life, and a video on the Texas coast?s Flower Garden Banks points out that it is recognized as one of the world?s healthiest reef systems despite the presence of some 400 oil and gas wells within a 10-mile radius of the sanctuary. Entrance to the Oshore World continued Metal gangways and decks rattle underfoot, and the heft and height of the rig?s decks and their onboard equipment can be experienced rsthand. Learn More VISIT THE OCEAN þÿ SSTAR WEB SITE Fþÿ oOR ADDITI þÿ oONAL INF þÿ oORMATI þÿ oON þÿ oON ALL þÿ oOF THE MUSEUM?S PR þÿ oOGRAMS: þÿ w w wWWW .Oþÿ c eCEANSTARO þÿ e cEC.þÿ cCOM. 54_C3_BDept_SNAME_Jan12_P4.indd 5812/22/11 3:45 PM