Microscopic Scale

To understand the minute world of pathogens, nerve pathways and plankton, scientists work on a microscopic scale.

Marine research featured in this area focuses on plankton, diagnosing sick fish and crab, and using sea slugs to explore the neurological basis for learning. Interactive exhibits let you detect the cause of a crab disease and identify what killed a fish. You can view plankton under a microscope, and find out how sea slugs are helping us understand the process of learning.

High Sea Stowaways examines how the ballast water from giant cargo ships can transport the microscopic larvae of species from one part of the world to other places where they don't belong. In new environments, some of those stowaways out-compete the native plants and animals, causing huge problems for the economy and the environment.