Page 161 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2018

story and photos by Susan Ruddiman
CENTER
construction cheaper to keep heating and cooling costs down,” Snyder said.
The second ridge of the MEC compound is reached by a 200-foot suspension bridge that “is the coolest thing we did,” Snyder said, so there is no impact on the
bay head below. The bridge will take students to two educational pods that has three teaching areas. When classes are in session, the public will not be allowed.
Also built into the design at the classroom area and in the main building are showers — something practical for any extended time outdoors in this humid climate, Snyder said.
The MEC is used year-round. During the fall and
spring, groups from schools across the southeast spend up to three days learning about coastal science.
“This is my second year to bring a group. We have
46 students and 26 adults with us, and found this new facility amazing,” said Jennifer Belin, a teacher from Sherwood, Arkansas. She added she was going to make reservations to bring a school group next spring.
The MEC compound was designed by Lake Flato Architects. Starks Contracting Co. started construction in 2015. A Federal Emergency Management grant contributed $11.2 million and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources provided an additional $5 million to create a $16.2 million facility.
The Marine Education Center facility is open free to the public Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. It is located at 101 Sweetbay Drive in the Cedar Point Teaching Site off Gulf Islands National Seashore Parkway.
There are week-long summer camps available for students from first through 12th grades.
228.818.8095 marine.education@usm.edu
TOP LEFT: MEC EDUCATOR Dani Bailey, right, takes a group of Arkansas fifth-graders on the MEC’s nature trail.
TOP RIGHT: JESSICA KASTLER, Ph.D., demonstrates a compound microscope in the first-of-its-kind Citizens Science Lab at the MEC. The lab is unique in that its large windows bring in natural light and a sense of being outdoors. LEFT: Students from Arkansas return to the dock aboard the Miss Peetsy B after a tour of Davis Bayou.
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June 2018 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 161