Events
From our Music-by-the-Sea Concert Series to our field science marathon, BioBlitz!, we deliver amazing experiences that you and your family will not forget. Check our calendar for a complete listing of upcoming events.
Do you have a special day coming up? Let us host your event! We have the perfect spot for weddings, anniversaries, corporate functions and birthdays. Contact us and reserve your space now.
New! Family Eco-Adventure to the Galapagos Islands
Join the Seacoast Science Center for an adventure of a lifetime!
April 21-28, 2012
Join SSC Naturalist Henry Burke on a family eco-adventure to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador! Our home base will be the beautiful Hotel Casa Natura on Santa Cruz Island. We will travel by boat to Bartolome Island where we will hike to the summit of this extinct volcano for breathtaking views of legendary Pinnacle Rock and the neighboring island of Santiago. We will view Galapagos penquins and snorkel in waters teaming with marine life, watching for stingrays, spotted eagle rays, sea lions and a variety of colorful tropical fish.
Returning to the Island of Santa Cruz, we will travel to a place with a population of about 2,000 giant tortoises. We will charter a boat to North Seymour Island where we will be introduced to magnificent frigate birds, blue footed boobies, and land iguanas. We will snorkel in an area where sea turtles and rays are often spotted.
Back on Santa Cruz, we will visit the famous Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about its conservation programs and spend time on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Tortuga Bay! We will finish up the week by spending time exploring the beautiful city of Quito.
Click here 
for the full interary of the Eco-Travel Family Adventure to the Galapagos Islands, April 21-28, 2012.
Whale of a 5k Trail Race & Kid's Fun Run
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Join us for the fourth annual Whale of a 5k Trail Race and Kid's Fun-Run in Odiorne Point State Park. Our 5k cross-country trail run, created by Eastern Mountain Sports' Extreme Team captain and 2006 US Adventure Racing national champion, Jennifer Shultis, will bring you through the forest, by the rocky shore and sandy beach, and alongside historic military fortifications. Named in honor of Tofu the whale, and timed to coincide with Earth Day, supporting this high-energy event will demonstrate your commitment to environmental education. Prizes will be awarded to the top two finishers in each age category (men and women, 12 and under, 13-17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and above).
The Kid's Fun Run, for ages 12 and under, includes a 100-yard dash and/or a 1/2 mile run. All Fun Run participants win a prize!
New this year, we will be using chip timing. Please indicate your average minutes per mile on your registration form. We will run the race in three waves so the trails are not overcrowded.
Registration for the 5k Trail Race is $15 before April 16; $20 thereafter. Families save with a special rate of $45 advance registration; $55 after April 16 (up to 5 family members). The Kid's Fun Run is $6 in advance or the day of. All proceeds support our environmental education efforts.
The Whale of a 5k Trail Race is part of the Portsmouth Community Road Race Series. Through the series we will encourage runners from the 8 other participating races to run at least 6 out of the 8 races in the series. Check out the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce website for more details.
We will also combine our Earth Day Every Day celebration with the run festivities in effort to highlight the importance of lightening our footprint on the earth. Everyone can participate in earth-friendly activities and learn important information on how to take simple steps to reduce your environmental impact in a big way. Live music, "green activities" and information stations will add to the festivities of the day.
Registration opens February 6, 2012
You may register for the race online through April 16 by clicking the Register Now button above. Please note that there is an additional fee for online registration or,
Click here to download a registration form for A Whale of a 5k Trail Race & Kid's Fun Run.
Click here to download A Whale of a 5k Trail Race trail map.
Click here to see race and fun run pictures.
Sponsorship opportunities available. Please call Nichole at 603-436-8043 for details.
A Whale of a 5k Trail Race & Kid's Fun Run Schedule
| 7:30-9 am | · Registration |
| 8:45 am | · Welcome |
| 9 am | · 5k Race |
| 9:30-10:30 am | · Kid's Fun Run (Heats) |
| 10 am-2 pm | · Music & Earth Day Activities |
| 10:30 am | · Awards |
Art In Nature
Celebrate art, nature and science during a our event, Art in Nature, to be held July 14-22, 2012. We will explore inspiring and creative ways of connecting to the environment through hands-on workshops, programs and activities for all ages.
From Saturday July 14 to Saturday July 21, you will have the opportunity to see artists at work "en plein air" during Petite Art in the Park. Petite Art paintings will be 10" x 10" or smaller, on paper, canvas or canvas board and be available for purchase for $75 beginning Sunday, July 22.
Please visit the July calendar page for updates on daily schedules and information on activities. Check back often, as new activities will be added as they are developed.
Music-by-the-Sea Concert Series
Kick back with your friends and family on Thursday evenings in July and hear some of the hottest bands in New England during our Music-by-the-Sea Concert Series. Just bring your beach blanket or chair and leave the cooking to us. You can bring a picnic or enjoy hot off-the-grill fare, snacks and ice cream treats. Adults, you can enjoy an ice cold beer or a glass of wine*. Come relax to a scenic sunset by the shore or dance the night away! All proceeds from the concert series support our environmental education efforts.
Ages 13-Adult: $8 for non-members, $4 for SSC members
Children ages 3-12: $2 for non-members, $1 for SSC members
Under age 3: Free
Gates open at 5:00 p.m. for dining; music begins at 6:00 p.m.
*You may not bring alcohol in to the park or concerts.
2012 Concert Schedule
| July 5 | · | Islandside | July 19 | · | Soulmate |
| July 12 | · | Entrain | July 26 | · | Jumbo Circus Peanuts |
BioBlitz!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Join us between dawn and dusk on Saturday, September 15, 2012 for our 10th annual BioBlitz, as scientists, field naturalists and backyard enthusiasts come together to appreciate and learn about biodiversity. Like extreme scavenger hunters, we will scour the 135-acres and seven different habitats of Odiorne Point State Park to record data on as many different species as possible in one day.
There will be guided field programs and special activities throughout the day. Please see the schedule below for a list of topics and times. Additional group exploration times will be announced during the event. Our Gregg Interactive Learning Studio will serve as home base. There, you will see samples of species collected by naturalists and learn about the identification process. You can see amazing images of the plants, animals and activities from past years on the big-screens, observe insects through microscopes, see samples of seaweeds and fungi, research on your own with our touch-screen computers, and much, much more.
BioBlitz! 2012 Hourly Topics/Exploration Sample Schedule
| 6am | · Birding |
| 8am | · Insects |
| 9am | · Pond |
| 10am | · Mammals |
| 11pm | · Plants |
| 12pm | · Nature Photographer Jerry Monkman |
| 1pm | · Salt Marsh |
| 2pm | · Seaweed |
| 3pm | · Tide Pooling |
| 4pm | · Species Overview |
| 6pm | · Program End |
Photo Galleries 
Calendar 
Contact Us