By Michelle Dillon, Digital Marketing Specialist
Tara Murdough grew up on the Seacoast and remembers fondly her time tide pooling and walking the trails in Odiorne Point State Park. After her daughter Ada was born, she was seeking a place where they could explore and learn together as she grew up. Since her daughter has always had a love of the ocean and its animals, she thought the Seacoast Science Center might just be that place, and it would also allow Tara to share a piece of her childhood with Ada. Tara notes, “The first time we visited the Seacoast Science Center, she fell in love with everything it has to offer!”
During their early visits, the exposure to the variety of marine animals was fascinating to little Ada. Whether peering into a tank or getting hands-on in the touch tank, there was so much to explore.
As Ada has grown, Tara has seen her interests grow as well, and the many events and programs offered by Seacoast Science Center provided more opportunities for Tara and Ada to learn and engage together. Our early-learner preschool program, Big Fish Little Fish, furthered Ada’s discovery. It offered connections with other preschoolers, hands-on learning and craft stations, and a guided naturalist-led program that encouraged Ada to learn more about the world around her.
Loving the hands-on activities at the Center, Tara also decided to bring Ada to the evening S.T.E.A.M program, Nature@Nite. Tara adds, “The Nature@Nite events are so wonderful at providing a variety of topics to spark new interests.”
The variety of events and activities that the Center offers has catered to her growing interests over the years.From their first visit to today, Tara has seen her daughter’s curiosity and interests grow deeper and her knowledge about the ocean expand. She has also seen her confidence grow tremendously with each visit.
Tara closed by saying, “Watching my daughter’s face light up when she is exploring at the Center, especially the touch tank, is wonderful. She loves to sit and point out all of the life she sees! Seacoast Science Center has encouraged my daughter to stay curious about the world around her. The staff are always so welcoming, encouraging and eager to answer any question.”
