Mobile Aquatics Makes a Splash over Southeastern Indiana

The event featured a variety of marine life such as penguins, stingrays, sharks, and tide pool creatures.

Photo provided.

(Versailles, Ind.) - Genesis: Pathways to Success continued with its A Summer of STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) initiative with Mobile Aquatics Exhibits, presented by the WAVE Foundation. Over the course of four individual sessions, those in attendance were able to see and interact with a variety of marine life such as penguins, stingrays, sharks, and tide pool creatures.

These sessions were presented in two styles: assembly programs and meet and greet programs. The first of the assembly programs was Penguin Palooza. Held at Bridge of Hope Worship Center and Lawrenceburg Community Center, attendees were able to meet and interact with a penguin! Viewers were given a rundown of the penguins habitats, diets, and anatomy.

The second of the assembly programs was Stingray Hideaway. Held at the Versailles Town Hall and Franklin County Fairgrounds, attendees learned about the lifespan and biology of stingrays. As the information was presented, attendees were able to get up close and take pictures with the WAVE Foundations stingray friend.

Furthermore, the WAVE Foundation provided meet and greets with sharks and tide pool creatures. The first of these sessions was the Science of Sharks. Held at Milan Middle School, viewers were able to learn and observe about the anatomy of sharks and their diet. Students were even able to get up close and pet the shark.

The second meet and greet session was Tide Pool Creatures. Held at Osgood Town Hall and Aurora City Park, students were introduced to horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and sea stars. They learned about their diet and survival methods. Students were then given the opportunity to take up close pictures of the creatures, while learning about their safety and conservation.

Through these unique opportunities, students are able to gain knowledge about distinct marine animals. Additionally, students were encouraged to further conservation efforts and preserve the biodiversity of our world, which is crucial to a healthy and sustainable environment.

Genesis: Pathways to Success would like to thank the Newport Aquarium’s WAVE Foundation for bringing this experience to Southeast Indiana. We would also like to thank everyone who allowed us to host Mobile Aquatics in their facility. Through their contributions, Genesis is able to create memorable experiences such as this. Genesis looks forward to hosting Mobile Aquatics again in the summer of 2026! If you would like to learn additional information about this activity, please visit www.genesisp2s.org. If you have questions regarding A Summer of STREAM, please contact the Genesis: Pathways to Success office by emailing info@genesisp2s.org, calling 812-933-1098, or visiting 13 E. George Street, Suite B, Batesville, IN 47006.