The University of Delaware’s  College of Earth, Ocean and Environment (CEOE) and Delaware Sea Grant will once again offer free tours of the Lewes campus to the public, under the guidance of a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team of tour leaders known as docents. The important and exciting work of researchers in CEOE — which involves research on the marine environment from the Delaware Bay all the way to Antarctica — is featured throughout the tour.

Following a brief history of CEOE and an introduction to its faculty and student body, tour groups are guided through the two main research facilities on the campus: the Cannon Lab and the Smith Lab.

In the Cannon Lab, groups will see, among other highlights: 

• a 200-foot-long museum-quality mural of ocean life 

• preserved samples of deep-water fishes 

• a detailed model of the University of Delaware’s 146 ft. state-of-the-art Research Vessel Hugh R. Sharp

• two large aquaria populated with local fish species 

• the Marine Operations Center and the 2-megawatt wind turbine that provides electricity to the campus and the City of Lewes, both clearly visible from the Lab’s easily accessible second-floor landing  

In the Smith Lab, groups will see, among other highlights:

• the Global Visualization Lab with its large dynamic screens displaying the reach and variety of CEOE research 

• the aquaponics lab where edible lettuce is grown from fish byproducts 

• the robotics lab featuring the very latest marine robotic equipment 

• various visuals related to ongoing coastal research 

• a sample of a hydrothermal black smoker chimney collected by CEOE researchers traveling in a deep-sea submersible 

• a presentation on Delaware’s prehistoric denizen, the horseshoe crab  

Summer tours take place every Wednesday from July 5 through Sept. 6. Tours outside of the regular touring schedule may be requested. Tours are geared toward adults, in groups of 5-10 people. Children aged 7 and older are welcome to attend if a two-hour, science-focused tour suits their interests and attention span. Please indicate if there are any children in your tour group when registering.

Reservations for the tours must be made at least two days before the desired tour. Advance reservations are required and can be made by visiting UD’s Lewes Campus Tour website or by calling the UD Lewes Campus at 302-645-4234.