CONTACT:   Rick Brown                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                     7/28/97

Explore-It-All and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Host Dinamation International Corp.'s World of Whales

Students and other members of the land-bound public will have an opportunity to learn first hand about whales this fall when a life-sized robotic exhibit opens in Silver Spring, Md. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in cooperation with Explore-It-All Science Center, is hosting Dinamation International's World of Whales exhibit at NOAA's Silver Spring Campus, 1301 East-West Highway, from Sept. 27 to Dec. 21.

"As a long-time Silver Spring resident, NOAA welcomes the opportunity to work with the Explore-It-All Science Center in bringing this exciting new exhibit into the community," said Dr. Alfred M. Beeton, NOAA's chief scientist. "The exhibit will allow students and others interested in learning more about whales to experience a simulation of these marine behemoths in their natural habitat without going anywhere near the ocean."

This fascinating exhibit includes a field trip package aimed at the elementary school science, math and language curricula. Teachers are provided with materials to prepare students for their visit to NOAA's Science Learning Center, giving them background on whales and guidelines for investigating their life history, habits and their environment. At the Center students will receive materials and instructions to proceed on a whale watch. Through a 30-minute voyage into a dramatically created marine environment, the students will search for the answers to questions on whale biology and life history. Students will explore the World of Whales using hands-on, active participation with interactive exhibits, and observing, computing and writing skills.

The exhibit will also provide computer resources and incorporates them into the program. In addition to the school field trips, other groups and the public of all ages are welcome to visit the exhibit.

Dinamation International has designed and created robotic creatures based on scientifically accurate information and modern technical capabilities. These serve as a focal point for this exhibit, which is Explore-It-All's debut as a community-based center for informal science education. The Explore-It-All Science Center is a Montgomery County, Md.-based non-profit organization, dedicated to bringing informal science education to the National Capitol region.

Explore-It-All has partnered with NOAA to foster both organizations' objectives of promoting public understanding of the stewardship of marine mammals, other living marine resources and the Earth's oceans. The exhibit also promotes the development of critical thinking, problem solving and communications skills necessary to function as an active member in our scientific and increasingly technical world.

The World of Whales opens Sept. 27 and runs through Dec. 21, 1997. Reservations for school and group visitations are being accepted and the public is welcome. The Center will be open 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Explore-It-All is actively seeking volunteers to assist with the exhibit. For more information, call Karen Rubin-Hamilton or Lucy McFadden at 301-229-6877.