Marine Scitech exhibition set to make waves around the country and educate thousands on ocean environment

Perth families can explore the depths of the ocean without getting wet, with the opening of new exhibition making a splash at Scitech.

Oceans: The World Beneath the Waves will open to the public for the first time on Saturday, allowing visitors to take a journey from the coastline to the deep sea.

The exhibition will educate visitors on marine ecosystems letting them explore coral reefs, kelp forests and freezing polar oceans.

Scitech chief executive John Chappell said the exhibition will have a host of interactive areas.

“Whether you’re experiencing what it’s like to explore the deep ocean from a submersible, learning about healthy ecosystems as a ‘reef DJ’, or becoming immersed in a giant kelp forest, we want visitors to connect with the wonder of oceans and the science behind it,” he said.

Following 12 months at Scitech, the exhibition will go on the road, opening at science centres here and abroad.

From June, Exmouth will also have its own version of the exhibition before it tours regional communities.

Dr Chappell said the exhibitions would lift the lid on the 71 per cent of Earth covered by water.

“As part of this project, we heard from people across Western Australia about what the ocean means to them, and it’s clear how deeply it’s woven into our lives, whether through work, connecting with nature, looking after our health, and spending time with family and friends,” he said.

“Oceans is an exploration of our incredible marine environments, a conversation starter about their future, and an invitation to consider the role we can all play in caring for them.”

Minderoo Foundation has contributed $3.5 million to the exhibition.

Minderoo Foundation chief executive John Hartman said the exhibition would increase understanding of marine environments.

“We still have so much to discover and understand about our oceans, including the remarkable marine environments that sustain life on Earth,” he said.

“There is an enormous opportunity to deepen our understanding of these ecosystems and why they are so important to our future,” he said.

“Through our partnership with Scitech, Minderoo is helping bring the science, technology and innovation shaping our understanding of the oceans to life.

“By making these discoveries accessible and engaging for people of all ages, we hope to inspire greater curiosity about our oceans and the role we can all play in protecting them.”