Surviving all major mass extinctions, they have been on earth for 450 million years. They also call Maryland waters home – including the largest shark to have ever lived, the Megalodon.
Shark Fest is an annual educational event that celebrates one of the most evolutionarily successful species to ever live. Visitors will learn through hands-on activities, presentations and exhibits that cover shark evolution, morphology, anatomy, natural history and ecology. There are activities designed for all ages, including opportunities to make a shark toothed necklace ($), play shark-themed games, trace the evolution of sharks through their teeth, learn what shark skin looks and feels like, talk with shark scientists and paleontologists. In the kids zone, dig for real shark teeth you can take home. Shark Fest is where fear and misinformation is replaced with fascination and facts.
Watch the promo video!
Planning Your Visit
The Kid’s Zone will run from 10AM to 2:00PM only. More advanced lectures and presentations are scheduled for 2:30PM-5:00PM.
View the Shark Fest 2021 Schedule.
Confirmed Presenters
WHY SHARKS MATTER – David Shiffman is a marine biologist specializing in the ecology and conservation of sharks. He received his Ph.D. in environmental science and policy from the University of Miami. Follow him on Twitter, where he’s always happy to answer any questions anyone has about sharks.http://twitter.com/whysharksmatter
THE GODZILLA SHARK – Paleontologist and program coordinator of the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission’s Dinosaur Park John-Paul Hodnett, who was a graduate student at the time made the discovery. Dracopristis hoffmanorum was discovered and identified to have 12 rows of teeth along with two, 2.5-foot long fin spines on its back.
OCEARCH – Research expeditions are conducted aboard the M/V OCEARCH, which serves as an at-sea laboratory. The M/V OCEARCH offers a 75,000 lb. capacity hydraulic platform designed to safely lift mature marine animals out of the ocean for access by a multi-disciplined research team to gather up to 12+ samples in 15 minutes.
GREENLAND SHARKS – Shark Videographer Nick Caloyianis – Over a span of 30 years, Nick’s artistry has been honored with numerous awards, including an Oscar, Primetime Emmys and a NOGI in the Arts. He has directed and produced films for National Geographic and Discovery Channels, has filmed for IMAX and Hollywood screens and still continues to collaborate with marine scientists not only to record their work, but to help them make their groundbreaking discoveries. He was the first to film the bizarre Greenland shark in Arctic waters. At the time (1995), not much was known about this polar creature.
Timed Entry Tickets
To ensure safety of volunteers, staff and guests, admission to this event is limited. Tickets per time slot will be made available for purchase online ahead of the event. NOTE: The time regulates entry not exit. Stay as long as you would like. You must arrive on time for your tickets to be honored. Walk-ins will not be accepted. The parking lot will also be closed to vehicular traffic. Overflow parking is available in two lots near the museum.
Entry time slots every half hour from 10:00am – 3:00pm and 4:00pm.
Safety Precautions
- Limited attendance
- Timed attendance
- Masks mandatory indoors
- One-way pedestrian path through exhibits – you can go more than once
- No food or drink indoors – you can bring a picnic lunch.
Location
