Stockton students provided a touch tank filled with creatures that live in the Atlantic Ocean and bays.
ATLANTIC CITY - Stockton University Atlantic City held its first-ever Coastal Day Saturday, Oct. 20. Events and displays were held in the Academic Building just off Atlantic and Albany avenues.
Students demonstrated small and large wave action that can build or erode the beaches, displayed a touch-tank of sea creatures that can be found in the coastal waters off of Atlantic City, and provided a mock-up of the oyster reef Stockton researchers helped to establish off the coast of Barnegat Bay.
Coastal researcher and Stockton Professor Stewart Farrell presented information about backbay dredging.
In the Fanny Lou Hamer Event Room, coastal science organizations, including Stockton's Coastal Research Center and Marine Field Station, showcased activities being undertaken by faculty and staff.
The well-attended and first-ever event included screenings of "A Plastic Ocean" and Orsted's Ocean Wind representatives provided information about their proposed offshore wind farm, encouraging spectators to view what the farm will look like through virtual reality glasses.
Displays showcased coastal zone research, sonar mapping, and other activities by Stockton faculty, staff, and students.
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Nucky Johnson (played by Levi Fox of Somers Point), the Atlantic City historical figure who most know through the fictionalized HBO series "Boardwalk Empire," milled through the crowd in his trademark seersucker suit and red boutonniere encouraging students on their scientific prowess and efforts to transform Atlantic City from an adult playground to a center for coastal science research and education.
The event combined Atlantic City history, coastal science, maritime history and art. One display provided spectators with woodcut prints of maps of Absecon Island and Cape May.
Atlantic City's historical figure Nucky Johnson encouraged students on their efforts to turn the city into a center for marine science.
Coast Day Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Marine Science Susanne Moskalski modeled the event after Delaware University's Coast Day, which has attracted thousands of visitors over the last 41 years.
Stockton officials say Coast Day will become an annual event on the Atlantic City campus.
