The Ocean Explorium has just launched its 2011 Annual Appeal, with a mailing to individual and corporate members, donors, volunteers and community supporters.Contributions to the Annual Appeal support the organization, its staff, exhibits and programs.Mark Smith, Executive Director of the Ocean Explorium, hopes that gifts to this year's Appeal surpass previous campaigns as a new exhibit is being installed at the same time that the demand for programs continues to increase.

"We have come so far, yet we want to do so much more.A strong response to this Annual Appeal is critical to supporting general operations of the Ocean Explorium" said Mr. Smith."Live exhibits, hands-on exploration and Science on a Sphere® combine to make the Ocean Explorium a unique experience for learners of all ages.Our student field trips and the Oceans Academy professional development for teachers have changed the face of informal education in New Bedford."

The Ocean Explorium has become a regional leader in Science Education, reaching over 80,000 people since opening just a few short years ago.Helping to lead the students of today toward the high-tech, sustainable economy of the 21st century is one of the Ocean Explorium's primary objectives.

Mr. Smith expressed his hope that donors who did not receive the mailing, or who prefer to contribute online, will visit the Ocean Explorium website at www.oceanexplorium.org."Gifts of any size will help the Ocean Explorium continue to make a difference to the greater New Bedford community."

The Ocean Explorium is currently open from Thursday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm.Summer hours, from Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, begin July 1and run through Labor Day.The Ocean Explorium is located at 174 Union Street in downtown New Bedford and is handicap accessible through the rear entrance.Call 508.994.5400 or visit the website, www.oceanexplorium.org, for more information.