PARENTS gearing up for the start of another school year will be pleased to know that this weekend the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) will be holding their annual Back to School Party from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Back to School Party which is a joint venture with AF Smith has been running for the last four years and has been very successful.

Wendy Tucker, the Director for BUEI, spoke about the popular event that gets kids revved up to go back to school. She said: "We created the back to school party four years ago because we thought that parents might need to get kids warmed up that schools right around the corner. We thought this would be a great venue which AF Smith has sponsored and it's really been a hit. The event is very popular and we've had a lot of calls over the summer asking if we are putting on the back to school event."

Ms Tucker spoke about some of other activities children love to attend at BUEI and noted: "The BUEI opened in 1997 and since then we've accomplished a lot. We do the BUEI explorers lecture series which is always very well attended.

"Our education programs and camps during all the school holidays are a big hit with parents and kids and always sell out quickly and we get a lot of repeat students. Our age group for the camps is seven to 11 and we always recommend parents sign up as quickly as they can because the spots are limited and go quickly. For instance this year our summer camp sold out in February.

"At camp the children will learn about the marine environment surrounding Bermuda as well as partake in scientific research such as dissecting a squid or shark."

Speaking as to the BUEI's mission objective Ms Tucker said "Our mission objective at the BUEI is to educate the public about the marine environment as well as preservation and conservation of that environment. We use the exhibits as an education tool and what we do is have a subtle message throughout the exhibit so that by the time you walk out you are going to say 'I didn't know that'. We figure knowledge is the root to making the right decisions."

During the Back to School Party Ms Tucker said: "We do a lot of games with the children. AF Smith puts together a real nice takeaway bag with school supplies and we put in some marine conservation themed bookmarks and tattoos. With the gift bag the kids are taking home an environmental message with their school items."

Ms Tucker also said the response from the public has been tremendous regarding the Back to School Party and added: "The response from parents and kids has been amazing. We do scavenger hunts throughout the exhibits, there are arts and crafts and we have games for them to play. It's a two hour event but the time goes by quickly and as they leave the event they get their gift bags with school supplies.

This is a great event and everyone should take the opportunity to visit BUEI."

The Back to School Party is tonight at the BUEI from 5p.m. to 7p.m. and is free.