THE Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) will host its annual open house tomorrow at its St. George's facility.

Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., the public will have the opportunity to participate in unravelling the mysteries that surround the island in a fun and interactive way.

This year's open house, Marine Science Day 2007, will feature exciting displays and experiments, including hands-on displays showing tropical marine animals found in Bermuda, such as sea grass beds and their associated animals.

Microscopes will be used to look at interesting algal and bacterial cultures and BIOS will also have air quality and ship instruments on display.

Throughout the day a lecture series will take place in the Hanson Hall at the Ferry Reach Institute featuring topics studied at BIOS including Ocean Outreach: Connecting with Bermuda Teens, presented by JP Skinner, Monitoring the Health of Bermuda's Marine Environment by Dr. Ross Jones, Metals and Dioxins in Soil and Water Tanks in Bermuda by Dr. Andrew Peters (Bermuda Air Quality Programme), How Hurricanes Affect the Deep Sea by Dr. Maureen Conte, Hurricanes and Climate by Dr. Rick Murnane, The Heat is On: Humans as Agents of Global Climate Change by Dr. Andreas Andersson, Harmful Algal Blooms and Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning by Dr. Jeannette Loram, The Atmospheric Transport of Dust and its Importance for Ocean Ecosystems by Dr. Pete Sedwick and Underwater Photography to Promote Marine Science Education by Dr. Alex Venn.

Tours of BIOS's new 168-foot research ship, the R/V Bank of Bermuda Atlantic Explorer, as well as the institute's remotely operated vehicle (ROV), a tiny submarine that helps scientists study the deep ocean and coral reefs, will also be held.

Also on the programme are crowd favourites from previous years including mini-research cruises aboard the R/V Stommel, followed by a plankton lab with Dr. James Wood, where the public will have the opportunity to identify what they have caught.

Children of all ages are also invited to join in hands-on, wacky science and fishy business arts and have fun during BIOS's annual puppet show.

Entrance is free and hot food and cold drinks will be available throughout the day.