Highline Community College on June 16 dedicated its Marine Science and Technology Center, a new public-education facility on Redondo Beach in Des Moines.
The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception inside the new center, called the MaST, with visits from U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, Highline President Jack Bermingham and Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler.
“The three components of our mission — teaching, research and community outreach — all come together at the MaST,” Bermingham said. “It is a unique facility for marine science education in our region and a wonderful resource for the community. Building this new center was indeed a community effort, and I am grateful to all those who helped make the MaST a reality.”
Bob Maplestone, director of the MaST, emphasized the role the center plays as a resource for creating stewardship of our marine environment.
“It’s critical that we explain to our children and the public the beauty, complexity and importance of the South Puget Sound ecosystem and what we need to do to sustain the health of our waters,” Maplestone said.
The 2,500 square-foot facility, located at 28203 Redondo Beach Dr. S., will offer public space, classrooms, laboratories, office and research areas. It will include more than 2,000 gallons of flow-through saltwater tanks, holding more than 80 species of local marine life and access to a diversity of nearby habitats and state-of-the-art equipment.
Numerous individuals and foundations presented gifts to help fund the MaST, including the State of Washington, Darlyne Olsen, Michael and Joan Allan, the 2007-2008 Highline Student Body, KeyBank, The Seattle Foundation, The Norcliffe Foundation, Troy Schneebeck, Michael and Kathryn Regeimbal, Frederick and Shannon Bell, Jack and Gail Bermingham, Michael and Jane Emerson and The Boeing Company.
The MaST will open for its first Water Weekend, an event open to the public, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Summer camps and classes will continue through the summer.
For more information about the new facility and upcoming events, visit www.flightline.highline.edu/mast.
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