Discovery Space in State College will be the new home for a mesmerizing marine animal.
A baby stingray will soon take up residence at Discovery Space’s Marine Life Center.
Through a partnership with Electric City Aquarium in Scranton, where the stingray was born, the interactive science center at 1224 N. Atherton St. will offer central Pennsylvania families the rare opportunity to connect with the graceful sea creature up close.
“Stingrays are incredible creatures,” Kendra Adkins, science educator and marine life coordinator at Discovery Space, said in a news release. “This partnership lets kids and families see hard-to-find marine life in a way that’s exciting and accessible, while also prioritizing the welfare of the animals. It’s an experience you won’t find anywhere else in the region.”
A date for the stingray’s arrival has not yet been set, but it will be at Discovery Space for several years, allowing visitors to see it grow over time while learning about marine life and conservation.
Discovery Space is working to raise $6,600 to establish a nursery tank and provide care for its newest marine resident. Contributions will support the tank, equipment and programs for children.
Adkins has been working closely with Electric City Aquarium on best practices for stingray care, and the collaboration will continue to ensure the stingray thrives as it grows in its new home.
“We’re proud to partner with Discovery Space on this initiative,” Electric City Aquarium wrote in a statement. “Partnerships like this allow us to further our outreach with organizations that share our educational goals. We are excited to offer kids the opportunity to see a stingray up close in a region of PA where that is not typically possible. And we know the stingray will be in excellent care with Kendra and her team.”
The addition of the stingray builds on the growing success of the Marine Life Center, which has been part of Discovery Space since 2019.
In the future, Discovery Space is planning to further grow the Marine Life Center through philanthropic support to include programs such as paid internships for high school students to offer aspiring marine biologists access to access to real-world experience.
