Special Events

In addition to our Café Sci series and annual open house, Bigelow Laboratory regularly engages the public with its latest discoveries through events and series in the region. It’s vital to our mission that we share what we’re learning, and we hope to see you at an event soon!

Ocean On Tap - Monthly Talks

An informal, volunteer-led speaker series

Ocean on Tap is a social, informal speaker series organized by researchers from Bigelow Laboratory and hosted by Footbridge Brewery in Boothbay Harbor. The goal of the series is to bring our local community together over the fascinating world of the ocean.

The events feature speakers from various disciplines, each sharing their unique expertise and answering questions from the audience. Previous talks have included a wide range of topics — from parasites that eat the tongues of clownfish to the diverse array of gadgets scientists use to conduct research underwater!

To get a sense of what the talks are like, check out this article , which covers the origin of the series and the topics covered.

Each Ocean on Tap is announced about a month in advance. You can learn more and keep on top of the latest by following Ocean on Tap’s social accounts on Instagram (@oceanontap) and Facebook (Ocean on Tap). We also share them through Bigelow Laboratory’s accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

You can also join the mailing by adding your email to this form, or by emailing oceanontap@gmail.com.

"Deep Rising" Film Screening at Strand Theatre

Including a brief Q&A on Deep-Sea Mining with our VP for Research Beth Orcutt

As demand grows for the critical minerals needed for electronics, countries and mining industries are increasingly looking to the deep sea as the next frontier. Join Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences for a free screening of "Deep Rising," a new documentary about the emerging deep-sea mining industry — and its potential consequences for our oceans and planet. The event will be held at the

Strand Theatre in Rockland, Maine, on July 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. All are welcome, and no tickets are required.

Narrated and executive produced by Jason Momoa, "Deep Rising" features awe-inspiring footage of the deep’s most dazzling creatures and shares a riveting tale of geopolitical, corporate, and scientific intrigue.

The evening will be hosted by Bigelow Laboratory's Dr. Beth Orcutt, an internationally recognized expert in deep-sea science who is actively involved in the research and developing regulations of this nascent industry. She will share the latest news and her personal insights on this rapidly developing international debate — and take time after the film to answer questions from the audience.

Learn more and watch the trailer here.