Put-in-Bay, OH — Visitors from all over are invited to experience Stone Laboratory, The Ohio State University’s island campus, firsthand at its annual Open House in September.
Hosted by the Friends of Stone Lab, the free event is set for Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. With no registration required, the Open House offers a unique opportunity for community members, families, and outdoor enthusiasts to explore the laboratory’s research, education programs, and facilities.
Held on Gibraltar Island in Put-in-Bay, the event will feature guided tours, hands-on science activities, and opportunities to meet Stone Lab scientists, instructors, and students. Attendees will learn how Stone Laboratory contributes to protecting and understanding Lake Erie through research focused on water quality, fisheries, invasive species, and other critical environmental issues.
“Stone Laboratory plays a vital role in advancing freshwater science and training the next generation of environmental leaders,” said Dr. Chris Winslow, director of Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab as part of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. “Our Open House gives visitors a chance to experience science in action and learn more about the research and education efforts that support the health of Lake Erie and communities throughout the region.”
Highlights of the Open House include:
- Guided tours of Stone Laboratory facilities
- Interactive exhibits and educational displays
- Opportunities to learn about Lake Erie ecology and conservation
- Family-friendly activities for all ages
- Information on summer courses, workshops, and educational programs
- Tour of the historic South Bass Island Lighthouse (transportation not provided)
The event is part of Stone Laboratory’s ongoing commitment to public engagement and environmental education. By opening its doors to visitors, the laboratory provides an inside look at the science shaping the future of one of Ohio’s greatest resources.
Free transportation to Gibraltar Island is provided at Stone Lab research docks on the South Bass Island side. The last trip to Gibraltar Island is at 3:30 p.m., and the last boat off Gibraltar Island is at 4 p.m. Alternatively, attendees may choose to pay for water taxi services from Put-in-Bay to Gibraltar Island at the Boardwalk Restaurant.
Contact Erin Monaco at monaco.25@osu.edu for any accommodations you may require. Please make requests two weeks in advance if possible.
For more information about this free event, please visit go.osu.edu/SLopenhouse, or contact the Stone Lab office at Put-in-Bay at 419-285-1800.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of Stone Lab, Stone Laboratory, and Ohio Sea Grant. FOSL is a group dedicated to donating time and money to assist with the planning and funding of the laboratory. For more information about FOSL, please visit ohioseagrant.osu.edu/giving/fosl.
Ohio Sea Grant is supported by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, and NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs nation-wide dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. Stone Laboratory is Ohio State’s island campus on Lake Erie and is the research, education, and outreach facility of Ohio Sea Grant and part of CFAES School of Environment and Natural Resources.