Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory (RBML) has been awarded three grants from the Versacare Foundation to support expanded community engagement, enhanced student living spaces, and innovative hands-on learning in marine science.
The first award, a $25,000 grant from the Versacare Foundation in partnership with a private donor, will support Sea It to Believe It: Expanding the Pop-Up Aquarium Program. Over the past two years, RBML has partnered with Creative Hub in Anacortes to deliver interactive pop-up aquarium experiences that bring local marine life directly to the public. These traveling exhibits allow participants to engage with a variety of marine organisms while learning from expert biologists. The program has already welcomed more than 400 community members and featured presentations from faculty such as Kirt Onthank, a leading octopus expert whose work has gained national attention. This grant will expand program capacity through the addition of aquariums, habitat systems, and exhibit materials, enabling RBML to reach larger audiences and showcase a greater diversity of marine life.
A second grant of $12,160, also awarded by the Versacare Foundation in partnership with a private donor, will fund Room to Thrive: Supporting Students Where They Live and Learn. This project will enhance residential spaces by installing hotel-style conveniences cabinets in dorm rooms, each equipped with a mini-refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. While meals are provided through a central cafeteria, limited hours can create challenges for students with demanding academic schedules. These additions will provide greater flexibility and comfort, allowing students to better manage their daily routines. The grant will also support the installation of two large-screen televisions in shared spaces, fostering community connection, relaxation, and informal learning opportunities among students.
The third award, a $40,000 grant from the Versacare Foundation, will support Bringing the Living Sea into the Classroom. This project builds on a recent investment by the National Science Foundation that funded a centralized saltwater filtration system at RBML. The new funding will extend saltwater access into five additional classrooms and laboratories, enabling more faculty to incorporate live marine organisms into daily instruction. One classroom already demonstrates this impact through an aquarium teaching table that allows instructors to engage students directly with living specimens. Expanding this model will deepen student understanding, increase hands-on learning opportunities, and strengthen connections to marine ecosystems across the curriculum.
Posted April 21, 2026.
