Art v Science: secrets of the sea is a hands-on marine science program that brings together biology, scientific investigation, visual art and coding through the study of one of the ocean’s most fascinating animals: the squid.

Participants investigate the anatomy and adaptations of a real squid during a guided dissection, using scientific equipment such as digital microscopes, petri dishes and dissection tools under expert guidance. They also explore marine environments within the Museum’s exhibitions, connecting their observations with the wider biology and ecology of the ocean.

The creative component allows participants to transform their scientific observations into original artwork using genuine squid ink and sketches inspired by the Museum galleries.

The program concludes with an Ozobot coding challenge in which participants program a robot to complete a squid-inspired mission, introducing computational thinking and problem-solving in an engaging marine science context.

Through the combination of practical science, observation, creative expression and technology, the program encourages curiosity, scientific thinking, creativity and hands-on learning.

Biology

Participants investigate squid anatomy and marine adaptations, apply scientific observation techniques, create artwork from scientific observations, and develop computational thinking through an Ozobot coding challenge.