Ocean discovery starts here.
The Gulf of Maine Discovery Center is the o-fish-al name for our educational facilities at the Department. of Marine Resources’ Boothbay Lab. These facilities are the Maine State Aquarium, Learning Lab and Burnt Island. The Aquarium is a one-room space with live exhibits and interactives. The Learning Lab is an adjacent facility that is a hands-on science classroom and theater. It is a space in which visitors can go more in depth on a variety of topics and research. Burnt Island is 5 acres and includes a historic lighthouse, keeper's residence, and Education Center.
The Gulf of Maine Discovery Center is where ocean discovery starts for our visitors. It is where Maine residents, summer visitors, school groups, and educators discover what makes the Gulf of Maine such a unique place. The Center is a window into the work DMR does to understand, conserve, and manage Maine’s marine resources.
The Education Division operates these facilities to provide experiences that inspire curiosity and connections with Maine’s coastal waters and resources. Our vision is to make the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and Department of Marine Resources research come alive for in-person and online audiences. Our Education Division provides direct access to our researchers and resources.
DMR’s Boothbay Harbor campus is located at 194 McKown Pt Rd, West Boothbay Harbor. Burnt Island is in Boothbay Harbor and is accessible by boat or kayak.
Map of Facilities
School Field Trips
Trips resume this season! Dates include: May 28-30, June 4-6 and 11-13, September 10-12 and 17-19. Email aquarium@maine.gov for information. The Learning Lab, our hands-on science classroom opens this season for field trips and visitors.
Learning Lab
Our Learning Lab will be open to the public this year. The theme is Sharks of the Gulf of Maine -- come explore the species found in the Gulf either year round or seasonally. You can also meet DMR scientists tracking them. Our 150-gallon tank houses chain catsharks, a shy but fascinating shark that glows green under certain lighting.
Burnt Island
Burnt Island is open to the public June through October, 10am to 5pm.
Burnt Island lighthouse and keeper's residence
Resources
These resources are available as free, downloadable PDF files, and may require Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader software (download here free) to view or print. Some of the files are quite large.
- Teacher's Guide to Marine Life in the Gulf of Maine - It features 24 animals with 4 pages of information and activities for each species including: classification, description, life processes, related species, and detailed anatomical diagrams. Download the Teacher's Guide here free - pdf file, 110 pages, 2 MB.
- Gulf Of Maine Coloring Book - Illustrations of regional marine life are ready for students to color. Each page includes species identification and suggested colors. Download the Coloring Book here free - pdf file, 23 pages, 486 kb.
- A Lobster's Life Coloring Book - Appropriate for young learners, it provides simple illustrations and text on a lobster's life history. Download the Lobster Coloring Book here free - pdf file, 13 pages, 5 MB.
- A Guide to Lobstering in Maine - This booklet provides information on the history of lobstering, lobster biology, and lobstering regulations. Download the Lobster Guide here free - pdf file, 24 pages, 1 MB. More information on Maine's lobster is available on DMR's lobster web site.
- Maine Saltwater Angler Guide - This booklet is a beautifully illustrated identification guide of sport-fish species. Download the Angler Guide here free - pdf file, 40 pages, 6 MB. The guide is also available to view as web pages on DMR's recreational fishing site.
- Green Gold: Maine's Sea Urchin Fishery - This booklet provides information on the sea urchin, fishing industry, and management practices. Download Green Gold here free - pdf file, 36 pages, 2 MB.
- Information and Landings on commercially harvested species are available on the DMR home page under Commercial Fisheries
Links for Educational Lobster Information:
- Bigelow Lab "Hatch to Catch"
- Lobster Conservancy
- Maine Department of Marine Resources, lobster page
- DMR Guide to Lobstering in Maine (PDF, 1 MB)
Other Links for Educators
Here is a list of helpful marine education sites for teachers to utilize in the classroom:
- Bigelow Lab for Ocean Sciences
- Boothbay Sea and Science Center
- Darling Marine Center, University of Maine
- Gulf of Maine Marine Life Supply
- Gulf of Maine Research Institute Education Resources
- Herring Gut Learning Center
- Island Institute
- Maine Public - PBS Learning Network
- National Center for Coastal Ocean Science
- National Marine Educators Association
- New England Aquarium Teacher Resource Center
- Sea Turtle printables (free)
- Shark Research Institute
- WhaleNET Resources
- Wyland Foundation
Job Announcements
We are hiring seasonal staff for 2025!
Positions are $17/hr, 40 hr/wk and include weekends. Hiring is through TriState Staffing Agency.
Click below for position descriptions:
Aide Seasonal flyer with housing.pdf
Volunteer Opportunities
We are recruiting volunteers for 2025 positions include working with the public and behind the scenes. To apply, complete an application and email to aquarium@maine.gov
Please contact the DMR webmaster if any of the above links fail.