CHARLOTTE, NC (April 29, 2025) — Discovery Place Science invites visitors of all ages to dive into the mysteries of the ocean and explore the wonders of marine science in OceanXperience, an immersive exhibition opening at the Museum on Saturday, May 24 and on exhibit through September 7, 2025. This will be the exhibition’s last stop in the U.S. before heading overseas.

Designed for all ages and abilities, this one-of-a-kind exhibition welcomes visitors aboard an interactive replica of the OceanXplorer – the most advanced marine research and media vessel ever built – and the cutting-edge science, technology and media the ship uses to explore the ocean and bring new discoveries and key learnings back to the world.

“We are thrilled to provide our community with an opportunity to experience this immersive exhibition, which brings the power of innovation, scientific knowledge and cutting-edge technology to life in an engaging and interactive way.” said Catherine Wilson Horne, Discovery Place President and CEO. “As we continue to expand our learning experiences in science and nature exploration, we hope that this exhibition inspires future generations of ocean explorers and marine scientists.”

Inside the exhibition, visitors will embark on an incredible, interactive adventure as they step aboard and become ocean scientists. They will engage in hands-on experiments, experiencing the excitement of exploring some of the ocean’s most remote and mysterious locations. Along the way, visitors will uncover fascinating ocean secrets and discover how to inspire deeper connections between people and this vital, precious resource.

“OceanXperience gives visitors a fascinating look into the wonders of the deep as we continue to learn about the complexities of our planet’s oceans and the critical role they play in sustaining life on Earth,” said Heather Norton, Chief Science Officer at Discovery Place. “With an estimated 80% of the world’s oceans still unexplored, there is much to discover about marine ecosystems and features beneath the ocean’s surface. This exhibition encourages curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world around us.”
 
Exhibition highlights:
·       The exhibition offers a variety of guided research missions, ensuring that each visit is a unique experience. One mission invites visitors to study orca group dynamics, virtually tag an animal and collect data to understand how they coexist. Visitors can also explore humpback whales’ complex communication or investigate the tropical habitat of great hammerhead sharks.

·       As visitors explore the exhibition, RFID wristbands track their research as they discover OceanXplorer’s most exciting rooms, including Mission Control, the Bridge, Wet and Dry Labs and the Sub Hangar.

·       Watch immersive footage of an OceanX submersible as it descends into the ocean’s depths. This experience is enhanced by authentic sights and sounds captured during previous OceanXplorer missions, allowing visitors to feel like daring marine explorers.

“OceanXperience elevates OceanX’s mission to educate people about the wonders of our ocean, most of whom only get to see the unique lifeforms and ecosystems through a screen at home,” said Mark Dalio, Founder and Co-CEO of OceanX. “Our oceans require our care, attention and appreciation right now, and what better way to form a deep bond with our oceans than to put yourself in the shoes of an ocean explorer.”

Special museum experiences and programming:
OceanXperience will be open daily and included in General Admission to Discovery Place Science. Throughout the exhibition’s duration, Discovery Place Science will have special programming highlighting oceanography and underwater exploration. Programs will include coral conservation and underwater weather activities, maritime medicine lab experiences and ocean-themed design challenges, along with programming for World Oceans Day and Shark Week.
 
Flying Fish, a globally recognized producer of traveling exhibitions and experiences, developed OceanXperience as the leading educational journey into ocean exploration. This immersive exhibition highlights the exciting discoveries made by the OceanXplorer team, presented in an engaging and informative way. It was produced with support from the National Geographic Society and the Arizona Science Center, which created the educational guides for the exhibition.

“The goal with OceanXperience was to go beyond producing a traditional visitor experience. We’ve created an exhibition that’s dynamic, engaging and fun but with a purpose – to raise awareness of our oceans and the importance of their conservation,” said Jay Brown, Principal & Managing Director of Flying Fish. “Cutting-edge science and technology are used throughout the exhibition in straightforward ways, ensuring accessibility for all. We’ve used RFID technology to deliver customized visitor missions, and interactives like the ROV pilot stations, animal tagging and mapping touch tables add to science-based learning. We developed the exhibition to be a true adventure with intention and connection for explorers of all kinds. We’re very proud of the results.”

OceanXperience is a traveling exhibition produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish, based on the National Geographic series OceanXplorers, produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and OceanX in association with Lightship Earth Productions. The series follows a fearless team of pioneering scientific storytellers exploring the deepest and most inaccessible areas of our world’s oceans, highlighting their achievements and the challenges they face along the way.

The exhibition aims to increase awareness of our oceans and inspire lifelong learners, future conservationists, and changemakers while highlighting OceanX’s mission to preserve, restore, and discover our planet’s fascinating marine ecosystems through awe-inspiring media, cutting-edge technology and trailblazing science and research.
 
Media are invited to preview OceanXperience 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Thursday, May 22 and 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Friday, May 23 prior to the exhibition’s public opening on Saturday, May 24. Please RSVP with Alyssa Mulliger, Senior Director of Communications, at amulliger@discoveryplace.org. Exhibition images for media use are available here.
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About Discovery Place Science 
Discovery Place Science is the leading hub for science learning in the Carolinas—dedicated to the exchange of ideas, scientific exploration and creative expression to stimulate innovative problem-solving and learning. The Museum brings relevant, contemporary science to life through groundbreaking exhibitions, interactive educational programming and hands-on activities. Located in Uptown Charlotte at 168 W. 6th Street, convenient parking is available in the Museum’s parking deck—the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex—at the corner of Sixth and Church streets. For more information about Discovery Place Science, visit discoveryplace.org.
 
About Flying Fish
At Flying Fish, we believe exhibitions can do more. As a leading producer of traveling exhibitions for over a decade, we partner with world-class museums and science centers to create extraordinary, impactful experiences. Our exhibitions have welcomed over ten million visitors, showcasing the wonders of science, history, culture and more. We are dedicated to making exceptional, authentic content accessible to all while driving sustainable revenue growth for our clients. By empowering institutions to share their stories globally, we amplify their missions and expand their influence. Whether developing a new exhibition or adapting existing content for international tours, Flying Fish is more than just a service provider—we are a trusted partner in elevating our clients’ reach and impact.
For Museums. By Museums.
flyingfishexhibits.com
 
About OceanX
OceanX is a mission to support scientists to explore the ocean and bring it back to the world through captivating media. Uniting leading media, science and philanthropy partners, OceanX utilizes next-gen technology, fearless science, compelling storytelling and immersive experiences to educate, inspire and connect the world with the ocean and build a global community deeply engaged with understanding, enjoying and protecting our oceans. OceanX is an initiative of Dalio Philanthropies, which furthers the diverse philanthropic interests of Dalio family members. oceanx.org