There are cleaner stations in the ocean where big barracuda will come up and line up like at a gas station. A symbiosis of sorts exists within the biological sciences department itself among staff, faculty and students. The tidal display and exhibits are put together with the cooperation of support staff members Russell Logsdon and Ron Smith, and others with the encouragement of administrators such as executive officer Robert Smith. After the tidal pool made a trial run last year, with about 4,000 people stopping by, this year's pool has been refined and expanded. Ron Smith and Gedney have been busy refashioning the molded fiberglass and have built new cabinets to hold the aquariums.
Students usually run the displays, with faculty on hand to demonstrate and explain the work.
One display that fits the marine theme came from professor Peter Waser's Biology 592 class. His students put together a demonstration involving two kinds of electric fish that are sometimes sold in pet stores. Visitors will be able to see the fish, 'hear' the electric signals, and students will explain the ways in which natural selection has shaped these strange and wonderful animals. Those same visitors will find themselves participants if they keep an eye out for the roving video camera. Isidore Julien, of Biology Outreach, will be filming a promotional tape.