9:09 a.m., Sept. 21, 2009----From stranded marine mammals to the use of underwater robots for scientific research, Coast Day 2009 will feature several lectures that touch on a variety of fascinating environmental topics you won't want to miss.

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Coast Day, the University of Delaware's celebration of the sea, will take place Sunday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at UD's Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes. The free event is sponsored by the University of Delaware's College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment (CEOE) and the Delaware Sea Grant College Program.

The lectures, which are divided into two series, kick off at noon when Art Trembanis, UD assistant professor of geological sciences, presents “Robots Are Combing the Bay -- Results of the First-Year AUV Mapping Effort of Delaware Bay.” In this lecture, part of the Marine Seminars series, Trembanis will reflect on research experiences using the University's autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV).

Rounding out the Marine Seminars are Deacon Ritterbush of The Consummate Beachcomber LLC, who will speak about archaeology and beachcombing at 1:30 p.m., and Suzanne Thurman, executive director of the Marine Education, Research, and Rehabilitation Institute (MERR), who will speak about marine mammals and sea turtles of the Delaware coast at 3 p.m.

The second set of lectures, the Coast Day Lecture Series, will begin with Jeremy Firestone, UD associate professor of marine policy. Firestone will present “Harnessing Wind Energy at the University of Delaware” at 12:30 p.m. Next, at 1:45 p.m., CEOE Dean Nancy Targett will present her lecture “Top Ten Challenges for Coastal Communities in the 21st Century.” Wrapping up that series will be Biliana Cicin-Sain, UD professor of marine policy, who will discuss oceans in the global climate negotiations at 3 p.m.

Families with children at Coast Day won't want to miss the magic show, “There's Magic in the Atmosphere,” which will take place at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The show will include an array of glowing and exploding chemical magic tricks that not only amaze audience members, but will also explain various marine-related phenomena.

For more information about Coast Day, visit the Web page or call (302) 831-8083. Additionally, the full lineup will be available through the event program, which is posted on the Web page.