Horn Point Laboratory

10/10/2026

10/10/2026

Can you picture the life of an oyster? The Horn Point Oyster Hatchery in Cambridge, Maryland, is one of the largest oyster hatcheries on the East Coast. It produces oyster larvae for research, restoration, and education. This illustration depicts the journey of an oyster's life at the hatchery, from broodstock and spawning all the way to deployment in the Chesapeake Bay or delivery to a local farm.

Over the past decade, the Horn Point Hatchery has distributed billions of baby oysters attached to shells (called “spat”) to the Bay, helping to restore oyster populations and the estuary's health.

10/08/2026

It's almost time for a science adventure! The lab is looking forward to welcoming visitors to the annual Open House on Saturday, October 10 from 11am to 4pm. There will be fun, interactive science exhibits and activities for all ages. Open is house is free, and takes place rain or shine. Food vendors will have refreshments for sale. A shuttle will be available to transport visitors around campus.

Get additional details at umces.edu/event/horn-point-annual-open-house/

10/07/2026

Professors Judy O'Neil and Raleigh Hood sat down with Val Cavalheri of WHCP Radio's Shore Stories to talk about their work aboard the "Rachel Carson," the flagship research vessel of the UMCES fleet. Listen to hear their experiences on research cruises in the Chesapeake and beyond, and how the "Rachel Carson" supports both critical research, and the training of the next generation of environmental scientists.

What does Chesapeake Bay science look like when the laboratory floats? Professors Judy O’Neil and Raleigh Hood take us aboard the research vessel Rachel Carson to talk about discoveries, surprises, and what students learn when science happens out on the water.

10/02/2026

The lab is looking forward to welcoming visitors at Open House on Saturday, October 10 from 11am to 4pm! Visitors will enjoy interactive exhibits, the oyster hatchery, a scavenger hunt with a free t-shirt for children, and the research vessel "Rachel Carson." The event is free and will take place rain or shine, and a shuttle will be available to transport visitors around the campus. Food vendors onsite include Choptank Oyster Company, Chilly Billy’s Ice Cream, and Hooked on Seafood, as well as a bake sale, popcorn, cotton candy, and lemonade.

09/28/2026

Join us for the lab's annual Open House on October 10 from 11am to 4pm to explore interactive exhibits designed and staffed by scientists. Exhibit topics include DNA extraction, ocean viruses, a plankton zoom, learning to be a bay grass genetic detective, and exploring the oyster hatchery.

Find more details at umces.edu/event/horn-point-annual-open-house/

09/23/2026

Join us at the annual Open House on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 11am to 4pm and enjoy refreshments from our food vendors: Hooked on Seafood, Choptank Oyster Company, and Chilly Billy’s Ice Cream. Baked goods, popcorn and cotton candy sales will benefit student fundraising, and the lab's chapter of Society for Women in Marine Science - SWMS will be selling lemonade.

Get more Open House info at: umces.edu/event/horn-point-annual-open-house/

09/22/2026

09/16/2026

Adventure Awaits! Join us for the annual Open House on Saturday,October 10 from 11am to 4pm! The event is free, takes place rain or shine, and offers a day of science fun for all ages.

Activities include interactive exhibits, a visit to the oyster hatchery, scavenger hunt, free t-shirts for children, and the opportunity to tour the research vessel "Rachel Carson." A campus shuttle will be available to transport visitors around the event. Stay for lunch, dessert, and snacks from our food vendors.

Read more about Open House at umces.edu/event/horn-point-annual-open-house/

09/16/2026

Horn Point Lab's chapter of the Society for Women in Marine Science - SWMS is looking forward to participating in Corsica River Day again this year! Stop by to say hello and learn more about the lab's research and the work of our SWMS group.

🌿 Celebrate the Corsica River at Corsica River Day!

Join us this Sunday, September 20, from 12–3 PM at Conquest Preserve for a fun-filled afternoon featuring food trucks, live music, kayaking, arts & crafts, face painting, ice cream, hands-on environmental activities, giveaways, and raffles!

Best of all—it’s FREE!