This year's annual Discovery Day at SFSU's Romberg Tiburon Center (RTC) offers a sea of educational exhibits, family fun, live musical entertainment and a barbeque. Slated for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, the free event is for the curious of all ages.

Visitors will see what goes on behind the scenes at SFSU's marine field station located on the Tiburon peninsula and have the opportunity to meet and speak with marine and estuarine scientists about their contributions to the understanding and care of San Francisco Bay. Exhibits range from marine creature touch tanks to lab and research displays.

Scientific associates from Bay Area environmental organizations including the California Academy of Sciences, Save the Bay and the Marine Mammal Center will also offer exhibits.

The SFSU Jazz Band will provide live musical entertainment. Children will enjoy face painting and an RTC tradition -- plankton races. Snacks and a barbeque lunch will round out the fun.

Located 30 minutes north of San Francisco in Tiburon, RTC is the only academic research facility situated on San Francisco Bay. RTC scientists pursue their research in laboratories at the center, at field sites around the world, and through collaborations with colleagues at other universities and institutions. RTC provides students with graduate and undergraduate level courses as well as practical experience working with research scientists.

For more Discovery Day details and directions, call (415) 338-3543 or visit the RTC Web site.

-- Denize Springer