WEST PALM BEACH — Educators at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium are offering water enthusiasts a chance to safely sneak a peek at what lies beneath the South Florida shores during a shark preservation exhibit.

The activities are part of the center’s annual Shark Preservation Week, which began Sunday, and coincides with the Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week.”

Organizers say the exhibit runs through Friday, with special shark-inspired crafts, activities and presentations.  On-going activities include: shark tooth labs, apex predator presentations, documentary films on sharks, interesting shark facts, scavenger hunt, sustainable seafood practice guides, shark tooth molds and other ocean-themed crafts and Science on a Sphere ocean and shark data presentations.

“We love the Discovery Channel’s ‘Shark Week,’” noted Science Center CEO Lew Crampton.  “It is a great opportunity to bring awareness to shark preservation efforts, with the Science Center serving as a next step for continued education.  Local guests and out-of-town visitors can come in to learn more about what they saw on TV – and they can learn with interactive demonstrations, such as the touch tank or Science on a Sphere.  With both a fresh and saltwater aquarium, and a full-time aquarium curator, we are perfectly positioned to serve as an on-going community resource for news about what lies beneath – and snorkel gear isn’t required! Science seekers can enjoy engaging with sharks and learning about marine ecosystems without needing to step foot in the sand or sea.”

Shark Preservation Week activities are included with paid admission to the Science Center.  Admission to the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is $15 for adults, $11 for children ages 3 to 12, and $13 for seniors over the age of 60. SFSCA members are free. The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium features more than 50 hands-on educational exhibits, an 8,000 gallon fresh and salt water aquarium- featuring both local and exotic marine life, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall, pre-K focused “Discovery Center” and an interactive Everglades exhibit.  The current summer exhibit, Eww! What’s Eating You? is destined to get under guests skin with a carnival of creatures.

Located at 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach, the Science Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, please call (561) 832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org.