One of the main missions of the Aquarium of the Pacific’s new Pacific Visions wing is to get visitors to think about how their actions impact the planet.

The first group through the doors Friday were students from Lakewood High School.

“One of my students came up to me after the tour and told me:  ‘All of those things you’ve been teaching us are true,’” said Yassi Khairolomour, who teaches environmental Biology Aquaculture at the school.

Nam Ly, of the Aquarium of the Pacific’s marketing department, had the critical job of holding onto the giant scissors before the ribbon-cutting ceremony at new Pacific Visions wing. Photo by Bill Alkofer.

The aquarium’s newly completed $53-million expansion encourages visitors to explore human impact on the ocean and think about solutions to environmental issues.

Visitors to Honda Pacific Visions Theatre can watch a multi-sensory video film that includes mists rising into the audience.

Visitors watch the multi-sensory show at the Honda Pacific Visions Theater. Photo by Bill Alkofer.

Lakewood student Andrian Engle said the tour gave him a lot to think about. “From here on, I’m going to use less useless plastic,” he said. “And I think I’m going to go home and grow a vegetable garden.”

Visitors can interact with a theater-sized screen when they finish watching the video.  When marine life streams by, participants can touch a bubble to reveal factoids about environmental stewardship.

Morrissey Delatour operates one of the interactive exhibits at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s new Pacific Visions wing. Photo by Bill Alkofer.

Helena Ruiz, 3, was especially fascinated by a pair of dolphins that would swim past.  She figured that they had been a couple for a long time.

Her brother Alex, 17, filled in the details for her: “Their names are Gerald and Macy,” Alex deadpanned. “Macy thinks Gerald works too much and that is harming their relationship. But I think Macy has always been rather needy.”

The Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way. For more information and tickets, click here

Lillian Forsha checks out the California Yellowtail. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
The Aquarium of the Pacific’s president Jerry Schubel, left, speaks before the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Pacific Visions wing. To his right is Nam Ly of the aquarium’s marketing department. Photo by Bill Allkofer.
A group of taiko drummers greets the first visitors. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
A group of taiko drummers greets the first visitors. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Aquarium of the Pacific security guard Erin McBride watches over the new Pacific Visions wing. Photo by Bill Alkofer.