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Lightning Talks

A white wave shape.

Ocean science at the speed of light!

Welcome to Lightning Talks, conversations with brilliant scientific minds who want to share their knowledge with you. During a Lightning Talk, five speakers each have five minutes to dazzle the audience with their expertise about a certain subject. Virtual audience members have the chance to ask questions, so bring your curiosity!

Past topics include ocean technology, life on the frozen edge, deep sea creatures, kelp forests, orcas and more.

Lightning Talks are streamed online, with occasional in-person events held at the Seattle Aquarium.

Upcoming Lightning Talks

Check back later for updates on our next Lightning Talk!

If you’ve joined us for a Lightning Talk, we’d love to hear from you in a short audience feedback survey. Your responses will help us create the best program possible.

Check out past seasons on our YouTube channel

Watch Season 1
Season 1 topics: Sharks; Octopuses; Otters; Orcas 

Watch Season 2
Season 2 topics: Sharks; Creatures of the Deep; Birds; Kelp Forests

Watch Season 3
Season 3 topics: Life on the Frozen Edge; Myths and Misconceptions; Jellies; Snails

Watch Season 4
Season 4 topics: Ocean Tech; Cephalopods; Coral Triangle

Erin Meyer, Jan Newton, Eileen Bates, Jen Strongin, and Jim Wharton sitting on a low stage in the Seattle Aquarium. Behind them is a projector screen featuring a photo of a pinto abalone and the Lightning Talks logo.
Lightning Talks: Snails

Interested in speaking at a future Lightning Talks event? Please fill out our speaker interest form!

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Ocean Pavilion

Get your tickets today to experience our new Ocean Pavilion expansion!

Website maintenance

Please note: Our ticketing and membership systems will be offline for approximately two hours starting at 10pm Pacific on Wednesday, July 10. During the maintenance window, online ticketing and membership will not be available.

Thank you for understanding.

Support the Seattle Aquarium

Two sea otters at the Seattle Aquarium floating on the water in their habitat, holding onto each other demonstrating a rafting behavior.

With your help, the Seattle Aquarium builds connections with our community to inspire conservation and curiosity for marine life. When you make an end-of-year gift by December 31, you'll be joining us in protecting our shared marine environment—now and for generations to come. Thank you!

An adult sea otter at the Seattle Aquarium looking upwards with its front paws resting on its front.

Giving Tuesday

Make a tax-deductible donation to the non-profit Seattle Aquarium

Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 thanks to a very generous anonymous donor!

Sea otter at the Seattle Aquarium laying on its back, raising its head and front paws.

Cyber weekend

Get 15% OFF all memberships!