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Ohio Sea Grant College Program
and Stone Laboratory

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory

About Stone Laboratory

F.T. Stone Laboratory is the nation's oldest freshwater biological field station and the Island Campus of The Ohio State University. Stone Laboratory, now located on Gibraltar Island in Put-in-Bay harbor, is also the Lake Erie teaching and research laboratory of the Ohio Sea Grant College Program. Don't miss the opportunity to experience Stone Lab and to discover yourself!

We are the shared research facility of the Great Lakes Aquatic Ecosystem Research Consortium, which includes 12 of Ohio's best colleges and universities. Our workshop program draws over 5,000 participants every year. The Laboratory offers around 30 exciting, hands-on science and education courses to college undergraduate and graduate students, educators, and select high school students each summer. Don't miss the opportunity to experience Stone Lab and discover yourself another year!

The original "Lake Laboratory" was founded in 1895 when a second floor was added to the fish hatchery in Sandusky. In subsequent years, we moved to Cedar Point and later to South Bass Island. Julius Stone purchased Gibraltar Island and donated it to Ohio State in 1925; the lab was renamed in honor of his father. Classes were first offered on Gibraltar in 1929.

Stone Laboratory, Mission

Today the mission of Stone Laboratory is to serve The Ohio State University, the Ohio Sea Grant College Program, and the State of Ohio as the premier facility on Lake Erie by:

  • Improving the quality of science education through high-quality, hands-on education for students in grades 4 through adults;
  • Creating opportunities for student research, training, and internships;
  • Initiating special educational opportunities for high school students and teachers;
  • Fostering informed decision-making through education, outreach, and training programs for managers and elected officials; and
  • Encouraging and supporting research on issues facing Lake Erie, the Great Lakes, and the environment that will provide the knowledge needed for better management decisions.

Disability Statement

If you need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, you should contact the Stone Lab office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. During the appointment, we can discuss the course format, anticipate your needs, and explore potential accommodations. Stone Lab relies on Ohio State's Office For Disability Services for assistance in verifying the need for accommodations and developing accommodation strategies. If you have not previously contacted the Office for Disability Services, we encourage you to do so.

The Ohio State University's Office for Disability Services is located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Avenue; telephone (614) 292-3307, TDD (614) 292-0901; http://ods.osu.edu.