Education Outreach

Grades Pre K-2

Do the Locomotion

Have you ever looked at an animal and wondered how it is able to move from place to place? For animals like octopus and penguins, their arms or legs are very noticeable, but for other animals like sea stars and snakes, it is less obvious. In this program, students will discover why and how different animals move their bodies!

Standards: APL5.2a; CD-SC3.1b

Turtle-y Awesome

Do you know the differences between turtles and tortoises? One of them is that a turtle lives in water, and a tortoise lives on land. Each species has unique characteristics and diets that allow them to survive in these habitats. In this program, students will investigate the differences between turtles and tortoises by observing bio-facts and then brainstorm ways to keep the environment clean and safe for these animals.

Standards: SKL2a, S1P1b, S2E3b, K-ESS3-3

Playful Plants

There are many different types of plants found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including lakes, rivers, and oceans. Even though plants look different, they all have similar parts and pollination methods. In this program, students will identify parts of a plant, distinguish between plant species, and channel their inner pollinator as they travel from plant to plant.

Standards: SKL2b, S1L1a, S2L1c, 2-LS2-2

Grades 3-5

Riveting Reptiles

Reptiles can be found all over the world, with some calling the oceans their home. Reptiles have a wide variety of appearances, from turtles with shells on their backs to some reptiles that don’t have legs! Students will be able to identify characteristics, special adaptations, and will categorize this diverse group of animals, while potentially interacting with these magnificent creatures!

Standards: S3L1b, S4L1c, S5L1a, 3-LS4-3

Small Scale Operations

Humans are covered in microorganisms, and even plants and animals are covered in microorganisms! Don’t let their small size fool you, they have a gigantic impact on our daily lives. Expand you and your students’ knowledge on aquatic microorganisms and their roles in our lives, as we observe these organisms using microscope slides and potentially view aquatic examples up close!

Standards: S3L1c, S4L1b, S5L4a, 5-LS2-1

Grades 6-8

Deep Sea “Aliens”

The ocean consists of five zones that are divided by salinity and temperature. The deeper the ocean zone, the less light you’ll see and the colder the water will be. Due to the variable conditions and the changes in temperature and pressure in the five zones, marine life looks significantly differently in each one. Students will discover the unique adaptations of these deep sea “alien” organisms in environments created by the cold, dark depths of the ocean.

Standards: S6E4b, S7L1a, S8P5a, MS-LS2-2

Fishy Fundamentals

Below the water’s surface, fish come in all shapes and sizes. Some fish gather oxygen from water, some can breathe air, and some use mucus for immunity while others rely on scales. Many have developed unexpected adaptations in order to survive some of the most extreme environments of Earth. Join us as we examine the fundamentals of fish and explore some of their amazing adaptations.

Standards: S6E2a, S7L2c, S8P3a, MS-LS1-5

Grades 9-12

Aquatic Attributes

Water is a vital part of all organic matter and has unique properties that animals use to their advantage, such as the ability to walk on water. Students will conduct experiments to discover how animals have adapted to water’s different characteristics.

Standards: SEC1a, SEV4b, HS-PS1-3

Disappearing Diversity

Our ecosystems are complex systems requiring biodiversity to properly function. Unfortunately, humans are reducing biodiversity in our oceans at alarming rates, disrupting the delicate balance within ecosystems. Students will propose solutions after discovering human impacts in order to combat the dire situation that the planet is in.

Standards: SEC5d, SO7a, HS-LS2-7