Discovery Labs: 3rd-5th
Rocky Intertidal
Students are introduced to some of California’s rocky intertidal invertebrates via hands-on encounters with our touch tank animals. They make predictions about which intertidal zones animals inhabit based upon their adaptations.
Squid Dissection
Students learn about the unique adaptations of squid through a hands-on guided dissection. They explore the external and internal anatomy of these animals and learn about their importance to California’s marine fisheries.
Sharks & Rays
Students learn about the unique adaptations of sharks, what makes them different from other kinds of fish, and why they are so important as apex predators in the marine environment. They test hydrodynamics in a shark modeling experiment and receive a close-up encounter with our friendly swell sharks.
Plankton
Students learn about the importance of plankton as global oxygen producers and essential organisms in marine food webs. They explore the physical properties of the ocean and its inhabitants by designing their own plankton models to test in a float or sink experiment.
Water Chemistry
Students become water quality scientists as they test for pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients in water samples collected from various bodies of water. Students predict what factors may influence these variables and learn how important the ocean’s chemical balance is to support marine life.
Ocean Stewardship
Students use models and experiments to understand how pollution makes its way into our oceans and what happens to marine debris. Other activities include beach cleanups at Avila Beach to determine which kinds of pollution are most prevalent.
This program can be extended to 90 minutes to include an Avila Beach cleanup for a double program fee.
Please contact education@centralcoastaquarium.com with questions or specific program needs, including Spanish programming.