Discovery Labs: 9th-12th
Squid Dissection
Students learn about the taxonomic classification and 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.
Plankton
Students learn about the importance of plankton as global oxygen producers and essential organisms in marine food webs. They explore the diversity of plankton using microscopes and taxonomic keys to identify species.
*Seasonally dependent, as the best times for sampling are in the spring and summer months
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 learn about sources of marine pollution and its impacts on marine life through interactive activities and past research studies. Following a classroom lesson, students perform a beach cleanup to investigate which kinds of pollution are most prevalent on Avila Beach.
*This 90 minute program can be booked for a double program fee.
The Marine Life Monitoring Program consists of a 2 hour exploration of the rocky intertidal. During this program, students learn about the different intertidal zones and the various adaptations of the animals that live in these zones. Following basic field sampling procedures, they investigate species diversity and abundance in the rocky intertidal environment and learn about the importance of long-term monitoring.
Please contact education@centralcoastaquarium.com with questions or specific program needs, including Spanish programming.