When the incoming tide pushes the students out of the field we head to the lab to study the organisms collected. On campus we have a number of teaching laboratories. Each lab has work space for students, as well as a wet bench with running saltwater to hold the collection of animals being studied. While in the lab we make use of the compound and dissecting microscopes, to have a closer look at plankton and echinoderms (sea stars and urchins). The students also use the lab time to conduct behaviour experiments, such as testing the feeding rate of barnacles at different temperatures, the effect of light on arthropods, and the strength of echinoderm tube feet.
Studying plankton
Behaviour experiments
New lab in the aquarium
