Wednesday 13 June 2012

Glenview Senior Public School – Day 2

The Glenview group was treated to some nice warm weather again today.  Unfortunately, the sun didn’t stay out very long but at least the rain held off until late this afternoon.  Good thing there is an inside activity booked for this evening!

This morning half of the Glenview students headed off to Sunbury Shores Art and Nature Centre to learn about the connection between art and biology.  They learned how to make prints from a printmaker.  I hear the prints turned out really well. 

The other half of the students joined me in the lab to observe and get up close with the animals they collected yesterday on the boat and on the beach.  During the activity the students drew and described the animals and had the chance to observe them moving.  There are some very talented artists in the group! 

While at the Huntsman we try to expose the students to as much of the local marine environment as we can.  One of the locations that we just can’t explore with the students is the deep sea.  So while in the lab I conducted a presentation for the students to learn about the challenges of living in the deep sea.  We also discussed some of the amazing creatures that live in the deep sea and the adaptations that allow them to live in this harsh environment.  We focused in on the bioluminescence that many animals in the deep sea possess and did some art using glow in the dark paint.  Pretty sure some of the paint ended up on the students (on purpose!) so hopefully it washes off! 

The big field trip for the students today was to Pottery Creek, a muddy beach, to explore and see what lives in the sediment.  Armed with their shovels and buckets the students headed out in search of worm poop (yes, poop!) to see who could find the biggest worm.  The students were amazed to learn that some of the worms they found have teeth!  Bet you would be surprised to be bitten by a worm!

The last marine biology activity of the day was in the aquarium theatre where Meagan talked to the students about lobsters.  She even brought with her a live lobster to show the students.  No, there was no tasting after the presentation! 

This evening the students will be travelling into the town of St. Stephen to have fun at the bowling alley.  Good luck!    

Hermit crab posing nicely for his portrait.

Drawing a sea urchin...not an easy feat!

Giving their deep sea creatures some "glow".

Blood worm...watch out for its teeth!

Learning all about the lives of lobsters.

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