Beaconsfield Middle School

This morning we had a group of students from Beaconsfield Middle School in Saint John. These students enjoyed a tour of the Discovery Centre as well as watching the seal feeding.  They also took a closer look at different types of arthropods in the lab.  They used their observation skills to record the similarities and differences between the species.

 

The students arrived just in time for the seal feeding.

 

One student gently lifted this rock crab for a closer inspection.

 

Looking at the crab response to stimuli.

 

A toad crab!

South Carleton and Bell High School

Day one for these students included the trip on the Fundy Spray to collect specimens of plankton and invertebrates as well as a tour of the Discovery Centre and a more in depth look at plankton.

On the second day these two schools were here they completed two different labs. One lab involved identifying which phylum a number of different species belonged two.  This lab required them to use a dichotomous key to identify the phylum, then draw the specific animal they were studying as well as give a thorough description of it. The second lab was testing the behaviour of the common sea star and timed how long it took for the sea star to right itself when flipped over.  The students also attended a presentation on the lobster and explored Indian Point to collect different specimens for study in the lab.  This morning the students are off to Grand Manan where, weather permitting they will be going out on the Day's Catch for whale watching.

 

Phytoplankton under the microscope.

 Plankton is eaten by some of the largest animals on the planet (ie:whales) but is microscopic in size.

 

Larger view of phytoplankton under the microscope.

 

Students diligently studying and identifying different types of plankton.

 

Some specimens collected from the scallop drag aboard the Fundy Spray.

 

Studying and identifying the Moon Snail.

 

Sketching the creatures in detail.

 

 

Exploring Indian Point.

 

The beach was very long due to low tide.

Ottawa Schools; Group 2/Group 3

Yesterday we finished our time with the second group of students from the Ottawa area.  They completed their formal lab work in the morning and finished the day with a bell ringer quiz.  Many interesting experiments were conducted using the invertebrate creatures they collected during the week. 
Today we welcome another group of students from the Ottawa area, this time from Bell High school and Carleton High school. These students will be aboard the boat, checking out the discovery centre and completing lab work with plankton today.

 

An experiment testing the strength of echinoderm tube feet.

 

Different salinity concentrations used in some of the experiments.

 

A Green Crab about to be weighed.

 

Students writing the bell ringer quiz.

 

Students hard at work.

Ottawa Catholic School Group 2...

Yesterday afternoon the second group from the Ottawa Catholic Schools district spent much of their time in the lab identifying and classifying different invertebrates, found in the intertidal and sub tidal regions of the bay.  They also looked with more depth into the phylum Echinodermata, which includes such things as sea stars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers.  They were also given a presentation on the lobster and in the evening a presentation on Whale Identification.  The whale talk was in preparation for their trip today to Grand Manan, where they will be whale watching and exploring some of the islands industries and beaches.

 

Sea star under the microscope. Can you identify the madreporite*?

 

Sea urchin under the microscope.  The primary (larger) spines are on a ball joint allowing them to rotate and move 360 degrees!

*The Madreporite is believed to be part of the sea star water vascular system.  This system allows the water to flow into the madreporite, through various canals which causes pressure changes that allow the tube feet of the sea star to grasp and release, thus causing the animal to move.

Ottawa Catholic Schools Group 2

On Wednesday we were joined by students from St. Mark's and Lester B. Pearson High Schools.  They began their day either with an exploration of the Discovery Centre or a trip out on the Fundy Spray.  While at the Discovery Centre students explored the exhibits, watched a video on the tides and attended the seal feeding.  While on the boat they did a plankton drag, a scallop drag for invertebrates, they  also tested the salinity and temperature of the water with a salinometer and used a secchi disk to measure how far the light penetrated the surface of the water.  In the afternoon the students completed an exploration of plankton, or took their turn on the boat or in the Discovery Centre.

Today the students started their day bright and early out on Indian Point to check out the intertidal zone and the creatures that live there.  After that it was back to the lab to start classifying the invertebrates collected into their different phylum's.  In the afternoon students will be looking with more detail at the Echinoderms and also be given a short presentation on the lobster.

 

Students watching the antics of Snorkel and Loki during the seal feeding.

 

 

Alyssa and Genny, our seal feeders/presenters.

 

Snapping pictures of the fascinating seals.

 

Exploring the invertebrates revealed by the scallop drag.

 

Enjoying the cool air on Indian Point, while searching for hidden specimens.

 

The search is on for various invertebrates.

 

Up close look at some of the specimens collected.

 

Another view of the invertebrates, how many can you name?

 

More students on Indian Point, what did they find?

 

Lots of beautiful scenery on the beach this morning.

Ottawa Catholic Schools Group 1

Last week we were joined by our first group from the Ottawa Catholic Schools district. They were very busy over the weekend with a trip to Grand Manan.   Friday morning the students boarded the ferry for Grand Manan island. On arrival the students boarded another boat for an afternoon of whale watching. The students were fortunate enough to encounter a large selection of whales, including Minke, Fin, Humpback and Right whales, as well as some Harbour Porpoises.  Upon return everyone headed over to Whale Camp to get settled in for the evening. That night they were treated to a presentation by Laurie Murison on whales of the Bay of Fundy.  The next morning it was off to the beach to collect samples of seaweed for identification and then over to a local business to sample one of the islands very important industries, Dulse.  After a hike to Swallowtail lighthouse and some time within the town, it was time to board the ferry back to Blacks Harbour and then on to St. Andrews. 
On Sunday the students completed their formal lab experiments before they attended mass and in the afternoon were quizzed on what they had learnt through the week with a bell ringer style quiz.

Getting ready for whale watching.

 

Fluke!

 

 

Fin Whales off of Grand Manan.

 

Searching for just the right sample of seaweed.

 

Many different varieties of seaweed on one beach.

 

Students taking a moment for fun with a washed up bit of rope found on the beach.

 

Enjoying the beautiful morning on Grand Manan.

 

Ottawa Catholic Schools Day 1

Yesterday we were joined by a group made up of students from three different schools in the Ottawa area, St. Josephs, Mother Theresa and Sacred Heart High School.  These students started the morning either on the boat or exploring the Discovery Centre.   While on the boat the students collected samples of phytoplankton and zooplankton, as well as specimens of various invertebrates. The students also collected data regarding the water's salinity, light penetration and temperature.  In the afternoon students completed lab work using the samples of plankton collected while others took their turn on the boat to do the collecting. This morning students will be identifying specimens of invertebrates they collected as well as learning more about lobsters. In the afternoon it is back to the lab to study the phylum of Echinoderms more closely and then to Indian Point to explore a mixed habitat beach.

Students taking a break by the sturgeon tank to write in their journals.

Snorkel or Loki waiting patiently for lunch.

Fascinated by the seals during feeding time.

Taking notes on the boat.

First scallop drag; many many urchins.

Testing the light penetration using a Secchi disk.

A lobster found in the scallop drag resulted in an impromptu anatomy lesson before being returned to the water.

Rohan Woods

Rohan Woods has departed from the Huntsman as well as Selwyn House.  We had a great week and hope to see groups from these schools in the future. It was an exciting time for all with many fun activities completed.
On Friday both groups went whale watching and even though the weather was a little damp, everyone had a great time and saw Fin back whales, Minke whales and Harbour Porpoises.  The Rohan Woods group even saw a few Harbour and Grey seals as well as a Puffin and Bald Eagle. In the morning Rohan Woods was also treated to a tour of the Atlantic Salmon Federation and guided nature walk.
On Saturday it was an early morning for Rohan Woods as we braved the fog and went to Pottery Creek looking for all sorts of worms. A contest was held for longest worm, ugliest worm, most diverse grouping and most enthusiastic group. We also recognised most valuable digger and most valuable worm picker. A presentation on Lobster followed this event and in the afternoon the students were given free time to explore our lovely town of St. Andrews.

An example of some of the worm specimens collected.

 



Teachers and students enthusiastically digging.

Look closely and you will see signs worms are nearby.

More diggers.

 

 



Selwyn House Day One and Two

    Selwyn House has arrived at the Huntsman! The group consists of 4 eager students and two teachers. They brought with them also a group that will be spending the week off of Deer Island kayaking. 
     The first day found the students off to Indian point to check out a mixed habitat beach.  They collected samples of different organisms to be brought back for later study.  In the afternoon they went aboard the Fundy Spray, the Huntsman's converted lobster boat, for an afternoon of study.  On the boat they took part in collecting samples of plankton as well as a scallop drag to bring up lots of invertebrate specimens, and to cap off the trip they helped count and measure fish caught in the fish trawl.  The students saw many different and interesting specimens on the boat and even brought a few back for further study.  In the evening they explored plankton in the lab, using microscopes to create a clear picture for study and comparison.
     Their second day here brings with it alot of rain.  With the forecast calling for up to 100 mm, the students are in for a wet day.  They began the day out on Pottery Creek digging up some wonderful worm specimens.  It was wet and cold but they were not lacking in enthusiasm.  The worms were brought back to the lab for further study and classification.  These students did a fantastic job identifying the worms brought back.  This afternoon brings with it much more dry activities for Selwyn House students as they will be exploring our Discovery Centre and then heading back into the lab to identify invertebrates. 
     Rohan Woods School also started their educational adventure with us today and will be heading out on the boat as well as exploring the Discovery Centre and looking at plankton in the lab.  More exciting things to come tomorrow!