Grade 6 Ocean Discovery - St. Stephen

Today the first group of students from St. Stephen Middle School joined us to discover what they could learn about marine science.  The students started their day in the lab discovering why Latin is still a very useful language to know if you are a scientist.  Latin is useful because it is utilised to name all animals that are have been or will be discovered so that the connections and relationships to other animals is catalogued and understood the the world over. 
  
Next the students heard a lecture about the biology, life and history of the local lobster.  After a quick lunch break it was back to the lab to take a closer look at the microscopic world of plankton.  The day ended with a trip to Brandy Cove to search the intertidal zone for invertebrates.  One student even uncovered a large blood worm!

 

Students study the local marine invertebrates and note the similarities and differences between the species.

 

Here a student uses a field guide to help identify this Rock Crab's genus and species.

 

A detailed drawing of a Rock Crab.

 

 

Phytoplankton under the microscope.