Science Odyssey 2017

The Huntsman is proud to be a part of Science Odyssey, a ten-day national celebration of Canadian science, technology, engineering and math, taking place May 12-21. 

As part of this celebration the Huntsman Education Department invited students from local high schools to participate in hands-on marine biology activities aboard the research vessel, on the shore and in the lab.

Join us on our Science Odyssey! 

On the hunt for the invasive green crab.

Data is gathered on the size and gender of the collected crabs.

Crabs are marked.

We even found a female green crab carrying eggs.

Studying the anatomy of a live sea urchin (madreporite, tube feet, pedicellariae).

One of the seastars obliged and showed us its stomach.

While aboard the research vessel we conducted benthic drags to see the diversity of animals that live at the bottom of the bay.

We found a scallop!

waved whelk eggs

rock crab

sea urchins of many sizes

sea cucumber

blood star with a mutation

sponge

brittle star

Plankton was collected from the surface to study in the lab.

Students used equipment such as a salinometer and secchi disk (pictured) to gain a better understanding of the marine environment.

Using the microscopes to study the diversity of the collected plankton.

Some of the zooplankton collected: polychaete (worm), medusa and copepods.

Students received a certificate.

Students also received a Huntsman reusable water bottle. 

Summer Day Programs - 2017

Do you have a budding marine biologist at home? Check out a list of fun and educational day programs offered at the Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium this summer.

1) Young Explorer Days
Open to ages 5-11.
Every Wednesday this summer, starting July 12.

2) Marine Biology Week
Open to ages 5-11.
Monday, July 31 to Friday, August 4

3) Advanced Explorer Days - NEW
Open to ages 11-15.
Every Thursday in August.

4) Marine Debris into Art
Open to ages 5-11.
Two options: July 17 or August 21
In partnership with Sunbury Shores Arts & Nature Centre.

For all programs pack a lunch, drink and snack and don’t forget to bring rubber boots, jacket, sunscreen and clothing to get wet and dirty! 

More information about all of our courses can be found by following the links to our website, calling (506) 529-1200 or emailing huntsman@huntsmanmarine.ca.

Essex Technical High School 2017

This week Juniors studying Environmental Technology at Essex Technical High School in Massachusetts stayed with us on campus to have a full immersion in marine biology. Below are some pictures from their time in New Brunswick.

Exploring the intertidal zone at Indian Point.

Observing the live animals collected from the shore.

Identifying animals collected using the benthic drag aboard the boat.

We found lots of urchins.

We got to pull a lobster trap.

There are a couple of big lobsters inside.

Experiencing the tide.

Wow! A very large purple sunstar and common sea star the students collected while on the boat.

Studying the live plankton collected from the bay.

Early morning search for marine worms and other animals that live in the sediments.

The students found many species including this milky ribbon worm.

On the hunt for the invasive green crab.

Collecting data on their size and gender.

Behaviour experiment in the lab to determine the effect of temperature on the feeding rate of barnacles.

Hike through the bog at New River Beach provincial park.

Carnivorous pitcher plant.

The views along the hike were amazing.

The students picked up some marine debris along the way.

Studying echinoderm anatomy and behaviour in the lab.

Saint John High Spring 2017

It is wonderful each spring when the Huntsman welcomes the Saint John High Grade 11 IB Biology students to campus for a day of intensive marine biology. While on campus the students assist with the collection of baseline data aboard the research vessel, examine plankton under the microscope, study classification using live marine invertebrates and conduct an experiment to determine the effect of temperature on the feeding rate of barnacles.

Here are a few pictures from the field trips.

Pulling in the benthic drag.

The diversity of animals collected from the bottom of the Bay.

Having a taste of our catch.

Counting our catch.

What can you see moving in the plankton jar?

Low tide.

Studying the plankton at 100x magnification.

Using a dichotomous key to help classify their invertebrates.

Barnacle behaviour experiment. What temperature did the barnacles prefer?