Whale Week – Young Explorers

On Wednesday we had 14 students visit the aquarium to participate in the Whale Week Young Explorers program.  The students started out the day touching baleen samples from a North Atlantic right whale and a fin whale, as well as some porpoise and dolphin teeth.  To learn more about whale species that visit the Bay of Fundy the students made a whale tail puzzle (some were very challenging to put together!), played Whale and Plankton, put together a humpback whale calf skeleton (even as a baby they are large at about 5-6m long!), played whale bingo, made a whale blow pattern craft, and played whale pictionary.  Also, at the end of the day because the students were so good they had a chance to view the seahorses that just arrived and are in quarantine.  The seahorses are pretty cute with their little, curly tails!  Check out some pictures from our day below.   

 

For more information or to register your child for the remaining Young Explorer programs call (506) 529-1200 or email huntsman@huntsmanmarine.ca. 

A piece of North Atlantic Right Whale baleen.

Putting together a baby humpback jigsaw puzzle.

Getting crafty with whale blow patterns.

Shark Week - Young Explorers

We had a wonderful group of students attend our Shark Week Young Explorers program on August 7.  In fact it was the most popular program this summer with 36 students in attendance.  The students participated in activities such as observing and touching the skates (a relative of sharks), making great white shark bookmarks, playing sharks and herring outside (a couple of time…lol), drawing life-size sharks with sidewalk chalk, using balloons to learn about shark livers, and creating some great artwork about shark myths.  The students also had a chance to watch the seals being feed, play in the invertebrate touch pool, and check out some hagfish (very slimy!) in the university lab.  Below are some pictures from the day.

For more information or to register your child for the remaining two Young Explorer programs call (506) 529-1200 or email huntsman@huntsmanmarine.ca. 

 

Learning about the skates.

The skates seemed to enjoy the attention.

Making bookmarks (and checking out the special visitor!).

Some sharks, like these dogfish, are small...

...but others, like the basking shark, are very large!

Using their creativity to illustrate some shark myths.

Sharks and herring!

 

Seabird Week

This week is Seabird Week here at the Huntsman!  We have many interesting bird specimens on display as well as some bird-themed games in our children's corner. You should also come check out our new mural that has been completed near the children's fishing boat as well as the mural in progress by the lighthouse.
At our day camp this week, students learnt about the Double-crested Cormorant, the Arctic Tern's migration pattern, and what keeps a Puffin from freezing.  Students also enjoyed some seabird themed games and craft time as well.

Its Seabird Week!!

Puffin and Eider Duck Tic Tac Toe.

The Arctic Tern has a very long migration.

These students are learning a bit more about the Common Eider Duck.

During the Seabird Scavenger hunt, students completed field guides to take home and help them identify different seabirds they may come across.

Time out for a little playtime on our fishing boat. Check out the new mural in the background!

The Bald Eagle; just one of the many beautiful specimens on display.

The next mural is taking form next to the lighthouse, in our children's area. Be sure to come check out the progress.

Invertebrate Biodiversity Week

It is Invertebrate Biodiversity Week at the Fundy Discovery Centre this week and we have many fun activities for you to discover.  Come and try our 'Eye Spy' activity and see how many invertebrates you can count, or play a game of Ocean Bingo!
On Wednesday we also had our Invertebrate day camp with six students in attendance.  We had local children as well as some from as far away as Manitoba and Ontario.  During the morning we studied the animals in the touch pool to discover interesting facts about each one.  Afterwards we had a closer look at the slimy Moon Snail and even made our own Snail Slime!  In the afternoon we explored Brandy Cove and the intertidal animals found there.  We then used our findings to create our own Passamaquody Bay Intertidal Invertebrates field guide.  We ended the afternoon by discussing the invasive species found on our beaches, the Green Crab. We also played a survival game to see which of us would make the right decisions to become a successful invader.

Check out our Eye Spy!

Who will win? The sea star or crab?

Our snail slime!

Everyone had of fun playing with their slime, which for Moon Snails is used to keep them moist during low tides as well as it is also used to help form their egg casings.

Checking in the water, under the seaweed and under the rocks for animals.

The students were particularly keen to find the Green crabs.

After the beach walk, the students worked diligently on their field guides so that they may show their family and friends what they discovered.

Introduction to Marine Biology cont.

The last day of the Introduction to Marine Biology course began with students in the lab conducting an experiment on the strength of the tube feet of the Green Sea Urchin, common Sea Star and Blood Star.  Afterwards it was time to clean up the lab and return all the animals to the water just in time for the seal feeding at the Fundy Discovery Centre. The students then made their way up the hill to pack their belongings before lunch.  After lunch it was time for the students to say their goodbyes with a promise to keep in touch. 

How much weight can one sea urchin hold?

Tying the line around the animal was one of the most difficult parts of the experiment.

This colourful blood star did not seem to be able to hold much weight.



Saying goodbye to all of our marine friends.

A great group of students this year!