Student perspectives

What do students take away from Huntsman field courses?

“I knew tides existed, but not to this extreme.  Being a witness of the level changing was truly outstanding.”

“I think it was a very memorable field trip, with lots of different things to learn and carry with me the rest of my life.”

“This field trip made me think of all the different possibilities in science.”

“Learning and being taught it in a practical setting really enforced the information, and helped me to further understand it.”

“I’ve learned more this week than I feel I did in my entire biology course.”

Want to give your students an amazing hands-on marine biology experience?  Check out our website, www.huntsmanmarine.ca/html/education.html.   

Snow!

We just had our first big snow of the season Wednesday.  It reminded me of this time last year when we also were receiving our first bit of snow.  We were welcoming to campus our last group of the fall season; 14 New Brunswick teachers attending the Ecosystems, Habitats and the Diversity of Life Institute.  Luckily the teachers were prepared with their winter gear because it snowed on Saturday when they were out on our research vessel.  Despite the cold and snowy weather it was a great weekend with a fun group of teachers!

Are you a teacher interested in taking a Huntsman field course?  Check out our 2012 summer course...hopefully there won't be snow in July!  www.huntsmanmarine.ca/html/adult_teachers.html

A little snow didn't stop the fun!

Dogwinkle

The dogwinkle (Thais lapillus) is a small shelled animal that we find on local beaches and can also be found on the other side of the Atlantic.  It can vary in colour from white, to grey, to brownish, to orange.  They prey on other intertidal animals including blue mussels, periwinkles, and barnacles.  To feed on mussels or periwinkles the dogwinkle secretes an acid that softens the shell and then drills a circular hole into the shell using its radula, which is a structure similar to a chainsaw.  The dogwinkle can then suck out its meal.  Gross and cool all at the same time!  When exploring the intertidal zone we find their pinkish-yellow egg capsules that look similar to rice grains attached to the underside of rocks and seaweed.  After about 4 months crawling juveniles emerge. 

Dogwinkles on the beach

An orange dogwinkle

Drill hole in a blue mussel

Drill hole in a periwinkle

Dogwinkle eggs on the underside of an intertidal rock.

International Baccalaureate

The unique, hands-on field courses at the Huntsman appeal to a wide range of students and teachers.  Activities and field experiences can be modified to accommodate different grade levels, abilities and interests.  A good example of this is the field courses that have been developed for schools participating in The International Baccalaureate (IB) programme.

The IB programme involves a challenging curriculum that teaches students how to think critically and creatively in preparation for university and beyond.  The Huntsman has two schools, Saint John High School and Ashbury College that use our field and lab experiences as part of their rigorous IB Biology courses.  At the Huntsman a month’s work of “regular” class time can be condensed into an intensive five-day program. 

The following is a statement by an IB teacher relating why she brings her IB Biology class.    

“As a teacher for 20 years, I have gone to a number of outdoor educational centers in Ontario, but I return to Huntsman for my senior classes. I have consistently found the academic expectations of the Huntsman program to meet the standards required by The International Baccalaureate.” 

A Saint John High news item regarding their trip to the Huntsman,  www.sjhigh.ca/news.php?newsid=2656.

Want to see what we can offer your class?  Check out our website, www.huntsmanmarine.ca.

Fundy Discovery Aquarium

This past September the new Fundy Discovery Aquarium opened on the Huntsman campus.  Students attending fall field courses visited the new aquarium and checked out all the exciting features including:

·         two touch pools full of sea stars, crabs, scallops and skates,

·         our harbour seals Snorkel and Loki,

·         the Bay of Fundy fishes tank, including sturgeon, spiny dogfish, cod, salmon, and flounder,

·         blue, orange and jumbo lobsters,

·         the 220-seat theatre,

·         the new lab, and

·         the new schedule: open year round!

Want your name in the aquarium?  Those 18 years and younger can have their name added to our “Children’s Donor Wall” that is in the shape of a harbour seal.  For more information check out this link, www.huntsmanmarine.ca/html/kids_wall.html.

The new Fundy Discovery Aquarium

Invertebrate touch pool

An encounter with Snorkel.

Students enjoying the new theatre...

...and lab.

In awe of the sturgeon.