January Week 1: Polar Seas Explore the icy ecosystems of the Arctic and Antarctic, where marine life thrives despite extreme cold. Students will investigate how animals like polar bears, penguins, and seals survive in frigid waters through insulation, migration, and specialized behaviors. Learning Outcome: Students will understand how polar marine organisms adapt to cold environments...
January Week 2: Open Ocean Dive into the vast blue expanse of the open ocean, home to some of the planet’s largest and most mysterious creatures. Students will explore food webs, plankton dynamics, and the adaptations of animals like tuna, jellyfish, and whales. Learning Outcome: Students will identify key features of open ocean ecosystems and...
January Week 3: Kelp Forests Discover the underwater forests that sway with the currents and shelter countless marine species. Students will examine kelp anatomy, learn how it supports biodiversity, and model the structure of a kelp forest. Learning Outcome: Students will explore the ecological importance of kelp forests and how they provide food, shelter, and...
January Week 4: Rocky Intertidal Investigate the dynamic zone between land and sea, where crashing waves and changing tides shape life. Students will study tide pool organisms, test salinity and temperature effects, and simulate tidal changes. Learning Outcome: Students will understand how organisms adapt to fluctuating conditions and identify zones within the intertidal habitat. Ages:...
February Week 1: Sandy Shore Meet the fish that live close to shorelines, from flounder to striped bass. Students will examine fish anatomy, investigate camouflage and schooling behavior, and compare species found in Long Island Sound. Learning Outcome: Students will analyze physical and behavioral adaptations of nearshore fish and explore their role in coastal ecosystems....
February Week 2: Eelgrass Meadows Uncover the secrets of underwater meadows that stabilize sediment and shelter young marine animals. Students will dissect eelgrass blades, explore photosynthesis, and simulate habitat restoration. Learning Outcome: Students will understand the ecological functions of eelgrass and its importance in maintaining healthy coastal environments. Ages: 9–12 Cost: $35 per class. Save...
February Week 3: Oyster Reefs Explore how oysters build reefs that protect shorelines and filter water. Students will observe oyster anatomy, test water clarity, and model reef formation. Learning Outcome: Students will investigate how oyster reefs support biodiversity and improve water quality through filtration. Ages: 9–12 Cost: $35 per class. Save $15 when you register...
February Week 4: Gull Rookery Take flight into the world of coastal birds! Students will study gull behavior, nesting strategies, and food sources, then simulate a rookery and track bird calls. Learning Outcome: Students will explore the life cycle of gulls and understand how coastal habitats support bird populations. Ages: 9–12 Cost: $35 per class....
March Week 1: Deep Sea Descend into the mysterious depths of the ocean to uncover life in extreme environments. Students will investigate bioluminescence, pressure adaptations, and food scarcity in the deep sea. They’ll simulate deep-sea exploration and design a creature adapted to life in the abyss. Learning Outcome: Students will analyze how deep-sea organisms survive...
March Week 2: Coral Reef Dive into the vibrant world of coral reefs, home to some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. Students will examine coral anatomy, explore symbiotic relationships like coral and zooxanthellae. Learning Outcome: Students will understand how coral reefs support biodiversity and how environmental changes impact reef health. Ages: 9–12 Cost:...
March Week 3: Mangrove Explore the tangled roots of mangrove forests and their role in coastal protection. Students will investigate salinity tolerance, root adaptations, and nursery habitats for marine life. They’ll simulate sediment trapping and test water filtration through mangrove roots. Learning Outcome: Students will evaluate how mangroves stabilize coastlines and support juvenile marine species....
March Week 4: Salt Marsh Discover the ecological importance of wetlands. Students will learn about common marsh plants and animals that live there and test water samples from the marsh. They’ll explore how marshes act as buffers and carbon sinks. Learning Outcome: Students will investigate the role of salt marshes in shoreline protection and climate...
