Thanks to a grant from the American Chemical Society, and to the expertise of Watchung scientist/parent Dr. Gail Seelig, sixth students at Valley View Middle School in Watchung are getting up close with marine biology.
To get the SOAR students excited about the unit, Dr Seelig brought in items from her vast collection of shells and other marine artifacts. Students engaged in several hands-on experiments to help them understand how various sea creatures breathe and move. For one activity, Dr Seelig challenged the students to design their own models of squid, and test their abilities to move. Later, students will be able to further explore squid with a dissection lab.
To aid in the understanding of marine creatures’ body systems, Dr Seelig led students through a dissection of dogfish sharks. Students worked in teams to examine their shark’s liver, heart, stomach, and brain. Using microscopes, students examined the shark’s skin and teeth.
Upcoming experiments include building hydrophones, to demonstrate how sea creatures communicate, and building SeaPerch underwater robots.
(above) Geordie Canellis and Nicole Brunskill
(above) Doyle Hunsinger and Jake Zaikov
