All Aboard Dockside Day Workshops 9AM - 3PM
Students will embark on an all day adventure designed with exciting hands-on educational activities. This workshop will connect science, art, field biology, nautical skills, ocean awareness and sustainability. Students are treated as “marine biologists in training”. They engage in real field science activities formulating theories and logging their findings in a database available to all visiting school groups. MSA pairs each course with a character trait, such as perseverance, courage, and integrity to ignite the world changer and fear breaker in each participant.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Field Journal Orientation
Students engage with the instructors on formulating a field journal. They learn how to put the Scientific Method into practice through investigative field study and documentation of their findings. Students answer questions such as: What do the results in your data chart show? What new thing did you learn through field observation? Discuss a conclusion made from your hypothesis.
Plankton Lecture
Students learn about various types of plankton as well as the chemistry of ocean water and the interrelationship between the two. A plankton net is towed behind the boat and the sample is observed in microscopes by students. Students identify and sketch the plankton in their field journals. They measure turbidity, pH, salinity and dissolved oxygen from their water sampling activity.
Marine Mammals Adventure
Onboard the Enhydra during a coastal tour with knowledgeable crew students learn about local species of marine mammals in the wild. Sea lions, dolphins and an occasional whale are seen and identified. Students journal the number and size of specimens seen.
Sea Creature Bottom Trawl
Students learn identification methods through the collection of various fish and invertebrates gathered during an otter trawl. They measure, count and sketch the marine life and watch as the instructor posts the data in the online scientific database.
Squid Dissection
To learn about the anatomy of a squid and to understand the basics of dissecting an animal, Students identify the external and internal anatomy of the squid through a dissection activity.
Ocean Sustainability | Marine Debris and Ocean Environmental Ethics
To learn how to steward our oceans in an ethical manner. An open discussion on various topics such as; illegal fishing, overfishing, plastic and marine debris. Students offer solutions to these serious ocean issues and talk about potential ways to reduce their effects.
Save our SEAS Challenge!
Students make commitments to become stewards of the sea. Small groups are formed to discuss what each person will do. Each person makes a pledge by creating a slogan, drawing or a comment on a banner which the teacher takes back to the classroom as a reminder of their commitment.