I have been working on an exciting new session for schools this year about tide pool invertebrates. It has been developed inparticular for schools who are unable to take their pupils down to the coast to experience local marine wildlife. This might be because the children are too young or because of the difficulties of getting a class of children to the beach.
By using a digital microscope and media projector, the session takes the form of a living lecture as the class will be able to see live animals projected onto the whiteboard screen. The children can observe sea anemones opening before their eyes, barnacles feeding, crabs scuttling sideways, marine worms, crustaceans and sea snails (depending on specimens collected).
Through first hand observation the children have the opportunity to classify the marine animals and observe how they move. They are encouraged to suggest how each animal is adapted to its habitat and predict what type of food they might eat.
This session allows children to experience the marine life that lives around our coast from the safety of the classroom.
The schools I have worked with on this so far have been primary schools but this would be equally suitable for secondary schools.
