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Marine Science Education Programs
on Bellingham Bay
on Bellingham Bay
The standards published by the National Council of Teachers of Science (NCTS) indicate that "academic content should convey the relevance and excitement of science to students' lives and develop positive attitudes toward the study of the sciences." On board the 65-ft. Motor Vessel (M.V.) Snow Goose, students learn hands-on oceanographic techniques for studying the marine ecosystem.
Four-Hour Marine Science Education Program
Groups of 4-6 students rotate through four learning stations:1. Navigation and Chart Reading: Students use GPS, radar,
depth finders, charts and charting instruments to determine latitude and
longitude, plot the ship's position, and determine distance to nearby
landmarks. They also observe sea and atmospheric conditions.
2. Plankton Collection and Identification: Students
learn about the marine food web and collect plankton using a plankton
net. They then use the on-board microscopes to observe and identify zooplankton
and phytoplankton.
3. Water Quality Sampling: Students will use instruments
to record the salinity and temperature of water at the surface and at
5 meters depth. They will also determine the turbidity and discuss influences
on water quality.
4. Dissolved Oxygen:
Students will do chemical titrations to find the amount of dissolved oxygen
at the water's surface. They will discuss the importance of dissolved
oxygen in the water to marine life.
At each station, students compile their data to be used in presentations
about the causes and effects of changes in the marine system. Students
also observe marine mammals and birds and the activities in the Port of
Bellingham. Throughout the program, they are learning uses for mathematics,
chemistry, biology, data collection, and writing and speaking skills.
Longer Marine Science Education Programs
An 8-hour trip includes the above plus intertidal studies, Puget Sound
geology, and an introduction to the life sciences and geography of the
San Juan island group.
A two-day trip includes all of the above with exploration of the subtidal range and greater details on the life sciences and geography of the San Juan islands.
Eugenia Becker, Webmaster
E-mail: bhambay@cc.wwu.edu