Marine Biology 101 - Wiggly, Slimy, Wormy Marine Invertebrates
In this one-time class, students will learn the 8 major invertebrate phyla that classifies marine invertebrate animals into different groups. This is a very important topic since invertebrates make up over 97% of all marine animals!
Brittany McKenna
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(18)
What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
In this Marine Biology class we will go over the eight major Phyla of marine invertebrates. Invertebrates are animals that do not have a backbone, such as squid, jellyfish, crabs, sponges, barnacles, marine worms, clams and phytoplankton. Invertebrates make up the vast majority of all species in the ocean (between 97-99% of all marine animals), so this topic is especially important for any aspiring marine biologist. We will cover these eight Phyla: Arthropoda, Mollusca, Cnidaria, Porifera, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida and Echinodermata. The class is slide-based, with each slide explaining the particular Phyla with many photograph examples of the animals within each group. The slides will also discuss the general features of those animals within the particular Phyla, and what makes them belong to that group specifically. Many questions will be asked regarding the animals features and open discussion will be encouraged. There are a couple of intriguing videos at the end of class including a deep sea submarine coming into contact with a Dumbo Octopus. There will be matching games where we match the animals to their corresponding Phyla, and a brief introduction to taxonomy. No previous knowledge is required for this class, though it is a lot of information to go over so more appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Learning Goals
In this class we will dive into the eight major groups of invertebrate animals from wiggly marine worms to stinging jellyfish! We will see some real footage of a deep sea submarine finding a Dumbo Octopus, a giant starfish predator and even an immortal jellyfish that never dies! We will describe each classification of invertebrates in the sea and play some games where we try to match the animal to its Phyla group.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
In one video, a starfish has a leg torn off by a crab (but because starfish have regeneration, his leg will grow back in time).
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2021
4.9
18reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Dalhousie University
Greetings!
My name is Brittany and I live in Nova Scotia Canada. I have a University degree in Marine Biology and Oceanography and two years of experience teaching English to young learners abroad! In my class, you will learn all about the ocean! We can explore mysterious deep sea creatures, learn about fascinating underwater processes, the water cycle, bioluminescence, underwater volcanoes, currents, tsunamis, invertebrates, whale songs, sea animal migrations and conservation.
I spent many years working on the ocean aboard ships of all sizes studying sea creatures and recording data for the Department of Fisheries here in Canada. I collected otolith samples from Pacific fish species, identified fish caught aboard the vessels and compiled data at sea. I have a Bachelors of Science in Marine Biology and have many years of experience in working hands on with marine life including flatfish, sharks, algae species, invertebrates, whales, sea birds, and many more!
I believe in strong engagement and participation in class that sparks interest and gets young learners thinking about the sea and all of the wonderful things it has to offer. I love to have open discussion and to discuss certain ideas that allow free thought to flow during class. Having fun and feeling free to voice any questions or thoughts is my top priority, and it would be such a delight to show young learners how fascinating this field of work really is.
Aside from being a Marine Biologist and teacher, I am also an artist! I paint oil paintings in my spare time and I sell my work out of my home here in the country side of Nova Scotia. I am also an avid astrophotographer, meaning I take photographs of the night sky. I am a very creative personality and love to explore new ways to express that creativity in a tangible way.
I look forward to meeting you all!
Please note: My classes have a lot of information in them and are most suitable for older learners above the age of 8-9 years. Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$18
per classMeets once
45 min
Completed by 11 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
3-10 learners per class
