Virtual Field Trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium: Sharks, Otters, and Penguins
In this lesson, we will be using the live feeds of the sharks, otters, and penguins at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Students will be learning the taxonomy of these animals at the class level and learning these animals are in the same phylum.
What's included
1 live meeting
1 in-class hoursClass Experience
Students will be utilizing three different live streams from the Monterey Bay Aquarium's African Penguins, Leopard Sharks, and Sea Otters' tanks. Students will be given a brief introduction to taxonomy. Then students will be using their observation skills to find different characteristics of these animals to discuss how these animals are defined in taxonomy to the class level. Students will be asked to engage in inquiry-based learning and think critically about what they see and how these animals may be similar and different from each other. Students will be prompted to think about if these animals are related to each other or not. If there is extra time students can do a deep dive into one of the species of animals we studied and utilizing extra material provided by the aquarium, students will present in a small group to the class if the population of the animal they chose is stable, or are they in danger of extinction, and what if anything humans are doing to help these animals populations.
Learning Goals
Students will understand that taxonomy is how we group animals to understand how they may be related to each other. Students will understand that a synapomorphy is a characteristic that defines a taxonomic group, and will be able to know three of the classes (Aves, Chondrichthyes, and Mammalia) in the phylum Chordata, the vertebrate animals.
Other Details
Supply List
No materials need to be purchased.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
For the last two years, I have been an environmental educator engaging students in inquiry-based learning in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have a degree in Conservation Biology and Marine Science. My passion is bringing greater understanding and inspiring the conservation of the variety of life forms in our oceans for future generations. I truly believe that our greatest tool in protecting these animals is education about these animals and our impact on them.
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$12
per classMeets once
60 min
Completed by 11 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
3-9 learners per class