Marine Biology Field Trip

On Friday, we ventured off to the Ocean Education Center in Dana Point. Even Tim took the day off to join us.

This was part of a marine biology class the girls have been taking for the last month. It was so cool to do all the hands on kinds of stuff that always makes science more enjoyable.

The girls started off testing water samples for ph, salinity and temperature.

Then we went in and looked at their aquariums and researched the different animals they had. This tank held a 40-year-old lobster - the biggest lobster I've ever seen.

They had quite a few tanks set up to show the life stages of jellies. They are so fascinating to watch, almost hypnotic.

Even Tim took a chance to peer under the microscope.

Before heading out to their boat, the R.V. Sea Explorer, we completed one last activity - dissect a mackerel! Regan really got into it, but Chandler was willing to just sit and watch for the most part.

Chandler says she wasn't squeamish about fish guts, but you can see she's holding back. Regan did a really good job of finding the stomach, emptying its contents, and finding the heart.

I didn't touch it AT ALL!!!

Finally, off to the boat. This research vessel normally takes out 30 - 70 kids at a time. Our group, however, contained only 14 kids. Each one got to do so much and see everything!

Regan was chosen to remove the mud from the contraption that dredged it up from the bottom - very gooey stuff.

Later, we discovered and categorized all the tiny organisms we found in the mud. We also trawled and caught a bunch of fish including MANY flat fish - very weird looking things!

A great day! I'm very glad Tim could join us. We had perfect weather and a great trip where the girls go to see an experience so much. Another great day of homeschooling!