Marine Science: Day Five

We finished our Marine Science exploration this afternoon by kayaking to Shark Tooth Island and did find shark teeth!  Our day began in the lab where we made bio fuel!  And it worked!  Lots of measuring, mixing, heating, grinding and separating chemicals.  Tonight the girls are packing, cleaning and getting ready to head home in the morning.  This has been a tremendous week of discovery both in the lab and in the field.

 

Video Update- Days 4-6

Marine Science Day Four: Lab Results, Blue Crabs, Estuary Exploration, Behind the scenes at the Fort Fisher Aquarium and SCUBA!

We had a very full day.  We began in the lab analyzing the experiments that we ran yesterday.  We also examined blue crabs, and looked at tiny shrimp under the microscope.  Next we drove to Fort Fisher and explored the estuary.  It was freezing, but we got wet in spite of the cold, learning to use a seine net.  We examined critters that we caught in the seine nets.  We put them all back into the water after looking at our catch.

We had a picnic lunch at the Fort Fisher historical area and then went to the Fort Fisher Aquarium for a behind the scenes tour and it was fascinating.  We finished up the day back in downtown Wilmington learning some scuba basics.   This was a challenge and the girls took to it like fish! Fabulous and very full day!  Enjoy!

 Looking at the properties of sponges and their chemical make up.  We looked at sponges through the eyes of researchers who might be looking to the ocean for new cures for diseases.

                                                        The MarineQuest  Lab.

                                                             Analyzing our findings.

Getting to know a blue crab, for science, not for dinner.

                                             Collecting samples at the Fort Fisher estuary.

                                                            Unrolling a seine net.

                                                   Observations in the estuary marsh.

Behind the scenes at the Fort Fisher Aquarium.

At the aquarium.

Our introduction to SCUBA instructor Brian.

Out of the water the tanks are heavy!

Alan and Brian getting the girls ready to go!

                                                                   
                                                                        Mermaids!

Marine Science Day Three: In the Lab and On the Beach!

We spent the morning in the lab doing research experiments and studying fish anatomy that we caught yesterday.  In the afternoon we took the research vessel Sea Hawk to Masonboro Island for beach exploration and environmental study.  We also celebrated two birthdays,  Katherine P. and Nina one of our instructors!

                                              The birthday girl!  Celebrating at the beach!

Video Update- Days 1-3

A brief video montage of most of the activities that we have partaken in over the past 3 days!!

Day Two: On the Research Vessel Cape Fear

Tuesday, March 21, we began the morning with waffles!  Then met with Mr. M and crew for a day aboard the research vessel Cape Fear.  Beautiful weather and bouncy seas!

Our captain going over the rules for going out to sea!

Today, we took water and sediment samples using unique equipment, and analyzed our data!

During today's experience, we had the opportunity  to trawl. We luckily got to catch some interesting species, such as; shrimp, stingrays, squids, a jellyfish, and a variety of fish! Afterwards, we released them back into the water, unharmed!

After a very long boat day, our trip back to the dock was spent napping.

We made it back to shore!

  

After a day of research, we took a walk down to our beach!!