Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Farris:
Sherri, what you’ve told us so far this week about marine biology sounds really fascinating. But for families who don’t live near an ocean, can this really be a hands-on study, or are they just going to be stuck with textbooks?

Sherri Seligson:
Well actually, there are many ways to, quote, “get your feet wet”—even if you’re not near an ocean. Besides the option of a local aquarium, families can observe ocean environments via the internet. There are several live webcams that have been set up worldwide for observation, you just do a search for “live webcam” and then “ocean” and you’ll find locations in Antarctica, California, Florida, and many other places.

Also, there are excellent curricula which do have a hands-on marine science lab that showcase many marine concepts.

And finally, keeping a home aquarium is an ideal way to learn about the needs of marine creatures—both fish and invertebrates. There’ve been many improvements in aquarium technology which make it possible to keep living corals and other marine life in a tank but does not require too much space or expense.

And at the very least remember those Sea Monkeys we had as kids? Well they’re actually a planktonic species commonly called brine shrimp. Keeping these guys for several generations is an easy, inexpensive wet lab.

Mike:
Those are exciting suggestions, Sherri! Thanks for joining us. I’m Mike Farris.