Marine Zoology Series

This is Session 1 of 4 in the Marine Zoology Series

PREREQUISITE: The information learned in this class is the foundation for everything else we learn in the rest of the series. All students must successfully complete this course before being allowed to take additional marine zoology sessions.

Please note: If you enroll in Marine Biology 101, you are guaranteed space in the remaining marine zoology classes as long as you enroll before the deadline for each class.

This is Session 1 of 4 in the Marine Zoology Series. This first session is for you and your child to make sure the class format is a good fit for your learning needs without you having to commit to a full year of classes.

The other sessions in this series include:

Session 2: Invertebrates Part 1

Session 3: Invertebrates Part 2

Session 4: Vertebrates

CLASS DESCRIPTION

If you have a student aged 10-17 that has an interest in marine biology, this is the class you want! My degree is in Marine Biology (from Texas A&M University at Galveston), and marine biology was the very first homeschool class I ever taught. I have since branched out into many other sciences, but always love it when I can teach my passion—ocean life! This will not be a “fluff” class, or an “overview”—it is an intensive, science heavy class where students will learn marine biology from many different aspects—taxonomy, evolutionary relationships, anatomy, function, habitat, etc. There will be no surface skimming in this class! We’re going to go deep!

Students who complete our full year of Marine Zoology have the option in late April/early May to attend our 5 day hands on workshop in Bocas del Toro, Panama!

This amazing opportunity is not to be missed! Students will be hands-on in the field, every day, both in and on the water, putting the knowledge they have gained during the year into practice! Please see our Panama Workshops page for more information.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

In this class, students will be learning 5 of the foundational topics of marine biology:

1. Taxonomy:

Students will learn how taxonomy works, how to read cladograms and see evolutionary relationships, how to read dichotomous keys, and how to create them. This course is heavy in taxonomy and key work- students will be learning the major taxonomic divisions of the animals we study. So a strong foundation in taxonomy is necessary!

2. Zonation:

The ocean is VAST! And just like on the land, there are many different habitats that dictate evolutionary adaptations and the species that can survive there. We will learn all of the ocean life zones- both horizontal and vertical. These zones will be referred to in future courses, so it is important that students understand the terms and habitat conditions that are associated with them.

3. Protists:

Did you know that kelp isn’t a plant? It’s a protist! As are many of the creatures- both plant like and animal like- that make up the plankton that is the basis of the food chain. Students need to understand what separates these organisms from true plants and animals.

4. Plankton:

You can’t have the largest animal on earth (the blue whale) without the tiniest ones- plankton! We’ll learn about phytoplankton and zooplankton, focusing on individual species and their importance in the marine food chain. We will talk about plankton in some capacity in every other marine biology lesson plan, so this is a biggie!

5. Plants:

There are actually a few true plants that are considered to be marine (most of what you think of as plants are actually protists!). Although not a major foundation for the rest of the course, this is the best place to talk about plants! We’ll learn about what separates a plant from a protist, and some of the unique habitats and ecosystems these plants are the “root” of!

I have created educational videos to accompany the course—many of these will be on site at various areas around southern California, both at the ocean and in some of our local aquariums. Each week, there will be a choice of hands on projects for students to complete to reinforce their knowledge of the material.

This is Session 2 of 4 in the Marine Zoology Series

PREREQUISITE: Students must complete Session 1: Marine Biology 101 before taking other sessions in this series.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

If you have a student aged 10-17 that has an interest in marine biology, this is the class you want! My degree is in Marine Biology (from Texas A&M University at Galveston), and marine biology was the very first homeschool class I ever taught. I have since branched out into many other sciences, but always love it when I can teach my passion—ocean life! This will not be a “fluff” class, or an “overview”—it is an intensive, science heavy class where students will learn marine biology from many different aspects—taxonomy, evolutionary relationships, anatomy, function, habitat, etc.

There will be dissections in this course. Students can watch me do the dissection online, and I will even give you instructions for obtaining specimens so they can follow along with their own dissection if they would like! Students who do not wish to participate in viewing the dissections may opt out.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

In this session, students will be focusing on 3 major groups of marine invertebrates:

1. Sponges:

These are the simplest animals on earth, but that doesn’t make them boring (unless they’re a boring sponge—it’s a thing!   ) We will learn all about the structure of these fascinating creatures, where they live, and several notable species.

2. Cnidarians:

The C is silent, but these group of animals can’t be ignored! These are the jellyfish, corals, and anemones—the first predators on earth! We will dive into this exciting marine phylum with an in depth, multi-week study on the evolutionary adaptations that allowed them to become predators, discuss symbiotic relationships (how can clownfish live in anemones without getting stung), and discuss how coral reefs are the rainforests of the sea- and how global warming threatens the very existence of these animals that have been on earth for millions of years. There will be several labs.

3. Worms:

The sheer number of marine worms is mind-boggling. But the adaptations these worms have that allow them to thrive in their individual niches is simply amazing! We will study several types of worms, and even do a dissection.

I will be creating educational videos to accompany the course–many of these will be on site at various areas around southern California, both at the ocean and in some of our local aquariums. I will also be conducting virtual labs for the students, including dissections. Each week, there will be a choice of hands on projects for students to complete to reinforce their knowledge of the material.

We do dissections throughout this class

If you would like to order your own specimen to follow along with me in the dissection video, there is a list of sources below. If you live outside of the United States, you need to call and see if they will ship to you. If not, you may be able to find a biological supply company in your area.

You need to order your specimens as soon as you enroll to insure they are here before class starts. When your animals arrive, store them in a dark, cool place. Do NOT freeze or refrigerate preserved specimens. You can order a dissection kit if you want, but really all you need is a pair of googles, gloves, sharp scissors (easier to use than a scalpel), and some kind of a probe (toothpicks work well for this).

Note: If you also plan on taking Marine Zoology: Invertebrates Part 2 and Marine Zoology: Vertebrates, also check the material lists for those classes. You can order everything together and save on shipping.

If a link is provided, it is to show you the type of animal you need to order. Below is a list of sources where you can purchase specimens:
Anemone
Jellyfish

I do not personally endorse any of these companies, nor do I receive any kind of compensation for listing them. I suggest you research the individual companies before purchasing. There are also other companies that sell preserved specimens. When given a choice of types, choose plain preserved (you don’t need injected ones).

https://www.wardsci.com

https://www.homesciencetools.com

http://biologyproducts.com

https://www.nebraskascientific.com

https://www.enasco.com

This is Session 3 of 4 in the Marine Zoology Series

PREREQUISITE: Students must complete Session 1: Marine Biology 101 before taking other sessions in this series.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

If you have a student aged 10-17 that has an interest in marine biology, this is the class you want! My degree is in Marine Biology (from Texas A&M University at Galveston), and marine biology was the very first homeschool class I ever taught. I have since branched out into many other sciences, but always love it when I can teach my passion—ocean life! This will not be a “fluff” class, or an “overview”—it is an intensive, science heavy class where students will learn marine biology from many different aspects—taxonomy, evolutionary relationships, anatomy, function, habitat, etc.

There will be dissections in this course. Students can watch me do the dissection online, and I will even give you instructions for obtaining specimens so they can follow along with their own dissection if they’d like! Students who don’t wish to participate in viewing the dissections may opt out.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

In this session, students will be focusing on 3 major groups of marine invertebrates:

1. Mollusks:

Gastropods (snails and nudibranchs), Bivalves (oysters and clams), and everyone’s favorite…Cephalopods (octopus, squid, and cuttlefish)!! This group of marine invertebrates is as varied as it is fascinating. Did you know that there are snails that shoot spears full of venom into their prey? Or that octopus are the most intelligent invertebrates on earth—even smarter than many vertebrate animals? We’ll learn how to easily tell exactly what group of animals that shell you find on the beach belongs to! And there will be several labs, including dissections, to explore this amazing phylum!

2. Crustaceans:

You say crustacean, I say DINNER! Crustaceans include lobsters, crabs, and shrimp. Not only are they tasty, but they are super cool! Mantis shrimp have a punch so fast that they BOIL the water around them! Plus, we’ll learn how to tell the sex of crabs, look at the similarities and differences in the anatomy of these closely related critters, and more! Lots of labs and dissections.

3. Echinoderms:

Seastars, urchins, and sea cucumbers. These guys are our closest living invertebrate relatives. And they are fascinating! Just their varied forms of defense mechanisms could create an entire class! Did you know that sea cucumbers spit out their sticky guts so prey get entangled in them, while the cucumber makes its very slow getaway- only to grow new guts?! Told you they’re fascinating!

I will be creating educational videos to accompany the course- many of these will be on site at various areas around southern California, both at the ocean and in some of our local aquariums. I’ll also be conducting virtual labs for the students, including dissections. Each week, there will be a choice of hands on projects for students to complete to reinforce their knowledge of the material.

We do dissections throughout this class

If you would like to order your own specimen to follow along with me in the dissection video, there is a list of sources below. If you live outside of the United States, you need to call and see if they will ship to you. If not, you may be able to find a biological supply company in your area.

You need to order your specimens as soon as you enroll to insure they are here before class starts. When your animals arrive, store them in a dark, cool place. Do NOT freeze or refrigerate preserved specimens. You can order a dissection kit if you want, but really all you need is a pair of googles, gloves, sharp scissors (easier to use than a scalpel), and some kind of a probe (toothpicks work well for this).

Note: If you also plan on taking Marine Zoology Session 3: Invertebrates Part 2 and Marine Zoology Session 4: Vertebrates, also check the material lists for those classes. You can order everything together and save on shipping.

If a link is provided, it is to show you the type of animal you need to order. Below is a list of sources where you can purchase specimens:

Clam (or you can buy one from your local seafood market)
Squid (or you can buy one from your local seafood market)
Horseshoe Crab
Crab (buy one from your local seafood market)
Shrimp (buy one from your local seafood market)
Crawfish (or you can buy one from your local seafood market)
Starfish– The listed one is 2-3″. If you can find the 5″-6″ size, that is easier to work with.

I do not personally endorse any of these companies, nor do I receive any kind of compensation for listing them. I suggest you research the individual companies before purchasing. There are also other companies that sell preserved specimens. When given a choice of types, choose plain preserved (you don’t need injected ones).

https://www.wardsci.com

https://www.homesciencetools.com

http://biologyproducts.com

https://www.nebraskascientific.com

https://www.enasco.com

This is Session 4 of 4 in the Marine Zoology Series

PREREQUISITE: Students must complete Session 1: Marine Biology 101 before taking other sessions in this series.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

If you have a student aged 10-17 that has an interest in marine biology, this is the class you want! My degree is in Marine Biology (from Texas A&M University at Galveston), and marine biology was the very first homeschool class I ever taught. I have since branched out into many other sciences, but always love it when I can teach my passion—ocean life! This will not be a “fluff” class, or an “overview”—it is an intensive, science heavy class where students will learn marine biology from many different aspects—taxonomy, evolutionary relationships, anatomy, function, habitat, etc.

There will be dissections in this course. Students can watch me do the dissection online, and I will even give you instructions for obtaining specimens so they can follow along with their own dissection if they would like! Students who do not wish to participate in viewing the dissections may opt out.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

In this session, students will be focusing on 5 major groups of marine vertebrates:

1. Cartilaginous Fish:

No bones about it, cartilaginous fish are super cool! We’ll start with the super weird jawless fish, lampreys! Kids are always simultaneously fascinated and grossed out by this weird group! We’ll even get hands on with a dissection. Then, move into learning what makes skates different from stingrays, and do another dissection. Then, finish up with everyone’s favorite—SHARKS! We’ll explore them from every scientific aspect- evolution, taxonomy, anatomy, habitat, adaptations, conservation issues, and more! And…another dissection!

2. Bony Fish:

Did you know that bony fish are the largest vertebrate group on earth? The variety of adaptations are amazing, and we’ll spend a few weeks learning all about them. Did you know that clownfish can change from being a male to a female and back again? How about the fact that cute little pufferfish contain a toxin 1,200 times more deadly than cyanide? Those are just a few of the interesting facts we’ll cover. And of course, a dissection!

3. Reptiles:

Reptiles aren’t just on land! We’ll cover sea turtles, sea snakes, and the marine iguana (which is only found in the Galapagos!). There will be an awesome project that will track sea turtles on their migratory paths across the globe. We’ll learn what causes a baby sea turtle to become a male or female (hint: temperature!). Did you know that female sea turtles return to the beach they were born to lay their eggs, and that male sea turtles never leave the ocean? We’ll focus on all 7 species of sea turtle, and discuss the conservation issues surrounding them.

4. Birds:

Did you know that a sea bird has the longest migration of any animal on earth? And it’s a sea bird that has the longest wingspan of any bird on earth? From seagulls to albatross, penguins to puffins, we’ll cover these often overlooked group of marine animals!

5. Marine Mammals:

What’s the difference between a whale and a dolphin? What about a seal and a sea lion? Did you know the closest living relative to the whales are HIPPOPOTAMUS?! We’ll cover these and many other fascinating topics as we work our way through the world of marine mammals! Manatees, sea otters, polar bears, seals, sea lions, walruses, dolphins, whales…WHEW! After studying their intelligence and emotional capabilities, we’ll then launch into a discussion on the pros and cons of keeping these animals in captivity.

I will be creating educational videos to accompany the course—many of these will be on site at various areas around southern California, both at the ocean and in some of our local aquariums. I’ll also be conducting virtual labs for the students, including dissections. Each week, there will be a choice of hands on projects for students to complete to reinforce their knowledge of the material.

We do dissections throughout this class

If you would like to order your own specimen to follow along with me in the dissection video, there is a list of sources below. If you live outside of the United States, you need to call and see if they will ship to you. If not, you may be able to find a biological supply company in your area.

You need to order your specimens as soon as you enroll to insure they are here before class starts. When your animals arrive, store them in a dark, cool place. Do NOT freeze or refrigerate preserved specimens. You can order a dissection kit if you want, but really all you need is a pair of googles, gloves, sharp scissors (easier to use than a scalpel), and some kind of a probe (toothpicks work well for this).

If a link is provided, it is to show you the type of animal you need to order. Below is a list of sources where you can purchase specimens

Lamprey
Shark
Fish (or you can buy a whole fresh fish from your local seafood market)

I do not personally endorse any of these companies, nor do I receive any kind of compensation for listing them. I suggest you research the individual companies before purchasing. There are also other companies that sell preserved specimens. When given a choice of types, choose plain preserved (you don’t need injected ones).

https://www.wardsci.com

https://www.homesciencetools.com

http://biologyproducts.com

https://www.nebraskascientific.com

https://www.enasco.com