Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

A stranded seal is rescued and arrives at Mystic Aquarium's Seal Rescue Clinic.  Now what happens?  Students will take on the role of a marine scientist by examining animal anatomy through X-rays and by exploring the immune system through individual blood cells to discover how abiotic and biotic factors affect animals' health.  This unique program is designed to enhance your students' understanding of science concepts and how marine scientists work through hands-on and minds-on activities.
CT State Science Standards Addressed: 6.2, 7.2

What characteristics make a whale or dolphin have that make it a mammal? What makes a shark a fish? Students will learn the answers to these questions and much more as they discover scientific classification within the animal kingdom. From phylum to species, students will understand how both the external and internal anatomy of an animal plays an important role in grouping organisms together. Class participants will even have the opportunity to use their new found taxonomy skills to classify live marine invertebrates!
CT State Science Standard Addressed: 6.2

Explore the unique relationships that are found within New England’s largest river ecosystem. Through hands-on activities students will delve into the wonders of the Connecticut River to discover how factors such as nonpoint source pollution and riverside development can affect the populations within a freshwater ecosystem. Class participants will also discuss ways to clean up our rivers to keep these ecosystems safe for generations to come.
Lengthen your class! Add Long Island Sound Exploration for a full 90 minute investigation into CT’s unique aquatic systems.
CT State Science Standards Addressed: 6.2, 6.4, 8.2

The Long Island Sound is an amazing and diverse ecosystem, but what makes this environment different from others? Students will learn the unique characteristics of an estuary, analyzing water samples to determine the qualities of the water found in the Sound. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with live Long Island Sound marine invertebrates and discover how human activity has impacted this delicate ecosystem.
Lengthen your class! Add Discovering Freshwater Ecosystems for a full 90 minute investigation into CT’s unique aquatic systems.
CT State Science Standards Addressed: 6.2, 6.4

What are the largest, fastest and most intelligent invertebrates in the sea?  Squid!  Students will discover the amazing adaptations of these animals by participating in a detailed dissection of our local species.  A unique opportunity to see an animal from the outside in.
Lengthen your class! Turn this dissection into a 90-minute immersive lab experience by adding an invertebrate lab to discover how squid, snails, sea stars and other marine invertebrates are classified into taxonomic groups.
CT State Science Standards Addressed: 6.2, 7.2, 8.2