Course Structure
This class is designed to introduce students to the fascinating creatures that live in the sea, from plankton to whales. You will discover their unique adaptations, the functionality of their morphology, their incredible diversity and the importance of their ecological roles. As you visit their natural environments, you will learn what organisms live where and why.  Field trips will begin by exploring the fascinating unseen world of plankton, then hiking into tidepools to discover which animals live in each zone, followed by mudflat grubbing in the estuary to learn clams, shrimp and worms, then a visit to a seabird rookery to identify the birds and interpret their unique courting behaviors, and culminating with a boat ride to view our magnificent summer resident gray whales. This hands on course will further engrain the material with discovery labs and inquiry-based mini projects. The projects will be a team effort, presented the last day.