Classroom activity

What You Need to KnowStudent dissecting squid.

 

 

 

Registration and Fees for School Programs

Lab and Field Classes
  • Cost for all classes: $6.50/student per hour
  • Classes are 1 to 2 hours long with a 10-minute passing period within that time
  • Minimum fee of $75/hour
  • One chaperone is admitted free for every five students
  • Checks or POs only, please (credit cards are not accepted onsite, but can be used on the online registration system)
  • Cancellation fee is $75 per program for cancellations made within 48 hours of the scheduled event
  • No refunds
Visitor Center

If your students wish to explore the Visitor Center during normal public hours, we suggest a $1.75/person donation.

If your visit occurs when the Center is closed to the public, you may arrange in advance for your students to explore the exhibits for a fee of $1.75/person/hour with a $50/hour minimum.

 

Start Your Reservation

 

 

 

Current Lab and Field Classes

* = live animals; b = boots and rain gear

In the Lab

Build a Habitat

*
(Grades PK - 2)

50 Minutes

Previsit Materials: Word   PDF

 Students will learn about a variety of marine organisms and their needs for survival as they create miniature ocean habitats complete with algae, snails, crabs, barnacles, food, and shelter. 

Sticky Science

*
(Grades PK - 2)

50 Minutes

 Through hands-on exploration, students discover the sticky parts of live sea anemones, sea urchins and other marine organisms. Find out what causes the stickiness, and learn how being adhesive helps animals defend themselves, capture food or maintain their position in tidepools.

Animal Adaptations

* 
(Grades 3 - adult)

50 Minutes

Previsit Materials: Word   PDF

 Observe a variety of marine animals from sandy beaches, estuaries and rocky shores. Investigate the adaptations they have for surviving in these marine environments.

Speedy Science: 
A Race to Inquiry

*
(Grades 3 - adult)

50 Minutes

Previsit Materials: Word   PDF

 Students participate in live crab races, form hypotheses based on initial observations, and design experiments to test them. What variables determine which crabs are faster? Is it size, species, sex or number of appendages? Join us as we investigate in this engaging, inquiry-based program.

Squid Dissection Lab
(Grades 4 - adult)

50 Minutes

Previsit Materials: Word   PDF

 Investigate the external and internal anatomy of squid while studying how these invertebrates are adapted for life in the sea. Students will also learn how to use dissection tools and proper dissection techniques. 

Assemble a Whale 
(Grades 5–adult)

50 Minutes

 Work together as a class to assemble the skeleton of a 16-foot-long Cuvier’s beaked whale. Students will also learn about the differences and similarities of toothed and baleen whales using real whale teeth, baleen and other biofacts. 

Rocky Intertidal 

*
(Grades 5 - adult)

50 Minutes

Previsit Materials: Word   PDF

 Discover the rocky intertidal habitat and the diverse creatures that live there, all in the lab. Learn about the environmental forces that make this ever-changing habitat a challenging place to live, while investigating the relationships among living things and the interactions between them.
In the Field
 

ROV Design Challenge
(Grades 6 - adult)

1 hour, 50 Minutes

Previsit Materials: Word   PDF

 In this hands-on program, students are introduced to Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and challenged to work in teams to design mini-ROVs that will be used to complete a mission. This engaging class meets Engineering Design science standards while promoting teamwork and critical thinking skills. This program is partially outdoors - rain gear recommended!
 

Plankton Lab

* b
(Grades 5 - adult)

50 Minutes

Previsit Materials: Word   PDF

 Use plankton nets to collect samples from the Yaquina Bay, then identify plankton using microscopes in this combination field and lab program. Students will learn about the importance of plankton to the survival of all marine organisms and observe filter feeders consuming plankton in this hands-on program. Boots are required for this program as students need to wade into the estuary to collect plankton samples, rain gear recommended.
 

Estuary Investigations

* b
(All ages)

50 Minutes

Previsit Materials: Word   PDF

 Discover estuaries and the critical habitat they provide as we explore plant and animal life along the Yaquina Bay. Collect and observe a variety of organisms found in the unique environment of mudflats, and learn about their adaptations. Boots and rain gear are highly recommended for this program - no flip flips!
 

Extended Estuary Investigations

* b
(Grades 6 - adult)

1 hour, 50 Minutes

 Same content as Estuary Investigations (above), but in addition we will collect organisms to examine further in our wet lab. Learn about current research being conducted and help collect data for use by researchers. Boots and rain gear are highly recommended for this program - no flip flips!

 

Families assembling whale skeleton.

For information and questions, contact:

Kathryn Hawes
Hatfield Marine Science Center
2030 SE Marine Science Dr
Newport, OR 97365
541-867-0233
SeaGrantMarineEd@oregonstate.edu