Sycamore Canyon Middle School

USC Wrigley Marine Science Center,
Catalina Island

DAY 6 - Saturday, June 7, 2008

On our way to Avalon this morning we made a few stops where there were the perfect photo opportunities. This is a photo of one of those stops, where we all got out and enjoyed one of the many wonderful views in Catalina!

Another time we stopped on our way to Avalon, was to see a bald eagle that is held in captivity in order for humans to observe how the species lives and survives. It was a very educational stop and it was an awesome thing to be able to see!

One place we visited in Avalon was the Botanical Gardens. There we learned about different types of plants and how they adapt and survive in their environment. This is a photo of us at the memorial for JR Wrigley located in the Botanical Gardens!

On our way to Avalon, we were driving in the road and suddenly stopped. We looked up and saw a herd of bison in the middle of the road. We took pictures of all the bison, including this calf!

Another time we stopped during our trip to Avalon, was when we went to see a fox held in captivity. The fox had a virus and had to be nurtured by humans. However, when she was ready to be released she was attached to humans so much that they just decided to keep her in captivity, where she grew up and is now able to be seen today!

DAY 5 - Friday, June 6, 2008

On top of one of the Catalina mountains we stand proud of our accomplishment on climbing up the steep overgrown trails to the top of the mountain. The incline of these trails was close to straight up. If you slipped your head would hit first. In addition, all of us can’t even begin to describe the incredible feeling of being on top of these mountains. It was as if we were on top of the world. All around us was the incredible scenery of Catalina. I can assure you the first thing you will hear about when we are home is this hike to the top of the world.

Here you see our two awesome guides and counselors, Vanessa and Kathleen.

Having to wake up at 5:30 in the morning we went to the intertidal zone for low tide. The animals and creatures we saw there were amazing. An example is this sea star.

Also during the low tide we found a washed up rock wrasse that was buried in the mud. To our surprise it was still alive. Here you see Kathleen about ready to release it.

DAY 4 - Thursday, June 5, 2008

Hard at work, we are pictured making Algae prints. Where you take a piece of algae place it in water, and then pick it up with a special paper and then press it down in cardboard and blotter paper. Blotter paper absorbs the water and the cardboard supports it. We will bring these home, so you will get to see what we did.

Here you see Alex, Jared, and Austin out in the cove swimming to their snorkel transect locations. It ended up that we all saw more fish in transition between transects than we did during our transects.

Here you see all of us cracking up at Austin’s incredible but funny dive in the sand. He didn’t end up getting the ball over but we didn’t care we were to busy laughing our heads off. Volleyball has been one of our favorite activities in Catalina.

Look at all the beautiful girls here in Catalina.

During our astronomy lesson we learned about constellations and stories about the stars. Here you see a picture of a new moon through a high powered telescope. If you look closely you may be able to see the craters on the moon. We also saw Mars and Saturn.

DAY 3 - Wednesday, June 4, 2008

This picture shows the cove of Catalina Harbor right by where we did our land transects. It shows the beautiful scenery of Catalina Island.

This shows a female Argiope Spider which we found in the Cactus during our land transect. The females are bigger than the males and are usually found in the center of the web. The males are the spiders you normally find on the outer part of the web. The spider we found was one of the bigger Argiope Females but not the biggest one that Vanessa (our guide and counselor, who loves insects) has claimed to have seen.

Before we went to Two Harbors, we played volleyball. We divided up both Edison teams and created two teams to compete against each other. We all had a lot of fun playing and we hope to play again soon!

After breakfast, we went and got ready to go kayaking. We kayaked around the cove and then landed on the beach. We got our snorkel gear and explored around the cove. We went back to the beach, and then kayaked back. It was really fun and we saw many cool, educational things!

After we went to Two Harbors, we came back to the Dining Hall and made sushi! It was really fun and really good!

DAY 2 - Tuesday, June 3, 2008

We got up in the morning, and after breakfast, we went kayaking. We had two people per kayak (Alex and Jared, Austin and Justin, Remy and Erin, and Mrs. Bluestein all by herself). We went around one part of the island and through a cave. We saw many great views, and along the way, we learned a lot about rock formations.

After kayaking, we went and learned about the different plants and animals in the touch tanks. We learned about sea urchins, snails and slugs, and even small sharks! We also learned that sea stars and sea urchins have penta-radial symmetry and are in the same phylum.

Finally, we did a squid dissection. During this, we learned about the different parts of the squid, such as the pen, mantle, ink sac, and beak. Next, we learned about the different adaptations squids have in order to survive in the ocean. For example, they use their fins to guide and propel them and they use their tentacles to reach out and grab their prey. Overall, our hands ended up covered in guts, but we still learned a lot about squid.

DAY 1 - Monday, June 2, 2008

Rock site that we visited during the Geology Hike with Kathleen. We learned all about Sedimentary, Metamorphic, and Igneous rock. In addition, we saw the different layers of rock that had been compacted in the out cove.

While touring the facilities, we discovered much wildlife including this stick insect. It was pretty interesting because we had all passed by it before and not noticed it at all. It blends in very well with its environment especially when it is lying completely still.

This is a photo of the facility we are staying in; it includes the Dining hall, Game room, Sleeping quarters, laundry room, etc. The sleeping quarters are very cool. Every two rooms are connected by one bathroom so most of the time we are running around in each other’s room. Two people to each room - Jared & Alex, Erin & Remy, Justin & Austin