| Lorraine Sadler, instructor at the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center, leads participants in a shark dissection. |
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We can do it! |
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| Participants helped pilot "Global Heartbeat," developed at Plymouth University, England, by Dr. Mike Depledge. This new research method can be used by working research scientists as well as young "scientists-in-the-making." |
Crabs are collected for the experiment amid much team work and laughter! (They were released at the same spot after the experiment.)
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 In the lab infrared devices were carefully attached to the crab's shell. |
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| The signal from the device monitors the crab's heartbeat response to environmental stimuli from "crab aerobics" to temperature and salinity changes, and displays the data on a computer screen. |
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| Terrestrial topics are also included in our investigations. Dissecting owl pellets to discover answers to food web questions ~ just what does an owl eat? |
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Dr. Judy Lemus and students conducting a survey of intertidal organisms.
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| Using quadrats (open square measurement tools) and transect lines (meter tapes), plus their powers of observation, groups record their findings and compare surveys of the rocky intertidal zone. |
Some interesting organisms are very small! |
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Lorraine Sadler catching an octopus discovered by participants during the intertidal survey. After observations, the octopus was safely returned to her rocky underwater hideout.
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Exploring the mud flats at Catalina Harbor,
mud cores are used to discover the interesting organisms that live in this unique environment. |
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Getting into your subject: mud! |
There are lots of ways to have fun at the mudflats. |
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| A really fun type of exploring is snorkeling in the beautiful marine reserve at Wrigley Marine Science Center |
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~ only first you have to get those wetsuits on! |
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