Gulf of Maine Research Institute Trip

On Tuesday, February 28th our class visited the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland, Maine. While there, the kids joined the team of scientists working to understand what is happening in the Gulf of Maine. The team asked the kids to help them figure out how five species are connected in the Gulf: cod, lobster, herring, people, and copepods. Students rotated through four interactive learning stations using the scientific method to help answer this question.

At one station the kids used a fishing simulator to help understand the reasons for catch limits and different kinds of nets. They were able to see how scientists and fishermen need to work together to manage the balance of different kinds of fish in the Gulf in order to keep the food web in tact. Another task asked the kids to learn about the warm and cold water copepods by examining them under microscopes in the Gulf of Maine. They were asked to consider how the warming temperature trends in the Gulf might affect the cold water copepods. The kids were able to see how if those little critters are affected, this might disrupt other species in the web. Another highlight is the station where students got to work with a live lobster. They investigate the adaptations that lobsters have to help them survive in their habitat.

As always, this trip allows the kids to explore science in a hands on, interactive, real world way. It is always a highlight of our year! Please enjoy these photos of the kids at work. Also take a minute to explore your child's webpage by following the passport that came home with your child the day of the trip.