Ocean Science and Marine Biodiversity

Explore Ocean Biodiversity and Learn How To Protect It

The ocean is home to a fascinating variety of ecosystems, from tide pools along the shore to the depths of the middle Pacific. Dive below the surface to explore marine biodiversity and to learn how people can help protect it.

Students will explore a variety of ecosystems, including California’s own kelp forests, where sea lions, dolphins and whales roam. They will examine how human activities are changing these ecosystems and how marine creatures cope with the changes. We will take a look at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to learn how plastics move around our oceans. The class will also look at how the work of marine biologists can help protect the diversity of sea life. Activities will include experiments, dissection of ocean animals and creation of hand-crafted marine creatures from recycled plastics and trash.

What You Will Learn

Get an introduction to marine biodiversity and to learn how people can help protect it.

• Learn about different marine ecosystems and how they function independently and together.
• Explore how living things in ocean habitats cope with changes in pressure, density and temperature.
• Look at how human activities are affecting these ecosystems.
• See how the work of research scientists can help protect ocean biodiversity.
• Dissect animals to get a sense of how specialized ocean life is.
• Create marine creatures from recycled plastics and trash.