Teacher as Student: Marine Aquarium Environmental Science
I need conference registration, airfare, food, and lodging to attend the Marine Aquarium Conference of North America, plus items to safely transport corals.
Every day is Earth Day in my science classroom. We have saltwater aquarium systems and in addition to regular science classes, I teach an Aquatic Studies elective. Students care for a reef aquarium, coral propagation tank, jellyfish tank, clownfish and anemones, frogs, and culture three types of plankton for live food. Middle school is the perfect time to involve students in environmental science!
As a magnet school, we serve students throughout the district, encompassing a wide range of home language, academic proficiency, and socioeconomic level.
We are also a full-inclusion school, so I teach all students including those with special needs, the gifted and English Language Learners. I teach a rigorous STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) curriculum constructed on a foundation of hands-on learning and real-world application. Aquarium study and care provide excellent applications of science concepts and financial principles, bringing relevant college and career prep experiences to my students.
My Project
As a teacher of science and aquatic studies, I am tasked with providing my students rich and relevant experiences in order to understand the natural world and their place in it.
At the Marine Aquarium Conference of North America, I will attend workshops presented by marine scientists on such topics as coral and sea anemone propagation, plankton culture, best practices in reefkeeping, and current ocean issues.
I will meet with aquarium industry leaders and supporters of my classroom Aquatic Studies program. I will learn about the latest techniques in marine animal husbandry, see new products that seek to replicate ocean conditions in aquaria and increase energy efficiency. I need to learn more about the state of the world's coral reefs and fisheries, ocean debris and plastics pollution, aquaculture, mariculture, and conservation efforts.
Marine science offers diverse STEM career opportunities in marine biology, chemistry, genetics, botany, physics, engineering, geoscience, climate science, deep sea research, civil engineering of coastal regions, materials science, computer coding, and biomedical research! I will meet professionals in these fields, making contacts and learning about resources for my students. All marine issues include economic components, which I will also learn about at the conference.
I have a lot to learn about marine science and aquaria to keep our tanks running and fund our program through a small classroom coral propagation business to provide exciting science experiences to my students. I look forward to increasing my knowledge and skills at the MACNA conference in September! This requires event registration, transportation, food, lodging, and containers to construct a TSA-approved coral transport system.
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