Special to Aroostook Republican
WASHBURN – Students from Washburn recently became scientists for a day at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland. The students were taken into some science exploration at the high-tech learning center. They saw, on a large screen, photos that zoomed in from space, taking them on a virtual trip from their own school yard and down the watershed to the Gulf of Maine. This proved interesting, especially to students from our inland part of Maine, some of whom have never seen the ocean.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
Courtney Hartsgrove and Brittany Turcotte, both students at Washburn Elementary School, take digital photographs of their X-Fish specimen to document the features they are using to identify their mystery species. These photos will be used when the team explains its findings to the group and were saved to a personalized team Web site they can later share with family and friends.
Participants were guided on the tour by science professionals and learned about what makes the Gulf of Maine and what scientists are doing to better understand it.
The students divided into small teams and took on the role of scientists to conduct cooperative hands-on research at several interactive discovery stations. Their main goal was to solve the “Mystery of the X-Fish.”
Using the scientific methods and authentic research tools, the students made and tested their own theories, examined specimens and live fish, collected and saved information and worked together to draw conclusions and explain their reasoning.
The students used a digital microscope to discover what the X-Fish ate and what role it plays in the Gulf of Maine food web. They also got to take a virtual research cruise and a fishing trip to learn what habitat the X-Fish lives in and how fishermen find them.
They also observed and physically mimicked fish in a schooling tank to understand their behavior and examine the morphology, comparing and contrasting it with digital identification keys to identify the species.
As they worked, students made video records of their hypotheses and conclusions as they worked together to solve this science mystery.
All the Washburn students truly enjoyed their tour of the science world, bringing home not only a better understanding of the Gulf and the sea life within it, but also many pleasant memories that will provide topics for future discussions, both at home and at school.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
Brittany Hernandez, Brooks Arruda and Garren Sadler – students at Washburn Elementary School, study the behavior of fish in GMRI’s schooling tank. After closely observing the fish, students try mimicking their schooling behavior in response to stimuli including food and predators. This is a great activity for children who learn best by using their bodies.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
Mikayla Churchill, Kaylee Doody and Mariena Bragg are pictured examining an X-Fish specimen to discover the unique features that will help them identify which species it is. The size, body shape, fins and eyes of the fish all provide clues to help the Washburn students solve this science mystery.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
Michael Ericson, Cameron Bragg and Kenny Irving – Washburn students – work together to plan how they are going to identify the X-Fish species. They are examining the detailed features of different types of fish and determining how they will compare those to their mystery specimen.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
Courtney Hartsgrove, Michael Ericson, Kenning Irving and Cameron Bragg carefully examined the morphology of their X-Fish specimen and compared and contrasted its features with a variety of fish species using digital identification keys displayed on the screen.
