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The Scoop on Poop

by  Alaska SeaLife Center

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Alaska SeaLife Center researchers need your help. Why is the endangered Steller sea lion population declining? Environment? Pollution? Diet? How do scientists learn what animals put into their bodies without watching them eat? They get the "scoop on poop." Students will use the scientific method to begin to answer some of these questions. By dissecting sea lion scat students will discover how scientists find clues to animal diet and foraging behavior. Students will determine the species, weight, and size of fish the sea lion has been feasting on.

Program Rating

   based on 31 evaluation(s).
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About This Program

Cost

By Request: $220.00


Price includes materials for up to 30 students. Extra materials are available for $1.00 per student.
$20.00 will be added to reservations made less than three weeks in advance.
Sessions for international schools may include extra postal fees.
Sites that book five or more sessions together will be discounted $10.00 per session.

Length

55 Minutes


Target Audience

Education: Grade(s) 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Public Library: Library Patrons

Minimum participants:

5 recommended

Maximum participants:

30 recommended; 60 possible


Primary Disciplines

Math, Problem Solving, Science


Program Delivery Mode

Videoconference - H.323 (Polycom, Cisco/Tandberg, LifeSize, etc...)
Videoconference – Webcam/desktop (Zoom, Google Meet, Cisco WebEx, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams, etc...)
Zoom



Booking Information

Available any time after 7:00am Alaska time (11:00am EST) but best during daylight hours. Please visit https://www.alaskasealife.org/distance_learning for seasonal recommendations by time zone.

Book it!

Receive this program and 9 more for one low price when you purchase the CILC Virtual Expeditions package. Learn more

For more information contact CILC by email info@cilc.org or by phone (507) 388-3672

Provider's Cancellation Policy

Programs cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will be charged the full cost. No fee for programs cancelled due to weather-related or similar school closures.

About This Provider

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Alaska SeaLife Center

Seward, AK
United States

The Alaska SeaLife Center is a world-class marine science facility that combines a research mission with an animal rescue and rehabilitation program and public education. The center incorporates exhibits that immerse the visitor in the marine ecosystem of Alaska and provide opportunities to view animals in naturalistic habitats and research settings.

Contact:
Darin Trobaugh
distancelearning@alaskasealife.org
907-224-7900

Program Details

Format

1. This program begins with an introduction to the decline of the Steller sea lion population.
2. We will then discuss what Alaska SeaLife Center researchers are looking at as possible causes.
3. We will then investigate actual, cleaned sea lion scat.
4. We will process the scat and ID bones, determine length, weight, and calories of some of the fish that were eaten.
5. This session concludes with a question and answer period while observing our resident Steller sea lions.

Objectives

-Students will experience how animal scat can be used in scientific studies to provide clues about diet and foraging behavior of the animal
-Students will explore how Steller sea lion scat can reveal information about the species, weight, and size of fish the sea lion has consumed
-Students will engage in dissecting pre-cleaned sea lion scat and analyzing its contents

Standards Alignment

National Standards

The following National Academic Standards are addressed within this program.
Science as inquiry
-Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
-Understandings about scientific inquiry
Life Science
-Regulation and behavior
-Populations and ecosystems
-Diversity and adaptations of organisms
Science and Technology
-Abilities of technological design
-Understandings about science and technology