About This Activity
Within every drop of ocean water, a secret, microscopic world of plankton is waiting to be discovered! They are often tiny, but their impact on the environment is gigantic. Phytoplankton and zooplankton are the foundation of the ocean’s food web. Phytoplankton use sunlight to make their own food through photosynthesis and provide oxygen for the entire planet. Zooplankton feed on the phytoplankton and are, in turn, eaten by larger creatures like fish and whales. We’re giving these unsung heroes of the sea the spotlight this week. We will design and build models to figure out the best way to control buoyancy, get out with a plankton tow to collect some, look at water samples under a microscope, and more. Get ready for an epic week of adventure as we zoom with the zooplankton and float with the phytoplankton. And it wouldn’t be plankton week without a Sanibel Sea School classic – the soul float!
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