The spiny-skinned creatures, echinoderms, are the only major group of animals that live totally in the ocean. In this course, students will embark on an immersive journey to uncover the unique traits and roles played by sea stars, sea urchins, and sand dollars within marine ecosystems. Through engaging activities, such as microscope exploration, tank observations, and beach walks, participants will gain an up-close understanding of anatomy and behavior. Projects like creating echinoderm prints, making sea star window clings, and building clay sand dollars will enable students to express their creativity while reinforcing their knowledge. With fun games like Echinoderm Tag, they'll learn about the intriguing ability of echinoderms, like sea stars, to regenerate lost body parts.
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