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Grades 9-12
A bubbly take on marine biology
New Trier High in Winnetka, Ill., has taken the teen study of marine biology to new heights by bringing students to new depths-courtesy of scuba-diving lessons. Some 40 student signed up for the course recently. They took lessons in the school pool while studying aquatic ecosystems, marine-life feeding patterns and animal anatomy, the Chicago Tribune reports. The curriculum brought in elements of physics and chemistry as well.
When studying in their classroom, the teens drew lessons from six aquariums designed to replicate the basic ecosystems of the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean and other bodies of water. Activities included dissecting sand dollars, jellyfish and small dogfish sharks.
"It's an awesome class," said student Hunter Gustman. "It's not like sitting around and getting lectured at." Instructor John Burnside, a certified diver, ties the pool sessions back into the classroom component of the course. For instance, an upside-down dive might lead to a conversation about how the physiology of sea creatures allows them to maintain their orientation as they flit about.
"The kids are hooked," Burnside said. "They've gone beyond my control. If there's an algae problem in one of their tanks, they research it and tell me what to buy to fix it." Some are even considering careers in marine biology, he adds.
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