Discovery Lab

SEA U! at our Discovery Lab:

These programs take place completely at our facility and give you the option of choosing from the options listed below. Depending on how long of a program you want, you can pick up to 5 or 6 of the options below.

• 2 hour program for up to 25 students $240 ($8 per student over 25)
• 4 hour program for up to 25 students $420 ($13 per student over 25, includes 20 minute break for lunch, lunch not included)

Squid Dissection - 1/2 hour
By far one of the favorites — Students will learn about mollusks, their adaptations and various types, including the squid, of course. Working in pairs, the students will have a small squid to explore and identify various organs and parts of the squid and learn how this animal lives, eats and moves.

Plankton, the Invisible Drifters - 1/2 hour
Students delve into the world of microscopic organisms as they view the diverse plankton life found in Avila’s waters on our micro-video system. They will also learn about the upwelling phenomenon common off the California coastline and all about food chains and how important plankton are to the global ecosystem.

Sink or Float Competition - 1 hour
Combines nicely with the Plankton section in that students will construct their own plankton model based on the needs of actual plankton. Students learn how plankton need to be near the ocean’s surface and the various adaptations they have to achieve that. Adaptations are then incorporated into their model to see which works best.

Water Chemistry - 1 hour
Students walk out to the Avila Beach Pier to use real ocean water for experiments in water density, temperature, salinity and pH. They’ll learn how important the ocean’s chemical balance is to the life below.

Rocky Intertidal - 1/2 hour
Invertebrates are the stars of this show. Students will have the opportunity to meet Tide pool invertebrates up close and even touch some of them. They’ll learn about life on the rocky shores that California is so famous for and find out how animals have adapted to living in such a stressful environment. Another favorite!

Marine Mammals - 1/2 hour
Everyone loves what we call the “cute and fuzzies” of the ocean world. Students learn what makes a mammal a mammal and what makes marine mammals so special. A slide show displays the many different types of marine mammals are out there and students will get to view and touch various artifacts such as baleen and whale bones.

Sharks and Rays - 1/2 hour
Sharks are the number one attention getter at most aquariums. This class will separate fact from fiction and show students what makes a shark especially different from other fishes.

Nautical Knot-Tying - 1/2 to 1 hour
Students learn how to tie knots like a sailor. Bowline, square, figure-8, slipknot and hitches are some of the knots they’ll learn. With the one-hour program, they’ll learn how to make a friendship bracelet by — you guessed it — tying knots!