Super Science Me!
Nicola Chernetski, Amelia AbbottFrey, and Kristin Curtis

Stinky dissection.

Today, the Science Institute candidates explored the anatomical, historical, and environmental aspects of estuary/sea life. Two tables were lined up in parallel fashion as the Science Institute investigated ocean life Wednesday morning. Instructed by Advanced Marine Science members, six stations were set up for the Science fellows to participate in: Octopus, Mullet/Flounder/Bluefish, crabs/oysters, sharks, squid, and Princess. One of the favorite activities among the students was learning Princess’s story. Princess the turtle was found on the road this year after being hit by a car. Her shell was damaged and surgery was necessary. Students were allowed to touch Princess and learn more about her traumatic experience. Sharon Levin of University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) instructed the students about sharks. Sharks are camouflaged so that when viewed from above the water, they blend in with the ocean floor. Likewise, when viewed from the floor, they blend in with the sun. Sharks are also cartilaginous, which allows them to move freely through water. And move they must. Sharks have unique gills that don’t open and close through movement. “I like that the gills are always open,” Levin suggests. She later stated that shark gills are the most interesting part, anatomically. Because of their uniqueness, sharks must always be in motion. Adam Fields, a rising freshman at Dixon High School, also found the sharks fairly interesting. “Hammerhead sharks are my favorite animal,” he beamed. Another activity was the “Fossil Hunt”. At the fossil hunt the students investigated the dirt mound located in the drying beds at Sturgeon City. The groups divided into partners, each with one sieve, and shifted through the dirt in the hopes of finding fossils and sharks teeth. Despite the heat, the students seemed to enjoy this hunt for ancient treasures. As instructor Bobbie Cavanaugh stated, “It fosters their love for finding things and getting a reward for it.”

Catching minnows.

The Science Institute also tested the water quality in Wilson Bay by dropping psyche discs into the bay and measuring by seeing how far the disc went before it was out of sight. Candidate Caitlin Brooks expressed her excitement. “There’s a lot of fish in here!” Besides testing water, students of the Science Institute also were introduced to Snappy 2. Sam Bland, Hammocks Beach State Park Ranger, lectured Science Institute fellows about wildlife preservation. As the students sat in a semicircle around Bland, the ranger stressed that students should be an advocate of wildlife preservation. As nets, jellyfish, and losses of natural habitats occur, species of wildlife slowly become extinct. “Not only are the unique wildlife living things, they’re a knitch in our environment and deserve to stay.” After Bland’s lecture, Daniel Norris presented the students with Snappy 2, a Cape Fear Community College alligator. Finally, the science fellows explored the marshes of Wilson bay. Wading through the murky wetlands, institute candidates used sifting nets to more closely examine the creatures lurking beneath the water’s surface.