Designing Plankton

• Grades 5th-12th
• Length: 3.5 hours
• Type: Field & Lab Activity
• Alabama Course of Study

Students investigate the many species of phyto- and zooplankton using plankton nets to take live samples from Mobile Bay, and use microscopes in the laboratory to observe what they caught. Students then apply what they have learned and ‘bioengineer’ their own plankter to use in the Race to Survive!

Students will collect plankton and learn how to prepare slides to view the plankton under microscopes. This can be a wet or dry activity.

Keywords to review: Plankton, Zooplankton, Phytoplankton, Autotroph, Heterotroph, Photosynthesis