Hands-On Aquarium: Bringing
Invertebrates to Life

Goals:
 Address misconceptions about
invertebrates
 Bring invertebrates to life
 Increase student engagement
 Teach student Care Givers how to care
for marine environments
 Use Touch Tank for second grade
presentations
Ward’s Marine Touch Tank
Implementation

In early February, we received all pieces for the tank and stand.

Tank was allowed to cycle for one month.

In early March we added the first tank inhabitants.

In late March we added the second set of organisms.

In early April, students were allowed to start briefly handling the
organisms and in small doses. The organisms were not ready to be
handled by many classes of 2nd grade students.

By next semester we will be able to implement their use in the animal
science classroom and for more intense handling for 2nd grade
presentations.
First time handling animals
Horseshoe Crab
7th grade students showing elementary
schoolers how to handle sea cucumbers
and a horseshoe crab.
Sea Cucumbers and Horseshoe Crabs
Discovering a
Sea Urchin