Big Al Lab and Cruise

Your Experience

This program is part of our LiteraSEA series, which examines the connections between science and children’s literature, focusing on separating fact from fiction. In the book Big Al by Andrew Clements, Big Al the fish engages students as he searches for friends. Students will learn about the habitats of Big Al and his ocean friends, and even meet a few of them in our Discovery Pool touch tank. They’ll learn how these animals use camoflauge and adaptations to survive. They’ll also learn about the different feeding stratagies of fish and how humans effect the ocean through commercial fishing.“Big Al” comes to life aboard the R/V Sea Explorer during a brief trip outside of the harbor to view the local sea lions and other marine mammals. While aboard, students learn about oceanographic equipment such as a drop camera, plankton net, and a benthic sampler. Onboard, students will get a tour designed to familiarize them with research materials and equipment. The boat will remain inside the harbor while the students rotate through the various stations. Students will have the opportunity to gently touch some of the invertebrates the the Ocean Institute has to offer. By using field guides, the students will have the chance to identify each animal and learn about its survival techniques. Students will identify the different types of zooplankton and phytoplankton found in that day’s sample. Through discussion, the students should come to understand the importance of plankton in the ocean food chain. Students will find animals living in the sample of mud taken earlier in the cruise. Using forceps, they will pick out the invertebrates and match them as best they can to pictures of benthic animals and place their specimen in the corresponding tray.