C-MORE Science Kits

If you are interested in borrowing a C-MORE science kit, please contact Kate Achilles at kate.achilles@soest.hawaii.edu.
Click on the images of the science kits below to see larger versions.

Plankton Lab

One plankton, two plankton, three plankton, four, phytoplankton, zooplankton, tiny organisms galore… Billions of micro-organisms inhabit our world’s oceans. Participants will explore the tiny plant-like organisms (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton) that live in seawater. These organisms may be tiny, but they occupy some of the most important roles in the marine food web. Without plankton, none of the larger fish or mammals in the ocean would be able to survive! Let’s cast our net and see what we can identify.

Objective: To improve awareness on the significance of plankton in the marine food web, and to identify these mysterious critters under a microscope. This C-MORE science kit is suitable for students of all ages.

Chlorophyll Lab

Did you know that a teaspoon of seawater contains over a million microscopic organisms? Some of these tiny organisms in the ocean are responsible for producing over half the oxygen in the atmosphere! So go ahead and take a deep breath – but, don’t forget to thank a phytoplankton! Just like land plants, phytoplankton in the ocean use a green pigment called chlorophyll to create energy from light by the process of photosynthesis. Come explore what factors enhance the growth of phytoplankton by comparing the amount of chlorophyll in seawater samples collected from different locations.

Objective: To emphasize the essential role of phytoplankton in the global carbon cycle through the process of primary production (ie: photosynthesis), and to learn about the factors that regulate the growth of phytoplankton in the marine environment. This C-MORE science kit is appropriate for high school students.

Marine Mystery: A Watery Who-dunnit!

E-ghad! Who has abducted the microscopic zooxanthellae and killed Seymour Coral? Is the menacing All-gal Bloom to blame? Has Seddi Mentation smothered Mr. Coral in his sleep? Or did Glowball Warming murder Mr. Coral with a lethal fever? Join forces with the local Sheriff on the reef to piece together all the clues to help solve this watery who-dunnit! Participants will simulate DNA fingerprinting of the suspects, and help solve a murder by matching the DNA fingerprints left at the crime scene to those of the suspects.

Objective: For students grades 3-8 to learn about the causes of coral reef destruction through a murder-mystery experience. Set up a scenario in which kids determine that the climate change-induced loss of zooxanthellae resulted in the premature demise of Seymour Coral! Participants also learn some fundamental aspects of molecular biology in order to identify a suspect by using their DNA.

Materials (all PDFs)

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