Description
Fish Friends gives participants a chance to really look at fish carefully by using scientific methods of observation, experimentation, data collection, sketching, and art to explore the life of a fish in terms of its anatomy, sensory systems, and behaviors. The future of fish in an ever changing environment is explored through experimentation, net making, and putting together a biomass-magnification schematic.
Overall Objective
The participants will learn get to know fish in the many ways that scientists study the structure and function of fish using fresh and aquarium samples to make observations, use scientific nomenclature and biological keys, create drawings and graphs to interpret their observations.
Background
Since there is more water on the planets earth's surface than land (70%water to 30% land) it is important to know about the fish that live in this water. The earth has 25,000 species of bony fishes and 600 species of cartilaginous fishes. Today 180 species of fish are found in one or more of the Great Lakes. Fish have existed in the waters of the planet many millions of years before humans. Fish have changed with geological time, some species became extinct, but many adapted to changed conditions brought about by population's pressures, environmental changes, and loss of habitat. Fish have always been an important part of man's diet. The quality of the fishery in the Great Lakes help us better understand the environmental quality not only of the Great Lakes region, but also all of North America.
Activities
Anatomy of a Fish
External Anatomy of a Fish
Determine the Age of a Fish
Gytaku: A Japanese Art Form and a Way to Collect Data About Fish
Behavior of Fish
Characteristics of a Fish
How Does Your Fish Maintain Neutral Buoyancy in the Water
How Does a Fish Feed?
Does a Fish Breathe in Oxygen and Breathe our Carbon Dioxide Just as We Do?
Does Water Temperature and/or Light Affect the Breathing Rate of a Fish?
Do Fish Have a Territory or Home Range?
Fish Adaptations: Design Your Own Fish
Taking Care of Our Fish in the Future
What Can Happen to a Fish if Their Water Habitat is Polluted with Harmful Chemicals?
Why Do Soluable Contaminants End Up in the Fatty Tissues of Some Fish?
Make Your Own Fish Net and Other Fishing Wisdom from a Native American Fisherman
| |
