About us  |  FAQ  |  News and press  |  Donate  |  Our sponsors  |  Contact us  |  EYH store  |  Search
Category: Biology  |  Career: Marine Biology

Something Fishy

Purpose:  To help girls understand what a Marine Biologist does. To help girls examine several different types of fish and their habitats.

Supplies: Pre-Activity Prep: set up supplies

I. Introduction (6 minutes): The activity should begin with an introduction.  The first step should be to gather the girls and make a definitive statement that the workshop is going to begin. “Hello, my name is _________ and I am a Marine Biologist. I am here today to show you some things I do as part of my job.  Today we are going to learn about what Marine Biologists do.  The purpose of this workshop is to examine several different types of fish and their habitats.

II. Defining Career (5 minutes): Let’s begin by doing the following. I would like you to talk with the person sitting next to you about two things. First is a definition of a marine biologist that you both agree with. Please write your definition on the gray sheet of paper. Second is to list three things you think a marine biologist does. Write these three things on the yellow sheet of paper. We will have a few minutes for this discussion.” 

Let’s begin by doing the following. I would like you to talk with the person sitting next to you about two things. First is a definition of a marine biologist that you both agree with. Please write your definition on the gray sheet of paper. Second is to list three things you think a marine biologist does. Write these three things on the yellow sheet of paper. We will have a few minutes for this discussion.” 

III. Collecting information (2 minutes): “I would like your attention now, please. Would one of you please bring your definition to this wall and tape it up with masking tape. The other partner should take your list of three tasks to that wall, and tape them up.”

IV. Using information (2 minutes): “Let’s look at these definitions of a marine biologist. I see many of you have a pretty clear definition of what the term ‘marine biologist’ means. It is, in fact, someone who studies plants and animals from the sea.”

Now let’s look at the things you think a marine biologist does. This is a pretty good list. I do some of these things, like [points to examples from lists]. I also [continue with a list of things that you actually do.]”Other marine biologists do things which I don’t  (use examples) Have any of you ever met another marine biologist before?  What were some of the things they did?

V. Hands-on activity (35 minutes): “Now that you know some of the things I do as a marine biologist, let’s do an actual activity that I do as part of my work.

In front of each pair of you is a whole fish in a tray, a plastic probe and a worksheet. The worksheets contain questions like how many fins are on the fish? Where are the eyes located? Where is the mouth located? What kinds of teeth are in the mouth? Each group has a different kind of fish, and all of these fish can be found at your local fish market.

We are going to make observations that allow us to draw conclusions about the fish. Where does it live? What does it eat?  What might eat it?

First, let’s begin by answering one question together. How many fins are on your fish? 
At this point guide the girls to discover other characteristics of the fish. Look at the body, gills and other prominent features.
[Point to the girls to get their answers.]  OK. Write down this number.

Are there any questions? [Waits at least 30 seconds.]  If not, then let’s go to work.”

During the time that the girls are working with the fish, you should walk around the room and interact with the girls about their observations, etc.  Answers questions, clarify information, and help the girls draw conclusions from their observations.]

VI. Closing (15 minutes): “Please stop working with your fish now. I would like to hear from the groups about the observations and conclusions you developed about the habitat of each fish. Would one group like to go first? [Waits 30 seconds, if you do not get a volunteer, say ]  OK, then I would like this group to give us their observations about their fish.” 

[Two girls report observations.]  “Now what was your description of your fish’s habitat?”  [Girls answer.]  “Thank you. Now let’s hear from this group.”

[All groups finish reporting observations and habitat description.]

After the information is collected and the young women have given their presentations, you should be prepared to add your own remarks explaining and adding information about the habitats, where they live, etc. Refer to the charts you brought in for clarification.

“I have enjoyed sharing some things about my job as a marine biologist with you today.  Thank you for participating in this workshop.