Marine & Freshwater Environmental Education
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What’s the difference between a conch and a whelk?
Good rule of thumb would be that whelks are found in temperate water and conchs are found in more tropical waters. Also, conchs have eyeballs, while whelks have eyespots. If you’re lucky enough to catch them while feasting, whelks are carnivores and conchs are herbivores. Also, their body colors are different. Conchs tend to be […]
13 apps for your day at the beach
It’s time to get the most out of that last trip to the beach! Whether you’re ready for a day out on the boat, lounging, beachcombing, catching some waves, or preparing a feast there is an app to get you more involved in your marine environment. Apps are not only a great way to learn […]
Can you tell what type of whale is under the surface by the spray it produces above the surface?
Yes. For instance, the sperm whale will blow forward and to the left. The vapor will be about 6 feet tall. Right whales and bowhead whales will have a v-shaped blow. The right whales will be about 15 feet tall while the bowhead whales will be higher at 21 feet tall. Humpback whales have a […]
What is bioluminescence?
Bioluminescence means light (as in ‘illuminate‘) from life (prefix ‘bio‘). It is produced by a chemical reaction in many marine or terrestrial organisms. The reaction begins with a chemical called luciferase that catalyzes another chemical, luciferin, to then make oxyluciferin and light. If you see bioluminescence from a boat it is most often tiny dinoflagellates […]
Ocean 180: A contest to create a compelling 3 minute video on your latest ocean study
Movie makers … find a marine scientist with a paper published between January 1, 2008 and November 30, 2013. Marine scientists … find a movie maker with some serious skills for interpreting science. Have the dual set of skills? It’s time to get to work. The Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) Florida is […]
Do whales and dolphins get sunburn?
According to this article from The Royal Society (published November 2010) whales are very prone to the harmful rays of the sun. The scientists discovered whales that spend more time at the surface of the sea had more skin cells exposed and therefore were showing more damage from the ultraviolet radiation. It was even pointed […]
Marine Mammal Monday: The Marine Mammals of Virginia
From Robert A. Blaylock of Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) (thirty years ago!) is a pretty fun guide to look through if you’re into historical documents. Yes, that would be me. It is not very up to date on endangered species listing, but was does a fantastic job setting out on its intention “To […]
Whales don’t have scales
That’s right. Whales are covered in blubber because they are mammals like you and I. Now the fish in the sea are another story. You might not realize it, but, if you’ve ever had the opportunity to touch a shark they are covered in scales just like other bony fish. There are several main types […]
Wednesday Wisdom: Sarah Kay
Find more great ocean and conservation quotes here and please feel free to share with your friends and family! Also, ask away! If you have a question about something you found on the beach or just something you’re curious about just send an email to info@beachchairscientist.com or tweet us!
The Majestic Plastic Bag
Narrated by Jeremy Irons, here is a clip from the “mockumentary”, The Majestic Plastic Bag.
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