Marine & Freshwater Environmental Education
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Myth debunked: Delaware Bay not an annual pit stop for all shark species
A fan of Beach Chair Scientist on Facebook recently asked me to demystify a rumor she had heard. This is what she wanted to know: “I was told that over the course of a year, at least one of every species of shark can be found in the Delaware Bay. Do you know if this […]
Reference Squid
I would love to share this wonderful squid dissection video from Paul Dewiler, Instructor of Marine Science at the San Diego Mesa College. The video was inspired by his overview during his Ultimate Squid Dissection workshop at the National Marine Educators Associations 2010 conference in Gaitlinburg, TN. He states that the purpose of the video […]
Is there any fish species closely related to mermaids?
As paleontologically-inclined artist and author Ray Troll likes to say, people—and by extension, all mammals—are just really complicated fish. Since mermaids are widely believed to be the optimistic misapprehension of common manatees by sadly sea-addled sailors, the fish species most closely related to mermaids would be…well…us, mammals. Jim Wharton Vice President, Education Division, Director, Center […]
The Cove
The Oscars are this Sunday and there is one documentary which you may want to check out. I have posted a review of “The Cove” by Kenneth Turran, a film and book critic for the Los Angeles Times. Have you already watched the film? I would love to know what you think.
My new land-to-sea connection
Even if you don’t live by the ocean you should care about it and issues associated with its health. Yes, the ocean ecosystem is unhealthy. Industry, industry, and more industry popped up in the last century and brought with it increased emissions into the atmosphere causing climate change. The ocean is the largest ecosystem on […]
What is the difference between a tern and a gull?
Wings: Terns have long-pointed wings while gulls have broad wings. Beaks: Terns have sharp bills while gulls have hooked beaks. Body size: Terns are smaller. Predatory practice: Terns dive to water to grab fish while gulls float on water to pick up prey. Tern (l), Gull (r) Image (c) cheasapeakebay.net (tern), wikipedia.com (gull) Do you […]
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 […]
Beyond Angry Birds
Not too long ago I heard a story on the radio raving about how well folks are transitioning children books to iPad apps. Basically what it is expanding upon is the idea that if your kiddo is going to be entertained with an iPad why not have them explore something that is enriching? A little […]
Everybody do the ‘Stingray Shuffle’
Staying safe at the beach this summer can mean more than just applying liberal amounts of sunscreen. If you are going to be visiting the southeastern United States you may want to try the ‘stingray shuffle’ to avoid a venomous injection from a stingray. A stingray’s main defense is it’s barb which they arc up […]
It’s as Easy as A, B, Sea: A Review
We did it! Here is the Beach Chair Scientist’s 2011 version of the A, B, Seas. A is for Agnatha B for Baffin Bay C for Chitin D for Diaz, Bartholomeu E for Epipelagic F for Fulmar G for Gorgonians H for Horseshoe Crab I for Irish Moss J for JOIDES K for Knot L […]
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- Robert Emahiser on Why you should never walk on dunes
- Lesa on 10 brief facts on bioluminescence
- Lisa on Limulus Love
- Beach Chair Scientist on 17 facts about the wee sea potatoes
- Bernard Rejterada on 17 facts about the wee sea potatoes
- Brian on What is the difference between a summer and winter flounder?
- Inbound marketing on 15 facts about the Portuguese man-of-war that’ll have you saying “Didya know…?”
- Donnie Huckabee on Wordless Wednesday | Shell art
- John on Why you should never walk on dunes
- ItzJaylaD on What I know about whale sharks
Top posts & pages from BCS …
- Hurricane vs. Cyclone vs. Typhoon
- A House for Hermit Crab
- How to handle a horseshoe crab
- Snot's your house
- Wednesday Wisdom: Various quotes (Alaska scenes)
- A naturalist's must-see destination: Fossil Hunting at Bayfront State Park in Chesapeake Beach, MD
- Belly biology creates lasting memories
- Five awful puns about courtship in the sea
- Horseshoe crabs confirmed as members of arachnid family
- Beyond the bag: Other plastics being banned
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