Coast Field Trip #4 – Marine Life and Environmental Issues

– Birch Aquarium Scripps at Institution of Oceanography -

Sunday May 6, 2012 -- 9:00 am  

Introduction

This fieldtrip assignment involves participating in a field trip to the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, CA.   The focus of this fieldtrip is on west coast marine life, their habitats, and the environmental issues that they face.   Students must complete a field trip worksheet during the fieldtrip, and write a reflection.  Lecture course students can earn 10 extra credit points for this fieldtrip.  Those who choose to complete the field trip online will receive full credit when they respond to this assignment by answering (correctly, of course) the Virtual Fieldtrip Question Worksheet file included on this assignment page.    The completed worksheet and written reflection of the fieldtrip must be turned in by Sunday May 14 by 11:55 pm (online classes) OR at the beginning of next class meeting (on-campus classes).   Below is information for both, the in-person, and online alternative fieldtrips.

Date: Sunday, May 6 at 9:00 am  Take note that this field excursion can also be done at any other time (self-guided), but that in order to get credit, you must include a photocopy of your admittance receipt with your completed worksheet.

Meet Where:  The Birch Aquarium is near UCSD - next to Scripps Institute of Oceanography.    We will meet out in front of the aquarium at 9:00 am sharp.  The price of admission for students with an ID is $8.00 with a student coupon.  There is free 3-hour parking. 

How long?: The trip will take about 2 to 3 hours to complete.

Purpose: To familiarize students with marine life, including the impacts humans have on nature, and the impact nature has on humans.  

Field Assignment: Students will be required to complete a field trip handout, which includes observations and answering fill-in questions, and writing a short reflection on the field trip experience.

        Follow this link to download the questionnaire worksheet:  http://oceansci.com/inperson_fieldtrip4_worksheet.pdf

Grade Points: On-campus students will receive up to 10 credit grade points for completed the field trip, which includes attendance and the completion and submittal of a written reflection.   Online course students will receive up to 10 credit grade points for completed the field trip (as a required trip), which includes attendance and the completion and submittal of a written reflection.  At the present time, there is no virtual option for this trip – sorry.

What to Bring: Students should bring a copy of the worksheet, a clipboard, and writing tools, water, and a camera.

What to Wear: Loose, comfortable clothes (T-shirt and shorts is good) along with a hat and sweatshirt or windbreaker. Beach weather may range from sunny and warm to overcast and cool. So it is a good idea to be prepared either way.

How to Get There:  http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/visitor/

How to Get There: Directions to fieldtrip with guide map and directions, and Birch Aquarium admission costs are found on the link below this one.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&rls=GGIC,GGIC:2006-50,GGIC:en&q=stone%20steps%20beach%20map&btnG=Search&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl 

  

 Option #2   Marine Fisheries and Environmental Concerns

 

Field Assignment: Students need to complete a question-based worksheet on the virtual field trip experience to be turned in via the online classroom assignment portal.  You need to return your written answers to those questions in the Fieldtrip #4 Assignment submit section) as a response to this assignment in order to receive extra credit.  This “virtual” fieldtrip focuses on marine life and habitats under pressure from fishing, harmful fishing techniques, and other environmental concerns affecting the ocean, including over-nitrification and global warming.  This assignment is composed of two parts: Fisheries and Ocean Pollution.