However, an invertebrate biology text would be very helpful to obtain information on each of the 12 larval stages of the crab. A specific crab, such as our Blue Crab, would be of interest to the students in our area. You may elect to search for and recover only specific or more obvious stages as this can be quite a dedicated effort otherwise. Gather , clean, prepare equipment. Instruct students in proper use and set-up of equipment.
Students make wet mount slides of fresh or preserved specimens from plankton tow.
Document findings by photos, TV projection, drawing, or by specific slide collection. Stain slides if aids in visualization of specimen slides. House living samples in the classroom aquaria and document growth, developmental stages, of specific specimens. Construct food webs, ecological pyramids, using the organisms collected from the field trip. Cooperative learning teams for specific parts of the investigations.