This week in STEM, the 2/3 class was introduced to their driving question for this project: How can we create a mural to teach the VDS community about the different ocean zones? They brainstormed their “need to knows”, including:

-What are the names of the different ocean zones?

-How does pressure, temperature and light change at each zone?

-How have organisms adapted to each ocean zone?

 

To start exploring the ocean, we started with the Deep Zone! They learned about bioluminescence, and explored why certain organisms use bioluminescence, for reasons such as avoiding predators or attracting prey. Based on our lesson on the deep zone of the ocean, and bioluminescence, the 2/3s designed their own new bioluminescent organism that was well adapted to the deep ocean. They researched bioluminescent organisms to get some ideas, and then thought about which part of the organism should be bioluminescent and why, and how it uses its bioluminescence to survive. Keep an eye out for our ocean mural, and the glow in the dark creatures designed by the 2/3 scientists!