

Teachers
Teachers
Of all the accomplished scientists we've interviewed over the years, there's always one thing they have in common: a teacher who encouraged their curiosity in the natural world.
Lesson Plan Material
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Lesson Plan
Annelid Adaptions + ArtThis lesson begins with students engaging in the practice of science -- observing the phenomena, describing their observations, and making sense of what they see. They observe annelid behaviors using a Shape of Life video with the audio turned off. They try to figure out what the phenomenon (the behavior) is, how it might help the organism survive, and how it might impact the environment. Working with a partner, they make hypotheses about what they are observing and organisms' adaptions that allow it to perform the behavior. They then explore how a key feature of both annelids and some art is repetition and how repeating patterns have benefits for both annelids and artists. They create artwork inspired by annelids and present them to the class, using the different mediums to explain annelid adaptations. Extend/Enrich activities are listed at the end of the lesson to help engage all learners.
Full Lesson Plan
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Factsheet
Cambrian ExplosionThe Cambrian Explosion was a burst of animal evolution that occurred in the ocean about 540 million years ago.
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Reading
Cambrian Explosion: A BIG BANG in the Evolution of AnimalsFor most of Earth's early history, there simply was no fossil record. Only recently have we come to discover otherwise: Life is virtually as old as the planet itself, and even the most ancient sedimentary rocks have yielded fossilized remains of primitive forms of life.
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Features
Teacher
Jane Silberstein, Adjunct Professor at Cabrillo College and California State University at Monterey Bay
“I love collecting and exploring plankton because you literally never know what you’re going to find each time you pull in that fine mesh net”
Jane Silberstein, Adjunct Professor at Cabrillo College and California State University at Monterey Bay
“I love collecting and exploring plankton because you literally never know what you’re going to find each time you pull in that fine mesh net”

Blog
Get the Drift of Plankton
Plankton are a multitude of living organisms adrift in the currents. The word plankton comes from the Greek word for wandering. Our food, air, fuel, and building materials depend on plankton. There are two types of plankton: phytoplankton (plant) and zooplankton (animal). Both come in a dazzling array of body plans and life-cycles.
Get the Drift of Plankton
Plankton are a multitude of living organisms adrift in the currents. The word plankton comes from the Greek word for wandering. Our food, air, fuel, and building materials depend on plankton. There are two types of plankton: phytoplankton (plant) and zooplankton (animal). Both come in a dazzling array of body plans and life-cycles.

Scientist
Christian Sardet, Plankton Pioneer and Artist
“I love the diversity, the beauty and adaptations of plankton,” says Christian Sardet. And, he’s on a mission to share this passion with everyone through art, film and photography.
Christian Sardet, Plankton Pioneer and Artist
“I love the diversity, the beauty and adaptations of plankton,” says Christian Sardet. And, he’s on a mission to share this passion with everyone through art, film and photography.
