April 1, 2021, by admin

Do you know how to identify marine invertebrates? Can you point out the invasive tunicates that grow in the harbor? If not, you could ask a Blatchley Middle School 7^th grader for help! Our diligent citizen scientists just completed a weeklong investigation of organisms that settle on buoys, boats, or docks in Thompson Harbor. After familiarizing themselves with brittle stars, sea cucumbers, tube worms, mussels, and more, we focused closely on tunicates.  

Using their most valuable field biology tool – their fingers – the students gleefully discovered why our native tunicates are referred to as “sea squirts.” They contrasted these organisms with the more “carpet like” appearance of their invasive relatives. Finally, a full day was dedicated to scouring the harbor for any of these orange invasive tunicates known as golden chain and harbor star.  

Special thanks to Marnie Chapman for her tunicate expertise and to BMS educators Brenda Quevedo, Kate Mullin, and Caitlin Woolsey for collaborating on such a dynamic and fun week of place-based Science!