Schooner, Inc. located at 60 Water Street in New Haven is an excellent resource. Call the Education Director at 865-1737. They offer a wide range of programs and will provide hands-on assistance for setting up aquariums. An alternative to the commercial aquariums developed in this unit is available through Schooner, Inc. The Long Island Sound Aquarium uses water and animals from the Sound. This is a great idea because it involves the local environment and animals. They offer assistance in setting up the aquarium and will provide the animals which they trawl for themselves. At the end of the school year you return the animals to Schooner and they will return them to the Sound. Inquire about the Short Term Tank—a 10 gallon tank you keep in the classroom with a new animal each week. This arrangement involves no feeding, and no pump. It could be an excellent introduction to aquarium keeping in general.
The Whitney Water Center at 915 Whitney Avenue in Hamden offers many educational programs appropriate for the K-2 level. There are guided walks through the woods as well as activities in the laboratory. They have a microscope connected to a VCR so everyone can see what’s in the drop of water taken from the pond! The Education Director will show you how to set up a simple aquarium using a glass jar, an aquatic plant and a Guppy or two. This is an exciting alternative to the usual goldfish bowl. Call 777-1142.
Bottle Biology is a hands-on approach to science using plastic bottles to create experiments. It is appropriate for all levels and very inexpensive. Bottle Biology is funded by the National Science Foundation. The program is designed to develop instructional materials to promote the understanding of ecosystems, the environment and the scientific process. I highly recommend this as a place to start your exploration into science. This and the ideas from Schooner, Inc. and the Whitney Water Center would combine to be a fascinating and affordable preparation for this unit.
Write to:
Wisconsin Fast Plants & Bottles Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Department of Plant Pathology
1630 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706