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Course name
Cetaceans: Marine Mammals with MacBeth Derham
Recorded course taught by MacBeth Derham for High School, Middle School Biology
Summary

Join us for this fun 6th- to 8th-grade science course exploring our marine mammal friends! Learn the history, biology, breeding, habitats, and behaviors of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in this science course for all middle school students.


Instructor: MacBeth Derham

Course Description: Why would a mammal live in the water? Wonderful whales, delightful dolphins, playful porpoises...or not? Do they really like us? And are they really like us? And what on Earth is ambergris? Join us this semester as we discover the answers to these questions and more.

Total classes

12

Duration

45 minutes

Prerequisites

None

Suggested grade level

6th to 8th grade. Interested high school students are also welcomed to join us.

Suggested credit

One full semester Science, Vertebrate Biology, or Life Science. For a full year credit, follow with Introduction to Geology.

Outline

Course Outline:  

  • Class 1: Cetacean ancestors, fossils, whale fingers?

  • Class 2: A tale of tails– who's who? Or just a fluke?

  • Class 3: Brains, skulls, skeletons

  • Class 4: Circulation, respiration, adaptation

  • Class 5: The 5 senses? Echolocation, and play!

  • Class 6: Range, habitat, and migration, breeding

  • Class 7: Baleen whales

  • Class 8: Toothed whales

  • Class 9: Dolphins, porpoises

  • Class 10: Narwhals, beaked whales

  • Class 11: Whaling– historic to present

  • Class 12: Captivity (Thanks for the fish!)

Materials

Homework

Weekly reading and quizzes. Students are encouraged to visit an aquarium, or go on a whale watch, if possible.