Understanding Fish: Anatomy, Behavior, and Ecosystem in the Chesapeake Bay
Dive into the fascinating world of fish with our STEM challenge! Explore the anatomy of fish, including body parts and how they affect swimming speed and habitat. Learn why different shapes and colors are essential for survival and camouflage. Identify various fish species in the Chesapeake Bay and Monocacy River, such as Menhaden, Sturgeon, and Bass, through interactive activities. Join us in creating a fish with specific adaptations, enhancing your understanding of aquatic life. Discover the career of aquatic biologist Carlos de la Rosa and his important work in ecosystem restoration.
Understanding Fish: Anatomy, Behavior, and Ecosystem in the Chesapeake Bay
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Presentation Transcript
Know Your Fish Life Science- Chesapeake Bay STEM Challenge
What do we know about fish? • What do you know about fish body parts? • Do the body parts effect the way the fish swims? • Do the body parts effect where the fish lives?
Speed of a fish… • The shape of a fish’s body and fins determines its speed and maneuverability • The more streamlined shapes are faster and are most suited for fish that swim constantly • The slower shapes are more suited to short bursts of speed, sharp turns, and quick stops.
Food for fish… • Fish are designed to feed at different levels of the water and to eat different types of food. • Superior Mouth • Terminal Mouth • Inferior Mouth
Fishy jaws… Middle of the water Top of the water Bottom of the water
Colors and Markings… • Colors and markings allow fish to blend with their surroundings • Brown and green help blend into grasses and rocks • A light colored belly helps fish on the top of the water blend into the sunlight from fish below them.
Know Your Fish… • What is the name of your fish? • Where does your fish live? • Where does your fish live in the water (top, middle, bottom)? • What does your fish eat? • Where does your fish finds its food? • How does your fish protect itself? • What is the speed of your fish? • Why does your fish have certain colors and markings? • Each team will create a fish • Choose a caudal fin • Choose a dorsal fin • Choose a pectoral fin • Choose a mouth • Choose body shape • Choose colors and markings • Group Jobs • Head • Hands • Heart • Mouth
What kind of fish live in the Monocacy River? • Sunfish • Bass • Trout • Greenside Darter • Common Carp • 26 species
What fish live in the Chesapeake Bay? • Menhaden • Sturgeon • Anchovy • Catfish • Croaker • Hogchoker • 350 species
Cool STEM Job… • Carlos de la Rosa • Aquatic Biologist • As a kid, Carlos hunted for creepy, crawly creatures in the waters of his native Venezuela. He is now an aquatic biologist, studying insects in the waters of the Kissimmee River in Florida. Carlos' research will help restore the health of this river and make a safe home for his beloved bugs.
