The Alchemists went on an awesome field study to learn more about Marine Biology at the Kenneth Chew Center for Shellfish Research and Restoration. The center is working to restore native marine animals to Puget Sound through the use of aquaculture. The first thing we saw were huge tanks where they grow algae to feed the many animals they are working with. Holding huge amounts of water the tanks are lit by the sun and artificial lights and fill with algae within days.
The algae feeds the larvae of oysters, clams, sea cucumbers and other animals to promote research on the animals as well as restoration. The students saw the tanks holding thousands of tiny animals and looked at them under a microscope.
Once the oysters are big enough they are moved outside to larger tanks and eventually returned to Puget Sound.
The center is also doing research on sea cucumbers and the best way to help them reproduce. The Alchemists saw tanks full of sea cucumbers and got to touch one.
Finally, we saw tanks growing sea weed that is used for cosmetics. Off the coast of the center was also a salmon farm.
Thanks so much to Marine Biologist Ryan from the Chew Center and Mr. Winfrey, our class biologist, for a great, educational tour.
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