Credit: Alicia Kahn, Rutgers University

Public Lecture: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Ever wonder about the cycles of life in the ocean? The oceans contain a tremendous diversity of marine organisms, most of which owe their existence to phytoplankton, tiny microscopic plants that ‘bloom’ and drift around in the sunlit oceans and form the basis of marine food webs. They also account for approximately half the air you breath! Dr. Bidle will discuss the amazing microbial world of phytoplankton, including the annual cycles of productivity in the ocean, the diverse and fascinating organisms that are responsible, what they mean to the oxygen we breath and the fish we eat, and how we can potentially use their genes for biotechnology.

Professional Development: 11:00 am -1:00 pm
During this session we will focus on phytoplankton and their role in marine food webs. Teachers will have the opportunity to see and participate in several classroom activities demonstrating how the excitement of marine science can be brought to traditional science concepts.

Laura Dunbar, Educator