Students take on the role of scientists advising an aquarium director by helping answer young visitors’ questions about Spruce the Sea Turtle, who will soon be released back into the ocean. They investigate how Spruce can survive in the ocean, particularly since sharks live in the area. They then investigate a question about Spruce’s offspring: How can Spruce the Sea Turtle’s offspring survive where there are sharks? 

Students use simple tools to observe, describe, analyze, and sort solid earth materials and learn how the properties of the materials are suited to different purposes. The investigations compliment the students’ experiences in the Solids and Liquids Module with a focus on earth materials and the influence of engineering and science on society and the natural world. Students explore how wind and water change the shape of the land and compare ways to slow the process of erosion. Students learn about the important role that earth materials have as natural resources.