blog 15

For my Independent Component I plan on doing extra hours of volunteer work at the aquarium. I decided on doing this because I've learned most of my information from my experiences and just talking to the staff. I've learned about the importance of habitat, diet and how to deal with the public. I will meet the expectation of showing 30 hours by posting picture and keeping my blog updated.

Blog 14

I, Felicia Stears, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.
My mentor Andres Carillo and the staff members Chris Bautista, Kiersten Darrow and Nicole Nakata all helped me complete my extra hours. They taught me how to clea tanks, how to prep food for fish, how to set up tanks and lots more.

This component helped me understand the foundation of my project in many ways. For starters, I learned how to set up my own tank. I had to first figure out how big of a tank I'd need, this I needed help from the staff and so we went back to the 'tank shed' and they helped me pick them out. Then I needed to wash them off, scrub and clean them. Next I had to go through the bleaching process where I filled the tanks up with water, poured bleach in them, let them sit, drain them, fill them up again, add some more chemicals and then drain them. Then I had to wash them out again. After this I had to measure the height and width of the tank so that I could figure out how big I needed to cut my dividers. I used plastic mesh as my dividers. Then I hot glued them in the tank. After this I moved them onto a water table. Then I had to set it up. I started by cutting lengths of tubing to make water and air lines. Then I attached airstones to 9 of them. Then I attached them and made covers for my tanks. Then I was able to fill them up with AQ2 (cold) water and put my Olive Rockfish in. This whole project with my Olive Rockfish has been really helpful because I've learned how to sort of take care of my own fish/exhibit. 

Part of my larger tank for my Olive Rockfish (before plants were added)

My failure at gluing the mesh in neatly

Olive Rockfish 8 when he was going through pigmentation changes

Red Abalone

Draining my Rockfish tanks to low levels to take pictures for Image J

Added Plants and shelter for them.

Segmented Worm under the microscope

lobster eggs I got to collect, this was really cool to do

Blog 13

Positive Statement:
I think I made time and that was good...
However, if I were to grade myself I'd give it an AP. I think I said 'um' to much, repeated facts over and over and made my presentation to dry. I think I could have done a lot better.... As far as for what worked for me, I'd have to say that my power point was okay. For what didn't work for me, I definitely need to fix my activity.People spent more time talking then they did on the actual activity and even though I gave them more than enough time they didn't really have an answer when I called on them.

Blog 12

1. What is the best way to raise oceanic fish in captivity?
2. How do you know how much food to feed each animal?
3. If you have a new fish, let's say you don't know what it is, how do you go about feeding it?
4. How do you guys usually identify unknown fish?
5. What is the most common cause of stress for fish?
6. Why is habitat important for fish in captivity?
7. How does diet affect larval/juvenile fish?
8. How does diet affect physical attributions, besides growth?
9. Do you guys ever give your fish vitamins or supplements?
10. How do you know what size tank a fish needs?

1/18/14

Today was Saturday, I don't usually go on Saturdays but I'm going to be busy Sunday so I went today instead. So I started off with prepping the squid and smelt for Sunday and Wednesday feeding. Then I cleaned some of the tanks and prepped the kelp for the Red Abalone. I also spent time in the front, talking to the public about Abalone, Brine Shrimp and the aquarium in general. I always like working the front, it's nice talking with people and seeing the kids excitement to learn. I also got to help bag moon jellies for shipping, that was sort of cool.

1/05/14

Today was a data collecting day. I did the whole food prep, video taping before feeding, feeding, video taping after feeding, draining the tanks and then taking pictures and filling them back up again. Then I recorded my data and used imageJ. The rest of the day was the usual, cleaning tanks and feeding.

Blog 11

1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?
The Aquatic Nursery at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

2.   Who is your contact?
Andres Carillo

3.   How many total hours have you done (total hours should be reflected in your mentorship log located on the right hand side of your blog like your WB)?
I need to update my log, but I've done 112 hours

4.   Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.
I did the extra hours of mentoring for mine. Most of it was dedicated to my Olive Rockfish project and working on my first answer. I learned how to make larval buckets, about the importance of brine shrimp, rotifers and algae and how to prepare food. I also learned different way to feed them. During my time I learned the importance of diet and how it can effect the growth of fish in their early development.

5.   Email your house teacher the name of your contact and their phone number confirming who they should call to verify it.