These specialty classes can be offered in your school. Specialty classes are also available on Mondays at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum to enhance your school visit.

The cost for a 60 minute specialty classes in your school is:

1 class $75.00
2 classes $65.00 per specialty class scheduled on the same day
3 classes $55.00 per specialty class scheduled on the same day
4 or more classes $45.00 per specialty class scheduled on the same day
(Additional fee for travel out of the Tucson Area)

(Note: Activities listed are tailored to age group and time limitations. Shorter classes can be arranged. Many topics include hands-on exhibitry. Videos may be substituted for slide shows where appropriate.)

1. Introduction to Oceanography
Why is the Ocean salty? Basic oceanography suitable for advanced 2nd grade and up. Where are the world’s oceans? What’s so special about salt water? Hands-on experiments and activities.

Concepts: density, buoyancy, salinity, currents, tides.
Activities: The Floating Potato experiment, WaterColors (temperature and salinity), Water Cycle craft, Around the World activity.

2. Arizona's Native Waters
Did you know Arizona has a State Fish? In-depth look at creatures native to Arizona’s waterways and the Gulf of California, with discussion about non-native species. Suitable for all grade levels, with hands-on activities added for older students.

Concepts: native, introduced species.
Activities: Create a Fish craft, Native Fishing game, Hands-on exhibitry.

3.
A timely and informative stand-alone class or great complement to the "Arizona's Native Waters" curriculum. Students are introduced to the invasive aquatic wildlife infesting our streams, rivers and lakes. Emphasis on Crayfish, Bullfrogs, Zebra Mussels and the New Zealand Mud Snail. Curriculum includes an optional field experience to an urban lake.

Concepts: Species, Native, Endemic, Introduced, Invasive.
Activities: Habitat Survival, Taxonomy Challenge, Crayfish Trapping.

Click here for Invaders Curriculum and standards correlation.

4. Invertebrates
Is a Starfish a fish? An overview of invertebrate groups; including sponges, jellies, molluscs, arthropods, and echinoderms. Emphasis is on Sea of Cortez species. Suitable for advanced 1st grade and up, especially suitable for 4th grade and up.

Concepts: Invertebrate, Vertebrate, Sessile, Invertebrate class names.
Activities: Slide Show, Sorting activity, craft (age appropriate), Hands-on exhibitry.

5. Fish Tales
Have you ever heard of a Bat Fish? ...How about a Lizard Fish? All you ever wanted to know about fish - and more! Fish structure, adaptations and families. Emphasis on Arizona native and Sea of Cortez species. Suitable for all grade levels, but activities and concepts depend on age group.

Concepts: Fish anatomy, Adaptations, Habitat.
Activities: Slide Show, Fish Sticks craft, Swim Bladders, Hands-on exhibitry.

6. Amazing Sharks
Do people eat more sharks or do sharks eat more people each year? Learn about the lives and importance of sharks and rays. Learn form and function, fact and fiction, and how to protect these incredible creatures. Emphasis on Sea of Cortez species. Suitable for all grade levels, activities and concepts will correspond to age group.

Concept: Electromagnetic Sense, Bony vs Cartilage, Conservation.
Activities: Slide Show, Shark Sense, Shark Art craft, Megalodon Tooth craft, Hands-on exhibitry.

7. Journey of the Sea Turtle
Why do Sea Turtles have Salty Tears?  What other reptiles live in the ocean?  Introduction of the different species of sea turtle; the Kemp's ridley, olive ridley, hawksbill, flatback, black, green, loggerhead and leatherback.  Learn how these extraordinary reptiles have adapted to life in the marine environment.  We will discuss why all sea turtles are endangered and how we can help them.  Suitable for all grade levels, activities and concepts will correspond to age group.

Concept: Varies with age group; reptiles, survival rates, adaptations, habitat, migration
Activities: Sea Turtle Matching Activity, Differentiate between fish, reptiles, birds and mammals activity, Identify sea turtles species, Locate where sea turtles may be found around the world, Hands-on exhibitry.

Click here for Sea Turtles curriculum and standards correlation

8. Tales of Great Whales
Is an Orca a Dolphin or a Whale? Explore the world of cetaceans. Learn about dolphins, porpoises and whales. Discussion on marine mammal conservation. Emphasis is on Sea of Cortez species. Suitable for all grade levels.

Concepts: Mammals, Cetaceans, Odontocetes (toothed), Mysticetes (baleen).
Activities: (some may need a great deal of space!): slide show, As Big As That Blue Whale, Blubber Glove, Whale Art craft, Whale Origami craft, Hands-on exhibitry.
 

9. Whales and Mathematics
How many Big Macs would a Sperm Whale eat if it didn’t eat squid? Using mathematical conversions, dimensional analysis, students learn about these enormous mammals. They will learn to convert length, weight, food consumption, from one unit of measurement to another. They compare these measurements to humans, elephants and school buses. Using an algebraic formula, students will calculate the average speed of the Gray Whale Migration.

Concepts: dimensional analysis, algebraic formula, compare and contrast.
Activities: Conversion charts, Venn Diagram, As big as a Blue Whale, Slide Show and Whale Origami craft, Hands-on exhibitry.

10. Humans and Oceans
Why do humans depend on the oceans? What kinds of products and resources do we get from the oceans? How is the ocean important to you? We’ll discuss how humans use the ocean as a resource, how we are abusing it, and what we can do to take better care of it. Suitable for advanced kindergarten and up, especially good for 4th grade and up.

Concepts: Vary with age group, centers around a message of stewardship for the ocean.
Activities: Beach in a Bag, Recycle-Reduce-Reuse, Around the World activity.

11. Seafood Watch
Where does seafood come from? Learn about different methods of fishing and the impacts they have including by-catch, the tuna dilemma, and seafood farming. What is safe and sustainable? Learn how to become a responsible seafood consumer.

Concepts: Conservation, Healthy Choices and Responsibility.
Activities: By-catch activity, By-catch display, Empty Oceans Empty Nets video, Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch cards.

12. Overview of the Sea of Cortez; Biodiversity and Conservation.
This powerpoint based presentation explores the uniqueness of this maritime desert and it's incredible biodiversity. It covers both threats and progress in the conservation effort in the Gulf region. Ideally suited for advanced middle schoolers, high schoolers and the adult community.

The SDWI Education and Outreach Programs are correlated with the Arizona Academic Standards in Science and cover a variety of topics that enhance classroom curriculum. Included with scheduled outreach presentations are teacher information packets with pre- and post-visit learning materials, handouts, and activities designed to make the most of a Sonoran Desert Waters Institute experience.