This week fifth graders were hosted by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute for a field trip to learn more about the ecosystems here in our Maine waters.
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute, located in Portland, Maine was founded back in 1968. Over the years there have been many changes. The Institute currently works on collaborative research between both scientists and Maine's fishing industry. GMRI has help to put Maine on the map for ocean research and state of the art science education.
Students learned about climate changes and how they are effecting our oceans ecosystems, the impacts that has on their health as well as seafood sustainability here in Maine and how that affects the strong fishing industry of Maine's costal communities.
While there students got to use interactive equipments at GMRI to look at the different animals and the ecosystems they live in, they were also able to use microscopes, and were given the chance to look at and handle a Maine lobster.
Students had a great day experiencing all that GMRI had to offer while also learning so much! Check out pictures from the field trip here!