Shellfish Biology Lab (Grades 4-12)

This live oyster dissection introduces students to shellfish, shellfish aquaculture and their unique biology. This program begins with an introduction to shellfish and how to identify local species using a dichotomous key. Students are then split into groups to dissect a live oyster. Students will follow along as the instructor guides them through the dissection, locating such features as the gills, stomach and sometimes even a beating heart!

This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance any invertebrate or marine unit and can be customized to focus on topics covered in your own classroom.

**This program can be run at either VIU Nanaimo Campus or Deep Bay Marine Field Station**