Let’s Go on a Research Cruise!

In order to observe and study the ocean, scientists often need to see it first-hand. By going on research cruises, scientists can:

  • see ocean life in its natural environment; and,
  • conduct experiments that would not be possible in the laboratory.

Scientists at Bigelow Laboratory recently went on a research cruise to investigate how the food webs in different oceanic habitats vary.

They looked specifically at three types of ocean habitat: the open ocean, the continental shelf, and an upwelling area. The researchers were hoping to learn the answers to two questions:

1. How well do the actual marine food webs match our food chain models for the three habitats?
2. How does the microbial community in each food web change with depth?

Let’s join the Bigelow scientists on this cruise and help them with their research! Throughout our trip, we will come across Activities and Questions that will help us answer the two research questions above. Once our journey has reached its end, take a look at the "Activity and Question Checklist" to make sure you addressed all of them.

Pack your bags everyone; we’re heading out to sea!

Our Route
Work at Sea
The Data
Putting It All Together
The Journey Home

Activity and Question Checklist

Information for Teachers