Virtual Discovery Zone

During the current covid-19 pandemic, many of us are adjusting to a whole different way of working, learning, and sharing. Here at the National Marine Life Center, we know many families are facing increased challenges with home schooling and sheltering at home. To help, NMLC offers the following resources!

We’re here for you! If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, or if you would like to schedule a private virtual program, please e-mail education@nmlc.org. We offer virtual classes in a variety of topics!

May Discovery Zone Activities
(Visit our Event Calendar for additional information)

• Eat Like a Whale – Whales are incredible! There are 90 different species of whales, dolphins, and porpoise. They belong to two groups, those with baleen and those with teeth. Discover what these two groups eat and how they catch their food! Video Here
• Marine Animal Medical Mystery TURTLES – learn what it takes to care for a marine animal when they arrive at NMLC. Practice with a stuffie at home as we guide you through with a video!
  • Sea Turtle Admission Data Form 1 (Grades 2nd-4th)
• Tracking and Tagging Marine Animals – How do we learn where ocean animals spend their time, how fast they swim, and “how far they’ll go”? We can track and identify them with tagging devices! Learn all about how we tag and track ocean animals. Video 
• Sea Turtles Behind the Scenes – Have you ever wondered how the National Marine Life Center cares for our Sea Turtle patients? Learn about what our sea turtles eat, what we give them to heal their shells, and how we get them ready to go back to the wild again. Video
• Marine Animal Medical Mystery SEALS – learn what it takes to care for a marine animal when they arrive at NMLC. Practice with a stuffie at home as we guide you through with a video!
  
  • Marine Animal Medical Mystery – Seals
    Patient Admission Data Sheet Form 1 (2nd-4th Grade)
    Patient Admission Data Sheet Form 2 (Grades 4th and up)
• Backyard Explorer Scavenger Hunt – Curiosity is the beginning of scientific exploration! Get out of the house
  and explore what living things are thriving in your own back yard or
  nearby nature space. Bring your own tools like magnifying glass, binoculars, or nature journal!
  • Backyard Explorer Scavenger Hunt

• Saturday Night Ocean Trivia (June date TBD) – Do you know the difference between a whale shark and a whale? Do you know which marine animal has the shortest nursing period of any mammal? Join us tonight to test your ocean trivia skills! It’s fun for the whole “pod”! Register here for the opportunity to win prizes throughout the event. (Registration not required!)
• Patient Update LIVE! (Saturdays at 11 am) – update about our marine animal patients on Facebook Live.

On Demand Virtual Programs

• Aquatic Adventures – indoor and outdoor activities that explore the wonders of the aquatic world, posted on YouTube and on NMLC’s website.
  • Animal Behavior
  • Coral Reef Craft
  • Eat Like A Whale!
  • Food Web Fun
  • Manatee Appreciation Day
  • Sea Turtle Feeding & Math
  • Feeding Sea Turtles – Data Sheet
  • Sea Turtle Life Cycle
• Behind the SEAnes – virtual exploration “behind the scenes” at NMLC, posted on Facebook. Some video are also available on NMLC’s YouTube Channel.
  • Gray Seals Woody & Nobska
  • Kitchen Tour
  • Matinicus the Harp Seal
  • Sea Turtle Special, Part 2
• Earth Day 50th Anniversary – Earth Day Adventure!
  • Earth Day Aquatic Explorer Scavenger Hunt
  • Earth Day Backyard Hero Scavenger Hunt
  • Earth Day Ocean Explorer Scavenger Hunt
  • Earth Day Planet Protector Scavenger Hunt
• Little Flippers – It’s Story Time! Let’s read a few stories and make a marine animal craft!
  • Little Flippers Seals – Here
  • Little Flippers – Turtles  Video Available Here
  • Turtle Craft Template Paper Plate Sea Turtles
• Marine Animal Medical Mystery – learn what it takes to care for a marine animal when they arrive at NMLC. Practice with a stuffie at home as we guide you through with a video!
  
  • Marine Animal Medical Mystery – Seals
    Patient Admission Data Sheet Form 1 (2nd-4th Grade)
    Patient Admission Data Sheet Form 2 (Grades 4th and up)
  • Marine Animal Medical Mystery – Turtles
    Sea Turtle Admission Data Form 1 (Grades 2nd-4th)
    Sea Turtle Admission Data Form 2 (4th Grade and above)

Coloring Pages

• Coloring Sheet – 3 Shapes of Turtles
• Coloring Sheet – Dolphins
• Coloring Sheet – NMLC Marine Life Mural
• Coloring Sheet – Ocean Animals
• Coloring Sheet – Sea Turtle Life Cycle with Facts
• Coloring Sheet – Seals
• Coloring Sheet – Whales