As an instructor at Athena’s, my goal is to challenge and inspire students interested in marine biology & ecology!
Click here to view which of my courses are currently open for enrollment.
All courses I have created & teach:
- All About Algae – 8 weeks – Grade levels 6-10
- Our class will explore the main groups of algae, comparing and contrasting them along the way. Students will develop the following skills:
- Knowledge of complicated life history strategies.
- Knowledge of taxonomy and algal groups.
- How to use a dichotomous key for identifying organisms.
- Research using general Internet sources as well as scientific articles for advanced students.
- Presenting research findings.
- Our class will explore the main groups of algae, comparing and contrasting them along the way. Students will develop the following skills:
- Case Studies in Marine Disease Ecology – 8 weeks – Grade levels 7-12
- Our course will follow Dr. Drew Harvell’s influential work investigating four key marine disease case studies: coral disease, abalone withering syndrome, salmon disease, and sea star wasting syndrome. Students will develop the following skills:
- Scientific thought skills.
- Knowledge base of disease ecology theory and case studies in marine diseases.
- Researching using general Internet sources.
- Our course will follow Dr. Drew Harvell’s influential work investigating four key marine disease case studies: coral disease, abalone withering syndrome, salmon disease, and sea star wasting syndrome. Students will develop the following skills:
- Contributing to Scientific Understanding – 16 weeks – Grade levels 9-12
- It can be very difficult for students to find opportunities to participate in scientific research and practice the skills they’ll need to confidently approach questions in the future. This course provides students with a variety of avenues to pursue their interests and create something tangible! This course provides students with opportunities and guidance to tackle any or all of these project types:
- A literature review/review article on a subject of their choice
- Utilizing iNaturalist to participate in monitoring, notice patterns, or learn how to identify species
- Editing Wikipedia articles to contribute to public scientific knowledge
- Creating a science communication blog or website, for fact-checking, sharing knowledge, or something else
- Something else that students are interested in! Prof. Emma is available to guide students through project creation regardless of what form their projects take.
- It can be very difficult for students to find opportunities to participate in scientific research and practice the skills they’ll need to confidently approach questions in the future. This course provides students with a variety of avenues to pursue their interests and create something tangible! This course provides students with opportunities and guidance to tackle any or all of these project types:
- Coral Communities: Tropical & Cold-Water Reefs – 16 weeks – Grade levels 7-12
- In this course, we’ll consider both tropical and cold-water corals as we explore coral morphology, taxonomy, growth forms, ecology, conservation, and more! Students will develop the following skills:
- Awareness of vocabulary, taxonomy, morphology, and adaptations surrounding coral species.
- Research using both general Internet sources and scientific articles.
- Presenting their own research to peers.
- Understanding of research techniques and design.
- Understanding of conservation and restoration methods.
- General scientific literacy and understanding, including an understanding of current techniques and research.
- In this course, we’ll consider both tropical and cold-water corals as we explore coral morphology, taxonomy, growth forms, ecology, conservation, and more! Students will develop the following skills:
- Deep Dive into the Deep Sea – 16 weeks – Grade levels 7-12
- Our course will explore the current knowledge surrounding deep sea organisms from predatory tunicates to whale bone worms…and ecosystems from sponge reefs to wood falls! Plus, we’ll learn about the adaptations that allow these different organisms–and, therefore, ecosystems–to survive this harsh environment. Students will develop the following skills:
- Awareness of vocabulary, taxonomy, evolution, physiology, and adaptations surrounding deep sea organisms.
- Research using both general Internet sources and scientific articles.
- Presenting their own research to peers.
- Understanding of research techniques and design.
- General scientific literacy and understanding, including an understanding of current techniques and research.
- Our course will explore the current knowledge surrounding deep sea organisms from predatory tunicates to whale bone worms…and ecosystems from sponge reefs to wood falls! Plus, we’ll learn about the adaptations that allow these different organisms–and, therefore, ecosystems–to survive this harsh environment. Students will develop the following skills:
- Dynamic Drifters: Planktonic Biology & Ecology – 8 weeks – Grade levels 9-college
- We will explore the dynamics of these drifting organisms–microbes, phytoplankton, zooplankton–and learn about their interactions with each other. We’ll learn more about settlement and recruitment dynamics for larval organisms that find themselves among the plankton. Plus, we’ll discuss research techniques and gain practice interpreting data & results. Students will develop the following skills:
- Scientific thought skills at a late high school/college level.
- Understanding of planktonic biology & ecology.
- Understanding of study techniques used for planktonic biology & ecology.
- Data interpretation.
- Research using scientific articles.
- We will explore the dynamics of these drifting organisms–microbes, phytoplankton, zooplankton–and learn about their interactions with each other. We’ll learn more about settlement and recruitment dynamics for larval organisms that find themselves among the plankton. Plus, we’ll discuss research techniques and gain practice interpreting data & results. Students will develop the following skills:
- Entirely Echinoderms – 6 weeks (summer) – Grade levels 7-10
- We’ll be exploring both typical and the slightly wacky members of Phylum Echinodermata, touching on each group’s anatomy, physiology, ecology, evolution, and more! Students will develop the following skills:
- Knowledge of the similarities and differences between different echinoderm groups.
- Understanding of echinoderm anatomy and physiology.
- Understanding of how echinoderms have adapted to different environments and niches.
- Research using general Internet sources as well as scientific articles.
- We’ll be exploring both typical and the slightly wacky members of Phylum Echinodermata, touching on each group’s anatomy, physiology, ecology, evolution, and more! Students will develop the following skills:
- In-Depth Marine Biology – 32 weeks – Grade levels 9-12
- In this year-long course, we will explore marine biology topics in greater depth. Students will complete virtual labs and read scientific papers to deepen their understanding of the material and build on their previous knowledge. Students will develop the following skills:
- Investigative-based scientific thought, including its use in laboratory exercises.
- Researching using scientific article sources.
- Awareness of a wide variety of marine phyla & ecosystems, including vocabulary.
- Awareness of ecological concepts at a college levels.
- General scientific literacy and understanding, including an understanding of current techniques and research.
- In this year-long course, we will explore marine biology topics in greater depth. Students will complete virtual labs and read scientific papers to deepen their understanding of the material and build on their previous knowledge. Students will develop the following skills:
- Marine Bioacoustics – 8 weeks – Grade levels 7-10
- We will explore how sound works in the ocean, how scientists are studying noise in the ocean, and what we’ve discovered so far. We will discuss how and why marine invertebrates, fishes, and mammals produce sound—and we’ll be listening to many different sound clips along the way! Students will develop the following skills:
- Knowledge of the properties of sound, sound creation mechanisms, and impacts of human noise in marine environments.
- Scientific, inquiry-based thought.
- Research using general Internet sources as well as scientific articles.
- We will explore how sound works in the ocean, how scientists are studying noise in the ocean, and what we’ve discovered so far. We will discuss how and why marine invertebrates, fishes, and mammals produce sound—and we’ll be listening to many different sound clips along the way! Students will develop the following skills:
- Marine Biological & Ecological Research Project – 32 weeks – Grade levels 9-12
- This class will guide students through the entire process of creating a marine biology or ecology project of their very own. Don’t worry—you don’t have to live near the ocean! Students will develop their own research project based on existing or new data & research.
- Marine Biology – 32 weeks – Grade levels 7-10
- We’ll explore a myriad of topics: biological principles, algae, invertebrates, vertebrates, ecology, ecosystems… And, along the way, students will build their confidence in:
- Investigative-based scientific thought.
- Scientific communication.
- Awareness of a wide variety of marine phyla & ecosystems, including general vocabulary.
- Researching using general Internet sources.
- General scientific literacy and understanding, including an understanding of current techniques and research.
- We’ll explore a myriad of topics: biological principles, algae, invertebrates, vertebrates, ecology, ecosystems… And, along the way, students will build their confidence in:
- Marine Ecology – 8 weeks – in revision
- Marine Biology through History – 8 weeks – Grade levels 6-10
- In our course, we’ll combine history with science as we explore monumental marine biologists and their discoveries throughout history. From coelacanths to SCUBA, there’s lots to learn! Primary resources will be provided in the classroom for students to explore. Students will develop the following skills:
- Awareness of primary resources related to the history of marine biology.
- Critical thinking skills about history as well as the way history is traditionally presented.
- The capacity to link science to a broader historical context.
- In our course, we’ll combine history with science as we explore monumental marine biologists and their discoveries throughout history. From coelacanths to SCUBA, there’s lots to learn! Primary resources will be provided in the classroom for students to explore. Students will develop the following skills:
- Marine Ichthyology – 8 weeks – Grade levels 6-10
- What exactly is a fish? We will explore the unique and diverse world of fishes through their morphologies, ecology, and taxonomy. Plus, we’ll learn about how different fish swim, sense, and feed. Students will develop the following skills:
- Awareness of bony and cartilaginous fishes’ general taxonomy and morphology.
- Researching using general Internet sources.
- Awareness of several scientific methods of studying fishes. Students will virtually practice several of these methods.
- General scientific literacy and understanding, including an understanding of current techniques and research.
- What exactly is a fish? We will explore the unique and diverse world of fishes through their morphologies, ecology, and taxonomy. Plus, we’ll learn about how different fish swim, sense, and feed. Students will develop the following skills:
- Marine Mammals – 16 weeks – Grade levels 7-12
- We will explore different marine mammal species and facets of marine mammals’ lives to gain a broader understanding of how they function, survive, and thrive! Students will develop the following skills:
- Awareness of marine mammal groups, vocabulary, taxonomy, evolution, physiology, and adaptations.
- Researching using both general Internet sources and scientific articles.
- General scientific literacy and understanding, including an understanding of current techniques and research.
- We will explore different marine mammal species and facets of marine mammals’ lives to gain a broader understanding of how they function, survive, and thrive! Students will develop the following skills:
- Marine Organisms in Museums – 8 weeks – Grade levels 7-12
- This course will explore how museums function now and what they looked like in the past from the perspective of their marine specimens! We’ll also learn to think critically about how modern museums and aquariums are designed. Students will develop the following skills:
- Scientific thought skills.
- Critical thinking surrounding how museums are designed.
- Researching using general Internet sources.
- This course will explore how museums function now and what they looked like in the past from the perspective of their marine specimens! We’ll also learn to think critically about how modern museums and aquariums are designed. Students will develop the following skills:
- Oceanarium Odyssey: Introduction to Marine Biology – 16 weeks – Grade levels 3-7
- This course is based on the brilliant book Oceanarium: Welcome to the Museum, which presents students with scientifically accurate text and illustrations that help bring marine biology to life! Throughout our course, we’ll explore sharks, whales, octopuses, anemones, and more! Students will develop the following skills:
- Early investigative-based scientific thought.
- Awareness of marine organisms & ecosystems, including general vocabulary.
- Researching using general Internet sources.
- General scientific literacy and understanding.
- This course is based on the brilliant book Oceanarium: Welcome to the Museum, which presents students with scientifically accurate text and illustrations that help bring marine biology to life! Throughout our course, we’ll explore sharks, whales, octopuses, anemones, and more! Students will develop the following skills:
- Philosophy of Science: Conservation – 8 weeks – Grade levels 7-12
- In this course, we’ll grapple with questions surrounding conservation together! Our discussions will take us through eight major questions that modern scientists are still trying to find answers to. Students will develop the following skills:
- Scientific thought skills.
- Perspective on current issues in conservation.
- Confidence sharing their perspectives with others–and ability to find common ground.
- Researching using general Internet sources.
- In this course, we’ll grapple with questions surrounding conservation together! Our discussions will take us through eight major questions that modern scientists are still trying to find answers to. Students will develop the following skills:
- Philosophy of Science: Science in the Media – 8 weeks – Grade levels 7-12
- In this course, we’ll grapple with questions surrounding science in the media together! Our discussions will take us through eight major questions that modern scientists are still trying to find answers to. Students will develop the following skills:
- Scientific thought skills.
- Perspective on current issues in science in the media.
- Confidence sharing their perspectives with others–and ability to find common ground.
- Researching using general Internet sources.
- In this course, we’ll grapple with questions surrounding science in the media together! Our discussions will take us through eight major questions that modern scientists are still trying to find answers to. Students will develop the following skills:
- Philosophy of Science: Scientific Integrity – 8 weeks – Grade levels 7-12
- In this course, we’ll grapple with questions of scientific integrity together! Our discussions will take us through eight major questions that modern scientists are still trying to find answers to. Students will develop the following skills:
- Scientific thought skills.
- Perspective on current issues in scientific integrity.
- Confidence sharing their perspectives with others–and ability to find common ground.
- Researching using general Internet sources.
- In this course, we’ll grapple with questions of scientific integrity together! Our discussions will take us through eight major questions that modern scientists are still trying to find answers to. Students will develop the following skills:
- Scrutinizing Shells – 8 weeks – Grade levels 7-12
- Shells can give us a deeper understanding of how each shell-creator fits into their ecosystems. Our exploration will lead us through the taxonomy, biology, adaptations, and ecology of shell-creating creatures! Students will develop the following skills:
- Scientific thought skills.
- Knowledge base concerning organisms that make shells (ecology, taxonomy, biology, etc.).
- Ability to use dichotomous keys to identify species (and shells).
- Researching using general Internet sources.
- Shells can give us a deeper understanding of how each shell-creator fits into their ecosystems. Our exploration will lead us through the taxonomy, biology, adaptations, and ecology of shell-creating creatures! Students will develop the following skills:
- Sea Babies – 8 weeks – Grade levels 3-6
- Sometimes, the babies don’t look quite like how we’d expect–they’re adorable in a completely different way! We’ll learn all about what ocean juveniles look like, where they live, and what makes them different from their adult counterparts. Students will develop the following skills:
- Scientific thought skills.
- Knowledge of the juvenile counterparts to adult marine organisms.
- Understanding of metamorphosis.
- Sometimes, the babies don’t look quite like how we’d expect–they’re adorable in a completely different way! We’ll learn all about what ocean juveniles look like, where they live, and what makes them different from their adult counterparts. Students will develop the following skills:
- Seaworthy Careers – 6 weeks (summer) – Grade levels 7-12
- Careers in marine science are highly sought-after! But the process can be so confusing! University, grad school, job boards, networking… This course will give you a sneak peek at the process!
- The Rocky Intertidal Ecosystem – 8 weeks – Grade levels 7-10
- Rocky intertidal ecosystems are wonderful places to conduct research and explore, particularly because they are so accessible. Many early, fundamental research studies were conducted in the rocky intertidal! Let’s explore the early ecologist’s playground together! Students will develop the following skills:
- General knowledge of ecological theory, zonation, taxonomy, and species common in the rocky intertidal.
- Scientific, inquiry-based thinking.
- Scientific writing in terms of writing a research proposal.
- Research using general Internet sources.
- Rocky intertidal ecosystems are wonderful places to conduct research and explore, particularly because they are so accessible. Many early, fundamental research studies were conducted in the rocky intertidal! Let’s explore the early ecologist’s playground together! Students will develop the following skills:
- Tropical Coral Reef Ecosystems – 6 weeks (summer) – Grade levels 5-8
- We’ll explore what coral is and how it creates such a diverse ecosystem full of both vertebrates and invertebrates. Our class will also introduce several ecological concepts to help illustrate the diversity of tropical coral reef ecosystems. Students will develop the following skills:
- Scientific thought.
- Awareness of marine organisms in tropical coral reef ecosystems, including general vocabulary.
- Researching using general Internet sources.
- General scientific literacy and understanding.
- We’ll explore what coral is and how it creates such a diverse ecosystem full of both vertebrates and invertebrates. Our class will also introduce several ecological concepts to help illustrate the diversity of tropical coral reef ecosystems. Students will develop the following skills:
- Underwater Forests: Kelp Ecosystems – 8 weeks – Grade levels 6-10
- Underwater Forests will explore the different types of kelp that create these ecosystems and the different types of organisms they support—both offshore and onshore. Underwater forests are extremely influential systems! Students will develop the following skills:
- Awareness of factors, organisms, and commonly referenced vocabulary surrounding kelp forests.
- Knowledge of what is considered abiotic and biotic factors.
- Awareness of how ecosystems are linked to other ecosystems and their environments.
- Researching using general Internet sources.
- General scientific literacy and understanding, including an understanding of current techniques and research.
- Underwater Forests will explore the different types of kelp that create these ecosystems and the different types of organisms they support—both offshore and onshore. Underwater forests are extremely influential systems! Students will develop the following skills:
- Weird & Wacky Ocean Organisms – 8 weeks – Grade levels 3-6
- From glowing organisms to deep-sea Venus flytrap animals, we’ll explore the wide variety of weird, wacky, and wonderful ocean creatures! Along the way, we’ll learn about why in the world they are so weird–and how their weirdness has led to a successful species! Students will develop the following skills:
- Scientific thought skills.
- Knowledge of a variety of marine taxonomic groups.
- Knowledge of organisms that live in different zones of the ocean.
- From glowing organisms to deep-sea Venus flytrap animals, we’ll explore the wide variety of weird, wacky, and wonderful ocean creatures! Along the way, we’ll learn about why in the world they are so weird–and how their weirdness has led to a successful species! Students will develop the following skills:
- Workshops – Four 4-week workshops – in revision
Out of the Blue (Ocean) 