Bringing the San Francisco Bay to Life

“Whoa, look at this huge crab!” exclaimed Javier, his eyes wide with wonder as he carefully held up a bright orange Dungeness crab. “Its legs are so sharp at the tips! How does it walk with those?” Classmates gathered around, fascinated by the spiky, shelled creature. This spark of curiosity and awe was just one of many during the bay organism investigation activity led by KIDS for the BAY (KftB) Educator, Neda Ibrahim, in Teacher Tracy Dordell’s fifth grade class at Highland Community School in Oakland.

Students buzzed with excitement as Ms. Neda brought the San Francisco Bay estuary to life right inside the classroom! Our young Oakland scientists had already learned about the San Francisco Bay watershed, a unique ecosystem that requires protection and care. Now, with real striped bass fish, Dungeness crab, bull kelp, and red algae specimens at their fingertips, they couldn’t wait for a hands-on science adventure that would deepen their connection to the natural world.

The class dove into a conversation about intricate bay food webs, tracing the transfer of energy from primary producers, including algae and phytoplankton, via photosynthesis. “Where do all food chains begin?” Ms. Neda asked. “The sun!” exclaimed Ryan. Students also studied primary consumers, including anchovies, and larger predators, such as striped bass fish and sevengill sharks. Do you think sevengill sharks are predators or prey?” asked Ms. Neda. “Predators!” exclaimed Alondra, “…because they have sharp teeth for catching and eating their prey.” Students built their own food chains and determined each organisms’ diet by investigating its adaptations. Theys learned that people are part of the San Francisco Bay food web, too. “If one part of the food chain were to collapse, what do you think would happen? For example, if Dungeness crab were overfished and their population started to decline severely, how would that impact other animals in the food web?” asked Ms. Neda. “All the animals that eat crabs, like big fish or marine mammals, would die because their food source would disappear, and then there won’t be any fish for us and other predators to eat,” said Ruben. “We need to take care of our bay and ocean or else we will lose one of our food sources!” added Amir.

Highland students also eagerly examined hydrated pieces of bull kelp. “It’s so slimy!” said Sofia, letting the kelp slide between her fingers. “It feels like aloe! It’s so relaxing,” added Imani. “It feels like silk! Or hair gel!” said Daysi. “And it smells salty, like the ocean,” observed Christina, holding the kelp up to her nose. “I think it kinda smells like green tea!” said Cienna. 

Though some students were initially hesitant, with a little encouragement from their peers, they began to gingerly hold and explore the organisms. “Look at the spiky fin on the striped bass fish’s back!” said Angel. “I think it has spines on its dorsal fin because when a predator tries to eat it, the predator will get poked and leave the fish alone.” Aiden carefully opened the mouth. “It’s so big and wide! I bet it can swallow other fish whole,” he exclaimed. “How do the fish breathe underwater?” wondered Sofia as she lifted the flap that protects the gills. “The bony structures cover the gills to protect it! Like our ribs protect our lungs” observed Imani. 

As the investigation continued, the classroom was filled with questions and discoveries. “Why do crabs have so many legs?” asked Erick. “I think it’s a decapod because it has ten legs!” exclaimed Tenzin. The students examined the rough, and sometimes hairy shell, and even mimicked a sideways gait by doing their best crabwalk impressions!

The bay organism investigation was more than just a classroom activity. For many students it was a transformative, first-time hands-on science experience that inspired a love of science and nature. For the students at Highland Community School, the bay was no longer just a local body of water; it was a living, breathing ecosystem full of wonders waiting to be discovered.

By connecting with bay inhabitants right inside the classroom, our students gained a deeper understanding of the importance of preserving natural ecosystems. This bay organism investigation activity not only turns students on to science, but also inspires them to take action to protect our local environment for communities and wildlife.