interactive tutorials
microscope basics
microscope tutorial
microscope measurement
microscope compare
specimen compare
development & embryology
fertilization lab
embryogenesis to hatching
analyzing gene function
ecology & environment
our acidifying ocean
predator & prey
surfing to settlement
basic biology
urchin anatomy
about us
teacher resources
useful links

Live Labs

Support for live developmental and cell biology labs using sea urchins can be found on our 300 page sister site, where you will find extensive resources for these hands-on classroom labs.

Our virtual labs and activities serve many purposes. We have designed these open-access activities for individual, group, or classroom use. In many cases, student us of the virtual lab module will be most valuable if used in preparation for hands-on lab experience in the classroom. Virtual labs may also serve as alternatives to lab experiences that may not be possible in the classroom setting because of limitations imposed due to time required for the actual lab, the expense of laboratory equipment, or safety. In particular, our Lab Bench is designed to help students have a hands-on experience and is a part of several modules.

From 2008-2015, all of our activites were programmed in Flash. In 2015-2020, thanks predominantly to funding from NSF, NOAA and the Society for Developmental Biology, we now provide all of our activities (and the web site as a whole) in HTML5 and with full mobile compatibility (tablets recommended but also works on phones).

Microscopy

Our virtual microscopy labs are designed to help students gain familiarity with the microscope as a laboratory tool. We encourage use of these virtual labs not to replace hands-on use of a real microscope (an experience that all students should have), but rather to better prepare students for the microscope lab experience.

We suggest using the virtual microscope tutorial to introduce students to the basic use of the microscope. Since there is no need to worry about damaging a virtual scope, we can introduce care and handling of the scope as the students use the virtual scope, rather than as a warning before the students even begin (as is necessary with real scopes). One advantage of this initial use of the virtual scope is that it engages students in actual use of the scope early on, giving them the context to review the critical care and handling steps when they are preparing to utilize a real microscope in the lab.

Suggested order of Microscopy teaching modules:

Other Modules:

Fertilization and Development
This module introduces students to the spawning, fertilization, and early development of sea urchins. Students set up sea urchin fertilizations using the virtual Lab Bench, also used in other experiments on the site.

Embryology: Fertilization to Hatching
This module follows directly from the fertilization lab, presenting an interactive time-lapse video of sea urchin development from fertilization to hatching. Students can pause the video at any step and learn more about each of the embryonic stages.

Analyzing Gene Function in Embryos: Injecting Morpholinos
This module introduces students to modern molecular genetics techniques in the sea urchin, focusing on development of the calcium carbonate larval skeleton. Students first learn about the sea urchin life cycle, skeletal development, one of the genes involved in skeletal formation, and the modern technique of morpholino microinjection used to disrupt gene function in sea urchin embryos. Then students design a morpholino using the sea urchin genome, enter the virtual Lab Bench to prepare for the injection, inject embryos in our virtual microinjection room, and finally analyze the results of the experiment and compare samples with a simple statistical test. A new version is under development that will feature CRISPR/Cas, with a planned launch in 2021-2022.

Our Acidifying Ocean
Now that the students have mastered the Lab Bench and learned about urchin fertilization, development and skeletal development, they conduct an investigation into the impact of ocean acidification on sea urchin larval growth. Students start by gaining background information on ocean acidification and utilizing an interactive chemical model of the process. Then, they enter the Lab Bench, set up and conduct the experiment, and analyze real data by measuring larval growth and examining and discussing the graphed data.

Urchin Anatomy
This module explores internal and external anatomy of the sea urchin in an interactive tutorial.

Predator/Prey
This module is an interactive activity that illustrates food chain principles and the sea urchin's function in ecosystems as both predators and prey.

Surfing to Settlement
This module teaches about oceanogreaphy and life cycles of marine organisms, including sea urchins. Then in the culminating, role playing game portion, students try to guide a larval avatar onto shore, finding food and avoiding predation, and then successfully settle into a suitable nearshore location.

Ocean Acidification support files: