Hey there! Today, we’re going on a fun adventure to learn about some tiny but super important creatures called phytoplankton. Let’s dive in and see what makes these little guys so special!
Thanks to Squeaks for letting us use the microscope! We started by looking at some sand we collected by the pond. Through the microscope, we could see tiny shells and lots of little crystals. But the real excitement began when we looked at the pond water. It was full of green stuff!
The green things in the water are called phytoplankton. These are tiny living creatures that float around in water, from ponds to oceans. Most of them are so small that you need a microscope to see them. Some phytoplankton are like tiny plants, while others are special types of bacteria. But don’t worry, these bacteria are different from the ones that can make you sick.
Phytoplankton are amazing because they do something called photosynthesis. This means they use sunlight to make food for themselves, just like trees and bushes do. While doing this, they also produce oxygen, which is the air we need to breathe. In fact, phytoplankton make more than half of all the oxygen in the world!
A long time ago, there wasn’t much oxygen in the air. But thanks to phytoplankton using photosynthesis, they started making oxygen. Over millions of years, this oxygen built up, and now we have plenty to breathe. So, every time you take a deep breath, you can thank these tiny creatures!
Besides making oxygen, phytoplankton are also a super important food source for many water animals. Even though they’re tiny, small fish and shrimp eat them, just like we eat carrots or celery. Then, bigger animals eat those small fish and shrimp. Without phytoplankton, there wouldn’t be food for these animals, and our ponds, lakes, and oceans would be a lot emptier.
It’s amazing how such small creatures can have such a big impact on our world. If you want to keep learning and having fun with Squeaks and me, make sure to join us next time. Until then, let’s keep exploring and discovering the wonders of nature!
Phytoplankton Art Project: Create your own phytoplankton using craft materials like colored paper, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes. Think about the different shapes and colors you saw in the video and article. Once you’ve made your phytoplankton, share your creation with your family and explain why phytoplankton are important for our planet.
Oxygen Experiment: Try a simple experiment to understand how phytoplankton produce oxygen. Fill a clear jar with water and add a few leaves or a small plant. Place the jar in a sunny spot and observe what happens over a few days. Can you see any bubbles forming on the leaves? Discuss with your family how this is similar to what phytoplankton do in the water.
Phytoplankton Scavenger Hunt: Next time you visit a pond or a beach, take a closer look at the water. Can you spot any greenish tint or tiny particles floating around? These might be phytoplankton! Use a magnifying glass if you have one, and draw what you see. Talk about how these tiny creatures are part of a big food chain in the water.
