This class will take place on the boardwalk which winds within our popular cypress swamp dome. Participants will gain an understanding of the valuable components of this fascinating ecosystem through engaging and exciting activities, such as a scavenger hunt, food web game, specimen collecting, species count and more.

 Of the 80 species of frogs and toads known in the United States, 22 frog species and 5 toad species are found in Florida alone. Participants will explore differences between frogs and toads, learn to imitate and discern each distinct call made by these amphibians, and they will have an opportunity to observe them in there natural habitat.

 The wetlands located on DiscoveryQuest's 20 acres depend on and are teaming with life not visible to the naked eye. Participants will collect specimens from our wetland areas, observe them under microscopes and compare them according to location, design and purpose. data will be processed and scientific conclusions will be drawn.

 Freshwater wetlands, such as ponds, are stocked with fascinating life both seen and unseen and are tremendously productive habitats for this life. Participants will explore, collect and identify wildlife, plant life and insect life, while also gaining insight into the importance of the pond to our overall environment.

     The ability to move from place to place enables many animals to obtain what they need for survival. Participants will explore how some aquatic animals use locomotion to search for and gather food, to escape from predators or dangers and to move into new environments to locate each other as mates. Be prepared to get wet in this class as we add a fun and innovative activity involving the pool!

 A healthy environment can be indicated by the animals that live there. Likewise, an unhealthy environment can be indicated by what does not live there. Specific animals are often used as indicators to determine the health of an environment. Participants will predict the health of a specific aquatic environment using animal indicators to draw scientific conclusions.

 A pond is a body of standing water so shallow that rooted plants grow over the entire bottom, and the pond is made up of five distinct areas.  Participants will search for organisms in these different habitats and map the plant life of each location, drawing conclusions about the balance of the pond and distribution.