Students in Ms. Marquardt’s Zoology class “soaked” their brains with knowledge in a recent investigative lab as part of the class’s lesson on the different types of phyla in the animal kingdom. Ms. Marquardt decided to begin with porifera, or sponges, as they are the most simple form of animal life.
Students began their chapter on porifera by watching a documentary about natural sponges. The film provided insight into the biological composition and evolution of sponges. Most notably, natural sponges lost their nervous system over time due to evolution, meaning natural sponges cannot feel pain.
After watching the documentary, students participated in an investigative lab where they compared absorbency in natural sponges and synthetic sponges. Students found that the synthetic sponge was better at absorbing water, leading them to conclude that’s why they are primarily sold for commercial use rather than natural sponges.
