Spartan Snapshot: Science with Sea Urchins

Just another day at SPA? Not when the sea urchins come to town! 

Students in Genetics, a science elective for Grades 11 and 12 students, obtained gametes, eggs, and sperm from sea urchins for their semester final exam in December. Students observed unfertilized eggs under the microscope and then observed fertilization in real time. They examined prepared slides of the stages of development to understand how a complex organism such as a sea urchin develops from a single cell. 

There were some nerves when students donned their gloves and goggles, but fascination soon took over, and students adeptly handled their sea urchins with care and curiosity. 

Christine Schwichtenberg, Upper School science teacher, shares that “SPA has many unique science electives. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to teach students who are interested in learning more about the field of genetics. Not many high school students get to learn about organism development, let alone have a hands-on experience with sea urchins.”

Learn more about the academic departments at St. Paul Academy and Summit School's Upper School.