For teachers
Conch in the Classroom
Conch in the Classroom
Conch in the Classroom
Conch lessons for teaching and training.
Developed in 2006 by Drs. Amber Garr and Megan Davis.
Funded by Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund and FAU HBOI.
Conch Dissection
Conch in the Classroom
Conch in the Classroom
Dissection for male and female queen conch.
Conch in the Classroom
History and Socio-Economics 1.1
Students will be introduced to the ways queen conch were used and how the fishery impacted Caribbean countries throughout history.
Geography and Habitat 2.1
Students will learn where conch are found in the world, their habitat, protection of their habitat, what the conch eat and their predators.
Life Cycle 2.2 and Early Stages 2.3
Students will learn how some animals have different life stages, and it varies depending on where they live. Students will learn the importance of camouflage during the early stages of a conch’s life, and they will understand how many ocean animals display various means to protect their young.
Fisheries Management 3.1
Students will learn how queen conch are being protected, the importance of Marine Protected Areas and challenges of conch transplantation and stock recovery.
Importance of ocean currents
Queen Conch Aquaculture 4.1
Students will learn about conch aquaculture process and understand the importance of aquaculture.
Aquarium in Classroom 5.1
Students learn scientific method by conducting experiments of their own to support or void their hypotheses. Students will also learn how to interpret data, the importance of replication in an experiment, and how scientists design and implement research studies
Conch Dissection
Male and female conch have identical looking shells. When they are dissected the most notable difference is the verge for the male and egg groove for the female. This dissection will provide an overview of the anatomy of the conch. For more detailed information see:
Little, C. 1965. Notes on the Anatomy of the Queen Conch, Strombus gigas. Bulletin of Marine Science. 15, 2: 338-358.
Follow a step by step conch dissection for male and female adult conch.