image description Education & Camps

Press Seaweed

Grades K-8

 

MATERIALS

Seaweed

Heavy booksWaxed paper

Index cardNewspaper

 

OBJECTIVE

Students will better appreciate the beauty of the colors, shapes and structure of seaweed.

 

TIME REQUIRED

4 days, approximately 30-45 minutes on days 1 and 4.

 

PROCEDURES

  1. Take a piece of seaweed from the shore.
  2. Wash it with sea water.
  3. Fill a flat pan with sea water. Float a bit of the seaweed in it until it opens up fully.
  4. Slide a sheet of heavy or stiff paper under the seaweed in the water. Index cards (5x7) work well.
  5. Tip the paper to drain off the water, keeping the seaweed on top.
  6. Place wet paper with the seaweed on newspapers. .
  7. Cover with waxed paper, then with more newspapers.
  8. Put a heavy object, such as a book, on top.
  9. The next day, replace both the newspaper and waxed paper with dry sheets to prevent the seaweed from molding.
  10. Repeat step nine the next day. After four days, the seaweed should be dry. Some seaweeds have a natural mucilaginous adhesive that will keep them stuck to the paper; others may need a bit of glue.