Fish and Frogs Field Day

We’re excited to showcase the incredible ways zoology research is conducted in the field through hands-on, real-world demonstrations! In conjunction with the Zoological Education Trust through the Canadian Society of Zoologists, researchers from the Department of Biology will model zoological field techniques used in fish and frog research.

On Monday, May 12th, from 10 AM to 12 PM, we’ve organized a special demonstration session designed to engage high school students. This event includes a guided nature walk around Columbia Lake on the University of Waterloo campus, where participants will explore fascinating research methods through interactive demonstration stations. Please note that only our researchers will be handling specimens or wading into the water.

Along the walk, attendees will experience:

• Electrofishing & Seine Netting – Learn how researchers capture and study fish in Ontario’s rivers and streams to assess populations, identify endangered or invasive species, and monitor ecosystem health.
• Environmental DNA – Learn how water samples can provide a snapshot of the diversity of animals found in a body of water through DNA collection. 
• Amphibian Identification – Discover local frog species and observe methods used to detect and study them in ponds and streams.

This engaging event is designed to spark curiosity and appreciation for animal research in Ontario, highlighting why these studies matter and how they contribute to conservation and environmental understanding.

We look forward to inspiring the next generation of scientists and nature enthusiasts—see you there!

Registration required- high school teachers interested in bringing a group of students should reach out to Heather Neufeld at hneufeld@uwaterloo.ca. Due to the very limited capacity of this event, we suggest small, special-interest groups of students, rather than an entire class.