Seeing Scientifically is a prototype for an interactive exhibit made possible by the partnership between the Noyo Center for Marine Science and the Exploratorium in San Francisco, funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

The exhibit showcases a species of microscopic aquatic animals of the phylum Rotifera that lives in both saltwater and freshwater. As rotifers are microscopic animals, their diet must consist of matter small enough to fit through their tiny mouths during filter feeding. In our exhibit we are creating a microscopic slide each day that we place under a powerful microscopic camera that visitors are then able to view on a large screen. The slide includes rotifers, algae for them to feed on, and even tinier microplastic beads. It is quite an experience to see these tiny microscopic animals feed on algae (and sometimes microplastics) in real time.

Rotifers are multicellular animals with body cavities that are partially lined by mesoderm. These organisms have specialized organ systems and a complete digestive tract that includes both a mouth and anus. Since these characteristics are all uniquely animal characteristics, rotifers are recognized as animals, even though they are microscopic. Most species of rotifers are about 200 to 500 micrometers long. However a few species, such as Rotaria neptunia may be longer than a millimeter.