Curated OER
Sponges
In this sponges activity, students will explore the characteristics of sponges including their different types of cells and body structures. Students will also determine how sponges reproduce. This activity has 3 short answer and 11 fill...
University of California
Ucmp: Porifera
Detailed site, lots of pictures, and easy to understand descriptions of the phylum known as Porifera. This one is a winner!
Tree of Life Project
The Tree of Life Web Project: Animals
Extensive site that contains much information about the various animal phyla. Each phyla gives photos, common examples, scientific names and references. Collection of 1630 websites about bio-diversity.
PBS
Pbs: The Shape of Life
Companion site for the 8-part PBS series, "The Shape of Life." Each section focuses on a different phylum, from porifera through chordata. This site is highly informative, with beautiful photography.
Other
Coe College: Hermit Crab Sponges
An interesting article about a kind of sponge that a hermit crab carries around on its back.
Regents of the University of Michigan
Animal Diversity Web: Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web
This resource contains thousands of descriptions about individual animal species. Many of these descriptions also includes pictures, movies, audio clips, and more.
University of California
Ucmp: Life History and Ecology
Learn how sponges eat, grow, reproduce on this colorful page.
University of California
Ucmp: Phylum Porifera
Click on the name of the class of sponge you want to know about, and you'll see a picture and a description of it.
University of California
Ucmp: Uc Museum of Paleontology/ Fossil Records of Porifera
Takes a look at the fossils of sponges, and describes what they mean in terms of evolution.
University of California
Ucmp: Morphology of Sponges
This site from the University of California discusses the structure of sponges and how these primitive animals manage to exist.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Sponge Lab: Experimenting With Absorption
Students investigate the properties of synthetic and natural sponges in this activity, to determine the capacity of each to absorb water. Afterward, they discuss other questions they have about sponges, and complete an assessment in...
Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botantical Garden: Sponges!
This site from The Evergreen Project gives an easy to understand description of the Sponges.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Sponge
Wikipedia offers detailed information on sponges, or poriferans, animals of the phylum Porifera.
Biology 4 kids
Biology4 Kids: Quiz: Poriferans
Take this ten-question review quiz over the Phylum Porifera. Read more about each question after an incorrect answer is given.
Biology 4 kids
Biology4 Kids: Sponges the First Invertebrate
Find out about some the most simple organisms in the Animal Kingdom, the sponges.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Sponges
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses characteristics of sponges.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: Sponges
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Sponges are classified in the phylum Porifera, from the Latin words meaning "having pores." Sponges are sessile, meaning they cannot move, so they filter water...
Encyclopedia of Life
Encyclopedia of Life: Sponges
The Encyclopedia of Life presents this in-depth overview of Sponges (Porifera), including their habitats, size, conservation status, and much more. Images of this phylum and maps of its global distribution can also be found here.
Other
Sponges, Phylum Porifera
Discusses sponges that may be kept in salt-water aquariums, along with what they need to live. Good general information.
Other
Mcwdn: Sponges
A brief summary about sponges. Included are an organized chart about the body systems in a sponge, links to other websites about sponges, and an online quiz about sponges.
National Health Museum
Access Excellence: Carnivorous Sponge
Read about this startling discovery of a species of sponge that is not a filter feeder like all other sponges, but is actually carnivorous. Strange!
Other
Kids' Cruz: Taxonomy
Kidzcruz.com provides a list of phylums in the animal Kingdom. Both Latin and English names are included.
Curated OER
Sponges, Phylum Porifera
Discusses sponges that may be kept in salt-water aquariums, along with what they need to live. Good general information.
Curated OER
Sponges, Phylum Porifera
Discusses sponges that may be kept in salt-water aquariums, along with what they need to live. Good general information.