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The plankton

Dive into the mysterious world of plankton, explore Planktomania and discover the characters of the Happy Families card game

Pico Family

Plankton from 0,0002 to 0,002 mm

Micromanas

Green microalgae

Archaeplastida

Lineage containing, among other things, all land plants, red algae and green algae.

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Phytoplankton

Plankton which use the sun's energy to carry out photosynthesis (similary to plants).

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,001 mm

Phage

Virus

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Others

A catch-all group containing all of the lineages not mentioned above (for example bactéria, etc.)

0,00004 mm

Prochlorococcus

Cyanobacteria

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Others

A catch-all group containing all of the lineages not mentioned above (for example bactéria, etc.)

Phytoplankton

Plankton which use the sun's energy to carry out photosynthesis (similary to plants).

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,0003 mm

Ostreococcus

Green microalgae

Archaeplastida

Lineage containing, among other things, all land plants, red algae and green algae.

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Phytoplankton

Plankton which use the sun's energy to carry out photosynthesis (similary to plants).

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,0003 mm

Pelagibacter

Bacteria

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Others

A catch-all group containing all of the lineages not mentioned above (for example bactéria, etc.)

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,0003 mm

Amoebophrya

Syndiniales

Alveolata

Very diverse lineage in which the dinoflagellates and the ciliates are found

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,0009 mm

Nano Family

Plankton from 0,002 to 0,02 mm

Cafeteria roenbergensis

Bicosoecid

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Stramenopiles

Lineage made up of many groups such as coastal brown algae and diatoms

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

Zooplankton

Plankton which feed by predation on other plankton (similarly to animals)

0,0008 mm

Discosphaera

Coccolithophores

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Haptophyta

Lineage containing numerous species of micralgae, including the coccolithophore.

Phytoplankton

Plankton which use the sun's energy to carry out photosynthesis (similary to plants).

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,0015 mm

Emiliania huxleyi

Coccolithophores

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Haptophyta

Lineage containing numerous species of micralgae, including the coccolithophore.

Phytoplankton

Plankton which use the sun's energy to carry out photosynthesis (similary to plants).

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,001 mm

Rhabdosphaera

Coccolithophores

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Haptophyta

Lineage containing numerous species of micralgae, including the coccolithophore.

Phytoplankton

Plankton which use the sun's energy to carry out photosynthesis (similary to plants).

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,0015 mm

Alexandrium

Dinoflagellates

Alveolata

Very diverse lineage in which the dinoflagellates and the ciliates are found

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Mixoplancton

Plankton which can both obtain energy via photosynthesis and by predation

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,005 mm

Chrysochromulina

Prymnesiophytes

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Haptophyta

Lineage containing numerous species of micralgae, including the coccolithophore.

Mixoplancton

Plankton which can both obtain energy via photosynthesis and by predation

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,0002 mm

Micro Family

Plankton from 0,02 to 0,2 mm

Dictyocysta

tintinid cilates

Alveolata

Very diverse lineage in which the dinoflagellates and the ciliates are found

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

Zooplankton

Plankton which feed by predation on other plankton (similarly to animals)

0,02 mm

Ceratium

Dinoflagellates

Alveolata

Very diverse lineage in which the dinoflagellates and the ciliates are found

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Mixoplancton

Plankton which can both obtain energy via photosynthesis and by predation

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,02 mm

Cosmioneis

Penate diatom

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Phytoplankton

Plankton which use the sun's energy to carry out photosynthesis (similary to plants).

Stramenopiles

Lineage made up of many groups such as coastal brown algae and diatoms

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,008 mm

Chaetoceros

Diatom in chain

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Phytoplankton

Plankton which use the sun's energy to carry out photosynthesis (similary to plants).

Stramenopiles

Lineage made up of many groups such as coastal brown algae and diatoms

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,02 mm

Coscinodiscus

Centric diatom

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Phytoplankton

Plankton which use the sun's energy to carry out photosynthesis (similary to plants).

Stramenopiles

Lineage made up of many groups such as coastal brown algae and diatoms

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,03 mm

Dinophysis caudata

Dinoflagellates

Alveolata

Very diverse lineage in which the dinoflagellates and the ciliates are found

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Mixoplancton

Plankton which can both obtain energy via photosynthesis and by predation

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,02 mm

Meso Family

Plankton from 0.2 to 20 mm

Lithoptera

Radiolaria

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Mixoplancton

Plankton which can both obtain energy via photosynthesis and by predation

Rhizaria

Lineage to which the Foramenifera and the Radiolara belong

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,04 mm

Copepoda

Crustacean

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Metazoa

Lineage composed of all animals, which are multicellular

Multicelular

Plankton made up of many cells

Zooplankton

Plankton which feed by predation on other plankton (similarly to animals)

0,3 mm

Zoe larva

Crustacean (crab larva)

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Metazoa

Lineage composed of all animals, which are multicellular

Multicelular

Plankton made up of many cells

Zooplankton

Plankton which feed by predation on other plankton (similarly to animals)

0,2 mm

Noctiluca scintillans

Dinoflagellates

Alveolata

Very diverse lineage in which the dinoflagellates and the ciliates are found

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

Zooplankton

Plankton which feed by predation on other plankton (similarly to animals)

0,13 mm

Pluteus lava

Echinoderm (sea urchin larvae)

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Metazoa

Lineage composed of all animals, which are multicellular

Multicelular

Plankton made up of many cells

Zooplankton

Plankton which feed by predation on other plankton (similarly to animals)

0,1 mm

Globigerina

Foraminifera

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Mixoplancton

Plankton which can both obtain energy via photosynthesis and by predation

Rhizaria

Lineage to which the Foramenifera and the Radiolara belong

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

0,2 mm

Macro Family

Plankton with size more than 20 mm

Velella velella

à traduire

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Metazoa

Lineage composed of all animals, which are multicellular

Mixoplancton

Plankton which can both obtain energy via photosynthesis and by predation

Multicelular

Plankton made up of many cells

14 mm

Krill

Euphausia sp.

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Metazoa

Lineage composed of all animals, which are multicellular

Multicelular

Plankton made up of many cells

Zooplankton

Plankton which feed by predation on other plankton (similarly to animals)

10 mm

Pleurobrachia

à traduire

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Metazoa

Lineage composed of all animals, which are multicellular

Multicelular

Plankton made up of many cells

Zooplankton

Plankton which feed by predation on other plankton (similarly to animals)

10 mm

Salpa

Tunicata

External covering

Plankton which build rigid structures (skeletons) that may have many functions, for example protection from predators.

Metazoa

Lineage composed of all animals, which are multicellular

Multicelular

Plankton made up of many cells

Zooplankton

Plankton which feed by predation on other plankton (similarly to animals)

14 mm

Oikopleura dioica

à traduire

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Metazoa

Lineage composed of all animals, which are multicellular

Multicelular

Plankton made up of many cells

Zooplankton

Plankton which feed by predation on other plankton (similarly to animals)

0,5 mm

Trichodesmium

Cyanobacteria

Lack of external covering

Naked plankton lacking a rigid structure

Others

A catch-all group containing all of the lineages not mentioned above (for example bactéria, etc.)

Phytoplankton

Plankton which use the sun's energy to carry out photosynthesis (similary to plants).

Unicellular

Plankton of a single cell

3 mm

Plankton TV

Composed of organisms invisible to the naked eyes, plankton plays fundamental roles for life and climate on our planet. Discover the ecological roles of plankton by watching fun videos.

Planktomania : immersion into the invisible world of the ocean

The Planktobox

Along with classical tools, this educational set uses augmented and virtual reality to facilitate access to plankton. It is targeted to professionals (teachers, environmental educators, etc.) interested in marine environments.

Introduction to the PlanktoBox

The PlanktoBox has been designed like a toolbox that can be adjusted according to the educator’s need, knowledge, field of practice, and educational objectives.

Content of the PlanktoBox

- Oculus gear and smartphone for virtual reality (apps installed)
- Tablet for microscope and augmented reality display
- Plankton collect set
- 3D print of planktonic organisms
- Happy families card games for augmented reality
- Set of educational resources for educators and public

This educational set has been created in collaboration with environmental educators from the following associations: Réseau d’Education à l’Environnement Breton (REEB), Cap vers la Nature et l’Observatoire du Plancton

Resources

Download the virtual reality and stop motion videos. Download the 3D models and print yourself the Planktomania characters!

Planktomania resources

Get access to all files: 3D models, educational resources, videos, original soundtrack, etc.

All resources can be downloaded free of charge under the Creative Commons licence CC-BY-NC-SA - Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike.

Information form

Apps

Discover the happy families characters in 3D, stop motion videos in augmented reality, and virtual reality content by downloading the Planktomania apps

Planktomania VR

The virtual dive into the world of plankton will soon be available in Google play store

Google Play Store

App Store

Planktomania AR

A happy families card game in augmented reality

Print the Planktomania happy families card game
Download the app and launch it
Flash the card with your smartphone or tablet
The plankton pops up in 3D and access additional educational content by clicking the arrows

Google Play

Apple Store

The project

Planktomania intends to bring attention on plankton to a wide audience by making it more accessible through news 3D technologies such as virtual and augmented reality and 3D printing.

Context

Turn the invisible into visible!

Essentially composed of organisms invisible to the naked eyes, plankton plays fundamental roles for life and climate on our planet. It is at the base of virtually all food chains in aquatic environments and encompasses a tremendous biodiversity. Phytoplankton produces half of the oxygen we breathe.
Despite such key roles for the functioning of the biosphere, plankton remains poorly known largely because it is difficult to observe. Nowadays, teachers and environmental educators lack appropriate tools to make visible and communicate on what is microscopic, notably this key component of aquatic ecosystems.

The goals of Planktomania

Planktomania aims at creating educational tools particularly adapted to discover and learn microscopic organisms and their impact on ecosystems using innovative technologies such as augmented and virtual reality as well as 3D printed objects.

Originality comes from avoiding constraints associated with the collect and use of microscopes, which are often tedious and expensive to use in the field. The tools created in Planktomania are targeted towards large public and environmental educators working in structures interested in scientific culture and education but also to first grade teachers.

Partnership and funding

Partners:

The Station Biologique de Roscoff (CNRS/Pierre and Marie Curie University)
EESAB (European School for Art in Brittany)
Oceanopolis
REEB (Brittany network for environmental education) and two local associations focused on plankton (Cap vers la Nature and l’Observatoire du plancton)
National education administration in Rennes

Funding: Brittany Region, Loire-Bretagne water agency, Credit Agricole, CNRS