A day at the beach can result in the discovery of some very special treasures. Starfish, sometimes referred to as sea stars, are echinoderms that live in all four oceans. You can find starfish in many different sizes and colours. If you happen to come across one, you may want to preserve it by drying it out. The starfish can then be studied or put on display.
Fill a beach bucket halfway with water from the ocean.
- A day at the beach can result in the discovery of some very special treasures.
- Fill a beach bucket halfway with water from the ocean.
Use the shovel to scoop up the starfish. Drop it into the bucket of ocean water. Transport the starfish in the bucket to your home.
Fill a plastic container 3/4 of the way up with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Take the starfish out of the ocean water, and drop the starfish in the plastic container. Cover the plastic container with a lid and set it aside, undisturbed, for two days.
- Fill a plastic container 3/4 of the way up with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Take the starfish out of the ocean water, and drop the starfish in the plastic container.
Lay several sheets of newspaper outside in an area that receives direct sunlight.
Set the starfish on the newspaper. Place one paperweight over each starfish arm. If you don't, the arms will curl up while drying.
Wait for the starfish to completely dry out. This can take anywhere from two days to two weeks depending on the size of the starfish, and the number of arms it has.