LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- When Dr. David Campbell (left), professor of biology and marine sciences at Rider University, recently told students in his marine vertebrates class that they'd be taking on a whale of a project, most thought it to be a figurative warning.

They soon realized that Dr. Campbell's words were much more than your average fish `tail.'

As part of a lab exercise, the 15 students constructed a full-scale 70-foot inflatable blue whale that will be displayed in the Student Center Cavalla Room on Tuesday, November 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The whale, which took three to complete, consists of 4,000 square feet of plastic and eight rolls of extra wide scotch tape. It was constructed to inflate with a simple window fan and allows people to go inside to get an actual feel for the immense size of a mature blue whale.

"My students have been studying to become blue whale experts," said Dr. Campbell. "They cut the plastic and tape to fit. This lab experience gives them an appreciation of the magnitude of a whale, as well as helping them if they choose to become teachers."

The display is free and open to the public, and the students will be available during the display to answer any questions.

Rider University's Lawrenceville campus is located five miles south of Princeton and three miles north of Trenton on Route 206 in Lawrence Township, NJ. The campus is one-half mile south of exit 7A of Interstate 95.