This page recognizes the many individuals and organizations for their contributions to this grant effort awarded to the VCU School of Education Center for Innovation in STEM Education from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Bay Watershed Education and Training (BWET). We hope you take a moment to review this page and share our appreciation of these individuals, and the organizations they represent!

This lesson is designed as an engage lesson to introduce students to the two organisms studied in the BEST in Bay Watershed Project. Students will engage with images of molluscs to learn which are bivalves. You may plan to focus on only mussels or oysters in later lessons. This lesson is designed for them to learn about the Phylum Mollusca and more specifically the Class of Bivalvia

For many years, scientists have been observing a decline in the freshwater mussel population. This decline is significant as it impacts the ecosystems they live in. We have been asked to study this issue so that we can propose actions to prevent the continued decline and to make VA residents aware of this issue.

In this lesson, students will research mussels to learn more about oysters, including various types of oysters, classification, locations of oysters.  

This lesson is designed to allow students to collect information about the role that oysters play in their ecosystem and the watershed that they live in.

This lesson is designed to allow students to collect information about the interesting life history of oysters.

This lesson is designed to introduce students to several water quality indicators by using standard water testing equipment to test and record precise measurements of water quality for samples from local natural sites. Through analysis of the data, they will relate water quality parameters' relevance to aquatic ecosystem health.

This lesson is designed to introduce students to several water quality indicators by using standard water testing equipment to test and record precise measurements of water quality for samples from local natural sites. Through analysis of the data, they will relate water quality parameters' relevance to aquatic ecosystem health.

This lesson is designed to introduce students to impacts of human activity on the health of watersheds. Both point source and non-point source pollution will be investigated and used to evaluate the health of the Chesapeake Bay and the James River. Finally, students will be asked to consider ways the human impact can be modified to improve water quality and bivalve habitat.

This lesson is designed to allow students to learn about restoration efforts through the Virginia Oyster Shell Recycling Program (VOSRP).

In this lesson, students will identify, synthesize, and apply evidence from their investigations to draw conclusions and make claims about the issue, problem, or phenomenon. They convey data and information about their investigations, conclusions, and claims to audiences ranging from classrooms to the larger public community. The focus in this stage is on putting together what they have learned about the overarching question rather than inspiring action.

Once students have generated a conclusion, they should work in small groups or as a class to brainstorm and evaluate solutions, and then take action! Throughout this process, teachers play an important facilitation role by forming groups, moderating, and answering questions, while students drive the decision-making, planning, and implementation in an age-appropriate way.