Exploring Oyster Ecology through Outdoor Learning: Worcester County
Open to all Worcester County Public School teachers.

How have oysters shaped the ecology, culture, and physical characteristics of our Bay region?  Join CBF for hands-on, field-based investigations as we explore land use, water quality, and the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem with a special focus on the oyster. We will examine the role oysters have played throughout Maryland’s history—from being a bountiful protein source to a scarce delicacy and look at technological and economic advances working to bring oysters back into the spotlight as a food source, keystone species, and ecosystem engineer. This course will model how student inquiry can lead to sustainability, civic engagement and action as participants learn to design a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience for their students. 

Length & Location: Five consecutive days of field-based, whole-group, outdoor investigations: Monday-Tuesday in the Worcester Coastal Bay area, Wednesday-Friday at our Smith Island Education Center as a 3-day, 2-night dormitory-style experience.
Cost: No cost due to support from the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
Credit: Successful completion of course and final project will qualify WCPS teachers for 3 MSDE Continuing Professional Development Credits (#21-66-01R). This course is eligible for graduate credit from Mary Baldwin University. For more information visit the Professional Learning Credits page.
Orientation Date: Virtual orientation meetings are at 7:00 p.m. on May 25th, June 22nd, or July 13th. Choose one of the virtual meetings prior to your course.

COVID Policy: All participants of multi-day experiences are required to be fully up to date on COVID vaccinations or have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of in person programing start. All vaccinated participants are required to take a rapid covid test 48 Hours prior to the start of in person programing. Attend only if negative.

Registration deadline: July 25, 2022
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