Above: Students who learn about mariculture gain exposure to new career avenues. Photo by Baxter Miller.

Teachers, are you interested in test-driving lesson plans on marine aquaculture?

Developed through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 10 lessons include an introduction to marine aquaculture, or mariculture, as well as classroom activities on topics like environmental impacts, production methods and business perspectives.

“We have worked with a team of science, agriculture and vocational teachers on the coast to develop these educational resources,” says North Carolina Sea Grant marine education specialist Terri Kirby Hathaway. “The lessons now are ready to be tested in the classroom.”

The team also included North Carolina Sea Grant coastal economics specialist Jane Harrison and science writer Julie Leibach, as well as Swansboro High School science teacher Amy Sauls.

“Initially we had a small team of top-notch teachers who gave input to the creative process. Now it is time to have educators field-test to make sure the lessons run smoothly and are effective,” Sauls says. “It is important as a next step to ensure the lessons are useful to teachers in the future.”

Teachers who would like to pilot the lessons and provide feedback for improvement should contact Hathaway at tkhathaw@ncsu.edu or 252-475-5486.

The final lesson plans will be available in time for the 2019-2020 school year.