For immediate release
Contact: Jane Harrison, jane_harrison@ncsu.edu
North Carolina Sea Grant will offer new workshops on shellfish mariculture for educators, thanks to a 2024 eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grant through the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). NAAEE and NOAA are funding the project as part of its eeBLUE partnership to further environmental and science literacy and build more resilient communities nationwide.
In partnership with the North Carolina Coastal Federation and North Carolina Shellfish Growers Association, the new workshops will engage the next generation in the role of mariculture in North Carolina. The project will integrate new and existing learning tools with aquariums, high school teachers, and the public through seafood festivals and other opportunities.
Jane Harrison, North Carolina Sea Grant’s coastal economics specialist, will serve as the team’s lead. She says that in addition to workshops the project will advance shellfish mariculture literacy with a mobile visual display.
“I’m excited to connect Sea Grant’s learning resources, like shellfish mariculture lesson plans, to students on the coast,” says Harrison. “Aquaculture science is vital to our state’s growing oyster industry, and this project brings it into the classroom.”
Eric Herbst, North Carolina Sea Grant’s mariculture specialist, and Erika Young, the programs’s marine education specialist, will also play key roles.
The team will develop two mariculture lesson plans aligned with North Carolina science standards and Career and Technical Education programs.
“We are doing workshops with high school teachers and educators at the NC Aquariums,” says Harrison. “So, I expect to see increased oyster literacy in our state.”
The mobile visual display will highlight producers, processes, and products, debuting at the North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island, before traveling to other aquariums and public spaces. Harrison says the display will highlight the diversity of industry leaders in the state, showcasing various ages, races, and genders.
“If you’re an educator and want to participate in a workshop, or if you want the display for your community, please contact us,” she adds.
Read NAAEE’s announcement of new grantees as part of its eeBLUE partnership.
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