Our talented team of Museum educators are committed to providing an engaging experience that brings SOL-related content to life for your students. We bring passion and energy to each program to ensure the highest level of impact and retention. To learn more about this program, click on one of the format options listed below.
Choose your experience:
Duration: 75 minutes
What happens to a familiar ecosystem when the climate begins to change? Students will investigate the Chesapeake Bay through the perspectives of a museum curator, a Chesapeake Bay waterman, and an environmental scientist as they explore food webs, shifting species, human impacts, conservation, and environmental stewardship.
Oysters, Food Webs, and a Curator’s Story
Students will begin by exploring the Bay’s changing food webs through the curator’s story, discovering the historical importance of oysters to Indigenous communities, the role oysters play as a keystone species, and how human activities have altered the ecosystem.
Shifting Species and a Waterman’s Perspective
Students will investigate how climate change is causing species to shift their ranges through the perspective of a local waterman and consider what these changes mean for the Chesapeake’s fisheries and communities. Working collaboratively, students will design a restaurant menu using historical, present-day, and projected future species data to analyze how changing species populations may affect the seafood available in the Bay.
Building an Oyster Reef
Students will investigate current conservation efforts through the perspective of an environmental scientist, exploring how warming waters, stronger storms, and habitat restoration are shaping the future of the Chesapeake. Through an interactive ecological succession game, students will build an oyster reef, observe how diverse habitats develop over time, and evaluate how human impacts can disrupt these ecosystems.
By following the evidence, collaborating with peers, and stepping into environmental career roles, students will deepen their understanding of climate change while building the critical-thinking and stewardship skills used to tackle complex environmental questions.
Teachers will have the choice of a docent-led tour or a self-guided, themed scavenger hunt through the galleries to complete the experience.
Duration: 75 minutes
What happens to a familiar ecosystem when the climate begins to change? Students will investigate the Chesapeake Bay through the perspectives of a museum curator, a Chesapeake Bay waterman, and an environmental scientist as they explore food webs, shifting species, human impacts, conservation, and environmental stewardship.
Oysters, Food Webs, and a Curator’s Story
Students will begin by exploring the Bay’s changing food webs through the curator’s story, discovering the historical importance of oysters to Indigenous communities, the role oysters play as a keystone species, and how human activities have altered the ecosystem.
Shifting Species and a Waterman’s Perspective
Students will investigate how climate change is causing species to shift their ranges through the perspective of a local waterman and consider what these changes mean for the Chesapeake’s fisheries and communities. Working collaboratively, students will design a restaurant menu using historical, present-day, and projected future species data to analyze how changing species populations may affect the seafood available in the Bay.
Building an Oyster Reef
Students will investigate current conservation efforts through the perspective of an environmental scientist, exploring how warming waters, stronger storms, and habitat restoration are shaping the future of the Chesapeake. Through an interactive ecological succession game, students will build an oyster reef, observe how diverse habitats develop over time, and evaluate how human impacts can disrupt these ecosystems.
By following the evidence, collaborating with peers, and stepping into environmental career roles, students will deepen their understanding of climate change while building the critical-thinking and stewardship skills used to tackle complex environmental questions.
Learning Objectives
- Students will analyze historical, current, and projected future data to explain how environmental changes can affect Chesapeake Bay species and communities.
- Students will evaluate conservation strategies, including oyster restoration, and identify the stages of oyster reef development and their importance to healthy Bay ecosystems.
- Students will practice environmental stewardship by identifying three ways they can reduce human impacts and support the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
- Students will explore careers by listening to the narratives of a museum curator, waterman, and an environmental scientist and acting out their roles.
Science (VDOE 2018, current):
- Elementary: 3.1 (a-f), 3.4 (a-b), 3.5 (a-b), 3.8 (a-d); 4.1 (a-f), 4.3 (a-c), 4.4 (a-c), 4.8 (a-c); 5.1 (a-f), 5.6 (a-c), 5.9 (a-c)
- Middle: 6.1 (a-f), 6.8 (a-d), 6.9 (a-f); LS.1 (a-f), LS.5 (a-c), LS.6 (a-d), LS.7 (a-b)
- High: ES.1 (a,c,d,f), ES.8 (d), ES.10 (a,b,e); ES.11 (d)
Next Generation Science Standard:
- Elementary: 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 5-LS2-1, 5-ESS3-1, 3-5-ETS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-2, 3-5-ETS1-3
- Middle: MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5
Principles of Ocean Literacy:
- 1) The Earth has one big ocean with many features
- 3) The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected
- 5) The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems
- 6) The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected
Pricing:
Payment can be made before the program, or we can invoice following your program.
- Programs at the Museum are $4.50 per student.
All adults accompanying a field trip are free. - Programs at your location are $4.50 per student.
- Virtual education programs are $125 per program.
Reservations are required for all programs and are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Programs fill quickly in the fall and spring, so make your reservations a minimum of two weeks in advance.
Need some questions answered?
Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have, or recommend the best program for your class.
Call or email our Education team:
[email protected]
(757) 591-7745
