Students had the opportunity to connect with Local Organization: Watershed Action Lab to learn about Florida's Oysters and their superpowers.
When most people think of oysters they think of fancy restaurants and delicious meals, but did you know that oysters are mega-filters!
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plants and animals, but too much nitrogen—often from fertilizer runoff and septic tanks—boosts the growth of algae, which overwhelm water bodies and ultimately reduce oxygen levels in them. Oysters, clams, and other shellfish are efficient filter feeders that help remove excess nitrogen from waters by incorporating it into their shells and tissue as they grow.
After learning about the impressive skills that Oysters have and their vital role as part of Biscayne Bay's Ecosystem, students had the opportunity to build vertical Oyster Gardens that will later be placed on canals and waterways in Coral Gables.
Here are some facts about Oysters:
1. One Oyster can produce 100 million babies.
2. One oyster can clean 50 gallons of water
3. Oysters are a keystone species that is a food source for 150 species
4. Oysters are found in Estuaries (where salt and fresh water meet)
5. Oysters eat algae in the water and pump out FRESHWATER
6. There are less and 1% of Oysters left in Biscayne Bay
7. Larva float for 2-3 Weeks finding a place to make their home.
8. Seawalls make it hard for the oysters to attach.
Alberto Aran, Co-Founder of Watershed Action Lab and Education Lead shared a video message with students about the project overview:
Students enjoyed building these vertical gardens and are already looking forward to seeing where they will be placed in the community.
After vertical gardens are built, they are placed on docks in waterways. Community members can sign up to become FOSTER PARENTS for these oyster gardens.
In order to place the vertical gardens on docks, Watershed Action Lab has to get a special Permit from the Fish and Wildlife Organization.
Part of the donations made to Watershed Action Lab are used to pay for these permits (CLICK HERE)
When we get updates on where these vertical gardens have been placed, we will share UPDATES!
If you are an educator, parent, or community member and would like to participate in this citizen science project, here are the lesson Slides created for this project: LINKED HERE . Contact information for Watershed Action Lab can be found on their website, Instagram, or directly through email: watershedactionlab@gmail.com
Engineering & Design Extensions:
FLOATING MARINE LAB: Video presenting- prototype and concept
Open Hardware/ Citizen Science page:
