Dive into the Billion Oyster Project’s Student Symposium, a virtual educational event that prepares teachers and students to engage with NYC’s largest oyster restoration effort. Discover how this unique program connects urban classrooms to marine conservation work in New York Harbor.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1–2 hours
Fitness Level
No physical fitness required; suitable for educators and students in a virtual setting.
Wildlife
History
New York Harbor was once home to a vast network of oyster reefs supporting native ecosystems and a thriving economy before industrial impact depleted these populations.
Conservation
The Billion Oyster Project exemplifies community-driven restoration efforts, reducing water pollution and restoring biodiversity through oyster reef rehabilitation.
Billion Oyster Project
Dive into the Billion Oyster Project’s Student Symposium, a virtual educational event that prepares teachers and students to engage with NYC’s largest oyster restoration effort. Discover how this unique program connects urban classrooms to marine conservation work in New York Harbor.
Billion Oyster Project is a conservation and education initiative focused on restoring oysters in New York Harbor while engaging educators, students, and community volunteers. The Project offers a range of hands-on programs and trainings that combine fieldwork, classroom curriculum, and citizen science. Educator-focused offerings include Oyster Research Tank (ORT) Training—a 6.5-hour session that trains teachers to set up and monitor classroom oyster tanks—and Oyster Research Station (ORS) Training to equip teachers with skills to monitor oyster growth and biodiversity. Short workshops such as Oysters 101 and ORS Refresher provide two- to 2.5-hour refreshers and CTLE-credit opportunities, and some trainings include ferry travel to Governors Island.
Public programs invite volunteers to participate in ORS Monitoring, shell cleaning on Governors Island, and community water quality testing events. Volunteer roles range from collecting data on oyster health at Oyster Research Stations to spending five hours preparing shells for restoration. The Project also supports public-facing events such as the Community Water Quality Testing end-of-season celebration, featuring data review, snacks, and a paper-making workshop. Many programs emphasize inquiry-based, place-based education that connects classroom lessons to real-world marine conservation and stewardship. Training sessions promote collaboration among educators, provide hands-on activities for students, and contribute to oyster research and restoration efforts across New York Harbor. Classroom and community participants gain practical experience with oyster life cycles, habitat, monitoring techniques, and water quality testing.
Programs Offered
9
Hands-on education and restoration programs
Educator Resources
Multiple
Teacher trainings and workshops available
Training Lengths
2–6.5 hrs
Short workshops to full trainings
Restoration Focus
New York Harbor
Oyster restoration and water quality work
Sign up for educator trainings, volunteer shifts, or community monitoring events to support oyster restoration and hands-on marine learning.
Prepare Tech Ahead
Ensure stable internet and device readiness to fully participate in the virtual symposium.
Align Curriculum
Review the project’s educational resources beforehand to integrate lessons smoothly into your syllabus.
Engage Students Early
Introduce basic oyster biology and local waterways to students before attending for maximum impact.
Reach Out with Questions
Contact [email protected] in advance for any clarifications or specific support.
Reliable computer or tablet
Necessary for accessing the virtual symposium and materials.
Stable internet connection
Critical for uninterrupted participation in live discussions and presentations.
Notebook or digital note-taking app
Useful for jotting down ideas and action items during the session.
Educational resource packets (digital or print)
Supports curriculum integration and hands-on class activities.