Biodiversity, Relationships, and Aquatic Chemistry Knowledge in Saline Habitats (BRACKISH)
Implementing Organization
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$285,998
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine – Gulf Research Program (NASEM - GRP)
Funding Program
NASEM Gulf Research Program Grants
Details
Project Category
Human and Social
Project Actions
Education and Outreach
Targeted Resources
Project Description
This project, Biodiversity, Relationships, and Aquatic Chemistry Knowledge in Saline Habitats (BRACKISH), will use place-based learning approaches, specifically hands-on and inquiry-based learning, to foster environmental literacy in eighth grade students in Pascagoula and Moss Point. Place-based education helps students learn to care for their environment by understanding where they live and taking action in their own communities. The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GNDNERR) has a long-lasting relationship with schools within the community and is well equipped to implement environmental education programs. The three-day program structure will immerse 8th grade students in reserve science and their local estuarine environment, ultimately increasing environmental literacy, problem-solving skills, and place-attachment. Day one will entail NERR staff presenting to students at their school as an orientation to the estuary, focusing on concepts and ecological principles. A second day, follow-up field experience at Grand Bay NERR will allow students to investigate the environment by collecting water quality data, species sampling, and exploring estuarine habitats. They will use tablet applications to analyze their data and discuss their findings with their classmates. On the third day, concepts learned during the program will be reinforced by introducing students to mock case studies related to water quality issues within their community. Students will be assigned roles, challenged to develop potential solutions, and justify their reasoning with their peers. Target schools contain a large percentage of underserved students, funds will be allocated toward alleviating field trip costs like substitute teachers, transportation, and lunches during field experiences.
Contact
Ayesha GrayNone
ayesha.gray@dmr.ms.gov
Project Website
None
None