BioDiscovery Project
Project Overview
Do you ever wonder what grows on piers, jetties, and docks? The BioDiscovery Project is a STEM (science-technology-engineering-math)-based initiative designed for educators and students to examine the organisms that colonize, or “foul”, these types of structures through species identification and water quality data collection.
Participating schools use a biorack, which when submerged, will start to colonize with species such as skeleton shrimp, algae, barnacles, and much more. The data collected is entered into the BioDiscovery Project’s data portal, which can be shared with other participating schools along and across watersheds.
Funded through a generous grant by the Bosch Community Fund, the BioDiscovery Project is coordinated by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission in partnership with the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, College of Charleston’s Grice Marine Lab, and Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.
At its foundation, this project was based on Maryland Sea Grant’s Biofilms and Biodiversity program that engages teachers and students in the exploration of biofouling communities in coastal Maryland.
Upcoming BioDiscovery Project Educator Workshop
March 17 – 18, 2023
James Island County Park
Registration is now open for the BioDiscovery Project Educator Workshop! This hands-on, STEM (science-technology-engineering-math) project engages students and teachers in exploring the organisms that colonize docks, jetties, and other structures in the marine environment.
- Open to any coastal formal and nonformal educator
- Participation is free-of-charge
- Stipends and renewal credits provided
- All supplies, meals, and lodging are included
Questions
Questions can be sent to Lindsay Patterson or E.V. Bell.
Biorack photos courtesy Lindsay Patterson, CCPRC.
