Coastal Heritage Curriculum Connection
Explore Curriculum Connection guides, which are written to accompany each issue of Coastal Heritage, a quarterly publication of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.
Coastal Heritage, Summer 2018 issue: Tank to Table: How Single Oyster Mariculture Works
Focus Questions
- Describe the difference between single and cluster oysters. Why are single oysters favored?
- How does oyster mariculture mimic how oysters grow nature? How is it different?
- How long does it take an oyster to go from an embryo to a harvestable oyster in a mariculture setting? What are the major steps in its life cycle?
- What are two biotic and abiotic factors that can impact an oyster’s growth?
Use the Curriculum Connection to address these South Carolina State Science Standards
3rd Grade
Standard 3.L.5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of how the characteristics and changes in environments and habitats affect the diversity of organisms.
4th Grade
Standard 4.L.5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of how the structural characteristics and traits of plants and animals allow them to survive, grow, and reproduce.
5th Grade
Standard 5.L.4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of relationships among biotic and abiotic factors within terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
7th Grade
Standard 7.EC.5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of how organisms interact with and respond to the biotic and abiotic components of their environments.
9th-12th Grade
H.B.6: The student will demonstrate an understanding that ecosystems are complex, interactive systems that include both biological communities and physical components of the environment.
Lesson Links and Educational Resources
SCORE! Oyster Activities
The South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement (SCORE) program has engaging activities to teach your students about oyster reefs. The SCORE website also has great background information on oyster biology and other resources. (6th – 12th) The National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Estuaries 101 Curriculum provides a wealth of resources, lessons, and videos related to the estuarine ecosystem. Check out two lessons specific to oysters: The Great Oyster Mystery and An Ode to the Oyster . (6th – 12th)
Mariculture: Role Playing
Check out the role playing activity, To Culture or Not to Culture , which is part of the PBS and SCETV Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Series. This activity explores the pros and cons of the aquaculture industry by having students adopt roles of different community members. (6th – 12th)
Get Involved
SCORE Volunteers
From bagging loose shell to building new oyster reefs, the South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement (SCORE) program works with volunteers to create or restore healthy oyster habitat along South Carolina’s coastline. Want to volunteer? Visit the SCORE website to learn more. (6th – 12th)