17 eighth-graders, an upweller, an a whole lot of shellfish!

On Monday, June 6, seventeen eight-grade students from Mt. Laurel's Harrington Middle School visited the Island Beach State Park (IBSP) upweller on a school trip! They were selected by their teacher, Ms. Maureen Barrett for their interest and dedication to the Shellfish in the Classroom program that was begun by RCTB volunteers at their school this year.

Ms. Barrett's science classes have been growing oysters in tanks since February. One of the reasons for this trip was to return the oysters, which were placed in a specially marked mesh bag that will be placed in the upweller to continue their grow-out. The students, many of whom were first time visitors to the Bay, were treated to a number of new learning experiences. For example, a full grown female diamond-backed terrapin just happened to pay us a visit and Dr. Jim Merritt used her appearance as a brief lesson on the life cycle and environmental needs of the terrapin, which was then released into the wetlands near the shoreline.

Manny and Dolores Brito explained the process and the working of the upweller. The children were shown several fouled silos and some even volunteered to help clean them!

Frank Vives demonstrated how we take volume measurements and keep weekly tabs on the growth rate of the shellfish. Marty Sedlacko showed the students the proper way to shuck clams and oysters and of course how to properly eat raw shellfish.

The students came prepared with their own seining net and several took part in that activity under the direction of Ms. Barrett and Dr. Merritt. Wes Dalzell was in charge of the day's activities; the students were very enthusiastic and appreciative.

At the end of the day, each of the visiting students received a red RCTB bracelet and pen from Rick Bushnell who thanked them for their dedication to raising Shellfish in the Classroom. After the activities at the upweller, the students were taken to Island Beach State Park for a brief walk alone the shore line of the Atlantic Ocean. It was a great day! Thanks to all who helped make it happen.