From Ms. Halton:
The Billion Oyster Project (BOP) is restoring oyster reefs to New York Harbor in collaboration with schools and other community organizations. Oyster reefs provide habitat for hundreds of species, and can protect our city from storm damage — softening the blow of large waves, reducing flooding, and preventing erosion along the shorelines. This year MS 131 joined the BOP Community! Students learned about the ecology of NYC waterways and collaborated to maintain three oyster tanks in our classrooms. They studied the history of oysters in NYC, their role in the harbor ecosystem and learned how to use scientific instruments to measure oyster growth and ensure safe water quality in our classroom tanks.
In June, students presented a research project at the Annual Billion Oyster Project Symposium on Governor’s Island. Students created a large model of an oyster to teach others about oyster anatomy.