The Education Center
at the Annapolis Maritime Museum

Museum Hires New Eduction Director

The Annapolis Maritime Museum hired Josh Falk as Education Director in December 2012. Falk brings 13 years of experience in environmentally focused education programming and development, most recently with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and prior to that with Arlington Echo and Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Read more.

Chesapeake Champions Afterschool Program

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Chesapeake Champions is available to Anne Arundel County Public Schools and is specifically designed as a 2nd and 3rd grade afterschool program. Chesapeake Champions is a two-week program in which students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities both at the Museum as well as their respective schools.

Students learn about the culture and ecology of the Chesapeake Bay through hands-on learning opportunities that are aligned with Maryland state standards for learning. Students meet a real Chesapeake Bay waterman, explore the Museum through a scavenger hunt, create an environmental themed mosaic, learn about oyster ecology, role play as an oyster shucker, create a Chesapeake Bay themed song, and take a Watermark boat ride. Students are assessed through pre and post-tests.

Pre-K Program

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

The Pre-K program is an outreach-based program where Museum staff visit Pre-K classrooms and offer a one-hour, hands-on lesson. The lesson begins with a read-aloud book, Olly the Oyster Cleans the Bay by Elaine Ann Allen, and a song introducing students to the Chesapeake Bay and the oyster community. Through the use of their senses the students experience the texture of oyster shells, the smell of brackish water, and the small critters that call the oyster reef home. The lesson is completed with a craft which the students take home to share what they learned about life on an oyster reef with their families.

Bay Bound

Annapolis Community Outreach

The Museum offers outreach educational opportunities to Annapolis based community groups. Groups visit the Museum, take a guided tour of the exhibit “Oysters On the Half Shell,” and participate in land-based activitiesfocused on the maritime heritage and ecology of the Bay. The Museum staff is also available to visit schools and community groups to provide programming. Bay Bound is designed for elementary and secondary school students.

Maritime Explorations

Maritime Explorations is a hands-on experience offered to private schools for a fee. Students participate in activities focused on the maritime heritage and ecology of the Bay. Students visit with a local waterman, who brings his workboat to the docks of the Museum. Students also participate in land-based activities and schools are provided with pre-programming materials and pre and post text assessments. Maritime Explorations is designed for elementary and secondary school students.

6th Grade Oyster Partnership

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Volunteers are needed to help with the 6th Grade Oyster Partnership

Outgoing, enthusiastic and committed volunteers are needed throughout the school year. Knowledge of oyster ecology is helpful, but not required.

Training will be provided for a specific demonstration. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and can choose from any number of dates. We’re seeking volunteers who will commit at least five days within a five-week period.

For more information, please contact Amanda Elliott, program coordinator, aelliott@amaritime.org or by phone 410-295-0104.

The 6th Grade Oyster Program is a year-long environmental literacy project educating students through culture, ecology, and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster. The program uses the oyster as an avenue to explore the human interaction with the environment including policy, economics, biological and historical significance. In addition, the effects of urban development and storm water on oysters and the Chesapeake Bay will be emphasized.

In October and November students will be at Annapolis City Dock and the Annapolis Maritime Museum setting up an oyster cage restoration project with spat, taking oyster spat measurements, collecting water quality data and learning about oyster ecology and industry. This is the largest educational participation of the Maryland Grows Oysters Program with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

In the spring, students will ‘plant’ these oysters in an oyster sanctuary in the Severn River and participate in student led action project such as community awareness and education.

Partners in the 6th Grade Oyster Partnership: Anne Arundel County Public Schools, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office. Supportive Partners: Chesapeake Bay Savers, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

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