School Programs

Fish and Friends

From fins to legs, discover the various body parts that animals need to survive. Engage with fishy friends and see how they are different from each other and us as well as what makes them the same.

Fins, Feet, & Feelers

Explore the variety of animals that call an oyster reef home through story time, sensory exploration, hands-on interaction with critters, and a sing-along.

Oysters In & Out

Get to know the Eastern Oyster inside and out! Explore the oyster’s unique body parts, discover what hides in its reef habitat, and discover how watermen have harvested them over time.

Animal Investigation

Explore the variety of fascinating animals that call the Chesapeake Bay home. Get an up-close look at some of the coolest Bay critters and discover the critical part they play in their ecosystem through their life cycle, adaptations, habitat needs, and role in the food web. Students will meet up to four animals.

Eco-Explorers

Science doesn’t only happen in labs! Learn how to use scientific tools to see if Back Creek is healthy, and explore how pollution reaches the Bay. Then, apply STEAM principles to engineer solutions to clean up the mess.

From Bay to Table

From the muddy bottom of the Bay to your favorite restaurant, it takes a lot of work to make an oyster ready to eat. Follow the journey of these shellfish from harvesting to cleaning to designing your very own oyster can. Materials fee of $1.00 per child applies.

Critter Cruise (in partnership with Watermark Cruises)

Climb aboard the Harbor Queen and spend an hour on the water getting up close and personal with fascinating Chesapeake Bay critters including crabs, fish, and eels! Programs are booked through Watermark at STEM – Watermark (watermarkjourney.com)

Chesapeake 101 (in partnership with Watermark Cruises)

Chesapeake 101 includes a 2 hour program at either our Museum or Park campus and a 40 minute narrated cruise on the Harbor Queen. Students may have lunch either at the Park or onboard the Harbor Queen. Programs are booked through Watermark.

ANNAPOLIS MARITIME MUSEUM & PARK Students will put their problem solving skills to the test to engineer a buoy or filter. In addition, choose from the following activities:

• Oyster hand-tonging – Park Campus only
• Exploring oyster reef critters
• Oyster dissection
• Watershed pollution activity
• Seining – warmer weather only
• Crabbing and crab ecology – warmer weather only

HARBOR QUEEN CRUISE Students board the Harbor Queen to cruise the waters around the historic Annapolis harbor. History, navigation, and architecture are included in this 40-minute narrated program. Programs are booked through Watermark at STEM – Watermark (watermarkjourney.com)

Oysters 101

You may have known that oysters are filter feeders, but did you also know that they are ecosystem engineers? Investigate how the natural history of the Eastern Oyster makes it an irreplaceable resource for the animals of the Chesapeake Bay along with the humans who harvest them.

Animals In and Around the Bay

As the largest estuary in the country, the Chesapeake Bay supports a vast variety of wildlife. Join us as we explore some of the different animals, both aquatic and terrestrial, that depend on this vital resource. Discover the unique adaptations of these creatures and how they rely on different habitats throughout the Bay during the various stages of their life cycles.

Back Creek Science

How do scientists determine if an ecosystem is healthy or not? Collect data from both aquatic and terrestrial habitats using scientific tools and techniques, and examine both living and nonliving factors to find out how Back Creek and the surrounding park are doing.

Could You Make it on the Water?

How fast can you harvest a bushel of oysters? Will you be able to market your product to the broadest audience? Can you make more than your competition? Find out if you have what it takes to make it in this grueling industry! Materials fee of $1.00 per child applies.

Skipjack Trip

Set sail with us on the Wilma Lee, one of only a few remaining Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks.  Built in 1940 by the well-known boat builder, Bronza Parks, and meticulously restored in 2019, the Wilma Lee, offers an authentic setting for students to connect to the Bay through both cultural and ecological lenses, bringing to life content discussed in the classroom.

Come experience what life was like as a crew member living on the water, become familiar with skipjack terminology and tools, and explore the water ways and tributaries around the Bay.  Students will be actively engaged in conducting water quality testing, investigating Bay animals, and applying STEAM concepts, all while enjoying the beautiful Chesapeake Bay setting. Combine with another program to accommodate more students (discounts available).

Kayaking

• Capacity: Best with 8-12 students, max 18 participants (Grades 4 and up)
• Cost: Starting at $18 / Student
• Location: Park Campus
• Time: 2 hours minimum

Learn basic kayaking skills and tour Back Creek while discussing the ecology, history, and health of the Chesapeake Bay. Can be combined with other lessons.

Critter Cruise (in partnership with Watermark Cruises)

Climb aboard the Harbor Queen and spend an hour on the water getting up close and personal with fascinating Chesapeake Bay critters including crabs, fish, and eels! Programs are booked through Watermark at STEM – Watermark (watermarkjourney.com)

Chesapeake 101 (in partnership with Watermark Cruises)

Chesapeake 101 includes a 2 hour program at either our Museum or Park campus and a 40 minute narrated cruise on the Harbor Queen. Students may have lunch either at the Park or onboard the Harbor Queen. Programs are booked through Watermark.

ANNAPOLIS MARITIME MUSEUM & PARK Students will put their problem solving skills to the test to engineer a buoy or filter. In addition, choose from the following activities:

• Oyster hand-tonging – Park Campus only
• Exploring oyster reef critters
• Oyster dissection
• Watershed pollution activity
• Seining – warmer weather only
• Crabbing and crab ecology – warmer weather only

HARBOR QUEEN CRUISE Students board the Harbor Queen to cruise the waters around the historic Annapolis harbor. History, navigation, and architecture are included in this 40-minute narrated program. Programs are booked through Watermark at STEM – Watermark (watermarkjourney.com)

Oysters 102

As a keystone species, the Eastern Oyster provides multiple ecosystem services, including habitat, water filtration, shoreline buffering, and food. Study anatomy and natural history of this humble bivalve to see the critical role it plays in both the ecology and economy of Maryland.

Chesapeake Bay Ecology

In a healthy ecosystem, certain conditions must be met to support a wide variety of plants and animals. Use scientific sampling techniques to determine if Back Creek is healthy enough to sustain a biodiverse community. Identify the plants and animals living there, and use those as indicators of ecosystem health.

Skipjack Trip

Set sail with us on the Wilma Lee, one of only a few remaining Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks.  Built in 1940 by the well-known boat builder, Bronza Parks, and meticulously restored in 2019, the Wilma Lee, offers an authentic setting for students to connect to the Bay through both cultural and ecological lenses, bringing to life content discussed in the classroom.

Come experience what life was like as a crew member living on the water, become familiar with skipjack terminology and tools, and explore the water ways and tributaries around the Bay.  Students will be actively engaged in conducting water quality testing, investigating Bay animals, and applying STEAM concepts, all while enjoying the beautiful Chesapeake Bay setting. Combine with another program to accommodate more students (discounts available).

Kayaking

• Capacity: Best with 8-12 students, max 18 participants (Grades 4 and up)
• Cost: Starting at $18 / Student
• Location: Park Campus
• Time: 2 hours minimum

Learn basic kayaking skills and tour Back Creek while discussing the ecology, history, and health of the Chesapeake Bay. Can be combined with other lessons.

Chesapeake 101 (in partnership with Watermark Cruises)

Chesapeake 101 includes a 2 hour program at either our Museum or Park campus and a 40 minute narrated cruise on the Harbor Queen. Students may have lunch either at the Park or onboard the Harbor Queen. Programs are booked through Watermark.

ANNAPOLIS MARITIME MUSEUM & PARK Students will put their problem solving skills to the test to engineer a buoy or filter. In addition, choose from the following activities:

• Oyster hand-tonging – Park Campus only
• Museum tour – Museum Campus only (+$2/student)
• Exploring oyster reef critters
• Oyster dissection
• Watershed pollution activity
• Seining – warmer weather only
• Crabbing and crab ecology – warmer weather only

HARBOR QUEEN CRUISE Students board the Harbor Queen to cruise the waters around the historic Annapolis harbor. History, navigation, and architecture are included in this 40-minute narrated program. Programs are booked through Watermark at STEM – Watermark (watermarkjourney.com)

We welcome homeschool groups of mixed ages/grades. Programs run from 2 – 3 hours at a cost of $8 / student / hour. We are happy to customize any of the listed school programs to meet the needs and ages of your group. Parents/guardians are encouraged to participate in the program and must stay on-site for the duration of the program. Non-participating siblings must be supervised at all times. Programs may take place at the Museum or Park Campus.

Recommended activities for mixed-age groups include, but are not limited to:

• • • Seining- Students catch and identify near shore animals using a seine net.
    • Blue Crab Station- Students crab from docks/shore and learn about crab anatomy and life cycle.
    • Oyster Harvesting Game- Students use model tools to simulate human harvesting of oysters over time and learn about the importance of sustainability.
    • Horseshoe Crab Station- Students learn about horseshoe crab anatomy and natural history and meet a live horseshoe crab (dependent on animal availability).
    • Oyster Dissection- Students dissect an oyster to learn about oyster anatomy and function.
    • Oyster Reef Animals- Students learn to identify animals that live on an oyster reef through hands-on investigation.
    • Hand Tonging- Students learn about the oyster industry by using a pair of hand tongs to harvest oyster shells.
    • Build a Buoy- Students plan, build, and test buoys made of PVC pipes.
    • Museum Tour- Students learn about the oyster industry, ecology of the Chesapeake Bay, and maritime heritage of Annapolis by touring the museum exhibits. Groups must have at least 1 adult for every 10 children with them while in the museum. An additional $2 / student charge is added to include the exhibits. Adults have no charge.

Can’t come to us? Let us come to you! Educators will work with your team to develop a custom program dependent on age, number of classes, and class length. A travel fee for schools more than 25 miles from AMM may apply.

Activities recommended for in-class visits include but are not limited to:

• • • Oyster Reef Animals- Students learn to identify animals that live on an oyster reef through hands-on investigation.
    • Oyster Dissection- Students dissect an oyster to learn about oyster anatomy and function.
    • Build a Buoy- Students plan, build, and test buoys made of PVC pipes.
    • Horseshoe Crab Station- Students learn about horseshoe crab anatomy and natural history and meet a live horseshoe crab (dependent on animal availability).
    • Erosion experiment- Students learn how oyster reefs (or plants) prevent erosion through a hands-on experiment.
    • Oyster Canning- Students examine oyster cans to determine what components are useful to marketing, then design and seal their own can. A $1 / student materials fee applies.

We are excited to now offer virtual programming! An AMM educator will meet with your class, using the meeting software of your choice (Google Meet, Zoom, etc.) to get up close and personal with Chesapeake Bay critters.

• • Oyster Dissection
    • Grade: recommended 4^th grade and up
    • Cost: $50/class period
    • Students will learn about the filtering power of the Eastern Oyster as they get up close and personal with a live dissection.

• • Oyster Reef Animals
    • Grade: recommended pre-k and up
    • Cost: $50/class period
    • Students will discover who lives amongst the shells of an oyster reef and work together to identify what animals we see in a live investigation.

• • Meet a Blue Crab
    • Grade: recommended 1^st grade and up
    • Cost: $50/class period
    • Students will learn about the anatomy and life cycle of Blue Crabs and how they are different from other crabs in the Bay as we meet a live Blue Crab and mud crab.