Oyster restoration, where hands-on learning makes a difference

This school year, 19 dedicated teachers from 11 schools across the district dove into hands-on environmental science through the Hampton City Schools (HCS) Oyster Restoration Program. Together, they raised more than 11,000 oysters, helping improve the health of Hampton’s waterways while enriching classroom learning with real-world applications in science and math.

 

The journey began in September, when participating teachers attended training sessions focused on the ecological and historical importance of the Eastern oyster. There, they learned how to care for oysters and integrate the experience into their curriculum. 

 

The program would not have been possible without strong support from community partners. The Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association (TOGA) donated individual oyster spat and materials for oyster cages. Students in Hampton High School’s Maritime Academy, led by teacher Connor Dunn, built the cages. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) contributed additional spat grown on shells and cages for raising them. Thanks to a grant from the Hampton Waterways Restoration Project subcommittee of the Hampton Clean City Commission, teachers also received essential supplies such as gloves, cleaning brushes, spat cages, and transportation for field trips.

 

Throughout the year, teachers brought the oysters into their classrooms, allowing students to engage in meaningful scientific practices including random sampling techniques and measuring and observing the growth and health of the oysters. Students discovered the powerful role oysters play as natural water filters, with each adult oyster capable of cleaning up to 50 gallons of water per day. They also learned about many of the more than 300 species that call oyster reefs home, explored the adaptations of reef organisms, and examined the roles of oysters in Chesapeake Bay food chains and food webs.

 

To celebrate and expand on their learning, students participated in educational field trips on April 28 to 30, hosted by the Elizabeth Lake Estates Civic Association. These immersive experiences featured engaging exhibits and activities led by a wide range of community partners, including:

• Shored Up staff Claire Neubert and Linda Hamm
  
  

• Hampton Clean City Commission staff Cynthia Harris and Mikoa Logan
  
  

• Hampton University assistant professor of marine and environmental science Dr. Joseph Reustle and students
  
  

• Norfolk State University biology professor Dr. Ashley Haines and students
  
  

• Resilient Hampton Team of Olivia Askew and Anna Hammond
  
  

• TOGA members Vic Spain, Brian Ingram, and Jim Dall
  
  

• Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center outreach coordinator Tiffany Wood

Students were also joined by Hampton City Council member Carolyn Campbell, who applauded their commitment to environmental stewardship. All-in-all, over 450 students and 45 adults enjoyed learning more about oysters and the health and protection of Hampton waterways.

 

The experience even sparked creativity in the classroom when the seventh grade students in Marcie McCarthy’s class at Eaton Fundamental Middle School were so inspired, they wrote and illustrated a book about an oyster as a part of their seventh grade Signature Experience. McCarthy and her students held a book signing on May 1 and have already sold 85 copies of the book. 

 

“One little oyster can make a change, but when you put multiple oysters together, they create a cleaner water system. Like my students, when you put one student's creativity with the thoughts of the whole class, you can make a book of knowledge and imagination. Knowledge and imagination lead to dreams. Dreams lead to creative writing, which can lead to a career,” said McCarthy. 

 

Anyone interested in purchasing the book (or any of the other 30 books the students have authored) can reach out to McCarthy (mmitrovich@hampton.k12.va.us).

 

Since 2016, HCS teachers and students have added well over 161,000 oysters to local waterways. Because of the efforts of HCS students and teachers since 2021, the Hampton City Schools Oyster Restoration Project received a Governor’s Excellence in Environmental Education Award and was recognized by the Hampton Clean City Commission for water quality/stormwater improvement in 2023.

 

Thank you to Korry Simpson and Michaela Williamson (Andrews PreK-8); Alison Rhodes (Armstrong School for the Arts); Kaitlyn Gainer, Tiffany Payne, Aliyah Wilson and Lauren Wilson (Bassette Elementary); Missy Powell-Riedl (Burbank Elementary); Marcie McCarthy (Eaton Fundamental Middle); Michele Ferrel (Kilgore Gifted Center); Emani Braxton (Jones Magnet Middle); Kristen Coolbear and Sally Lewis (Kecoughtan High); Heidi Selby (Machen Elementary); Margaret Benbow and Marcia Lewis (Phenix PreK-8); and Brooke Bliznik and Stacey Rice (Tarrant Middle) for going above and beyond to make learning real world and relevant for students.

 

Interested in joining the movement? Teachers who want to raise oysters with their students during the 2025–2026 school year should contact Betsy McAllister (bmcallister@hampton.k12.va.us). Don’t miss this chance to make a real impact on both your students and your local environment.