Would you like to have an oyster tank in your classroom, home or office? Then this is the training for you!
The Oyster Research Tank (ORT) program is one of Billion Oyster Project’s most popular educational initiatives and serves as an indoor complement to the Oyster Research Station (ORS) program.
Participants in the ORT program set up a tank in their classroom, home, or place of work and monitor their tank for water quality parameters such as ammonia levels and dissolved oxygen for their effects on oyster mortality and growth.
An ORT can also serve as a frame for inquiry-based learning and authentic research via a number of different scientific methods, including: observational study (e.g. of animal behavior), experimental study (e.g. by varying tank parameters in comparison with control tank conditions), and engineering design ( e.g. to optimize a tank’s biological filter).
In preparation for the training, please look over our Oyster Tank Guide.
Agenda
This Fall's Oyster Research Tank (ORT) trainings will be held mostly in person following COVID safety protocols at the Urban Assembly Harbor School, on Governors Island. The breakdown of the ORT Training will consist of 3 sessions, two of which you must attend in-person to complete the training.
Sessions (including ferry times):
Wednesday, Sept 14th (4:45 - 7:30pm ET): Material Pick-Up and Orientation (In-person)
Wednesday, Sept 28th (4:45 - 7:30pm ET): Oyster Pick up and Tank Set up (In-person)
Thursday, Oct 6th (5 - 6pm ET): OPTIONAL Office Hours (Remote)
*Social distancing measures will be observed.
CTLE Credits
CTLE credits are provided through Pace University School of Education in support of its National Science Foundation research grants (DRL 1839656/DRL 1759006) sub-awards (CD00007433/CD00006463) to the Billion Oyster Project (Dr. Lauren Birney, Principal Investigator lbirney@pace.edu). These credits will only be provided upon completion of both Zoom sessions mentioned above.
Fees & Registration
The supplies given out at the training are valued at $550, but thanks to funding from the New York City Council, Council members, Pace University, the National Science Foundation and many other generous partners we are able to offer the training at a flat rate of $200. This price covers training, associated supplies and oysters.
Billion Oyster Project acknowledges that some might not be able to cover the costs of the trainings. We offer sliding scale pricing for schools, organizations or community scientists that have documented financial hardships. Please send your inquiry to educate@nyharbor.org.
We will send out a more detailed email a few days prior to the training with specific information in regards to materials pick-up logistics, Zoom meeting information, and more.
If the event is full, please sign up for the waitlist!
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under NSF grant number EHR 1759006/1839656/PI Lauren Birney. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.