For Teachers - Chesapeake Bay Trust

For Teachers

Teachers interested in incorporating a Bay experience into their curricula are encouraged to consider implementing one of the many existing programs within the state. These programs have been developed over many years, and most include both classroom and field activities. You can also find additional resources by clicking here.

Bay Grasses in Classes

Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Maryland Department of Natural Resources: This program offers students the opportunity to grow underwater grasses in their classroom, and then plant them in designated areas.

Oyster Gardening

Chesapeake Bay Foundation: This is an opportunity for schools with access to the more saline waters of the Bay watershed to help restore the oyster population.

Aquaculture in the Classroom

Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center (Anne Arundel County schools only): There are a number of programs available through Arlington Echo, including yellow perch and horseshoe crab raise and release projects.
Horseshoe Crabs: This program offers by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources provides students with the opportunity to raise horseshoe crabs in the classroom to be released once they reach maturity.
Aquaculture in Action program: There are a number of opportunities through Maryland Sea Grant Extension, including the popular Aquaculture in Action program.
Schools in Schools Program: Available only to schools near the Potomac River, this is an opportunity for students to raise and release American Shad and other native fish.

Additional Educational Resources for Students and Teachers

Bayville: Learn about the Bay through this dynamic website sponsored by thinkport.org and Maryland Public Television.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Schoolyard Habitat Guide: Helps teachers from concept to project completion, create natural spaces on their school grounds where students will observe, draw, write, think, question and learn.
Chessie: Great information about the Bay plus lots of teaching resources.
Irvine Nature Center: offers a number of programs for schools, as well as the general public with programs that include both on and off-site experiences.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Programs: A complete list of DNR activities including student activities, in-class presentations, outdoor education opportunities and professional development opportunities.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Aquatic Education Resources: The Aquatic Resource Education Program is part of the Department of Natural Resources’ Watershed Services Unit.
North American Association of Environmental Education: Information on web resources and national partners.
Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education: Information on teacher training resources and home of the Green School Award.

Storm Drain Stenciling

Prince George's County Storm Drain Stenciling Program
This is an opportunity for Prince George's County schools and citizens to participate in stream protection and clean-up activities. This program also includes storm drain stenciling activities. Contact: Mr. Udomah Ohiri at 410.883.5829.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Please click here for information that includes Project WET activities as pre-activity or follow-up to your stenciling project, as well as information on how to borrow stencils from DNR.

Schoolyard habitat

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/ Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Educators Schoolyard Habitats Program: The USFWS/MAEOE Schoolyard Habitat Program offers a guide on installing schoolyard meadows, forests and wetlands that provide worksheets for students to assist in the development of the project.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Check Up: Teachers Guide for Assessing Natural Resources in Maryland Schools: Schools can use the Check Up as a tool to assessment the natural resources on their school grounds and learn about opportunities to increase wildlife and improve water quality through a schoolyard habitat project.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation: The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's schoolyard habitat tool kit and other free resources are available to assist schools in implementing projects.

Environmental Concern: Environmental Concern specializes in the installation of schoolyard wetlands, wetland education, Wonders of Wetlands curriculum training, and the Planning of Wetlands technical training. Their native plant nursery is also an excellent source.

National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitat Program: Learn about training opportunities, resources and how to certify your schoolyard habitat from this national leader in schoolyard habitats.

For schoolyard habitat projects in your area contact:

Baltimore County Office of Outdoor Science (For Baltimore County schools only
Irvine Nature Center Schoolyard Discovery Program (For Baltimore City schools only)
Parks and People Foundation (For Baltimore City schools only)
Arlington Echo Outdoor School Chesapeake Connections Program - (For Anne Arundel County schools only)
Carroll County Outdoor School (For Carroll County schools only): Contact 410.751.3301
ChesPax (For Calvert County schools only)
Fairview Outdoor School - (For Washington County schools only)
Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Center - (For Charles County schools only)
PIERS Program with the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Appalachian Laboratory (For Garrett County schools only)

Field Trips

Boat Trips

Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Sailing and work boat trips out of Baltimore, Washington DC, and Annapolis. Phone: Lynda Tison or Sheree Ruhl at 800.445.7752, Ext. 2051.
Dee of St. Mary's Skipjack: Trips depart from Piney Point in Southern Maryland. Phone: 301.994.2245.
Living Classrooms Foundation: Most trips out of Baltimore. Phone: 410.685.0295.
Schooner Sultana: Trips depart from Chestertown. Phone: 410.778.5954.
Skipjack Martha Lewis: Trips depart from Havre de Grace. Phone: 410.939.4078
Skipjack Nathan of Dorchester: Trips depart from Cambridge/Eastern Shore. Phone: 410.228.7141.

Echo Hill Outdoor School- Historic Workboats - Most Trips from Chestertown and Kent County. 410-348-5880

Land Based Trips

Academy of Natural Science Estuarine Research Center: ANSERC is located in St. Leonard in Southern Maryland. Phone: 410.586,9700.
Chesapeake Bay Field Laboratory: CBFL is located on St. George Island in St. Mary's County near the mouth of the Potomac River. Phone: 301.994.2245.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation: The Bay Foundation offers a host of day and multi-day trips at several locations across Maryland as well as island trips. Phone: Lynda Tison or Sheree Ruhl at 800.445.7752, Ext. 2051.
Echo Hill Outdoor School - The Outdoor School offers a wide variety of day and multi-day science and ecology programs on the school's main campus in Kent County. Phone: 410-348-5880
Hard Bargain Farm - Alice Ferguson Foundation: Hard Bargain Farm in located in Accokeek on the Potomac River. Phone: 301.292.5665.
Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center: The Center is located on Kent Island on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Phone: 410.827.6694.
Jug Bay Wetland Sanctuary: The Sanctuary is located in Lothian, MD and features acres of wetlands along the Patuxent River. Phone: 410.741.9330.
Maryland State Parks: To visit state parks across Maryland, contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Pickering Creek Audubon Center: The Audubon Center is located near Cambridge on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Horn Point Laboratory

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