Water's Edge Science Lesson Starters
Harvesting oysters and crabs has an historical and ongoing importance to the Chesapeake Bay and our regional economy. There are a number of different characteristics of the Bay that make it a uniquely special watershed. Use these lesson starters to help elementary students explore the impact of climate patterns and environmental changes on blue crab and oyster harvesting from the Chesapeake Bay.
Select a topic below to find video clips, essential and guiding questions, learning extensions, and other student supports to use in your classroom.
Fishers study the conditions of the Chesapeake Bay and the characteristics of blue crabs in order to know both the best ways to hunt crabs and the best times and seasons to do so.
> Go to All About Crabs Lesson
The Chesapeake Bay is home to millions of crabs and oysters, which can be harvested for economic and food industry purposes. The best time of year for the harvest is determined by weather patterns, as well as by the growth and survival conditions of the crabs and oysters.