Don't forget to complete your donation
complete your donation
← Back to Curriculum

Oysters are Shoreline Protectors

Unit
2
Class Periods
0
Field Visits
~$
15-30
in Materials

In this hands-on lesson, students design and build a structure that can break wave energy before it hits land. They collaborate through the engineering design process, figure out that there are many possible ways to solve the problem, and reflect on the role that oysters play as natural breakwaters.

Oysters are Shoreline Protectors - 6-8

Overview

Core Practices

Engineering Design
Modeling
Collaboration

What Students Do

Students collaborate through the engineering design process to design and build a structure that can break wave energy before it reaches land. They figure out that there are many possible ways to solve the problem, then reflect on the role oysters play as natural breakwaters.

Pacing & Logistics

Pacing: 2 class periods (~90 min).

Logistics: Make a copy of the lesson plan, slides, and handouts. Print enough handouts for each student. Set up wave tank stations with weights, cardboard, and trays before class.

Field Visits
0
CTLE Standards
No standards assigned to this unit, yet.

LESSONS

Lesson

:

Oysters are Shoreline Protectors

Length
90 min
Setting
Classroom
Subject
Science
Lesson Question:
How can oysters and engineered structures attenuate wave energy along shorelines?
Lesson Snapshot

In this hands-on lesson, students design and build a structure that can break wave energy before it hits land.

Materials & Quick Links

Sign up to access lesson content

Create free teacher credentials to access full lesson plans, downloadable materials, and teaching resources for your classroom.