For Teachers: Oyster Research Station (ORS) Training

Duration

6.5 Hours (9:00 am - 3:30pm)

Upcoming Trainings

August 13th, 2026 - Governors Island
March 12th, 2027 - Governors Island
June 10th, 2027 - Governors Island

About

The Oyster Research Station (ORS) program is one of Billion Oyster Project's most popular educational and community science initiatives, and serves as a complement to the Oyster Research Tank (ORT) program.

Teachers in the ORS program are trained to monitor a cage of oysters in the Harbor, collect data about oyster growth, survival and biodiversity, and to make site observations. They leave the training equipped to use the ORS as a teaching tool inside and outside of the classroom by using our inquiry-based free curriculum. Take a look at our Oyster Research Station Investigation -- a 15-lesson unit for middle and high school classrooms!

This training is specifically for teachers. If you are not a classroom teacher, but are interested in being ORS trained, we also regularly offer ORS trainings for community scientists. Here is a [map of where all Oyster Research Stations are currently located] (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=40.74776132020586%2C-73.8817968941706&z=13&mid=1gMRA1M1GjlA7DD5ui9760KpTzu7ek1M) - check out if there is one near your school!

In this session teachers can expect to:
1) Learn how to prepare to take students into the field, and monitor an ORS over time
2) Explore BOP’s accompanying ORS unit, and consider how it can be used in your classroom
3) Connect with other BOP teachers

CTLE Credit

CTLE credits are provided by Billion Oyster Project.

Fees & Registration

Billion Oyster Project's Oyster Research Station Training costs $100. This flat fee — which covers training, monitoring supplies, a permitted waterfront site, and oysters – is made possible thanks to funding from the New York City Council members and other generous partners. This support also allows us to offer the training for FREE for all Title 1 schools. Please inquire about the discount code if you are a teacher at a Title 1 school.

Any questions should be sent to [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Thanks to the Billion Oyster Project partners and funders: New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members Christopher Marte, Gale Brewer, Carmen De La Rosa, Shirley Aldebol, Vickie Paladino, James F. Gennaro, Shekar Krishnan, Julie Won, Joann Ariola, Alexa Avilés, Rita Joseph, Mercedes Narcisse, Kamillah Hanks, Frank Morano, Amanda Farías, Kayla Santosuosso and the New York City Department of Education.