Eleventh-grade students at the Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High won Classroom of the Future’s prestigious Impact Award, which was presented on May 18 for their Urban Oyster Project. High Tech High is a network of schools that emphasizes project-based learning (PBL) as a core component of how and why students learn. PBL is an instructional approach that engages students in real-world projects, promoting deep understanding, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.
This focus is reflected in Kalle Palmer’s biology class students and their award-winning Urban Oyster Project. The project allowed students to research, test, and present data on oysters and their habitat in the Shelter Island Yacht Basin. The Urban Oyster Project started as a suggestion by San Diego Yacht Club Member and water quality expert, John Adriany. He brought the idea to Ms. Palmer, who got the project up and running.
Ms. Palmer explained her passion for the project and her goal for the students. “I just want them to see the resources we rely on to live and I want them to understand that our actions impact those,” Ms. Palmer said.
The Urban Oyster Project allows students to gain hands-on learning about the effects of humans and climate on San Diego Bay through observation and research of the oyster population. Oysters are an indicator species and are used by scientists to understand the changing conditions of the habitat. Each month, Palmer’s students would visit the Yacht club to monitor and gather data about the oysters. This data was shared with the Port of San Diego, Cal State Fullerton, WSP Environmental, and San Diego State University (SDSU).
“This reward says keep going,” Ms. Palmer stated. “It adds to the validity of what I’m doing.”
The Urban Oyster Project will continue to be a part of Ms. Palmer’s biology curriculum for the foreseeable future. The project has given high school students an invaluable opportunity to do field research and opened them up to other academic opportunities. Students participating in the Urban Oyster Project were invited to SDSU’s Marine Day where they got the chance to teach kids about their research. High school junior Jayden Dial said she likes being knowledgeable about a new topic and getting other students interested in their research.
As part of the award, North Island Credit Union (NICU) granted High Tech High with $10,000 to expand the oyster research project and increase the quality and frequency of the testing. NICU has supported education and STEM programs since 2012 through its various student, faculty, and school scholarships. Since 1997, the Classroom of the Future Foundation (CFF) has united business, community, and educational leaders to create innovative learning environments in San Diego County public schools. CFF, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, works to advance its mission by ensuring that San Diego students are prepared to thrive in a competitive global society.
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