We’re thrilled to announce the official publication of the 4-H Investigating Oysters Curriculum—a hands-on, STEM-rich educational resource designed to engage youth in oyster biology, aquaculture, and robotics.
Where to Find It
The curriculum is now available on the University of Maryland Extension (UME) Publications Page. A link will soon be added to the 4-H website, and we’re happy to share it with any organization interested in promoting oyster education.
To download the booklet, users will complete a short Qualtrics survey, after which they’ll receive an email from Karen with a download link and information on how to obtain materials to build the ROV.
This process helps us track engagement and follow up with educators who request ROV kits. An evaluation tool will also be provided to gather feedback from participants who use the curriculum.
Rollout Plans
We’re kicking off the rollout with a presentation at the upcoming 4-H staff and educators quarterly meeting. Karen will also attend the 4-H retreat in October, where she can deliver requested materials.
Depending on interest and demand, we plan to expand outreach efforts during the winter months.
ROV Kit Distribution
After much discussion, we’ve decided to recommend building ROVs in teams of 2–4 students, with each larger group receiving 1–2 control packs. For example, a group of 16 students might request 4–8 ROV kits and 2 control packs. We’re flexible and happy to work with groups needing different configurations.
We currently have materials to construct 300 ROVs and have ordered supplies for 400 controllers. Since the controller is the only specialized component, we anticipate needing fewer of them than ROV kits. Once grant-funded materials are depleted, we’ll provide a list of parts and links so groups can continue building ROVs independently. The controller design is similar to the one used in SeaPerch, also designed by Phil Malone, offering additional compatibility options.
This milestone is the result of a collaborative effort by a dedicated team. Special thanks go to Karen Wood, who devoted countless hours to developing and refining the curriculum. We also extend our gratitude to Phil Malone for designing the impressive ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), and to Trish Moore, Andrew Kling, and Susan Barnes for their contributions to layout, design, and the creation of SAM the Oyster, our curriculum mascot.
We deeply appreciate everyone listed as authors for their valuable input and support throughout this process.