Coastal Erosion Series (6-8)

Pre-visit (1-hour): Students will learn about the sandy composition of a coastal ecosystem using rocks, minerals, sand samples, and microscopes. The class will then discuss the effects of climate change and sea-level rise, as well as the impact of human activity on the coast.

Field Trip (2-3 hours): Bring your class to a sandy beach to find evidence of erosion, weathering, and signs of human impact. Students will design an erosion-control model, examine sand samples under microscopes, and meet live marine invertebrates from our 100-gallon touch tank at our Education Center indoors (half of the field is spent outside, half inside).

Field Trip Extension: Beach grass planting is permitted only from November through March. In this optional extension of the field trip, students will learn how to plant live beach grass to help slow erosion's effects on the dune community. A materials fee of $1.50 per student applies.

Post-visit (1-hour): Students will study sand with handheld digiscopes to detect microplastics and use sediment sieves to sort and tally the findings by size. The class will then discuss the effects of microplastics, Styrofoam pellets, and other marine debris on the environment.

Location: School, Plum Island Beach, Joppa Flats Education Center.