BRACKISH
A place-based educational opportunity for Mississippi 8th graders
What is BRACKISH?
This project, Biodiversity, Relationships, and Aquatic Chemistry Knowledge in Saline Habitats (BRACKISH) will use place-based learning approaches, specifically hands-on and inquiry-based learning, to foster environmental literacy in eighth grade students in Pascagoula and Moss Point. Place-based education helps students learn to take care of the world by gaining a better understanding of where they live and how to take action in their own backyards and communities.
Program Setting
The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) is an estuary located in Moss Point, Mississippi, with about 18,000 acres of protected coastal, terrestrial, and wetland habitats. Brackish marshes dominate the north while more saline waters from the MS Sound dominate the south. To better understand the estuary’s diverse ecosystems, participating 8th grade students will monitor water quality, fish populations, and marsh vegetation.
Program Structure
The BRACKISH program is a 3-day module.
At your school, the BRACKISH educator will guide students through a lesson about our local habitats and more.
At Grand Bay NERR, students will take a boat trip around our estuary and learn about plants, animals, and how to use scientific instruments to collect data.
Back at school, students will be introduced to mock case studies that are directly related to water quality issues in the community.
Student Outcomes
As a result of the BRACKISH project, we hope students will become more aware, knowledgeable, and appreciative of their local environment. Science and environmental literacy skills will be enhanced by giving students the opportunity to explore their environment, critically think about human impacts on the environment, and encourage them to find solutions to local, environmental problems.
Meet the Staff
Contact Bri to schedule a BRACKISH program for your class!
