River KidZ

St. Mark's is nestled on the shores of the Indian River Lagoon.  For nearly ten years our students have been oyster gardeners, making a steady contribution to the restoration of the lagoon in partnership with the Brevard County Zoo. 

 

Last year St. Mark's built the outdoor chapel and classroom that perches out over the lagoon's water.  This classroom and our natural shoreline provide our students a truly unique opportunity for hands-on studies of marine sciences and conservation.  From water quality monitoring and shoreline restoration, to dolphins, manatees, benthic critters, and spartina grass, our students get to experience the lagoon first hand.   So whether we're studying dissolved oxygen, muck and micro-plastics, the marine food web, or conducting a habitat survey, our students can connect the concepts to the world around them.

 

Last year we began a partnership with RiverKidz and Restore Our Shores.  This year, we hope to expand our partnerships, and put our water quality sensors, and underwater camera into full use as student explorers and citizen scientists.  We have initiated relationships with the Indian River Lagoon Coalition, the Marine Resources Council, and plan to participate in the Ocean Research and Conservation Association's annual "A Day in the Lagoon."   St. Mark's students have been learning to love the lagoon and be good stewards of nature through the oyster gardening projects.  This year as our students are able to participate in more community advocacy and conservation efforts they will be learning even more about science in a way that inspires and prepares them.