Texas A&M Forest Service Nature Challenge
Build a Mini Oyster Reef
Using small rocks, shells, and other natural materials, build your own miniature oyster reef on the beach or in a shallow tray of water. Stack materials to create hiding spots like a real reef—how would fish, crabs, and other sea creatures use it? Once built, imagine how waves and tides would impact your reef.
Science Seed: Oysters do more than just live in the ocean—they build entire underwater cities! Oyster reefs form when young oysters, called spat, attach to older oyster shells and grow in layers. These reefs provide homes for fish, shrimp, and crabs while also filtering water—one oyster can clean up to 50 gallons a day! In Texas, oyster reefs help protect shorelines from erosion by absorbing wave energy. However, overharvesting, pollution, and habitat destruction threaten these vital ecosystems. Conservation efforts, like using recycled oyster shells to rebuild reefs, help ensure that oysters can continue their important work in the Gulf of Mexico.
Available in 8 languages: https://ecologistschool.org/park/travis-elementary/oceanography-marine-biology/oyster-reef-design/
Buy real badges: https://familiesinnature.org/shop/#!form/Shopping
Details
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This Challenge is for:
- All Ages
- Formal Educators
- Informal Educators
Challenge Topics:
- At Home
- Biodiversity
- Climate Action
- Connecting Children with Nature
- Conservation/Environmental Education
- Environmental Systems and Cycles
- Green Building and Architecture
- Habitat Restoration
- Pollution Prevention
- School Campus
This Challenge is accessible for:
- People with Visual Impairments
- People with Hearing Impairments
- People with Mobility Impairments
- People with Developmental Impairments
- People with Sensory Sensitivities
- People who speak Arabic
- People who speak Chinese (including Mandarin and Cantonese)
- People who speak French (including Cajun and Patois)
- People who speak German
- People who speak Hindi
- People who speak Spanish
- People who speak Vietnamese
Assistive Technologies Available:
- Accessibility features are available at link above
Don’t forget your...
- Natural materials
- Shallow tray
To complete this challenge
Step one
1. Gather Materials
Collect small rocks, shells, or any other natural materials you can find. These will be used to create your miniature oyster reef.
Step two
2. Choose Your Space
Find a spot on the beach or use a shallow tray of water for your reef.
Step three
3. Build Your Reef
Stack the materials to create hiding spots, like a real reef. Think about how fish, crabs, and other sea creatures would use the spaces you’ve created.
Step four
4. Consider Stability
Imagine how waves and tides would impact your reef. Would it stay strong, or would it get washed away? Consider how you could make it more stable.
Step five
5. Observe and Reflect
After you’ve built your reef, think about the role real oyster reefs play in protecting shorelines, filtering water, and supporting marine life.
Step six
6. Earn Your Badge
After building and reflecting on your reef, share how you made it and what you learned about oyster ecosystems!
Step seven
Earn your badge!
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Texas A&M Forest Service and cooperators collectively known as “Nature Challenge” have not inspected the physical locations of challenges. No warranty of safecondition, or fitness for particular use is granted by Nature Challenge. Nature Challenge has not vetted whether the challenges, as formatted by the Provider, is safe. Anyone performing this challenge will be doing so at their own risk.
