Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) announced that students at Booker T. Washington Middle School celebrated Oyster Day on November 7, engaging in hands-on activities and projects to learn about oysters and their role in the Chesapeake Bay.
According to a press release by NNPS, sixth graders at B.T. Washington Middle School participated in various interactive stations during Oyster Day. These activities included exploring oyster biology, conservation, and harvesting while working on projects such as building oyster cages to support oyster growth. The event aimed to connect students with the Chesapeake Bay ecosystems and allowed them to apply science and engineering skills, including designing water filters to clean sediment-laden water using limited materials.
“This all ties back into our marine science,” said Daniel Ellis, lead marine science teacher at Booker T. Washington. “For sixth grade, oysters is our focus. And this is a kickoff event to get them interested in oysters. And then later on, in English in the past they’ve done research projects about oysters.”
Community partners supported the event by sharing expertise and answering questions. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center presented information on oyster anatomy and conservation; local waterman David Moore demonstrated oyster collection and processing; and the Virginia Marine Police showcased their role in protecting waterways. According to NNPS, these experiences complement the school’s marine science curriculum, which introduces students to oyster studies in sixth grade and expands into oceanography in later grades.
Newport News Public Schools serves approximately 26,000 students across 40 schools, including early childhood centers, elementary, middle, high, and combination schools. Over 1,500 students speak a language other than English within the district. NNPS employs roughly 3,900 teachers, administrators, and support staff with a focus on preparing all students for college readiness and career success. The district provides early learning programs, advanced science labs, and educational technology to support student achievement. Governed by a seven-member elected School Board with Dr. Michele Mitchell as superintendent, board meetings are public with structured opportunities for citizen input.
