The Lettered Olive: S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Education News
[ April 30, 2021 ]
Warmer weather might mean that you find yourself headed to the beach for some fun in the sun (remember your sunscreen!). And, for those who enjoy a little beachcombing, this week's creature double-feature highlights two species of mollusks you might encounter: the channeled whelk (Busycotypus canaliculatus) (shown on the left) and the knobbed whelk (Busycon carica) (shown on the right). Although often mistaken for the herbivorous conch, these predatory gastropods prefer to dine on bivalves, such as oysters, by using the outer edge of their shell to pry open their prey. At birth, both knobbed and channeled whelks are teeny versions (around 2 mm long) of their adult size; as the animal grows, the shell continually builds and wraps around the body, creating the characteristic whorls, or spirals. Knobbed and channeled whelks are considered to be "right-handed" or dextral, while other species, such as the pear or lightening whelk, are considered to be "left-handed" or sinistral. In other words, if you pick up an empty whelk and your right hand can hold the inside of the shell, you have a "right-handed" whelk! But be careful...hermit crabs love to make their homes in empty whelk shells! Although very similar, knobbed whelks typically have a thicker shell and pointy knobs along the whorls. Channeled whelks have a somewhat thinner shell with shallow grooves along the whorls. So, as we "whelkome" the warmer weather and start planning ahead for summer, be sure to check out this "whorld" of educational opportunities brought to you by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and our partners!
(photo credit: E.V. Bell)
New Opportunities and Resources!
Save-the-Date!
Virtual Educator Science Café
"World Wide (Food) Web"
May 27, 2021 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Registration Opens May 1, 2021

Join us for our LAST Educator Science Café of the 2020 - 2021 school year! To round out our "Back to Basics" Educator Science Café Series, we will be going global as we focus on the worldwide marine food web! Join us for an exciting evening featuring guest scientists and natural resource economics experts as we highlight the marine food web: from the smallest planktonic creatures to some of our most important fisheries. After registration, you will receive a list of supplies that you can use during demonstrations (optional) as well as a theme-based recipe that you can enjoy while we come together to learn around the virtual dinner table (also optional). This event is brought to you free-of-charge by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. Renewal credits offered upon request. Send questions to E.V. Bell or Hannah Giddens. Registration will open May 1, 2021.
From Seeds to Shoreline Virtual Teacher Training
July 28 and 29, 2021
Registration Opens: May 1, 2021

The From Seeds to Shoreline® (S2S) program celebrates 11 years of helping to restore areas of S.C. salt marsh and we want you to join our team for the 2021 - 2022 school year! The S2S program is the only salt marsh restoration program in the state designed specifically for K - 12 students and teachers. By growing Spartina alterniflora, the dominant plant of southeastern salt marshes, throughout the school year and transplanting young seedlings to areas of the coastline, students not only learn about the importance of this critical ecosystem but they also serve as environmental stewards. The cost to participate in the workshop is free; however, attendance at the two-day training is required to participate in the 2021-2022 school year. The online workshop includes: pre-workshop learning engagement activities; a virtual training via Zoom (four hours over two days); and an optional, in-person, salt marsh, field experience to occur later in Fall 2021. A free workshop kit of supplies and resources will be mailed to you so that you can participate, hands-on, from the comfort of your own home. Registration opens May 1, 2021. For more information, please visit the S2S website. Questions can be sent to E.V. Bell.
Save-the-Date!
BioDiscovery Workshop
August 11 and 12, 2021
Registration Opens May 31, 2021

Are you curious about those animals and plants that grow off of docks, pylons, and other structures in the water? The BioDiscovery Project is an exciting STEM (science-technology-engineering-math)-based, citizen-science initiative designed to provide hands-on exploration of biofouling communities in aquatic environments. This training will teach you how to lead students in creating sampling devices to investigate aquatic organisms and utilize the BioDiscovery Data Portal for analysis and comparison of other sampling devices along and across watershed systems. Thanks to generous support from the Bosch Community Fund, this training is offered free-of-charge by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, Clemson Extension, and Grice Marine Lab. Participants will receive supplies to build and deploy sampling devices, educational materials, and additional resources. Formal educators will be eligible to receive renewal credits. Registration opens May 31, 2021. Questions can be sent to Beth Burkett or Lindsay Patterson.
SECOORA Request for Proposals:
Marine Education Curricula and Activity Development
Award Value $8,500
Proposals Due: May 21, 2021

The Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) is soliciting proposals to develop online or online-accessible K-12 marine science curricula and/or activities that can be implemented by parents, teachers, and other educators. Proposals must demonstrate how they will increase participation of underrepresented communities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) educational activities. This award value is $8,500. Proposals are due 5:00 PM ET on May 21, 2021. Please visit the SECOORA website to access the full RFP. Questions can be sent to Abbey Wakely.
Reminders!
Environmental Education Association of South Carolina Annual Conference: "Environmental Legacy: It's Our Story. Past, Present, and Future"
June 10 - 12, 2021 (hybrid)

Don't miss out learning from and networking with environmental educators across S.C. during the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina's (EEASC) annual conference, Environmental Legacy: It's Our Story. Past, Present, and Future. Enjoy virtual sessions on June 10 and 11 and then participate in one of several in-person field trips across the state. To register, please visit EEASC's conference page. Questions can be sent to Chenille Williams.
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