Educators... take a deep breath, because it's time for a new school year to start! Whether you are heading to the classroom or preparing to host students at your organization, it's a busy time preparing lessons, organizing schedules, and harnessing the enthusiasm of students. As you inhale those calming breaths, it's also a good time to give a nod of thanks to our featured species, sea lettuce (Ulva spp.). Sea lettuces are species of green algae commonly found along South Carolina's beaches and estuaries and are identified based on their resemblance to the leafy vegetable enjoyed in salads. These species of algae are a critical part of the marine food web, eaten by several animals, including sea turtles! As a whole, algal species across the globe are responsible for approximately 70% of the oxygen we breathe, and extracts of algae are found in everyday products, such as toothpaste, cheese, and ice cream. Macro (big) algae, such as sea lettuce and kelp, are distinct from terrestrial plants because they have no high level of specialized organ differentiation and lack true seeds, roots, and stems. Instead, macroalgae have developed other specialized structures, such as holdfasts, blades, and/or stipes, for thriving in the marine environment.  In addition, gas exchange necessary for photosynthesis is conducted directly between the surface layer of algae and the water—sea lettuce is only two cell layers thick to facilitate this process!

So, as you prepare for the upcoming school year, whether it's science, reading, or algae-bra, we hope you will lettuce entice you with kelp-ful educational opportunities from the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and our partners!

Photo credit: Elle Pestorius

Educator Professional Development

BioDiscovery Educator Training

Friday, October 10, 2025, from 12:30–4:00 pm

James Island County Park

Deadline to Register: October 3, 2025

Join the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission for the opportunity to network and receive training on the BioDiscovery Project! 

The BioDiscovery Project is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)-based initiative designed for educators and students to examine organisms that colonize, or "foul" structures (e.g., docks) through species identification and water quality data collection. The project uses a "biorack" that is deployed into the water to collect fouling organisms.

This training is geared toward educators who work with youth in grades 6th–12th; however, the content can be scaled down to younger grades. Participants will receive supplies to construct a biorack and additional educational materials. Lunch, snacks, and drinks will be provided, and participants are eligible to receive three renewal credits. Please fill out the registration form by October 3 to reserve your space. Questions can be sent to E.V. Bell.

All Booked Up: Coastal Reading Club

New Book Selection Announced!

Are you a formal, nonformal, or homeschool educator interested in discussing books focused on the environment? Join the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium’s All Booked Up Coastal Reading Club!

Our next book club selection will be Rising Waters: Reports from Across a Rapidly Warming World by Tony Bartelme. We will hold our virtual book club meeting in October 2025 to discuss this book — with the author!

New members to the club will receive a free, hard copy of this book, but you must register by August 22. Questions can be sent to E.V. Bell.

Grants and Employment

Environmental Education Association of S.C.

Mini-Grant Program

Maximum Award: $1,000

Deadline to Apply: October 1, 2025

Proposals are now being accepted for the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC) mini-grant program! Awards of up to $1,000 will be provided to support selected projects in the categories of Professional Development, Student Learning Opportunities, and Service Projects.

This grant opportunity is open to any current member of EEASC and will close on October 1, 2025. Please visit the EEASC Mini Grant page to learn more about this opportunity and to submit a proposal.

Champions of the Environment

Grant Opportunity

Maximum Award: $2,500

Deadline to Apply: September 30, 2025

The Champions of the Environment grant application period is open! The Champions program is open to K–12 teachers and awards grants up to $2,500 for projects that improve or protect the environment. Visit the Champions of the Environment website to learn more and apply. In addition to a cash award, grantees also have their projects highlighted on the Champions of the Environment webpage and social media. The grant program is sponsored by the S.C. Department of Environmental Services, Dominion Energy, and Sylvamo, with assistance from the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina. Questions can be sent to Amanda Ley.

Position: Lead Education Aide

Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission

The Lead Education Aide will assist full-time staff in creating and implementing environmental and cultural history education programs for a wide variety of park patrons throughout the County Park system and in outreach locations. Please visit the job posting for more information and to apply.

K–12 Student Opportunities and Public Outreach

Beach Sweep/River Sweep

September 20, 2025

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), coordinates the annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep (BS/RS) each September, which is the largest, one-day, volunteer cleanup in the state. This year, the event will take place on September 20, 2025, at numerous locations across the state. Volunteers of all ages–including students–are encouraged to participate! If interested, check out the list of sites participating in this year's effort and contact the site captain for that particular area for more information. If you have general questions, please reach out to Susan Ferris Hill.

Conferences

Save-the-Date!

South Carolina Marine Educators Association

November 7–9, 2025 Annual Conference

Beaufort, S.C.

Save-the-Date for the 2025 South Carolina Marine Educators Association (SCMEA) Conference that will take place November 7–9, 2025, in Beaufort, S.C.! This year’s theme, "Currents of Connections," will highlight how partnerships among formal and nonformal educators, local organizations, and community resources can enhance marine science education. During the conference, strategies, programs, and partnerships will be shared that connect educators with the wider network of marine education opportunities. In addition to dynamic presentations, collaborative workshops, and networking opportunities, attendees will enjoy local field experiences that showcase the natural beauty of the Beaufort area. More information will be updated soon on the SCMEA Conference page, and questions can be sent to scmarineeducator@gmail.com.

Additional Resources

S.C. Sea Grant Consortium

Loaner Kit Program

Are you interested in exploring watersheds with your students? Maybe you'd like your students to engage in the engineering design process to create remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or weather buoys. The Consortium's education program offers a variety of kits available free of charge to formal, nonformal, or homeschool educators in South Carolina. The following kits are currently available for checkout:

-Fish Printing Kits: A freshwater and saltwater fish printing kit provides educators with a lesson plan on fish adaptations and the rubber fish molds necessary to create gyotaku-inspired fish prints with their students.

-Enviroscape Wetlands Model: The Wetlands Enviroscape Model provides a hands-on demonstration of how watersheds can be affected by development, pollution, and other human-made and natural impacts. Included as part of the demonstration are ways in which potential pollution impacts can be mitigated (e.g., riparian buffers and salt marshes).

-The Watershed Game: This activity uses a hands-on simulation to educate groups about how land use impacts water quality and a community’s resilience to flooding. While making land management decisions, players learn about practices, plans, and policies that can improve and protect water quality and increase resilience to flooding. Two versions of this kit are available for free checkout from the Consortium: the coastal classroom model and the coastal local leader model.

-Ocean Odyssey Kits: These four kits focus on STEM disciplines while incorporating various career paths. Choose from building an ROV, a weather buoy, a catapult, or developing a capstone project.

S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Speaker Request Form

Do you have a science night or career day coming up in the future? Would you like a speaker for your students or organization? The Consortium has plenty to share regarding marine science careers, current research projects, and engaging coastal science activities for all ages! Be sure to check out our career page to learn more about the Consortium, and if you are interested in booking the Consortium for an upcoming career day or science night, please fill out this request form.

The lettered olive is South Carolina's state shell. Photo credit: E.V. Bell.