Location: Smith Island, Chesapeake Bay
For four days in July 2007, 14 educators from Virginia and Maryland sojourned to Smith Island. Located along the Maryland/Virginia border on the Eastern Shore, this historic watermen's community was the location of the Third Annual Capital Region Earth Force & Chesapeake Bay Foundation Teacher Institute. Participants were immersed in Smith Island's culture and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay.
Steeped in Chesapeake lore and heritage, Smith Island is the largest inhabited offshore island in the Bay. Participants explored the extensive wetlands, underwater grass beds and oyster reefs by foot and workboat.
At the conclusion of the Institute, participants presented photo journal presentations that told their story of Smith Island. Educators also received numerous classroom materials and created personal Meaningful Watershed Education Experience Plans to implement with their students during the 2007-2008 school year.Thank you to our guest speakers: Martin Ogle of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and Nita Sylvester of EPA's Chesapeake Bay Office!
Thank you to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's B-WET Program for their support of this program!