Foundations of Oyster Farming is a disciplinary learning game designed for the upper elementary grades and beyond, built with funding from the National Science Foundation under grant #2048828. Our learning resources invite students to embody the role of a Maine oyster farmer as they navigate the challenges of starting and sustaining a profitable oyster farm. Students weigh monthly profitability ratios against decisions on farm location, production costs (gear, equipment, spat, staff), and multiple selling options to build understanding of real-world aquaculture practices and support disciplinary learning in economics and data science.
To complement classroom gameplay, we’ve developed a nine-part video series that explores key aspects of the oyster farming process—including surface grow systems, site selection, seasonal cage management, oyster seed purchasing, and strategies for managing biofouling. We’ve also created a student worksheet to help track progress and support follow-up activities.
Disciplinary learning in economics and data science provide the foundation for gameplay decision-making by helping students weigh multiple selling options, balance production costs, and manage stochastic events in order to turn a profit. The game is an engaging, educational online experience designed for elementary school students. As part of our initiative to enhance socioecological literacy, the game introduces players to the fundamentals of oyster aquaculture, environmental stewardship, and the challenges farmers face.
Through interactive decision-making, students explore sustainable seafood production while learning about coastal ecosystems and business management. In alignment with our strategic initiative to build Maine’s Blue Economy and support our Working Waterfronts, our learning resources broaden awareness of aquaculture as a viable career, connect students with working farmers, and highlight the economic and ecological importance of shellfish farming in strengthening coastal communities.