Huntingtown High students show ROV footage of oyster reef work; council okays fitness court purchase and holiday lighting costs

Students and teachers from Huntington High School’s Emerging Engineers club presented their Old Rock Reef Environmental Monitoring Mission, showing that reef balls deployed for oyster restoration host marine life and can support educational materials for fifth-grade classrooms.

Tom Harton, a teacher with the county environmental education program, introduced students who described months of ROV training and field deployments that captured underwater imagery. Student McKenzie opened the presentation with the mission’s driving question: "Are artificial reef oyster reef balls an effective strategy for promoting oyster growth and providing a habitat for other creatures in the Chesapeake Bay?" The students showed footage and photos and described limited early oyster settlement at some sites and associated marine organisms observed.

In new-business action, the council voted to authorize the mayor to execute a National Fitness Campaign purchase order (Studio Fitness Court) in the amount of $185,000 for Kellum’s Field; staff said site preparation, geotechnical review and permit coordination will be completed before installation. The council also approved an allocation for expanded holiday lighting (including a new artificial tree and discounted fixtures) as presented in the packet.

The student project and the park improvements reflect parallel efforts to expand hands-on environmental education and active public amenities.