Crab Class
In the 2025 & 2026 School Year, GreenCrab.org brought Crab Class to students across the Narragansett Bay Watershed
Marine Science Meets Culinary Education
Programming Included:
Invasive species ID & ecology
Hands-on cooking shucking and sorting demonstrations
Culinary demonstrations with local chefs
Cafeteria staff instruction and product donation for green grab lunch specials
Coastline foraging or monitoring activities in coordination with citizen science efforts
Interested in bringing Crab Class to your school? Email maryparks@greencrab.org to sign up or ask questions.
Crab Class x Brockton High School
On October 23rd, Crab Class kicked off with Brockton High School’s Culinary Department. Josh Berman of Little Fish RI taught students how to make Green Crab Bisque with Achiote and Guajillo while sharing his culinary journey and why he focuses on underutilized seafood.
Crab Class x The Greene School
On January 29th, Captain Jason Jarvis and Chef Frank Salustri of Quonnie Fish Co. showed students how to shuck native species and invasive green crab. Captain Jarvis also dove into green crab’s invasive impact from a harvester’s perspective alongside Executive Director Mary Parks. To wrap up the day, Chef Salustri served a green crab bisque for lunch at the school.
Crab Class x Nuestro Mundo
On February 13th, Executive Director Mary Parks explored green crab’s invasive impact on ecosystems, fisheries, and communities in the Narragansett Bay Watershed through an interactive presentation. This lesson plan also explored how chefs in Rhode Island cook with green crabs. While Mary brought some crabs in for viewing, this programming was touch-free to accommodate allergies.
Crab Class x The Greene School
On May 8th, Captain Jason Jarvis and Mary Parks returned to the Greene School to collaborate with the Environmental Science Department. Students learned how to identify native and invasive species while sorting through a whole bushel of crabs caught by Captain Jarvis. This bushel contained invasive green crabs and shore crabs alongside native spider crabs, sand crabs, and Jonah crabs!
Crab Class x Sophia Academy + Movement Education Outdoors
On May 15th, GreenCrab.org teamed up with Movement Education Outdoors for a day of in-field learning at Gull Cove in Portsmouth, RI. Sophia Academy students collected crabs and learned about green crabs’ relationship with native species such as fiddler crabs (pictured). Mary Parks wrapped up each lesson with a tasting of green crab butter popcorn.
Crab Class x Portsmouth High School
On May 18th, students learned how to ID native vs. invasive crab species and then tested their knowledge by sorting through a bushel of crabs. After sorting, Mary Parks demonstrated how to make Crab and Corn Chowder with Old Bay oyster crackers.
Crab Class x Warwick High School
On May 19th, Captain Jason Jarvis prepped students on how to trap green crabs. This included a ghost panel demonstration: a biodegradable panel required in RI that prevents traps from becoming ghost gear if lost. Mary Parks then demonstrated how to make Crab and Corn Chowder again with Old Bay Oyster Crackers.
Crab Class x Nuestro Mundo
On June 8th, Mary Parks returned to Nuestro Mundo for a hands-on demonstration in the garden! Students learned how to make their own liquid fertilizer from green crabs and kelp. Students crushed green crabs with sticks and measured and adjusted pH.
Made possible with funding from the Narragansett Bay Estuaries Program