57 Hudson Montessori Students Achieve Recognition at Billion Oyster Project Symposium

Students from our Elementary and Middle School STEAM program recently joined hundreds of students from across New York City for the 2026 Billion Oyster Project Symposium. Students proudly presented months of research and hands-on learning focused on oysters, pollution, marine ecosystems, sustainability, and the future of New York Harbor.

This year’s projects explored a wide range of environmental concerns, including invasive species, air and water pollution, overfishing, floating wetlands, algal blooms and detection, and conservation efforts throughout the Hudson River and New York Harbor. From detailed scientific models to thoughtful environmental solutions and tactics to spread awareness, students demonstrated a genuine passion for protecting the world around them.

We applaud all of the students who participated in this year’s symposium and contributed meaningful research and ideas. Here are this year’s 57 awardees:

Elementary School (4th & 5th Grades)

Exemplary Award

• Fight the Filth – Air, Land and Water — Kaavya C., Ariah T., and Shresta K.

• Depleting the Seas: Oyster Overharvesting and Global Overfishing — Olivia G.

• Hudson River Tales — Nina S. and Saira P.

  
  

Honorable Mention Award

• History of Hudson River — Samarth K.

• Fish of the Hudson River — Alexander V., Eli C., and Maddox G.

• Eels on the Move — Leon L. and Theo N.

• Day in the Life of Hudson River — Nikos S. and Viaan S.

• Who Made the Stars Disappear? — Anaya C., Adelaide S., Luna W., and Valentina B.

• Invasive Species — Alec S., Asher H., and Leo B.

• Eel Sculpture — Aryan M.

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Middle School Participants (6th, 7th & 8th Grades)

Exemplary Award

• Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) Project — Mike B. and Jackson L.

• Reef Defender — Maddox B. and Aaron T.

• Water Pollution Changes in NY Harbor — Sebastian R. and Jacob L.

• Smog Busters: The Return — Afsheen K., Rea R., Ryma R., and Mia L.

• Water Pollution — Sierra M.

• Zebra Mussels on the Hudson — Luna Z.

• “Eelectricity” — Raunaq S.

• Climate Action Distress — Lihi S.

• Ghost Nets — Ava J. and Scarlett P.

• Unseen Danger Air Pollutants — Indira N., Alice P., and Cosette B.

• Low Cost Algae Detector (LCAD) — Matthew G.

• Advance Refuse Segregation System — Kalyani A. and Vihaan R.

• Hudson River Pollution — Savir S.

  
  

Honorable Mention Award

• Oil Spill — Joel V. and Connor O.

• Women Water Warriors — Anvi G. and Mila M.

• NY Pollution — Aaron K.

• Eco Eco Eco!! — Sophia H., Caeden James S., Floyd G., Anushka D., Dane S., and Sophie L.

This symposium allows our students to see that their ideas, voices, and research can make a real impact. We congratulate every student who participated this year and look forward to watching their passion for environmental stewardship continue to grow.

Hudson Montessori School, located in downtown Jersey City, serves children from ages 2 through 8th grade. The teachers use an interdisciplinary, theme-based learning approach grounded in Montessori philosophy and methodology to foster students' love of learning. Its STEM-certified campus is the only one of its kind in New Jersey, featuring STEM-certified teachers who meet the highest standards set by the National Institute for STEM Education. The school welcomes parents to a school tour to learn more about its programs.