Shellfish Mariculture Propel
Online asynchronous course
Propel offers participants in the shellfish mariculture industry a business incubator curriculum and process to assist growers through the stages of business launch and growth. This fully online business training series presents new growers with concepts and challenges of business ownership unique to shellfish growers. This program also provides resources that can be used after the course has been completed.
North Carolina has a long history with respect to shellfish mariculture as hard clams and eastern oysters have been cultivated and harvested from the state’s coastal waters for over one hundred years. There has been an expansion in the shellfish cultivation industry with an increase in applications for leases. Propel was created because of a need for:
- Increased finance and business support for the shellfish growing community
- Growing complexity in finance and business support
- Time limitations produced by growing demand for products
- Increasing shellfish cultivation in more remote locations
Contact us at cie@uncw.edu for more information and to enroll in the course. It's free!
Digital Badging
New in 2025, upon completion of the course, participants will earn the Shellfish Mariculture Propel Digital Badge! Learners will complete the activities associated with each pathway. Course quizzes associated with the 15 learning pathways/modules. Modules are gated so successful completion of each module is required to open access to the following module.
What is a Digital Badge?
A digital badge serves as a visual representation that showcases specific skills acquired through diverse educational experiences. These badges are clickable, web-based symbols backed by verifiable metadata. The metadata comprises details about the awarding body and unit profile, description, issue date, learning objectives, criteria for earning the badge, and evidence that the learner has fulfilled those criteria.
To draw a comparison, imagine a diploma hanging on a wall. The diploma represents the earned credential, supported by the accompanying transcript. Similarly, a digital badge serves as a diploma of sorts, representing an alternative credential, bolstered by verifiable metadata.
Learn more about digital badges here.
Funding provided in part by NOAA Sea Grant Award NOAA-OAR-SG-2020-2006331.
