Students from Sachem’s science department will be engaging in hands-on science exploration on all four of Long Island’s major river systems during these one day events at the Connetquot, Nissequogue, Carmans and Peconic Rivers throughout the next month.
According to PortalToDiscovery.com, the purpose of the project is to help students develop an appreciation for and knowledge of Long Island’s River and estuary ecosystems, to collect useful scientific data in regard to the status of associated surface waters and to allow students to become stewards of water quality and natural resources.
Other interesting elements of the outings:
- This innovative program does not only get students out to local water-based ecosystems to discover hands-on science techniques, the program provides a unique learning system that allows students to step back and see a larger picture as multiple sampling sites are studied at the same time by different classes throughout each watershed and data is shared among all of them.
- Not just a mere field trip, a “Day in the Life” allows students to collect firsthand information about their communities, gain knowledge about natural resources and explore how their piece of each river and estuary fits into the larger ecosystem.
- Environmental educators will work with students at each site and findings will be posted online within days of the event.
- Students will examine the physical and chemical aspects of each aquatic ecosystem, such as where freshwater and salty seawater meet, the amount of sediments in the water, nitrates, phosphates, and turbidity and oxygen levels, as well as conduct biodiversity inventories of the flora and fauna in and around the rivers and estuary.