A Week of Discovery: Jericho HS AP Environmental Science At WFC
The week of 17th of September, Jericho High School's AP Environmental Science classes embarked on a unique educational journey to The Waterfront Center (WFC), where the classroom was not confined to four walls but expanded to Oyster Bay Harbor and Beekman Beach! With over 70 students participating across four days, the experience was both enlightening and unforgettable.
Jericho High School’s AP Environmental Class has been coming to The WaterFront Center for this field trip for over 15 years, on Oyster Sloop CHRISTEEN. This year, we were able to utilize Historic Vessels, Oyster Sloop CHRISTEEN, and Oyster Dredge IDA MAY! The Days were packed, starting full-time at WFC, where we spent six hours learning in the most hands-on way possible. Most of our learning occurred on the boat, either IDA MAY or CHRISTEEN, where we spent four immersive hours exploring various environmental science stations. An additional hour was dedicated to learning on land, making our field trip a balanced blend of maritime and terrestrial education. Read on for a more in-depth look!
Learning on the Historic Oyster Vessels: IDA MAY & CHRISTEEN
On our historic vessels, the curriculum was divided into four fascinating stations: Plankton Identification, Oyster Lifecycle and Growth, Water Quality, and Bottom Sampling with a Dredge. Each station offered a unique lens through which to view the marine environment, guided by the onboard educators' expertise.
At the Plankton Identification Station, we engaged directly with marine life, trawling for plankton and examining our finds under microscopes. The educator taught the students about the plankton tow and how it traps and sifts out plankton for us to use as a real-life sample! It was a scientific investigation, identifying various plankton species with the help of identification sheets. This hands-on approach made the learning process engaging and deeply personal as we discovered the microscopic life that thrives beneath the waves.
The Oyster Lifecycle and Growth station provided insight into oyster life, from their development stages to their role in the ecosystem. Measuring and weighing the oysters from WFC's billion-oyster project, we learned about oysters' importance in water filtration and habitat creation. This station emphasized the interconnectedness of marine life and tied it back to the historic Oyster Vessels we were using.
Van Buran Bottle for Bottom Sampling water
Water Quality was another critical station where we assessed the health of the bay through various tests. Sampling water from different parts of the bay, including Turtle Cove and near Cold Spring Harbor, we gained a practical understanding of measuring and interpreting water quality indicators, a vital skill in environmental science.
Lastly, the bottom sampler with the drege station allowed us to collect samples from the bay's bottom. This activity provided insights into the sediment and bottom-dwelling organisms, completing our holistic view of the bay's ecosystem.
Discoveries on Land
Our learning continued on land with seining, a traditional fishing technique that enabled us to capture and study the local population of marine animals.
Students seining
Two students went out on either side of the Seine net to catch fish close to the shore in the Bay. They captured various animals in the net and took a count of the different species and the number of each to obtain a population sample. Among the creatures they might have found while seining were silversides, mummichugs, striped killifish, hermit crabs, mud snails, pipefish, and ghost shrimp. This hands-on activity taught students about the diversity of life in the bay and underscored the importance of conservation and understanding the human impact on marine ecosystems.
A Journey of Learning and Discovery
This Field trip to The Waterfront Center was more than just an educational outing; it was a journey of discovery that allowed students to see, touch, and understand the environment around us.
Bringing environmental science to life reminded them of the importance of preserving our natural world and inspired them to become more informed and responsible stewards of the planet. This experience showed the students that the world is our ultimate classroom, one that offers endless opportunities for learning and discovery. We returned with newfound knowledge and a deeper appreciation for the complexity and beauty of the environment that sustains us.
