Norwalk Students Improve STEM Skills With TeMPEST Program

From the Maritime Aquarium:

NORWALK, CT – Sixty-three high-school students in Norwalk are better prepared for college and careers, thanks to a bonus after-school program now wrapping up its fourth year at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

The students came to the Aquarium after school once a week for a program called TeMPEST (Teen Maritime Program Emphasizing Science & Technology). Its goals are to promote the teens’ STEM literacy, to prepare them for college, to make them aware of career opportunities and to develop skills that will help them in any profession.

The participants attend both Brien McMahon and Norwalk high schools.

At a ceremony at the Aquarium for TeMPEST students, parents and friends on May 23, Tom Naiman, the Aquarium’s director of education, noted the many commitments and demands on high-school students today.

“In light of all that, your dedication (to TeMPEST) and what you all have achieved is truly remarkable,” Naiman told the students. “We are so proud to have played a role in your journey.”

Bridget Cervero, the Aquarium’s TeMPEST coordinator, and other Aquarium educators gave special recognition to these students for notable achievement and participation:

From Brien McMahon High – Juan Rosales, Sahian Becerril, Mary Guerra, Carla Valdez, Dominick Velez, Peter Tinnesz, Abigail Gonzales, Laura Ramirez and Lilah Smith.

From Norwalk High – Madison French, Jada Daniels, Miguel Plaza, Hailey Agostino, Ava Schaer, Sam Jones and Julia Breen.

Of the 63 TeMPEST students, 18 are seniors who served paid Maritime Aquarium internships after school and on weekends during the school year. Half of the seniors worked with the Aquarium Marketing Department, to design and execute events that enhanced guest experiences. The other seniors assisted the Animal Husbandry Department with the care of animals and maintenance of exhibits.

The 45 TeMPEST underclassmen came to the Aquarium once a week after school. Cervero said their highlights this year included: hosting guest speakers from the Aquarium and other professions; field trips to other science-based institutions; working with Trout Unlimited to raise trout in the classroom and release them this spring; college visits in Rhode Island for the high-school juniors; and more.

Plus, the underclassmen worked in three teams focusing on an area of study: marine technology; ecology; and adaptations/genetics. During the May 23 event, the students displayed the results of some of their work. One team operated underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROV) that they built. A second team showed videos they produced focused on animal evolution and adaptations. And a third team displayed methods – designed for and made on a 3D printer – that can be used for a species population census.

“We thank Fairfield County’s Community Foundation for support in creating this program, Newman’s Own Foundation for sustaining it for three years, and the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation for taking it in an exciting new direction,” Naiman said.

For more information about The Maritime Aquarium’s educational programs, for students of all ages, go to www.maritimeaquarium.org or call (203) 852-0700.

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution whose mission is to inspire people of all ages to appreciate Long Island Sound and protect it for future generations. A vibrant and entertaining learning environment, it achieves this goal through living exhibits, marine science, and environmental education.

The Maritime Aquarium receives support from the State of Connecticut DECD’s Offices of Culture and Tourism.

Photo Credits: The Maritime Aquarium

Photo 1: Mary Guerra, left, places her team’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in the water for demonstration during the May 23 end-of-year celebration for Norwalk teens participating in the TeMPEST after-school program at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Teammate Carla Valdez, center, looks on while Juan Rosales mans the ROV’s controls. The three are all juniors at Brien McMahon High School.

Photo 2: Pablo Parizot, right, a sophomore at Brien McMahon High School, demonstrates his team’s underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) during an end-of-year celebration of the TeMPEST teen program on May 23 at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Looking on are Daniel Posadas and Juan Rosales, both Brien McMahon juniors.

Photo 3: From left, Juliana Garces, Leigh Young-Lawler and Sam Jones display their project May 23 during the end-of-year celebration for the TeMPEST teen program at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. The students researched red panda populations, and used a 3D printer to design a chip that could be used to track an individual red panda. Garces and Jones are sophomores at Norwalk High School; Young-Lawler is a sophomore at Brien McMahon High School.