Local Students Experience 'A Day in the Life' Science Programs

Press release from William Floyd School District:

Oct. 23, 2022

William Floyd High School and Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School students recently participated in the annual “A Day in the Life” program focused on conducting scientific research of the Carmans River and the Great South Bay via the Smith Point Marina. This fun and hands-on scientific exploration encouraged students to explore and collect data about each estuary and learn how they fit into the area’s larger ecosystems.

WFHS Students Explore Great South Bay Via Boat

A team of ninth-grade honors earth science students from Dawna Cintron’s classes cruised the Great South Bay via boat with representatives from the South Shore Estuary Reserve Program and the Department of Environmental Protection, to test the quality of the bay’s water. Students who were stationed on land used seining nets and lab equipment to investigate aquatic life, biodiversity and water chemistry. This year, students worked alongside Dr. Aleida Perez, supervisor for student research and citizen science at Brookhaven National Laboratory, to gather and test chemical content of microplastic particles along the coastal region.

Nathaniel Woodhull Fourth Graders Conduct Research at Wertheim

Simultaneously, Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School fourth-grade students from Mr. Murphy’s, Mrs. Cook’s, Mrs. Stern’s, Ms. Schiralli’s and Ms. Nocella’s classes had a great time examining aquatic life collected with seining nets in the Carmans River along with a host of other educational opportunities in one of our community’s treasured resources, the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge.

A Day at Osprey Park for WFHS Science Students

Additionally, William Floyd High School marine and environmental science students under the guidance of Dr. Luisa McHugh, science chairperson, recently traveled to Osprey Park in Mastic Beach to study the biodiversity of organisms that exist in the bay and why it is critical to protect our community’s waterways. As part of the activities, students waded into the bay to collect and examine creatures while another station was focused on water quality testing and how students can get involved in clearing harmful contaminants from local waterways.

Collected data was recorded and placed into a database for comparison over the past several years. With this information, students will be able to see how each estuary has changed over time. The William Floyd Science Department will be taking more hands-on field trips in the near future, including a visit to the Forge River later this month for data collection and research.

Special thanks to the Central Pine Barrens Commission, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Brookhaven National Laboratory for their efforts in bringing the “A Day in the Life” program to so many students and helping them learn the importance of caring for local estuaries and ecosystems.

This press release was produced by William Floyd School District. The views expressed here are the author's own.