Semester Long Study
(during the school day)
SoundWaters semester long projects dive deep into research protocol and data analysis over multiple sessions. Students will experience life as a research scientist and conduct experiments focusing on local shellfish, aquatic plants and water quality. Each project includes classroom, on-water and laboratory sessions which build upon one another increasing environmental knowledge and scientific skills. These sessions build on in-depth environmental, habitat, historical and economical skills as students investigate a local issue that they are concerned about and want to investigate. Whether navigating LIS aboard our research vessel (R/V), collecting samples from our dock or measuring and analyzing water quality levels in our lab, there is a SoundWaters research project for you. Don’t miss out on an incredible opportunity to get outdoors, learn and have fun.
Oysters
Join the SoundWaters Education team for an investigation of local oysters from Long Island Sound. This hands-on, inquiry based program is a great way to explore all the amazing happenings at the bottom of the Sound. During a customized program, students discover the impact of oysters on water quality, the local economy and the ecosystem while learning about the scientific method, research skills and data analysis.
The Oyster research program takes place in your classroom, SoundWaters laboratory and from our dock in Stamford Harbor.
Kelp
Measure the impact of this amazing aquatic plant. Kelp is prized for its nutritional value and health benefits when consumed by people and on water quality. The benefits of kelp in Long Island Sound are being discovered and SoundWaters has opportunities for you to join in the investigation. SoundWaters is measuring kelps impact on water quality and coastal habitats.
Kelp seed is growing in the SoundWaters kelp nursery and the lines will be set this winter.
Plankton Abundance
Aboard the SoundWaters research vessel, students collect and analyze surface samples to measure the amount of plankton in Long Island Sound.
Water Quality
Activities
NGSS Alignment
Sample Schedule
Pricing
Schooner Sails –Advanced Science High School
The SoundWaters Advanced Science Schooner program will engage students in inquiry-based investigations. Through this concentrated experience the students will further cultivate their understanding of biology as they explore and experiment the following topics: ecology, biochemistry, animal form and function and water quality. Students will become stewards of the Long Island Sound watershed system through hands-on analysis and assessment of water quality in the Long Island Sound. The SoundWaters Advanced Science program is a cycle of learning for students that builds upon classroom content, enhances critical thinking skills and offers hands-on, STEM experiential learning opportunities.
Activities
Students will conduct hands-on experiments as they rotate through learning labs aboard the schooner SoundWaters. Students will be divided into 4 groups. They will assess the quality of Long Island Sound’s waters, and with the data collected students will examine physical characteristics and chemical substances, variables and trends from.
- Trawling and data collection
Every day, scientists collect data on the health of the Long Island Sound, and one important way to do that is by assessing the health of the animals found in its depths. Today, it’s your turn! Help to deploy our trawl net to sample the benthic ecosystem, then use your teamwork and muscle to retrieve our catch! Learn to identify our findings, and collect critical data on each specimen. What can our findings tell us about this habitat? How does each species of animal fit into the food chain of the Sound? And how does each animal survive the conditions it encounters? Meet each creature face to face and use your powers of observation to help find the answers!
- Aquatic Chemistry
A critical component to assessing the health of the Long Island Sound is the water itself! Use our professional sampling equipment to target and collect samples from specific locations. Test samples for invisible differences and levels of salinity, pH, and oxygen. Did we find what we would expect? How are our findings relevant to the plant and animal life found in the Sound? And how can we expect these results to change over time?
- Raising the sails
Take your place as a sailor in the ancient tradition of sea-faring and raise the sails! You’ll need teamwork, elbow grease, and more than a little knowledge of physics to help you take charge and hoist the mizzen! How do these sails actually work, anyway? Learn all about how we use our sails to turn wind energy into movement, and apply that knowledge with our crew and yours as you help maneuver the schooner on our journey through the Long Island Sound.
- Micro-plastics sampling and analysis
A microscopic threat hides in the waters of LIS amongst the tiny animals – micro-plastics! What is this type of pollution, and where does it come from? Collect and test samples using laboratory-grade equipment, and see if micro-plastics have found their way into our ecosystem. Where do they come from? How can they affect the Sound and its living creatures? And most importantly, what can we do to help?
- Groundwater and Benthic Mud Filtration:
This biogeochemical lab investigates the flow of pollutants between living organisms and the physical environment. Through hands-on investigation, students will study the sediment of LIS and its properties. Students will use professional sampling equipment to collect from the benthos, and examine their findings. Are there any living creatures in our sample? What do these organisms tell us about the health of the Sound? Use laboratory supplies to test – are there pollutants lurking in the mud? Is there enough oxygen for animals to live there? Use a series to filters to see what makes up the mud itself. Through creativity and ingenuity, students think outside-the-box to determine how human activity impacts water resources in CT.
- Abundance Study: Plankton in the Water Column:
To accurately assess population trends, a baseline survey must be conducted and then repeated. Students will examine samples of zoo- and phytoplankton, which play an important ecological role in the Long Island Sound food web. A decline in the number of plankton will impact other species. Students will follow field testing protocol to determine the population of plankton of Long Island Sound and assess and explain how human actions and weather impact coastal populations.
NGSS Alignment
Sample Schedule
Pricing
High School Internships
Supervised training helps interns develop their professional skills and gain the hands-on experience that advances scientific (future) careers. Focused on understanding, protecting, and educating others about the important role that Long Island Sound has on our daily lives, a SoundWaters internship will give you a chance to learn these professional skills first hand.
SoundGeneration – High School Interns
(after school during the school year)
A Year Long Opportunity for Motivated Students
SoundGeneration engages up to 40 high school students multiple times each week throughout the school year. Students are selected based on interest, aptitude and commitment. In addition to research, the student interns care for animals, maintain equipment and develop their basic skills in boat handling, organization goal-setting, project management and leadership.
- Lab Assistants –Animal & Aquarium Care
An internship as a Lab Assistant is available for interested high school students. Our laboratory studies the ecology of LIS and form and function of local species. Responsibilities will include some lab and aquarium maintenance and direct assistance with fish, crab and terrapins care, feeding and monitoring/ measuring. Interns will receive supervised training, occupational experience, and will be able to develop laboratory skills.
- Research Assistants –Ecology field study aboard SW Research Vessel
Interns will participate in ongoing research projects that involve water quality sampling, plankton monitoring and kelp and oyster farming. Interns will assist in sampling, performing experiments, analysis and operating scientific lab equipment in collaboration with other interns.
Students must be 15 or older and currently enrolled in high school.
Email soundgeneration@soundwaters.org for more information.
Spring Senior Interns
(during the day in the spring season)
A Seasonal (May – June) Opportunity for Motivated Students
The SoundWaters spring internship is one of the premier marine science and education programs around. It draws on the complementary strengths and approaches of hands-on learning and field research. This is a unique and exciting program for students to use the local environment as a tool to learn career and life skills. Interns will work alongside SoundWaters team members and learn about Long Island Sound ecology, working with student groups, live animal identification, water chemistry, and the ecology of an estuary. Interns assist the educators and staff with aquarium care, program preparation and teaching on field study programs and will have an opportunity to lead a learning station on their own. The program is in operation from May through June.
To participate in the SoundWaters Senior Internship Program, students must meet the following criteria:
- Have an interest in outdoor education
- Have all necessary approvals from high school
- Interns should be have an interest in a field related to sustainability, communications, public relations, or marketing. Experience with video editing, website design, and social media best practices is a plus.
Email education@soundwaters.org for more information.
What They’re Saying
“SoundWaters is an amazing organization and I am lucky to have this internship. I get to work outside around the water with kids and help them learn about Long Island Sound and how to protect the environment. I enjoy helping the students, but I’m also learning a lot about Long Island Sound myself and how a non-profit works.”
– Grace Harmon
1
1
SoundGeneration interns celebrating the completion of their canoeing orientation.
