Each day students will perform experiments, conduct research, make art projects, and collect data as they explore the local environment.
Possible Activities (Grades 2-5)
Rocky Intertidal Zone Exploration
A whole hidden world awaits along the shores of Long Island Sound! The rocks revealed by low tide are home to some amazing animals. Learn about what it takes to survive “in between the tides,” and what sorts of creatures we might find. Explore this habitat, seeking out these animals where they hide. Examine your catch – what did we find? Tally the results – do all these animals belong? And if not, where did they come from?
Soil filtration
At SoundWaters, we learn all about the Long Island Sound. So why should we investigate the land? Find out why! The land surrounding the Sound has a critical role to play in maintaining the health of the entire ecosystem. Collect soil samples, test and examine your findings, and use the soil itself to clean (yes, clean!) a sample of “polluted” water. How much pollution can you remove? What does that mean about our watershed? And why is this so important for our own use of water?
Team Building
At SoundWaters, we work best as a team! Have fun learning how to work together with your peers to be the first to complete a task. Students will work through a series of team building activities designed to increase communication, reasoning and listening skills.
Possible Activities (Grades 6-8)
Squid Dissection Experience
Discover the fascinating role of the Longfin Inshore Squid in the Long Island Sound. Why is the Longfin Inshore Squid important? Through this hands-on experience, students will examine both the external and internal anatomy of a squid, gaining insight into how this animal moves, feeds, and survives. What do the tentacles reveal about how it eats? How can this animal move through the water? Along the way, students will uncover surprising connections between the squid and other species, revealing relationships you might never expect.
Water Quality Analysis
Maintaining healthy water conditions in the Long Island Sound is critical to a thriving ecosystem. Students will use advanced testing equipment to explore the unseen but essential factors in Long Island Sound. Is there enough oxygen in the water for creatures to breathe? How is climate change affecting our local environment? Are waste products traveling across the land only to end up in the water? What can we do to help?
Guest Speakers
Each day, the Science Stars hear from an adult professional in a STEM-related field. The guest speaker will talk about opportunities in science for women and men and bring a project that challenges students to observe, analyze and experiment.
2025 Guest Speakers:
- Keelyn Kotecki, Clinical Research Associate, MSc in Biology
- Amsal Akber, Electrical Design Engineer, ASML
- Emmi Triplett, Executive Director, CI Bird Sanctuary
- Jill Gilard, Meteorologist, WSFB
- Rowena Caputo, Manager of Education, Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation
- Hannah Power Program Educator, Wolf Conservation Center
- Kaitlyn Khachadoorian, Engineer, ASML
- Audrey Tjahjadi, PhD Student, Yale Peabody
