Tappan Zee High School students in Brian Newburger’s AP Environmental Science class participated in the 20th Annual “Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor” alongside scientists from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory today! The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program hosted nearly 5,000 elementary school to college students along the Hudson River and the piers of the New York Harbor to celebrate the annual science-focused field day.
Newburger’s AP Environmental Science class joined students from districts across Rockland County to visit the Piermont Pier and became scientists for the day as they analyzed scientific data they collected during hands-on learning activities. Students rotated between stations which focused on examining the physical and chemical aspects of the river and the species of fish that can be found in the Hudson.
Activities included catching fish using a seine net and identifying what they found, studying sediments from the river, testing the waters salinity and alkalinity and analyzing the tides and currents. The data collected helped students better understand the Hudson River’s ecology while also learning from the Lamont-Doherty scientists what they can do to protect the river and its wildlife.
