By Michael Ganci – Syntax NY
Smithtown High School East students participated in a hands-on science exploration of the Nissequogue River on Oct. 9.
The school’s participation in the “Day in the Life of the Nissequogue River” program was led by Maria Zeitlin, Smithtown High School East’s research coordinator, and organized by Brookhaven National Laboratory, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Suffolk County Water Authority and the Central Pine Barrens Commission.
As part of the project, HSE students explored areas of Short Beach to collect scientific data in regard to the status of associated surface waters, gain knowledge about natural resources and explore how this piece of the river fits into a larger ecosystem.
“This is our second year participating in this collaborative event,” Zeitlin said. “The Nissequogue River affords a wonderful site for students to be citizen scientists and environmental stewards. They worked diligently and collaboratively in teams to take a snapshot of the conditions of the river, and I know they came away with a renewed appreciation for their local waterways and the importance of protecting them.”
Smithtown East science research students prepared for this event by learning sampling techniques, chemical and physical analyses, as well as species identifications. They also learned to be observers of the natural environment, and specifically how to measure the health of their local estuaries.
The Oct. 9 trip was one of four events, which includes more than 30 organization and agency partnerships, 29 school districts and more than 1,700 students. Other areas of study included Carmans River, Connetquot River and Peconic Estuary.