RMMS Science Students Investigate Environment
The North Babylon School District Science Department and Western Suffolk BOCES Outdoor Environmental Education Program have partnered up to create a program that supports the NYS Science Core Curriculum. Educators from both sides met and planned an exciting field opportunity for the eighth grade students at Robert Moses Middle School who went out to both Sunken Meadow State Park and Connetquot River State Park Preserve to participate in an investigation of their environment.
The day began with an introduction to the park, its history, geology and local flora and fauna. Then students split up into two groups, with half remaining indoors to conduct investigations with pond water and microscopes, finding and identifying interesting creatures like mayfly and dragonfly nymphs. All students participated in a density demonstration that "wowed" the group as they watched how salt and fresh water interacted.
The second portion of the program focused on the relationships between organisms. Students even had a chance to see the Great Blue Heron, a majestic bird native to this area, eating fish. It was a fascinating learning experience. Teacher Charles Kalinowski said of the experience, "The trip was not only interesting but it focused on local ecology while covering material needed to meet state science standards."
The remainder of the students in the eighth grade will be participating in this trip in the spring.
