marinating mst (math, science and technology) noyce sea program july 16-20, 2012 adelphi university...

Marinating MST (Math, Science and Technology)

Noyce SEA ProgramJuly 16-20, 2012

Adelphi UniversityAdjunct Professor Lou Siegel

Monday – Learning how to use the equipment.Measuring biological, physical

and chemical parameters

Oxygen nitrates nitrites ammonia phosphates pH density salinity depth transparency cloud cover humidity dew point wind speed wind direction

Materials for the course, provided by Long Island Sound Study & Pearson Publishing,(Marine Animals purchased from Connecticut DEEP)

Tuesday morning – Exploring Jones Inlet with Capt Don Harris from Operation SPLASH

Operation SPLASH is a successful environmental group with 6 boats, manned by volunteers, that each makes one or two trips every day to clean debris from the waterways of the south shore of Long Island. They also have a strong educational component to spread the conservation and clean up messagewhich allowed them to assign a boat to our class on this day.

Operation SPLASH boat and crew at work.

Testing the waters – in Jones Inlet

Identifying organisms from the biological dredge sample

Using a seine net to sample the waters for swimming organisms.

Tuesday afternoon- Visiting the Town of Hempstead Clam and Oyster Grow Out Facility

Tom Landi of the Town Department of Conservation and Waterways describes the program to supplement the bivalve populations of the Hempstead Bays before leading the students on a tour. The building is powered by both solar and wind energy, actually producing excess power which is sold back to LIPA.

Tom explains the electrical system which collects, converts, stores and distributesthe power generated by wind and solar energy. Students were able to see the flowthruupwelling system (FLUPSY) and the clams being grown at the facility.

The FLUPSY barge uses solar power to runthe paddlewheel, shown here in the lower left photo, to circulate water over the growing clams and oysters which are locatedin the towers placed below the deck that the students are standing upon. The bargegreatly increases the capacity of the nursery.It can also be moved to other locations where conditions may be more favorable for the growing mollusks.

Raw shells are kept for one year before being used as substrate for oyster larvae (upper rt.)

Bags of oysters are suspended from dock before being placed out on reefs in the bay.

The group finished out the day with a trip to contrast the ocean beachenvironment with that of the bay by visiting the Point Lookout beach. HereWe discussed dune formation, the longshore movement of sand, the maintenance of inlets for the commercial and recreational boaters

Wednesday morning – Kayaking in Hempstead Bay

The Hempstead Bays are a fantastic resource to study urban ecology. Within a two mile area there is found: an electricity generation plant, sewage treatment plant, a landfill, commercial and residental development, an active recreation park, a golf course, a nature preserve and a fantastic expanse of saltmarsh and uplands,home to many species of birds, fish and invertebrates. On Tuesday morning, after a safety and paddling lesson from Mike and Gabby at Empire Kayaks. the group explored the Garrett marsh area, paddling through the snake channel at the north end.

A great place to stop and discuss saltmarsh ecology!

Contrasting

Developed

And

Natural Environments

Stopping to test the waters for chemical and physical parameters

The group safely back at Empire Kayaks in Island Park

Wednesday - Afternoon The Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area

The Town of Hempstead opened one of the first study areas of its type on the first Earthday in 1970. Mike Farina, artist, photographer, naturalist and conservationbiologist at the Study Area orients the students to the area at the beginning of our trip.

Continuing the discussion on the new bridge over a creek where we were able toobserve several bird species, mudsnails, mussels, worms and the variety of plant species found at the Study Area.

Seining at Oceanside

Our catch

Mike Farina demonstrates the effectivenessof the cast or throw net, varieties of which are used by many cultures world over.

Processing samples in the study roomat Oceanside.

Still smiling at the end of a long day, students complete their identification of the organisms collected and the physical/chemical data obtained during the two trips.

Thursday - Whale and Dolphin watching trip

Prior to leaving the dock at Rockaway, Queens we explored the local shoreline. We were able to see the lifting of the Marine Parkway bridge which is a counter-weighted lift bridge.It is necessary to provide transit of oiltankers and other vessels servicingKennedy Airport at the East end of Jamaica Bay.

The group set out along the beach in a light rainto collect specimens andartifacts which we later discussed.

The whale and dolphin watching trip on theAmerican Princess out of Rockaway QueensIncluded interpretation by naturalist Paul Sieswerda and artifacts including baleen and this whale tooth being examinedby the students.

Coney Island from the sea. The day we went out there were high seas which restricted us to the near shore area. We cruised from the Rockawaysto the lower harbor below the Verrazano Bridge. During the winter this areahas burgeoning Harbor and Gray Seal populations, the result of laws to protectmarine mammals.

Channel markers guide shipping from all over the world under the Verrazano Bridgeand into New York Harbor where these truck bodies are off loaded.

Sampling the water from New York Harbor

Organisms from the American Princess floating dock at Rockaway, Queens

Students work to identifyorganisms collected from the American Princess dock.

Can I touch it?Fellow passengers were very interested in our activities and it gave

our future teachers the opportunity to share their knowledge and enthusiasm.

Friday - Atlantis Marine World – Riverhead Due to rain our trip out on the historic vessel, Christeen was cancelled.The alternative trip to Atlantis Marine World included a behind the scenestour and a special tour by Joe “Fish” Yaiullo one of the owners of the facility.

We ,like all visitors, were greeted by several Harbor and Gray Seals in anoutdoor pool at the entrance to the Aquarium.

The Aquarium is also the home of thenon-profit Riverhead Foundation, the only authorized marine mammal and turtle rescue group in New York State. A volunteer described their programs and walked the group through the informative exhibits.

Our tour began with a look at the tanks from the public gallery

The behind the scenes tour included the mammal kitchen where food is prepared, the proteinskimmers, the view from above the shark tank, and a visit to see the extensive plumbing and systems needed to maintain the specimens.

Joe “Fish” Yaiullo one of the owners of the Aquarium and one of the foremostcoral reef experts in the world treated us to a personal fish feeding session in the largest reef tank on the eastern seaboard. He than was gracious enough to take us on a private, behind the scenes tour and a session with the penguins.

Nearly microscopic brine shrimp and Several different types of algae are grown to feed various invertebrates and larval forms.Joe Yaiullo and Atlantis are highly regarded by the aquarist communityfor having developed methods for propagating many species of corals.

Adelphi University - Marinating MST - July 2012Noyce SEA Program

Lou Siegel, Adjunct ProfessorAdelphi University SEA ProgramNoyce Scholarship ProgramJuly 2012www.lousiegel.netlsiegel@adelphi.edu

For more information about the SEA Program at Adelphi Universitycontact Professor Tracy Hogan at 516.877.4019 or seanoyce@adelphi.edu.

Photos by Lou Siegel Gabrielle Sheppard