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The November 6 Board of Education meeting featured a wonderful presentation from sixth-grade students about their recent hands-on biomonitoring trips to the Hunter Brook stream, where they entered the water, studied local wildlife, and learned what it means for the stream’s health.
The trips were the culmination of a Stream Ecosystems/Water Quality unit, in which the students study how freshwater is essential to life, how the quality of freshwater is determined, and how can we improve biodiversity and reduce human impact on the watershed.
Did you know that, centuries ago, the Hudson River’s quality was compared to that of the Amazon River? Today, as a result of sewage and chemicals, it is considered one of most polluted rivers in the nation.
Constant monitoring could have prevented such a situation, which is why this annual trip to the Hunter Brook stream has been a mainstay at Mildred E. Strang Middle School since the 1980s. As part of the study, students investigate the stream and hope to collect a variety of macroinvertebrates. A diverse presence of wildlife would indicate that the stream is healthy enough to support even the most sensitive species. Back in the classroom, the students enter their findings into a database.
The good news? The Hunter Brook stream received an “excellent” rating!
When the informative presentation had finished, Dr. Hattar presented the students with a simple yet poignant question: “Did you have fun?”
“Lots!” exclaimed one excited middle schooler.
Thank you to Mr. Nansen, Ms. Sabella, and the middle school students for sharing this incredible learning experience with our school community.
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