School Days

SCHOOL DAYS A recap of the 2014-2015 SoundWaters School Year Programs

June 2015

SoundWaters 2015 High School interns canoeing on Holly Pond

“SoundWaters is easily one of the most meaningful experiences I provide to my students throughout the school year... I look at my students out on the water and I see a spark in their eyes

In This Issue 

During-School Learning

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Afterschool Learning

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Terrapin Update

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Save the Date

when they make a real world connection with their classroom lessons, something they would not have experienced absent your generosity.”

- Ms. Rivera, 6th Grade Teacher, Bridgeport Public Schools

Exploring for animals on Holly Pond Photo Caption

Students measure the size of a flounder they netted aboard the Schooner SoundWaters

During-School Learning Our programs helps students achieve in science through fun, hands-on learning that supports and enhances school curricula. Classroom lessons are amplified by exploring and interacting with the natural world, fostering a connection to the environment. Programs take place on our 80 -foot schooner SoundWaters, at our Coastal Education Center and at schools across the region.

We are committed to the principle of equity in education. All students deserve the same opportunities and benefits to learn, grow and succeed. No school or student is turned away from our programs because of an inability to pay and we rely on donor support to fulfill this commitment.

“I cannot tell you how much it meant for our students to participate in your program. Your generosity enabled so many of them to discover the joy and intellectual challenges of sailing the Sound, the creatures they studied and the chance to just take off into the sea, let the wind blow against one’s face and forget all the struggles so many endure living in homes with financial and personal difficulties.”

-Bridgeport School Administrator

Pre-School Offered free to under-served kids, the SoundKids program engaged 400 three- and four-yearolds at Stamford’s Childhood Learning Centers and outdoors at Cove Island Park. The children handled live animals, used microscopes, and explored our coastline, many for the first time.

Impact: Building a foundation of basic concepts and skills necessary for kindergarten.

Elementary School 2,000 1st and 3rd-grade local students learned about the variation of coastal habitats and animals during interactive classroom and field studies. Another 3,500 students took part in science labs, raised the sails and hauled in trawl nets aboard the schooner SoundWaters.

Impact: Learning science concepts, exploring their environment, intensifying learning and retention.

Middle School Every Stamford 6th grader (1,100 students) tested water quality and collected data throughout the school year using scientific equipment to measure pollutants. The SoundWaters hosted 1,700 students from CT and NY who enjoyed sailing the Sound while measuring plankton counts, learning to navigate and examining animals they caught in seine nets.

Impact: Increasing science literacy and understanding core science concepts aligned with classroom content.

Learning to use a microscope

“This was the one of the best field studies I have been on in 24 years!

The students loved it and it was a perfect complement to our science curriculum.”

-Ms. Curtis, 6th Grade Principal, Sarah Noble School

“I’ve never gone out for a leadership role before SoundWaters, never had to rally people and get my ideas across. But I really wanted to make a difference. I’ve grown a lot here and learned how to speak in front of people, especially my peers.“ -Kat, President, SoundGeneration

An intern tests water quality

A group of “Science Stars” meet a diamondback terrapin before studying its unique adaptations

Afterschool Learning “My 8 year had an awesome first day of girl’s science camp yesterday and she couldn't wait to go back again today. She even asked to sleep there. “ – Lisa, Science Star Parent

Afterschool programs at SoundWaters are a safe, fun and educational setting for kids at vulnerable times (such as from 3pm – 5pm) and offer opportunities to boost academic and personal interest and achievement outside of regular school hours. We focus on building knowledge and skills related to science and the environment and include a range of fun activities such as sailing, canoeing and the arts. All programs are provided free of charge to every student and some internships even offer a stipend to ensure participation of kids from all kinds of backgrounds.

Girls in Science Vacation Program Science Stars proved to 84 girls this year in grades 3-7 that attitude, not aptitude, keeps them from pursuing science education and careers. The girls gained confidence through experiments and activities over 5 full days of intensive science investigation and mentoring by female guest scientists. The program provided a solid STEM foundation to the budding young scientists.

Impact: Nurturing an interest in science at a critical time for girls, encouraging them to be bold and pursue their passions.

Afterschool Science and Sailing 101 students from Stamford Middle Schools learned to sail on Optimist sailboats and conducted on-shore science experiments in the pilot Science and Sailing program. Students acquired new skills and knowledge over 4 weeks and 24 structured, supervised hours immediately after school. Learning to sail requires responsibility, discipline, leadership, and teamwork.

Impact: Reinforcing science literacy and building a skill-set for success in school and life.

High School Internships SoundWaters trained 34 high school interns from Darien, Westhill, Stamford, AITE, King School and Trinity who cared for animals maintained aquarium tanks and helped educators teach the science of Long Island Sound to younger kids. All agreed the internship increased job readiness and, for most, was “the coolest job ever.”

Impact: Contributing to students’ maturity, responsibility and work-place readiness by encouraging teamwork, confidence and a strong work ethic.

Learning to sail

Terrapin Update The rescued baby terrapins that arrived at SoundWaters in December are thriving. Their average weight has tripled due to the daily medical care, feeding, and attention given by SoundWaters staff.

Our educators and interns are collecting data on the health and growth rates of the terrapins. This important research will provide greater insight in to the lifecycle of the animals and what this means for population recovery that will be shared with our partners in the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group.

Once they’ve matured enough, the terrapins will be included in our education programs to demonstrate age-appropriate science concepts for students such as adaptation, species identification and camouflage.

Impact: In addition to being adorable, the terrapins are perfect ambassadors for Long Island Sound and foster stewardship.

The terrapins get daily shell scrubbings to promote healthy shell growth

Save the Date - September 2016 SoundWaters Spirit Award honoring Andy Fisher

SoundWaters Guiding Principles EQUITY: All students deserve the same opportunities to learn and grow.

ACCESS: Everyone, children and adults, should be able to enjoy the benefits of Long Island Sound.

EXPERIENTIAL: Classroom learning amplified by hands-on activities and field studies is far more powerful and retained by students better than class time alone.

STEWARDSHIP: Education and stewardship of the natural world go handin-hand. We appreciate things that we understand, and we protect the things that we appreciate.

Learn more about all of our programs at www.soundwaters.org

Find SoundWaters Online:

1281 Cove Road | Stamford CT 06902 | 203 323 1978 | www.soundwaters.org