Community Science Field trips

Grades K-12

In this hands-on outdoors program, students will visit the Lowlands Nursery and become community scientists, as they test water quality parameters, contribute to publicly-available data, and explore how Atlantic ribbed mussels contribute to healthier waterways. Students will advocate for the canal with a vote regarding their values of NYC waterways. Teachers will receive pre- and post-visit materials to accompany their trip experience.

View the water quality data collected by students on this field trip here.

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Objectives:

Students will be able to:

Explain how Combined Sewer Overflow events affect the canal and waterway health
Measure and record water quality parameters using testing equipment
Interpret & explain their results of the water quality test they perform
Model & explain the important role Atlantic ribbed mussels play in the Gowanus Canal
Determine if the Gowanus is a healthy waterbody
Act as stewards and advocates for the Canal and other NYC waterways

Activities:

Activities will vary by grade level; all grades will have the ability to run water quality tests on water from the Gowanus Canal. Some examples of activities are:

Combined Sewer Overflow diagram analysis
Water Quality Parameter modeling demonstration
Atlantic ribbed mussel demonstration & exploration
Student waterway advocacy vote

All activities are aligned with New York State Learning Standards.

Availability:

Fall (September through November) and Spring (April through mid June) in the morning. Additional dates may be available; check our booking calendar for details. Email education[at]gowanuscanalconservancy[dot]org with any questions.

Location:

Lowlands Nursery, 25 9th Street, Brooklyn 11215. This program takes place outdoors.

Class Size & Chaperones:

We are able to welcome up to 35 students per trip. We require a 1:10, teacher:student ratio.

Accommodations:

We welcome and embrace diverse learners! Please let us know of any accommodations needed and ways for us to help prepare your students for their field trip.

Program Cost:

All NYC Title I public schools or schools that demonstrate at least 50% economic need (DOE ENI): Free
Other NYC public schools: $200
NYC private schools: $400

A sliding scale is available upon request.

Questions? Need more information? Contact us via email at education[@]gowanuscanalconservancy[dot]org.

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Community Science Water Quality field trips are possible thanks to generous funding from:
New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program
The NYS Environmental Protection Fund as administered by a grant from the New York State DEC Environmental Justice Community Impact grant program
The Dorr Foundation
The NYS Pollution Prevention Institute
Con Edison

Partner:
Interstate Environmental Commission