Students from Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School recently stepped out of the classroom and into nature during a field trip to Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. The visit was part of the annual “Day in the Life of the Carmans River” program, an educational initiative that encourages environmental stewardship and scientific discovery among Long Island students.
Throughout the day, the fourth graders participated in a variety of hands-on science activities designed to deepen their understanding of local ecosystems. Students tested the water quality of the Carmans River, learning how temperature, salinity, and clarity influence the health of the waterway. Using microscopes, they examined tiny marine organisms that live in the river, gaining a closer look at the biodiversity within their own community. Lessons also explored the impact of stormwater runoff pollution and the growing threat posed by the southern pine beetle, an invasive insect that damages native pine trees and alters forest habitats.
To combine science with creativity, each student created a colorful fish print to take home as a keepsake. The project tied together art and science while reminding students of the importance of conservation.
Teachers Mr. Kotarski, Mrs. Farra, Mrs. Schiralli, Mrs. Stern, Ms. Perez, Mrs. Foulkes, and Mrs. Nocella accompanied their classes on the trip, guiding students through the hands-on activities and discussions.
The “Day in the Life” program is sponsored by the Central Pine Barrens Commission and supported by several key partners, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the South Shore Estuary Reserve, and Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge.
By the end of the day, students returned to school with a stronger appreciation for the natural environment that surrounds their community—and a better understanding of how science helps protect it for future generations.