A Student’s Perspective
I’m really glad I took the Science Club with Ms. Marcellin and the professors at St. Francis College. We got to do many cool things like go to Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park and work with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy staff, who taught us about turbidity in the water in the East River. We caught some fish and relatives to jellyfish in the East River. We learned to identify plants in the park and we were able to eat some of the leaves on the trees in the park. We got to work with microscopes in the St. Francis College science labs. We were able to look at microscopic swamp life (that looked like bugs) and our hair (that looked like logs). We attended a college lecture on stress and were able to see science projects done by St. Francis students and have the projects explained by the college students. On the last day of the Science Club we got to do really cool experiments with household items. The picture is of an experiment I did with food color and water and oil. I was happy to be able to participate in the club with teachers from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and St. Francis College. Our school is lucky to have this advanced learning opportunity.
By Dexter Allan-Reilly, Class 601
A Teacher’s Perspective: Day One
Upon entering the lab, our students were fascinated by the human body models and specimens that decorated the lab. While there, they learned about the microscope, its parts and functions and then they had the opportunity to use the microscope where they first examined their own hair strands. After becoming pros at focusing the microscope, students looked at they Elodea plant and were also able to see what plant cells looked like for the first time. They were surprised by the shape and the presence of the green structures floating around (the chloroplasts). Students were also able to observe the Euglena, a microscopic organism that was also alive. They exclaimed with much excitement as the Euglena maneuvered across the slide from side to side. Just when they thought it was over, they were allowed to use a more sophisticated microscope to view some baby horseshoe crabs, in their larva stage. These experiences brought back wonderful memories of my years working in the lab. It also reminded me of how valuable and important it was for me to become a science teacher and to be able to impart my knowledge to the kids.
By Nicole Marcellin
PS 8 Middle School Science Teacher
Photo credit to Dexter Allan-Reilly
This program uses Brooklyn Bridge Park and the new state-of-the-art laboratory at St. Francis College to introduce students to Marine Biology and Ecology. Students excited about marine science work on a pre-college level as they explore the waters and wildlife of the Hudson River Estuary. The program is led by a St. Francis College Professor and Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy staff, with frequent guest teachers. The winter session begins in February. Interested in joining? Email kids-cre8@ps8brooklyn.org.