High School

River Research Programs (RRP)

Students will get a chance to learn about important local water quality issues and what Harbor Watch is doing to help track down and mitigate sewage pollution sources into natural waterways. Students will be taught various methods for water quality testing and be exposed to useful field and laboratory skills, data analysis, and presentation skills.

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Fish and Invertebrate Study of Harbors (FISH)

Join Harbor Watch staff on our research vessel to assess the abundance of fish and crustaceans living in Norwalk Harbor and Saugatuck Harbor. Each session, groups of 4 students join Harbor Watch staff on board our research vessel to collect species richness and abundance data. Students serve as crew and are responsible for releasing the trawl net, sorting and identifying the catch, and recording the data. Students who participate regularly may be invited to share their experience and findings at the Harbor Watch Water Quality Symposium.

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Lecture Series

Teachers will be able to choose a lecture topic from our pre-prepared options based on relevance to their areas of study and integration into their class structure. Topics range from basic water quality and watershed information to more specific Harbor Watch methods and projects. Presentations may take place in-person or via a virtual platform depending on the teacher’s preference. The lectures will include local examples to drive home the message that human actions impact water quality in our own communities and Long Island Sound.

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Sound Career Explorers (SCE)

This is a one-week program that gives students opportunities to explore different career fields that relate to water quality preservation and improvement of Long Island Sound. Take a tour of a wastewater treatment plant, shadow a USGS scientist in a local waterway, meet Conservation officials to learn about the projects they are working on to improve water quality in local waterways, and conduct a population study in a local harbor on the Harbor Watch Research Vessel.

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Trash Talks

Marine Debris problems are plaguing Long Island Sound - work alongside staff and other volunteers to help remedy the trash issue in Long Island Sound tributaries and embayments. Conversation topics will include different types of marine debris that exist, different methods for capturing and removing debris, and ways to stop the debris at the source. For field experience, students can sign up for various days of litter boom and fishing line recycling receptacle maintenance and litter collection. Learn to categorize and measure different types of trash removed from the litter traps. Students who participate regularly may be invited to share their experience and findings at the Harbor Watch Water Quality Symposium.

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