Estuary Ecology Field Trips and Workshop Programs for Middle, HS school, After School, Summer Youth Programs and Teachers Training, Home Schooling. Advance reservation and registration required.
Our popular educational programs are designed to give each participant an awareness and appreciation for the urban estuary and the wildlife that inhabits it. This knowledge will empower each student to make informed decisions and take constructive action towards the stewardship of the natural resources of our waterfront..
The Urban Divers approach is unique in that our programs are designed to meet national curricular standards while we use our estuary environment as a resource to teach science, math, language arts and social studies essentials. The estuary is wonderful learning tool because it provides a natural research lab for the study of environmental sciences, biology, geology, chemistry, physics, history, and the social issues that effect our local natural resources.
Our program offers students and teachers a unique opportunity to explore the underwater environment of our estuaries through live underwater video exploration. The benthic environment of our estuaries, is dynamic, mysterious, and has a wide range of other qualities. Wetlands, Mud Flats, sandy , sedimentary or rocky bottoms and man made structures create a distinctive character of local urban estuaries.
Students learn basic characteristics of their local waterways and carry out fun and hands-on scientific investigation, exploration and discovery to check the health of the estuary. We discuss and investigate potential problems facing our estuaries, the human impacts on the eco-systems and the social and ecological history of the waterway. Students make connections betwen the history of the local waterfront land use,the social, environmental and economic effects it has on the area they live in. Historical information is explored with the use of photographic and/or video presentations produced by The Urban Diver and other resources. The Students are introduced to new technological advances applied in the mediation of some of our environmental pollution problems, and are stimulated to explore their own ideas about pollution prevention and their own environmental mediation inventions.
Praticipants in this program will instill in a sense of their personal responsibility for ensuing the environmental preservation of their own waterways, along with pride, stewardship and a sense of discovery through their own experiences. Students will enjoy nature close to home, and take a new look at the eco-systems and habitats and their seemingly familiar urban environments. The Urban Divers staff and students will explore the link between conservation and economic development. Students will consider possibilities of developing environmental sustainability programs and open space along geographic areas surrounding their neighborhood waterways.
To accomodate the various needs of educators, these workshops are provided at several locations that are safe and condusive for the presentation of each program, such as:
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aboard our monitoring vessels
- aboard our safe and sturdy fleet of flat bottom paddle skiffs.
- On shore along a nearby waterfront.
- Or a classroom and in the field at The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy's new satellite Harlem River/Hudson River North Marine Station and Ecology Center and/or at its Satellite Station in Gowanus /Red Hook.
Each session is conducted by two trained and experienced professional educators. Depending on groups size and activity.
Email your inquiry with mailing address for a complete educational brochure, bookings, registration forms workshop fees. Our staff is available to meet with you at your earliest convenience. To learn more about our other programs www.urbandivers.org
For more info ,to make a reservation , or to book a classroom visit email: urbandivers@urbandivers.org
- 2005 Schedule:
- Nov-Environmental Youth Intern Program begins
- Jan- Winter Programs at UDEC' s satellite Harlem River/Hudson River North Marine Station and Ecology Center begins.
- April11th, 05- Youth Intern Rogert Davis -HS of Excellence, presents at Annual Youth Can Conference, American Museum of Natural History 05.
- April 19 thru May 2nd Harbor School, 05- Gowanus Canal
- May 27th, Sheepshead Bay HS- Fresh Creek
- March 14th, UD educators training workshop, (Gowanus)
- April 27th- UD educators and volunteer stewards training workshop II,( Harlem River Station)
- April 10th UD educators and volunteer stewards training workshop III- (Newtown Creek).
- April 20th, 04- Youth Ministries for Justice and Peace- Harlem River
- April 24th and April 26th 04 - Youth Intern Eamon Cohen presents at Annual Gowanus Earth Day Spring Clean-up and at Youth Can 04, at American Museum of Natural History.
- April 28th-30- Harbor School 04- Gowanus Canal
- April 19 thru May 2nd Harbor School, 05 - Gowanus Canal
- May 11th, 04- Howard Szwartzverg Reality Art Class-Gowanus Canal
- May 17th- Hs Teachers Training, NYRP- Harlem River
- May 21st, 04- YWCA/PS 38- Gowanus Canal
- June 21st, 04- YWCA-Gowanus Canal
- June 26th- Summer Interns, Community Volunteers and New Members Orientation. Advance registration required.
- ***July 6th thru Aug 17th- SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM BEGINS- Registration on June 11th- Harlem River and June 16th- Gowanus Red Hook, see calendar
- HEAF 04 , Harlem River, Hudson River North
- BRONX HELPERS , - Harlem River, Boinx River, Flushing Bay, Hudson River North
- YWCA,- Hudson River
- BATT PRK CITY CONSERVANCY-TMA- Hudson River
- 2003 SCHEDULE:
- YWCA, NYRP, Gowanus Stakeholders,- Gownus Canal
- UD Members, Mount Sinai Project Truce Youth Group- Hudson River
- Stuyvesant Cove Park/Community Environmental Center- East River
- Imani House- Gowanus Canal
- Future City Inc/Elizabeth HS.- Elizabeth NJ.National Estuaries Day), 03
- Teachers Training - Harlem River
- Nov- Fort Hamilton HS- Denise Warf
- Nov- House School of Science- Newtown Creek
Participants in the Summer Youth Programs receive a complimentary t-shirt. Asked for availability.
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An artful booklet- "The Gowanus Canal... A Little Estuary That Flows in Brooklyn... a picture fact no fiction, coloring book".. Authors and Photographers. Ludger K. Balan and Mitsue Balan. Published by The Urban Divers. work in progress, copies will be available in the summer/fall. Made Possible with additional support from Hudson River Foundation.
- Fish Specimen Identification Cards, Postcards and Posters- " Creatures and Features of NY/NJ Harbor Estuary". Beautifully captured photographs of fish specimen from the local estuary. 4 x6 postcards, 8x10 posters are available. email for pricing. NOW AVAILABLE.
- Videos ( All VIDEOS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A CLASSROOM PRESENTATION): " Creatures in Features of NY/NJ Harbor Estuary"- a lively 20 min video work in progress. Beautifully captured underwater motion picture images cataloguing the features and the inhabitants of the estuary. The visuals are accompanied with a descriptive text and lively soundtrack. The 20 min work-in progress is available for in classroom visit and screenings. Produced by The Urban Divers in association with Sound Art Films/TimeLine Editorial. The complete video may be available by the fall of 2006.
- "Heart of the Gowanus"- a 20 min documentary about a communities movement to restore the Gowanus Canal. Featuring The Urban Divers. Produced by Keith Roden. Greempoint Video Project. Video is available for classroom screening and talk.
- "Gowanus Canal", NEW NHK Documentary on the Gowanus Canal with The Urban Divers and Friends. Aired in June. Available for class presentations.
**NEW
Opportunites for Youth 2005:
Environmental Youth Intern Program- a competive paid internship program- now accepting applications- begins in the fall.
Teen Peer to Peer Environmental Educator Training Program - a "learn and earn" program for teens- receive training and qualify as assistant educators with UDEC and receive a stipend. Participants are aslo offerd a competive scuba training scholarship.
Urban Marine Explorers- a Summer youth Program- receive training, participate in field trips, work along side trained stewards and project scientists. Activities include hands-on scientific investigation, exporation and discovery, snorkling in the pool, discover scuba, underwater basketball, rowing and more.
