Teaching The Hudson Valley

Trip Tales: Science Barge

Posted by Christina Connors
on January 24, 2012

Last fall 7th and 8th
graders from Copper Beech Middle School in Yorktown Heights visited the Science Barge in Yonkers.

Despite a dreary day, we enjoyed spending time on the River. It was the first time on the water for many students.

My consumer science class was particularly interested in the concept
of urban gardening, while Ed Becker�s technology class was eager to see alternative energy in action. During the course of the visit we learned about these topics and much more.

Students got a lesson on the earth�s potable water and arable land, toured the barge, and fabricated simple solar cookers. We also took a close look at solar panels and the barge�s unique cardboard cooling system.

We sampled herbs and vegetables grown in the barge�s hydro and aquaponics systems and got to see worms at work composting vegetable scraps.

[Note from THV: Check out worm activities in our free library, Worms that Squirm for grades 4-6 and Earthworms in the Classroom, grade 2.]

Mr. Becker�s students have used what they learned on board the barge to create their own hydroponics system in class and have started seedlings for our school garden.

For my class the on-board activities were a perfect segue from talking about our watershed to a unit on local food and sustainability.

Thanks to THV for making this trip possible!

Take your own trip. Explore Award details.

Teachers and students: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it us your "Trip Tales" -- stories, poems, drawings, and more -- about places in the Hudson Valley.

Top photo: courtesy of the Science Barge. Bottom from Copper Beech Middle School.

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