This year, we are yet again increasing the science onboard the sloop. To review, we have a HRECOS sonde onboard taking water quality data (soon to be returning for the 2015 season), and a “fish finder,” also known as a biological echosounder, complete with GPS. This year, we are paying more attention to our fish catch data, recording select fish sizes, rather than just quantities. Education Coordinator, Isaac, has been working on incorporating this information into a stronger science curriculum for high school sails. This program is research based, with the students engaging directly in collecting samples, recording data, and interpreting the results.
Maija with sampling gear and Chris guiding the small boat. There was still ice on the River.
Much of this has been in partnership with former Onboard Educator, Maija Niemisto, who is currently working on her Master’s at Stony Brook University on Long Island. Before the sailing season even started, Maija stopped by to show us new Onboard Educators some of her collection procedures and to collect some samples. The big boat wasn’t sailing yet, so we took the small one…
We had a fun adventure out on the cold river, and learned the sampling process. Here’s to a season of science on the river!
