Harbor
Science and Arts Charter School Honored For Environmentalism
Shamu
Across America, a nationwide tour celebrating the world’s most
famous killer whale, arrived at the Harbor Science and Arts Charter
School to award the 135 students with “Whale of a Hero” awards
in recognition of their environmental study of Central Park’s
Harlem Meer.
One of Central Park’s many lakes, the Harlem Meer serves as an
ideal classroom for the students to experience hands-on the significance
of gathering information to further their understanding of the
environment. Visiting the Meer almost daily, the students test
temperature, pH levels, clarity and dissolved oxygen levels, as
well as observe the ecological relationship between the marine
life and the environment in which they live.
“By
visiting the Meer on an ongoing basis, the students are able to
observe ecological changes in the everyday makeup of the lake,”
said Jennifer Watt, science coordinator at the Harbor Charter
School. “Exploring the Meer teaches the students first-hand that
science is not a static body of knowledge, but an ongoing process
of making an observation, forming a hypothesis, testing, and drawing
conclusions. We are teaching our students that anyone can be a
scientist if they observe and ask questions.”
The Harbor Charter School, located on East 104 Street in Harlem,
is a fully accredited public elementary school for grades 1-6.
It received its charter from the State University of New York
in April 2000 and had its first full day on September 11, 2000.
The goal is to incorporate science, technology and the arts into
a unique learning approach for New York City students.
Education Update, Inc., P.O. Box 20005, New York, NY 10001. Tel:
(212) 481-5519. Fax: (212) 481-3919. Email: ednews1@aol.com.
All material is copyrighted and may not be printed without express consent of
the publisher. © 2001.
|