Students Use Harlem River As Source Of Scientific Exploration
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NY1 and parent company Time Warner Cable continue their partnership with Connect A Million Minds, highlighting education through science, technology, engineering and math. In the following report, NY1’s Shazia Khan looks at how teens use some Harlem fields to improve their backyard.The Harlem River is a source of recreation for many New Yorkers, but for some city teens, it's also a source of scientific exploration.
Mauricio Gonzalez, a science teacher at Frederick Douglas Academy, has been leading year-long urban ecology research programs in Harlem, so students can increase their knowledge and understanding of their environment.
“The premise is that there are problems in our community, such as contamination of the air and contamination of water,” says Gonzalez.
With professional instruments in tow, the teens take almost weekly trips down to the Harlem River, where they collect water and air samples to monitor the level of pollutants.
“This computer is currently getting oxygen data from the Harlem River and wirelessly, with the Bluetooth antenna, I'm able to get data from the oxygen sensor, which is powered by the sun using the solar panel,” explains student Jah-Vin Vaughan.
Once they have the raw data, the students then head back to the classroom for further analysis – including comparisons to the Hudson River.
The teens not only gather and analyze the data, but they also present it to community organizations and research teams at universities.
“I didn't just want them to do lab work. I wanted them to feel that their work, that the work they're doing is actually going to benefit the community, and that way it will motivate them more,” Gonzalez says.
The students hope with their continued efforts, they and their neighbors, can make better use of the Harlem waterfront.
“We can't just build a park, and have the air, you know, dirty for them to breathe in,” says student Aarianna Barns. “We can't just build a park and a dock and have the bad water for them, that they can't even swim or fish in it. We want them to be able to enjoy the park.”
For more information on other programs designed to inspire children through science, technology, engineering and math, go to ConnectAMillionMinds.com.