William Floyd High School students enrolled in Dr. Luisa McHugh and Joseph Alessi’s marine science classes recently participated in “A Day in the Life of Long Island Waterways,” an annual STEM-focused educational program that brings students from various schools together to participate in hands-on water quality and biodiversity studies pertaining to Long Island’s waterways, providing a one-day snapshot of the health of our local ecosystems.

“The results of these studies provide valuable information about the local estuary’s ecological health, and that the real-life experiences students received makes them more vested in their local marine ecosystem,” said Dr. McHugh. “The students were incredibly engaged, and the program coordinators commented on the students’ knowledge and respectfulness while conducting the water sampling tests.”

A Day in the Life of Long Island Waterways is made possible by the Long Island Pine Barrens Commission, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, allowing students to use scientific equipment to collect data on the water’s physical and chemical characteristics.

This year, students in the marine science class is part of the Suffolk County Community College Beacon Program, which allows high school juniors and seniors to take the college courses at their high school campus during their regular school hours, while simultaneously working toward high school graduation. College credits earned through the Beacon Program can be applied toward high school graduation and accepted at Suffolk or transferred to many other colleges and universities.

Marine science is a half-year course for William Floyd High School students in grades 10 through 12, in which students study the physical characteristics of the oceans, ocean life, and how humans will use the oceans of the world to benefit humanity. Students demonstrate their proficiency through topical investigations, class discussion, participation, and cumulative assessments.