Pieter B. fourth graders took their learning outdoors on Tuesday, October 6, as they visited the Hannacroix Preserve to participate in the annual “A Day in the Life of the Hudson River” program.
Working alongside the Department of Environmental Conservation, students explored the Hudson River ecosystem while collecting data that contributes to a statewide “snapshot” of the river on a single day each fall. The program spans 153 miles of the Hudson River and brings together students from schools across New York State to study and better understand this important natural resource.
Students worked in teams, moving between observation stations along the riverbank. Using a variety of tools, they collected information, made observations, evaluated what they found, and recorded their data.
This year’s trip provided some particularly interesting observations. The tide was very low at the start of the students’ observations, and the air and water temperatures were nearly the same. Students also had the exciting opportunity to observe crabs along the riverbank, adding another memorable moment to their hands-on experience.
The annual event gives students a chance to see firsthand how conditions in the river can change and how scientists use observations and data to better understand the Hudson River ecosystem.
Through this hands-on experience, students not only learned more about the river in their own backyard, but also contributed to a larger statewide effort to study and appreciate the Hudson River.
Check out the photos below to see highlights from this year’s field trip!
