A Harbor Watch research assistant presents to the class.
Science Class Tests Local Ecosystem
From US Science Chair and Environmental Science teacher Janet Jochem:
St. Luke’s Environmental Science class has been assessing water quality, identifying sources of pollution, and quantifying invasive species. In their studies, they are going beyond the classroom by studying the health of the local ecosystem.
On October 5, the class went to Poorhouse Brook in New Canaan and placed eight leaf packs in the stream to collect macroinvertebrates. Similar to canaries in a coal mine, macroinvertebrate species are biological indicators of stream health.
A Harbor Watch research assistant visited the class on October 10 to discuss the program’s state-wide water monitoring program and pollution threats to Long Island Sound.
In November, the class will return to the stream, to collect their leaf packs and begin quantifying the data.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.