On Friday, October 10, Upper School students in Marine Ecology, AP Environmental Science, and Environmental Science courses embarked on a 2.5-hour research trip on the Schooner SoundWaters to study the diverse ecosystem of the Long Island Sound. The Schooner is the teaching vessel for the Science of the Sound, a hands-on, science-infused learning experience.

Aboard the three-masted 80-foot sailboat, students collected sediment from the benthic zone of Stamford Harbor using a ponar grab sampler, uncovering organisms such as snails and clams. In deeper waters, students casted a trawl net and examined species including squid, flounder, sea robin, silversides, a smooth dogfish shark, an Atlantic spot, and two horseshoe crabs. They also conducted water quality tests to measure temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, turbidity, and nitrates. 

Returning back to port, students observed a variety of coastal bird species, including mute swans, double-crested cormorants, mallards, and herring gulls.

The memorable experience gave students a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems and a greater appreciation of the rich biodiversity of the Long Island Sound.