AP Biology Students Visit Shore at Sunken Meadow

A trip to Sunken Meadow State Park allowed Huntington High School Advanced Placement Biology course students an opportunity to engage in an authentic field experience in a salt water marsh ecosystem.

Teacher Deborah Beck coordinated the visit with Western Suffolk BOCES outdoor environmental education program staff members at their Sunken Meadow facility.

“It was a beautiful sunny day and the trip was enjoyed by all,” Ms. Beck said. “The students’ favorite activity was seining.”

Sunken Meadow State Park was developed in 1926 by famed master builder Robert Moses with the support of Governor Al. Over the years it has grown to encompass nearly 1,300 acres. In a recent year, the park drew more than 3.6 million visitors.

“The field trip to Sunken Meadow was a very hands-on experience and a great way to learn about local ecology,” junior Nina Fascilla said. “My favorite part was seining because we were able to physically go into the water wearing waiters and catch different marine life. Exploring the salt marshes was also interesting, as we were able to identify different organisms and test the water quality. Overall it was a great experience because it brought what we've been learning about in class to life.”

The Huntington students rotated through three data collection stations:

• Seining/marsh entrance abiotic data collection: Students used a seine net to collect biotic data in a tidal steam.

• Intertidal zone transect study: Students conducted a transect study of the intertidal zone that spans the low and high marsh habitats. Students recorded data and elevation as well as resident flora and fauna.

• Mud flat investigation and mid marsh abiotic data collection: Students investigated a mudflat habitat. Students collected various abiotic data such as salinity (hydrometer and refractometer), turbidity (turbidity tube), temperature (thermometer) as well as nitrate, phosphate, dissolved oxygen and pH (test tablets).

“The field trip was amazing,” junior Elizabeth James said. “I think it’s important to keep learning fun and field trips are the best way to do that. I learned a lot about our environment and it was very interesting to see how we affect our own environment on a daily basis.”