Islip Middle School students in teacher AnnMarie Mills’ science class recently ventured aboard a floating classroom on a research vessel from Stony Brook University’s Southampton Campus. During this special field trip, they learned about local marine biology by conducting water quality tests and assisting with the collection and identification of animals they caught using a drag net. The students were able to hold different species of fish and crabs including pufferfish, fluke and horseshoe crabs. Also in attendance on the trip was renowned wildlife photographer, writer and lecturer Chris Paparo, who also serves as proprietor of Fish Guy Photos and manager of Stony Brook’s Marine Sciences Center.
“We were fortunate enough to be able to bring home some tropical fish that we caught to keep in the classroom this year,” Mills said. “The lessons learned aboard the boat will be revisited throughout the school year. We were beyond grateful to have Chris Paparo as our expert. He was an outstanding addition to the trip and connected beautifully with the students.”
In addition, the Islip students wrote persuasive letters to letters to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, urging her to sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act. The self-proclaimed naturalists were excited to join in the Seatuck Environmental Association’s campaign to help save this ecologically important animal.
“When cleaning out my classroom this year, I stumbled upon a large stack of handwritten letters that my former students wrote right before the world shut down during the pandemic,” Mills said. “Those letters were also written with the goal of conserving the horseshoe crab. I sent the ‘forgotten’ letters to the governor as well. It seemed only fitting that their voices were heard at this critical time of conservation.”
The middle school naturalists continued their mission to help save the environment and combat the “insect apocalypse” by replanting the seeds from the school’s native garden into pots so they can sponsor a future garden at one of the district’s local elementary schools this spring. While harvesting seeds from the garden, they identified and removed some invasive plants to help foster continued growth of native plants.
Date Added: 1/9/2025