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Every year, the New York State Water Resources Institute (NYSWRI) at Cornell supports research that addresses critical water resource issues in New York State and the nation. The seminar will focus on ways in which robust science can support and influence on-ground water management and policy outcomes, and center collaborative and interdisciplinary work between academics, water resource scientists, educators, managers, and policymakers.

Abstract:

This project focused on increasing students’ connections to their local watersheds by allowing them to develop their own water literacy and belief that the ocean is relevant to them and their community. The Mercy College Center for STEM Education (MCCSE), in cooperation with the New York State Marine Education Association (NYSMEA) engaged middle and high school students from diverse backgrounds to connect with ocean scientists and educators; engage in stewardship activities; and attend a specially-designed student conference. Students from schools in low socioeconomic areas of lower New York State, including the five boroughs of NYC, Yonkers, and Nassau County, participated in a series of interactive webinars to learn about local watershed research and outreach. Students attended “It’s My Estuary Day” (IMED), an annual large-scale event held in Brooklyn to participate in water testing, ROV exploration, beach cleanups, and more. Finally, students and their teachers attended the 2022 NMEA Student Conference held at Hofstra University in July, at which they met keynote speakers, engaged in workshops, and network with students and professionals. Through these events, minority students connected with representatives of local agencies and NGOs, including researchers, environmental health professionals, and environmental educators.

Speaker Bios:

Dr. Meghan Marrero is Professor of Secondary Science Education and Co-Director of the Mercy College Center for STEM Education.  She has served as PI, co-Director or Co-PI on several large grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA and Wipro, Ltd., totaling more than $6 million. In 2018, Dr. Marrero was a Fulbright Scholar at the National College of Ireland, Dublin, where she facilitated workshops and researched the international implementation of FLORES (Family Learning and Outreach for Research and Education in STEM), a family involvement program for early childhood learners and their families. Dr. Marrero's research interests are in ocean literacy for teachers and students (she co-authored a high school marine science textbook), and teacher education in STEM. She is a past president of the National Marine Educators Association (2018-19).

Chris Bowser coordinates the education team at the NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve. This team implements citizen-science programs like the Eel Project and student initiatives like the Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor. Bowser’s other experiences include serving as reforestation volunteer with the Peace Corps in West Africa, working as education director for the Sloop Clearwater, and teaching environmental science at Marist and Bard Colleges.