Finger Lakes Group
Winter 2007 Newsletter
Sierra Atlantic Chapter Attends the 112th Science Teacher's Association of New York State Conference
by Richard Hurley
For the first time, the Atlantic Chapter, sponsored by the Sierra Water Sentinels, participated in an exhibit at the Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS) Conference. The conference took place over a three-day period November 4, 5, and 6th in Ellenville, New York, a small town in the Catskill Mountains. The venue was the campus of the Nevele Grande Hotel with a lovely view of bedrock hillsides and an expansive skyline.
All Sierra Club groups in the Atlantic Chapter were able to share issues from their region with over 1100 science educators (K through college) from New York. Educators collected information about what Sierra does and how they (we) help educate in their region. This exhibit offered a great opportunity for teachers to incorporate real issues from their area into their curriculum. Many educators were very interested in the environmental issues that face New Yorkers. This exhibit was the connection between the real world and what science education needs. This exhibit made very clear points that science education needs to work on possible solutions of problems that exist.
As part of the exhibit the Finger Lakes Group showcased their 2007 Waterday program. This program had students, teachers, and community people working together to study the health of the water in Keuka Lake. The data collected was then shared with local and state agencies. Students involved in the program were able to gain lab credit for their science class. The Atlantic Chapter is currently looking into developing an environmental education outreach program to assist educators. The Chapter realizes that this programming must be easy to incorporate into their educational curriculum and be aligned with the New York state science standards.
The program was recognized by the Water Sentinels of Sierra as being outstanding. The Sierra Club's Water Sentinels program trains volunteers to collect water samples and monitor data with the goal of getting these waterways cleaned up. They're currently working on seventy projects in many states.
This exhibit at this conference was supported by the Water Sentinels.
If you would like more of what the Water Sentinels visit: http://www.sierraclub.org/watersentinels/