Tag Archives: marine biology research program

MBRP

Field Testing Foldscopes in the Hudson River Estuary

Foldscope built by Jose Martinez, Marine Research Scholar.
Foldscope built by Jose Martinez, Marine Research Scholar.

Earlier this year, the Marine Biology Research Program was chosen as a Beta tester of the latest in microscope technology – the PrakashLab Foldscope – from Stanford University. 10th grade Marine Research Scholar, Jose Martinez, stepped up to the challenge of building and testing the scope. To prepare, he wrote down a comprehensive step-by-step guide to building the scope. After 45 minutes of work he was able to successfully project an image of an amoeba on to a dark wall using the Foldscope and his cellular phone lamp. Jose is formulating a project to record all things microscopic associated to the Hudson River Estuary. For a great video on Foldscopes in Ted Talks click here and for more images of Jose’s work click here.

Marine Research Scholar Jose after building the Foldscope.
Marine Research Scholar Jose after building the Foldscope.

 

MBRP

New York Harbor School Science!

Nicolle presenting at the New York City Science and Engineering Fair this past Sunday, March 1st.
Nicolle presenting at the New York City Science and Engineering Fair this past Sunday, March 1st.

On Sunday March 1st, Nicolle Martinez and Tahirah Abdo, 12th grade Marine Biology Research scholars, competed in the premiere Regional Science Symposium – The New York City Science and Engineering Fair. After 2 years of determination, set backs, and perseverance, these two students represented the Harbor School among more than 450 of New York City’s budding scientists and engineers. Among the high schools in attendance were Bronx Science, Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Tech., Townsend Harris, and other top STEM schools from around the City. Although only two students represented Harbor this year, most of the Marine Biology Research students complete a research project. Writing a college level research paper and presenting in front of an audience are prerequisites to obtain the program’s credential. If you’d like to view Nicolle and Tahirah’s research papers, please click here.  Next year we have contenders in topics such as: oyster genetics, sea squirt genetics, mycelium fungus buoys, and many, many more. A big thank you to all our Harbor staff, Professional Advisory Committee members, friends, and family for all your support. And congratulations MBRP!

For your calendars: On May 13th the New York Harbor School will be hosting it’s 4th annual Science Symposium!

Tahirah at Sheppard Hall, City College during NYCSEF
Tahirah at Sheppard Hall, City College during NYCSEF
MBRP

Welcome to the 2014 – 2015 Marine Biology Research Program!

Graduating Marine Research Scholar, Makayla with program instructor Mauricio González.
Graduating Marine Research Scholar, Makayla with program instructor Mauricio González.

Welcome scholars, guardians, industry partners, and friends to the 2014 – 2015 school year at the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School. This year we again have a lot to celebrate! Our Program, Marine Biology Research (MBRP), has been approved by the State of New York as an official Career and Technical Education (CTE)  Program of Study. After 3 years of intense work finishing our self-study, writing curricula, seeking out strategic industry partnerships, aligning instruction to Common Core, CDOS, and NYS standards, and shining during our external review, our 2014 marine research scholars graduated with the golden seal of CTE.

Below you’ll find a few documents you’ll need in order to be ready for this new and exciting year:

01. Marine Biology Science Research Combined Syllabus

02. MBRP Materials List

03. MBRP/SUNY Albany College Credit Policy & Procedures for 11th and 12th Graders

Although graduation indicates the start of summer and vacation for most, it gave the instructor, Mauricio González, the time to work on the marine science lab. All the recirculating systems were serviced and shelving units were installed to store all our science gear.
Although graduation indicates the start of summer and vacation for most, it gave the instructor, Mauricio González, time to work on the marine science lab. All the recirculating systems were serviced and shelving units were installed to store all our science gear.
MBRP

2014 Harbor School Science Symposium

Makeda, Advanced Marine Research Scholar, at the New York Harbor School 3rd Annual Science Symposium
Makeda, Advanced Marine Research Scholar, at the New York Harbor School’s 3rd Annual Science Symposium.

On May 15, more than 46 research projects went on display for the 3rd annual New York Harbor School Science Symposium. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Peter Morawski from the NIH, said, “I was so happy to have been a part of it! You’ve got some great kids!” Parents, Staff,  Professional Advisory Committee members, Marine Research Scholars, and over 20 guests from the Netherlands came together to help make this symposium a success. Our school administration and Custodial staff provided key logistical support. Thanks a million! For more details, award winners, and images of the Symposium click here. For our Symposium Booklet with a summary of the projects click here: NYHS Symposium Program

MBRP

Marine Genetics Research

Marine Research Scholars Cézanne, Pierre, Raphael, and Zain (not shown) at the 2014 UBP Symposium.
Marine Research Scholars Cézanne, Pierre, Raphael, and Zain (not shown) at the 2014 UBP Symposium.

Congratulations to our 10th grade Marine Research Genetics Scholars! On May 27th they presented their genetics project at the 2014 Urban Barcode Project Symposium hosted by the American Museum of Natural History. The team communicated their findings with molecular biologists from around NYC. Their project titled: “The Walrus and the Carpenter: Searching for Genetic Similarities and Differences between Wild and Native Populations of Crassostrea virginica” sought to determine if there have been any mutations in the Eastern Oyster’s mitochondrial DNA after its long history of selective breeding. Click here to read more.

MBRP

2014 New York Harbor School Science Symposium

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You’re cordially invited to attend our 3rd annual Science Symposium at the New York Harbor School on May 15 starting at 1pm. Experience cutting edge science from our very own Marine Research Scholars and our special guest, Dr. Peter Morawski, from the National Institute of Health. Dr. Morawski will be sharing his journey to a science career and talk about his latest research in molecular immunology. Stay tuned for more information. Go New York Harbor School science!

MBRP

New York Harbor School Science!

Pablo at the New York City
Pablo at the New York City Science and Engineering Fair, March 2nd, 2014

In 2014, for the first time in the history of the New York Harbor School, two of our senior marine research scholars were selected to compete in New York City’s most prestigious science and engineering competition – the New York City Science and Engineering Fair. On Sunday, March 2nd, CTE’s Marine Biology Research student Pablo Jimenez represented our school when he competed against the top research students around New York City. When asked what he liked most about the fair Pablo said, “it was a pleasure to get to speak to so many enthusiastic young science scholars.” The Finals will be held at the American Museum of Natural History later this March. A big shout out to Pablo for extending the Harbor School’s quality of science. Another shout out to the seniors of the Marine Biology Research Program for preparing Pablo for the presentation phase of his project. Also, thanks to the Aquaculture class for providing the oysters that Pablo used for experimentation. These oysters were unharmed and returned to their natural environment.

We've been able to ramp up our marine science project analyses using parametric statistics with our advanced research scholar, Pablo.
Marine Biology Research instructor Mauricio González and marine scholar Pablo Jiménez finalize a lesson on parametric statistics. Statistics are an important tool for analyzing research data and finding whether or not there are significant differences.
MBRP

MBRP – Genetics, Remote Sensing, and Mycofoam

Our 10th grade marine research scholar, Zain, extracting DNA from a tissue sample of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica.
Our 10th grade marine research scholars Zain, Cézanne, Pierre, and Raphael extracted DNA from tissue samples of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica.

The Marine Biology Research Program has started 2014 with spunk. A select group of 10th grade marine research scholars are currently working on a project comparing the genetic differences between three eastern oyster groups – Muscungus Bay, Fishers Island, and wild type oysters from Soundview Park, Bronx. The importance of this project is to determine genetic similarities or differences caused by years of selective breeding. This project may also inform restoration efforts of the types of oysters that may best adapt to the Hudson River Estuary. Our 11th grade scholars are learning to configure and calibrate a professional water quality remote sensor to measure chlorophyll – an important environmental variable for oyster restoration. Lastly, a team of 10th and 11th grade scholars met last week with Ecovative scientist Sue Van Hook to brainstorm how to replace the use of Styrofoam with biodegradable foams made of fungus. Aside from these great projects, our young research scholars have been hard at work in our marine science lab to get the re-circulating systems up and running. We expect to have many exciting projects for this year’s Science Symposium in May. Thanks to Sam Janis from the Harbor Foundation, Pablo Garcia, long time field staff of the NY Harbor School, Pete Malinowski, NY Harbor School’s aquaculture teacher, and the Urban Barcode Project folks for their support.

MBRP, Partners, SEALs

Marine Biology Research 2013 Fall Semester in Review

...after a long day's fieldwork...
…after a long day’s fieldwork…

The 2013 Fall semester at the Marine Biology Research and Harbor SEALs Programs has been full of progress. Starting with the generous support of our scholars, we were able to move our lab to the Marine Science room in 3 days. On October 12 we set off to restore eel grass at Brooklyn Pier’s Park with our team leader, Nicolle. Continue reading Marine Biology Research 2013 Fall Semester in Review →

MBRP

Marine Biology Research – Geographic Information Systems

12 grader, Kendall, of the MBRP searches for optimal sites to install wind turbines in the US.
12 grader, Kendall, of the MBRP searches for optimal sites to install wind turbines in the US.

During their final year in the Marine Biology Research Program, 12th graders have the opportunity to learn Geographic Information Systems (GIS). With the support of industry professional, Jim Hall, and industry partner, ESRI, students are learning how to manage geographical data with the leading industry software, ArcGIS. Some of the applications learned thus far are locating optimal sites for renewable energies and using maps to find pollution sources. GIS is a powerful tool employed by all professions, especially Marine Biology. Whenever there is a “where” question, GIS is involved in the solution. Our next exciting activity will be geocaching. Geocaching is a hobby whereby Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are used to locate hidden objects around the world. Marine scholars will be searching for hidden objects around Governors Island. At the end of the school year, students will be eligible to take the SPACE GIS practical assessment developed by Digital Quest, another industry leader in GIS. This assessment will grant students certification in GIS. For more images and lesson resources click here.

12th grader, Makayla, using a map she assembled to find pollution sources dumping in a river.
12th grader, Makayla, uses a map she assembled to find pollution sources in a river.