Our program invites middle school students to become actively involved in our marine ecosystem with hands-on learning in parks along the New York City waterfront. Participants will learn about everything from water ecology to quality, urban waterfront restoration to preservation, sparking excitement and passion for conserving our coasts and waterways.
5th – 8th Graders
July – August, Monday through Thursday from 9AM – 3PM (Begins July 8)
Kaiser Park, 2529 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Free
Our five-week program offers lessons to middle school students during the summer in our city’s waterways. Science-based activities coupled with recreational opportunities such as rowing, fishing, seining and bird watching allow students to experience our waterways as their own backyards and to learn how to protect them.
For more information, contact Safiya Sabir at ssabir@cityparksfoundation.org.
4th – 8th Grade Student Groups
Hallet’s Cove Socrates / Socrates Sculpture Park
Long Island City
Low Cost
Our four-week Coastal Classroom Groups program brings groups of up to 25 youth from local summer camp programs to the New York City shoreline at Hallet’s Cove in Long Island City and connects them to the life found in and around our local waterways. Science-based activities coupled with recreational opportunities such as rowing and fishing allow students to experience our waterways as their own backyards and to learn how to protect them.
For more information, contact Chrissy Word, Director of Education; cword@cityparksfoundation.org.
For 5th to 8th grade students at select schools across New York City
Free
The Coastal Classroom After School Program is designed to support middle school students to create meaningful relationships with their waterfront parks. Using site-specific, inquiry-based lessons and authentic learning experiences in their own communities, students will participate in fun hands-on exploratory activities such as data collection on shoreline creatures, fishing, and rowing/canoeing. They will build their curiosity for the natural environment and develop knowledge and skills in science with a focus on coastal ecology, water quality, urban waterfront restoration, and preservation.
For more information, contact Safiya Sabir at ssabir@cityparksfoundation.org.
Calling high school and college students! Every year, we seek out enthusiastic students looking to gain hands-on experience working with youth and explore environmental science education.
Generous private support for CityParks Coastal Classroom is provided by The Pinkerton Foundation, The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation, the Guru Krupa Foundation, The Linda B. and Howard S. Stern Family Foundation, Rose M. Badgeley Charitable Trust, and Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation. Public support is provided by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program and the New York City Council under the leadership of Speaker Adrienne Adams, with special thanks to Council Member Joseph Borelli and Council Member Ari Kagan.
In partnership with NYC Parks.
This material was produced with assistance from the State of New York and the National Maritime Heritage Grants Program, administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior under P23AP00434, NY-08-10002. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the State of New York or Department of the Interior.
Because of you, NYC’s kids are learning how to protect our environment and being introduced to a new sport for life, community volunteers are transforming a green space in need of care, and free world-class performing arts are being brought to our parks all around the city—all for free. When you support City Parks Foundation's free programs, you are helping our parks, our communities, and our city thrive.
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