The Peconic Bay Science Program

This 5 day program is an interactive marine ecology, local maritime history and boating safety course. This course has been designed by master mariner, Captain David Berson and Long Island’s 2008 Teacher of The Year and locally renowned science teacher Robert Jester.

Developed to be taught aboard GLORY, Long Island's only zero emissions Eco- tour boat, The Peconic Bay Science Program will make gathering and studying data about Peconic Bay, learning about boating and working as a team fun. Classes have filled up quickly. Please call to check remaining availability and to register.

Program Outline (subject to customization)

Day 1:
Introduction to GLORY, safety procedures and rules of conduct aboard a boat. We will review man overboard drills and familiarize students with the operation of the boat. All of this is done at dockside.

Upon completion of the initial safety briefing we will depart the dock and go to the middle of the bay between Shelter Island and Greenport. On the way to our first test site we will discuss tides and currents and review the types of marine life that exists in the Peconic Estuary. Once at our test site we will conduct a turbidity test. We will then proceed to Sterling or Deering harbor where we will repeat the operation. We will take note of the state of the tide, wind conditions and other environmental factors. On the transit back and while at dockside we will log and discuss the information we collected. All information will be charted and graphed over the period of the program.

Day 2:
Depart dock and proceed to Pipe’s Cove and do a water sampling test, checking for the health of the bay. Both to and from our test site we will discuss climate, and cloud formation, and the relationship between temperature and barometric pressure giving the students an understanding of weather relationships. At the dock we will log information and combine all data.

Day 3:
Stream plankton net and collect microorganisms from the bay. With the use of magnifying boxes we will identify the types of photo and zooplankton, and log our findings. We will discuss the particulars of Peconic Bay and the effects of storm water runoff and pollution have on the health of the bay.

Day 4:
Maritime exercise: we will divide the class into two groups and teach them about the compass, nautical charts, establishing bearings, possibly including a lesson on finding direction using the sextant and a discussion about celestial navigation. Students will have the opportunity to chart a course and steer the boat. (navigation discussions will be introductory)

Day 5:
Return to Pipe’s Cove to repeat water sampling. Talk about oysters in the bay and pull an oyster cage and show students the different growth of oysters. Discuss the value of mollusks in maintaining the health of the bay. Return to the dock, log our findings, review the week’s work and give certificate of completion to each student.