Presenter

Organization

Session Title

Description

Outdoor/Indoor

Grade Level

Linda Gaffney and Judy Burr

Rutgers Environmental Stewards & Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve 

Sea How High - An interactive Game

Are the oceans really rising? Would your favorite beach disappear? Or your town? Play “Sea How High”, an interactive game developed by Rutgers Environmental Stewards for the JCNERR. “Sea How High” is a fun way to reward students and general audiences alike for their accurate information, and to correct misinformation. You’ll roll the dice and try your hand (and wits!) to save our flooded house. Download all the game pieces and instructor’s guide from https://jcnerr.org/education/educators.html.

Indoor

Kaitlin Gannon and Kyra Fitz

The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve/ Rutgers University

Survival Challenge: Can Marine Animals Adapt to Climate Change?

As part of a partnership project with the Chesapeake Bay Virginia National Research Reserve, this activity was inspired by real scientific inquires by Rutgers graduate student, Kyra Fitz. Kyra, along with assistance from Jacques Cousteau Reserve’s education coordinator, Kaitlin Gannon, created an activity which will have students thinking about what behavioral adaptations and traits may help marine animals better survive impacts of climate change.

Indoor

Mindy Voss

NJ Sea Grant Consortium

Navigating Microplastics

Plastics are everywhere, they are persistent, and a large threat to our environment. Using hands-on activities, learn about the different types of plastics, how they act in a marine environment, and how they break down into microplastics. We will demonstrate several simple techniques to search for microplastics and discuss solutions to the plastic problem.

Grade 4 and up

Carol McCallum

Jenkinsons Aquarium

Not Your Average Bear: Using Polar Bears to Connect Students to Climate Change

This session will include an introduction to polar bears, and what makes them so unique. Topics covered will include their biology, behavior, and intimate connection to climate change. Learn how students can connect with polar bear researchers and bring home activities that can be used in the classroom.

Indoors

All Grades

Bianca Charbonneau

US Coastal Research Program

The 'ingredients' to build a coastal dune

Emphasis will be on natural and built dunes and berms. Learn what is needed for a dune to form naturally and how we try to help speed or help that process along with management actions. Learn what you can do to help that process as well!

Indoors

Grade 2 and up

Melanie Thorn

AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program

Monitor Stream Quality with Benthic Macroinvertebrates

During this session, participants will learn how to bring students into a stream (or bring the stream to them) and collect benthic macroinvertebrates to determine the health of a stream. Participants will also be introduced to the New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program.

Anne Price

Waterspirit

Mindfulness in Nature

Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of what you are sensing and feeling in the moment, without judgement. Time spent in nature inspires connections with the natural elements for a range of healthful benefits. Join experienced naturalist and meditation instructor, Anne Price as she discusses the medical benefits of spending time in nature. Then participants will awaken their senses as Anne guides all on a meditative walk where we will experience and learn a few mindfulness techniques. Mindfulness practices and deepening our connection to Earth can help reduce stress, reduce anxiety, and heighten our consciousness.