Zoology at AMS II focuses on the diversity in the animal kingdom. Topics covered range from classification of animals to adaptations to conservation issues. Students have previously taken living environment and have an understanding of ecosystems and interactions within ecosystems, as well as human impact on various ecosystems. On April 27, a group of 8 zoology students visited the Center for the Urban River at Beczak and participated in their seining program. Students first learned about the importance of the Hudson River ecosystem, focusing on the fact that it acts as a nursery for many species. They then got to use a seining net in the river to see what species could be found. Unfortunately, as it was early in the season the catch was minimal; they only found a grass shrimp, a moon jelly, and two mummichog. The data collected by our class was added to the 2018 data collected by the Center and will be used to study the health of the Hudson River over time. Students were able to participate in hands-on field work and collect real-world data, which helped further their understanding of what it means to be a zoologist.

2 of our scholars were absolute rockstars, willingly being some of the first to try their hand at seining (despite the awkward chest waders and cold water!). They also caught our only fish of the day and were SO EXCITED. I thought they would want nothing to do with them, but they would not let anyone else pick them up first.

It is trips and experiences like these that make AMS II an all-inclusive, interactive place for high school students!