FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE04-63
December
8, 2004
Contact:
Ian Michaels
(718) 595-6600
South
Street Seaport and DEP Open New Hands-On Aquatic “Wet
Lab” for Students
|
Commissioner
David Tweedy helps to open the new Living Harbor Wet Lab on
the deck of the Peking. |
Acting Commissioner David B. Tweedy of the New York City Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today the opening of
the newly renovated Living Harbor Wet Lab on the Peking ,
an early 20 th century sailing vessel that is part of the South
Street Seaport Museum . The Wet Lab is a collaborative effort of
the South Street Seaport Museum and the DEP, and will serve as
a hands-on classroom where students can learn about the Harbor
and the environment.
Tweedy this morning joined Museum Executive Director Paula Mayo
and Dr. Julia Rankin, Director of Science Education for the Department
of Education, for an opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting aboard
the Peking . Also in attendance were students from PS
116 in Manhattan , who took part in an education program on water
testing, aquatic organisms and various nautical activities.
“This new laboratory uses New York Harbor and the South
Street Seaport as an educational resource to help students learn
about the region’s remarkable natural features,” said
Acting Commissioner Tweedy. “People often forget that we
are surrounded by water in one of the world’s most vital
estuaries. We live at the confluence of two major rivers, New York
Bight and the Long Island Sound, and the waters around us teem
with wildlife and economic activity. The new Living Harbor Wet
Lab will expose more of our young people to these opportunities
and will also help them appreciate the environment around them.”
|
DEP
Research Scientist/Environmental Educator Doreen Bader
teaches students from PS 116 in Manhattan about aquatic
life and how people's actions affect the environment. |
South Street Seaport Museum Executive Director Paula Mayo said, ”The
Wet Lab aboard the historic ship Peking first began in
1998 as a ‘holding tank’ for sea creatures fished out
of the East River during school sails. In our efforts to prove
to the students that there really was life down there, crew members
of the Schooner Pioneer trawled during education programs under
sail, and showed the students their findings. The Wet Lab in those
days was primitive at best and its regular occupants consisted
of a seahorse and one very cranky hermit crab. Today, with the
support of the DEP, the current lab is a warm and inviting space
for children and their families, filled with information, a knowledgeable
staff and sea creatures. Each student who visits will have the
opportunity for a truly a hands-on experience. The Lab helps to
reinforce something New Yorkers frequently forget – Manhattan
is an island, with water all around us. We are very grateful for
the support of the Department of Environmental Protection for this
unique Museum program.”
Dr. Julia Rankin said, “This is another example of the
tremendous impact that public and private partnerships can have.
As we work to significantly upgrade the quality of science instruction
in New York City public schools, we want to support and expand
these opportunities for both our teachers and our 1.1 million students.
A quality science education in the 21 st century requires students
to have a broad understanding of the world in which we live and
the potential we all have to influence life in our neighborhoods
and around the planet.”
The DEP and the Museum have collaborated on a number of different
initiatives in recent years, including an outreach program that
began last year and which distributes information to visitors about
the City’s various water quality protection programs. DEP
educators have also worked with Museum staff to conduct several
educational workshops on the Peking. In 2001, DEP worked
with the Museum on and exhibit called Healing Waters.
The partnership on the Wet Lab project came about as a result of
this longstanding relationship.
“ The Wet Lab’s focus on the Harbor and its indigenous
marine life made this project an especially good fit for DEP because
of the agency’s crucial role in maintaining harbor water
quality,” said Acting Commissioner Tweedy. “This venue
will help highlight the success the City has experienced in reviving
its harbor water quality, as well as other ongoing environmental
initiatives, such as the massive reduction in floatable trash and
the effectiveness of wastewater treatment technology at the DEP’s
14 wastewater treatment plants.”