GOING WITH THE FLOW
Bronxville students use Bronx River as their own research laboratory
How often do you get to learn from a living laboratory? Bronxville High School students are doing just that thanks to a program focusing on the Bronx River — and they’re paying it forward by sharing their lessons with younger students.
The Bronx River research class at Bronxville High gives students handson experience with New York City’s last remaining freshwater river, while honing their understanding of the scientific method and basic river science.
Students are then tasked with sharing what they’ve learned with elementary and middle school students.
“Sometimes they’re almost mini units where they’ll start with a classroom activity, going over a topic and then they’ll come out to the river with the class and they’ll collect data,” science teacher Stephen Kovari said. “Then they’ll analyze data with the class, and so you get this sort of circular transfer of knowledge that’s really cool.”
Charlotte Golimbu, a junior at Bronxville High, enjoys getting to know the river.
“One of my favorite parts about this program is being able to do research in the river and understand with handson experience on how to do these labs,” Golimbu said. “Being able to apply (what we’ve learned) in the real world and in a river or on a tree, that I feel like is really important for hands-on learning and helping to understand the Bronx River and its ecosystem.”
Natalia Thiessen-Rodriguez, junior Bronxville High School Junior, enjoys getting outside the classroom.
“I really like how it’s not like your normal science class ... it is less lecture-based than a typical class,” she said. “It’s really interesting how you can apply your own skills to create your own little project, so you can kind of take your learning wherever you want it to go.”