By the Shore or in the Classroom

Looking for field trip destinations, in-class speakers, or programs that focus on Long Island Sound?

Whether you want to bring your students out on a boat to cruise the Sound, into the field to explore our shores, or are looking for a guest speaker to come into your classroom, there are many organizations in Connecticut and New York that offer programs that will fit the bill.


Connecticut


Long Island Sound Beach Cleanups

Throughout- There are many opportunities to participate in beach cleanups around LIS. To organize or participate in a beach cleanup near you, contact Save the Sound at 203-787-0646. Learn more

Maritime Aquarium

Norwalk- Interactions with our live animals and our engaging science programs can help you inspire your students to become eager learners and young conservationists. We offer an array of learning opportunities that make science a positive adventure for your students as they’re introduced to scientific concepts, processes and the importance of science in our lives today. Enjoy it all at the Aquarium, in the field, or have a Traveling Teacher bring the fun and learning right into your classroom. Learn more

Mentor Teacher Program

Throughout- The LIS Mentor Teacher Program engages certified educators to share their successful strategies for implementing Long Island Sound into existing curricula with their peers in professional development workshops. All workshop lessons and activities designed for use in the classroom or field are aligned to the content standards of the Connecticut/New York Science Frameworks and/or the National Science Education Standards, in a format that can be easily implemented into existing curricula. Learn more

Mystic Aquarium

Mystic- Visit our living classroom or let us bring the Aquarium to you! With a diverse range of age-specific educational programs and engaging tours, we welcome students of all ages to discover and learn about the wonders of our ocean planet. Learn more

New England Science & Sailing

Stonington- Visit our education center that “inspires individuals to discover themselves through the enjoyment of the sea.” Marine Science, adventure sports and sailing are catalysts for building teamwork and self-reliance, and teaching respect and responsibility for the sea. Need-based financial aid enables programs to be accessible to all. Learn more

Project Oceanology

Groton- Project Oceanology offers customized science programs for K-12 school groups during the school year. These field study excursions feature hands-on, minds-on marine science that supplements classroom curriculum. Learn more

SoundWaters

Stamford- SoundWaters offers hands-on, inquiry-based educational opportunities for students from pre-kindergarten to college designed to support and amplify CT/NY state-mandated education standards. Programs are offered aboard the schooner SoundWaters, at the SoundWaters Community Center for Environmental Education and at classrooms and field sites throughout the area. Learn more

World Water Monitoring Day

Throughout- World Water Monitoring Day is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies. Celebrate with us in September, or host your World Water Monitoring Day anytime from March until December. Let us know if you are planning to participate! We’d love to have LIS teachers share data with one another! Learn More


New york


Alley Pond Environmental Center

Douglaston- The Alley Pond Environmental Center (APEC), a nonprofit environmental education organization, is dedicated to educating children and adults in the New York metropolitan. They offer student programs for all ages, internships, and teacher workshops. Learn more

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

Cold Spring Harbor— This hatchery and aquarium offers group programs year-round Monday through Friday during regular operating hours and can tailor their programs to suit your needs. Elementary, secondary, enrichment, and scouts programs are available and some are suitable for in-school presentations. Learn more

Department of Environmental Protection, Town of Brookhaven

West Meadow Beach, Stony Brook- This Town Park is a local environmental treasure and the perfect outdoor classroom. With a mile stretch of LI Sound beach and acres of salt marsh, it is home to a diverse array of invertebrate, fish, and bird species, and is a protective sanctuary where horseshoe crabs, diamondback terrapins, and NYS endangered piping plovers breed. Learn more

I FISH NY

Throughout- The I FISH NY Program is a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) initiative that introduces urban residents to the sport of fishing in New York State. I FISH NY offers in- and out-of-classroom programs, such as public fishing clinics and festivals, and professional development workshops. Programs are available to schools and community groups in all five boroughs of New York City, as well as Suffolk and Nassau Counties on Long Island. Learn more

Mentor Teacher Program

Throughout- The LIS Mentor Teacher Program engages certified educators to share their successful strategies for implementing Long Island Sound into existing curricula with their peers in professional development workshops. All workshop lessons and activities designed for use in the classroom or field are aligned to the content standards of the Connecticut/New York Science Frameworks and/or the National Science Education Standards, in a format that can be easily implemented into existing curricula.  Learn more

Nassau Board of Cooperative Educational Services

Nassau County- The Nassau BOCES Outdoor Environmental Education department offers a wide variety of programs designed to educate, inform and engage students of all ages. From the extensive challenge course offered at Brookville to the Caumsett Environmental Center offering 1,600 acres of unique, diverse natural habitats, to two- and three-day residential experiences at Upstate Resident Programs’ nine upstate and out-of-state locations are available for three- or five-day experiences, there are programs for every interest. Learn more

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Throughout- DEC has environmental education programs and resources that will help everyone become a better steward of the environment including educational camps, centers and programs, resources and training for teachers, resources for schools and students, and programs for adults. Learn more

Rocking the Boat

Bronx– Rocking the Boat uses boats to help young people challenged by severe economic, educational, and social disadvantage develop into empowered and responsible adults. Participating during the school day, after-school, and summer in hands-on wooden boatbuilding and on-water education programs, young people in the South Bronx develop the self-confidence to set ambitious goals and the skills needed to achieve them. Learn more

Sound Stewards Program

Throughout- Long Island Sound Study staff will work with educators to develop a research project that not only gives students a meaningful experience but also collects valuable data for local researchers and agencies. Whether funding only allows for one trip or multiple trips, we can design a project that works for you! Currently, this program is only available to schools and educators in New York including Long Island, NYC, Queens, The Bronx, and Westchester County. Learn more or contact Jimena at [email protected] for more information.

Suffolk County Stormwater Management Program

Suffolk County- Suffolk County and Cornell Cooperative Extension are offering FREE school programs for students on stormwater pollution in Suffolk County. Students will learn about stormwater pollution and what they can do to prevent pollutants from entering local harbors and tidal creeks. Learn more

The WaterFront Center

Oyster Bay- The WaterFront Center offers hands-on programs on subjects of Biology & Ecology, Earth & Physical Sciences, Marine Navigation & Innovation, and STEM for students K-12. Teachers can use these programs as a unique addition to a science unit, to make connections across different subject areas, or as a culminating experience to reinforce prior knowledge and curriculum. Learn more

Western Suffolk Marine Education Program

Huntington– The group programs offered by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Education Staff are designed to interest students in grades K-12 in the many diverse and exciting marine topics. These programs are offered by the Western Suffolk Marine Education Program at Coindre Hall in Huntington, NY and are available to schools, libraries, camps, and scout groups.  Learn more

World Water Monitoring Day

Throughout- World Water Monitoring Day is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies. Celebrate with us in September, or host your World Water Monitoring Day anytime from March until December. Let us know if you are planning to participate! We’d love to have LIS teachers share data with one another! Learn More

Your Connection to Nature, Inc (Center for Environmental Education and Discovery)

Smithtown- YC2N offers in-school student programs, field-trip leaders, teacher in-service workshops/professional development workshops, teacher conferences, and eco-tours for educators. Learn more

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