Since its inception, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy has been deeply committed to highlighting the Park's resources as a living classroom and providing programs to educate the public about the site's rich history and estuarine environment. Through year-round educational programs, Cove Camp, National Estuaries Day activities, our stewardship program, walking tours, special events and publications, the Conservancy and our partners are helping to reconnect New Yorkers to the great outdoors.
The 12-acre beginnings of Brooklyn Bridge Park, between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, have already become a living classroom. The full 85-acre with its restored habitats and ecosytems promises to become an inspiring place for educational programs.
Seed funding for educational programming has been provided by a grant from Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez of the 12th Congressional District through the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention. This multi-year grant has enabled us to significantly expand our programming. Since 2008 we have served over 4000 students and families. In addition, we are able to offer Title One schools programs free of charge.
Click here to learn more about community learning opportunities.
Educational Course Offerings 2009-2010
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy seeks to educate and inspire urban youth with the wonders of Brooklyn Bridge Park, the East River and the Hudson River Estuary. We offer a series of hands-on, park-focused programs to local public schools designed to provide Brooklyn students with an engaging on-site experience. Students learn about the natural environment, ecology, local bird and plant life. We provide teachers with support and materials that will enrich the experiences of their students.
All of the subject areas are appropriate for students in grades K-12. Courses will be customized for different age groups to address their developmental needs and State learning standards. Our environmental educators have many years of experience, and a shared passion for the Hudson River Estuary.
THE COVE BETWEEN THE BRIDGES
This two-part program explores the history of the area and examines the biotic and abiotic factors that make up an estuary.
Session 1 takes place in the classroom. Students will explore human impact on the environment and the history of the East River through a timeline game. They also learn about the flora and fauna of the area with a rousing game of Salty Bingo. Introductions to water testing and assessing aquatic habitats through wildlife observation prepare students for the East River field study.
Session 2 involves a field trip to the Cove at Brooklyn Bridge Park where the East River provides an ideal site to explore urban neglect and renewal. Students practice their observation skills and explore their physical surroundings through a series of scavenger hunts designed to highlight the industrial and natural features of the park. The students then participate in a series of water quality testing (pH, salinity and Oxygen levels).
SEINING: THE RIVER WILD
Find out what lives in the waters under the Manhattan Bridge. Scientists use a 30-foot seining net to catch fish and other remarkable East River creatures. Students take a good look at the fish and learn about their anatomy and life history before releasing them back into the river. Past catches have included: Stripped Bass, Atlantic Silverside, Flounder, Sea Star, Sea Horse, Shore Shrimp, Green and Blue Crabs, Puffer Fish and more!
ROVE THE COVE
Learn about the ecology of the Cove at Brooklyn Bridge Park. A guided tour and hands-on activities will help illuminate the many fascinating and important creatures and plants that are essential to maintaining a healthy planet. Customized lessons will guide students to explore sense of place and aquatic habitats, and to understand an estuary and how salinity shapes aquatic life.
ROCKS ROCK: URBAN GEOLOGY
Rocks are an essential component of our earth and Brooklyn Bridge Park. In this program students will explore, through hands-on activities and on-site observation, how different types of rocks are used, how they are formed, the rock cycle, weathering and erosion. They will use the park as an outdoor classroom, and identify different types of rocks and types of uses in the park.
TREES OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK
Students explore and identify the different trees in Brooklyn Bridge Park while learning about biodiversity, environmental health, and the impact of habitat. They will learn tree identification and tree health assessment, in addition to estimating tree height and age while touring the park.
SALVAGED LANDSCAPE: UNDERSTANDING URBAN DESIGN AND GREEN BUILDING IN BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK
Students explore issues of urban renewal through a site-specific and in-depth study of newly opened Pier 1. They will delve into ecological aspects of the park as well as elements of design while studying the architectural plan for the park and how it incorporates local and recycled materials.
LIVING ON THE EDGE
The banks of the East River are constantly changing with the waxing and waning of tides. This inter-tidal zone is full of plants and animals specially adapted to harsh environmental conditions. By combing the rocks and sand of the Cove, students will collect and discuss these special inter-tidal creatures.
Click on the links below to learn more about the Living Classroom in Brooklyn Bridge Park:
The Cove in Brooklyn Bridge Park
The Fish of Brooklyn Bridge Park
The Birds of Brooklyn Bridge Park
The Plants of Brooklyn Bridge Park
