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By TOM EVANS

Times Staff Writer


STAMFORD -- After studying and testing inland waters of the Mianus River more than two months ago, middle school students got the chance to do a similar analysis of the brackish waters off Cove Island Park earlier this week.

SoundWaters, a Stamford-based environmental education organization, is using a $99,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration "to support and amplify what the teachers are teaching in the classrooms," according to Alisha Mullett, director of education at SoundWaters.

With that money, SoundWaters is giving every eighth-grader in all five district middle schools -- more than 1,300 students this year -- the opportunity to get hands-on exposure to many key aspects of measuring different aspects of water quality as the Noroton River empties into Long Island Sound through Holly Pond.

On Tuesday, students from Scofield Magnet Middle School got to carry out "the fifth meaningful sampling, testing and analysis" of Holly Pond, according to Mullett.

Students also got hands-on laboratory work at the SoundWaters learning center at the edge of Cove Island Park, where the fresh river water begins to mix with the salt water of the Sound.

"The students rotate through four stations, including going out in canoes to see how salinity and turbidity are affected by the Sound," Mullett said. "All this combines teamwork with learning science by doing science. They've had a full day in the classroom, and a full day of field study. All the students get their feet in the water, and their hands in the dirt -- regardless of their physical ability."

Student Kelly Suasanavas said she had tested pH levels, turbidity (cloudiness) and salinity of the water, and was about to head out in a canoe for more sampling.

"It's pretty fun being out here on a sunny day and learning about the environment," Suasanavas said. "If we don't take care of the water, then a lot of species can become extinct."

Mullett appreciates the endorsements of her organization's programs, from Superintendent Joshua Starr on down.

"Everybody -- literally -- is on board with this," Mullett said. "All SoundWaters programs support and amplify what students are doing in the classroom, fitting in with state science standards. The support from the beginning, especially from teachers and principals, has been wonderful. Students keep saying 'thanks for letting us do this.' That's why we do this."

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