Harbor Science and Arts Charter School Honored For Environmentalism

Shamu Across America, a nationwide tour celebrating the world’s most famous killer whale, arrived at the Harbor Science and Arts Charter School to award the 135 students with “Whale of a Hero” awards in recognition of their environmental study of Central Park’s Harlem Meer.

One of Central Park’s many lakes, the Harlem Meer serves as an ideal classroom for the students to experience hands-on the significance of gathering information to further their understanding of the environment. Visiting the Meer almost daily, the students test temperature, pH levels, clarity and dissolved oxygen levels, as well as observe the ecological relationship between the marine life and the environment in which they live.

“By visiting the Meer on an ongoing basis, the students are able to observe ecological changes in the everyday makeup of the lake,” said Jennifer Watt, science coordinator at the Harbor Charter School. “Exploring the Meer teaches the students first-hand that science is not a static body of knowledge, but an ongoing process of making an observation, forming a hypothesis, testing, and drawing conclusions. We are teaching our students that anyone can be a scientist if they observe and ask questions.”

The Harbor Charter School, located on East 104 Street in Harlem, is a fully accredited public elementary school for grades 1-6. It received its charter from the State University of New York in April 2000 and had its first full day on September 11, 2000. The goal is to incorporate science, technology and the arts into a unique learning approach for New York City students.

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