Understanding water aquifers at Baldwin schools

Elementary schools within the Baldwin School District are making waves in science education through a partnership with the North Shore Land Alliance.

As part of the fifth-grade science curriculum, students delved into the intricacies of Long Island water systems, with a particular focus on the vital role of underground aquifers in providing drinking water. The collaboration, now in its second year, underscores the district’s commitment to hands-on, experiential learning.

In a recent classroom session facilitated by an educator from the North Shore Land Alliance, students embarked on a journey to understand water aquifers. Through interactive activities, including the construction of miniature aquifer models, students explored concepts such as recharge and contamination processes, precipitation, runoff, and the critical importance of land conservation in protecting Long Island’s groundwater and surface waters.

“Having students build a simple model of an aquifer is an effective way to help them appreciate the risks to Long Island should pollutants contaminate our precious fresh water resource,” Nomi Rosen, administrator for professional development at Baldwin wrote in a news release.

Since its inception in 2014, the North Shore Land Alliance Long Island Water Education Program has made a significant impact, reaching over 10,500 students across 28 schools and 16 school districts on Long Island, including Baldwin UFSD. This ongoing collaboration exemplifies the district’s dedication to fostering environmental literacy and empowering students to become stewards of their local ecosystems.