Rocky Point High School marine science and science research students have been working on a grant-funded program with Citizens Campaign for the Environment and the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society. Students are creating posters and video public-service announcements related to Long Island Sound conservation.
Organized by Mr. Aaron Factor, the district’s director of math, science and technology, five students met recently with representatives from both organizations
to put together a video about their collective projects. Sophomore Chloe Graham, juniors Aneesh Deshpande and Myla Mamolen and seniors Amelia Matthews and Mark Pisano – who work with district science teachers Melissa Domenchello, Audra Hallock and Annika Rhinehart and approximately 50 other students – spoke about their work as part of the Long Island Sound study project. The students shared their well-defined research projects on the effects of water quality and the impacts on the Long Island Sound of such environmental factors as the use of sunscreens and microplastics, the effects of stormwater runoff and how paints and motor oils need to be disposed of properly.
Rocky Point High School is one of only four schools on Long Island involved in the project.
“When Mr. Factor learned of the program, he jumped at the opportunity to have students involved,” Allison DePerte, research associate and field biologist at Atlantic Marine Conservation Society said.
The video is in production, and the posters will be distributed in the coming months at local beaches and harbors for Long Island community members to become more aware the island’s fragile waterways, courtesy of Rocky Point High School students.