Small Scientists, Big Discoveries: Sachem Girl Scouts Explore the Nissequogue River

With nets, testing supplies, and plenty of curiosity, Girl Scout Troop 2411 became a team of young scientists at Sunken Meadow State Park. Second-grade girls from Cayuga and Wenonah elementary schools, along with their siblings, participated in "A Day in the Life of the Nissequogue River."

Working alongside scientists and educators from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, the children collected real data to help assess the river’s health. They joined many other school and community groups sampling throughout the watershed that day, contributing to a shared snapshot of river conditions and a dataset that helps track changes over time.

Each child had a job. The Weather Team observed temperature, clouds, and wind. The Shore Team documented the shoreline and surrounding habitat. The Aqua Team tested water quality and measured water speed, while the Net Team helped seine and identify aquatic life.

The children took their responsibilities seriously, observing, measuring, recording, and working together with care. Most importantly, they had a great time! Science became something they could touch, explore, and discover for themselves.

Sachem High School students have participated in A Day in the Life for many years. This outing extended that tradition to younger students and reminded us that scientific curiosity has no age limit.

Sunken Meadow Creek made the experience especially memorable because its recovery tells a hopeful story. For decades, a berm restricted tidal flow and harmed upstream habitat. After Superstorm Sandy breached the berm in 2012, tides returned, and restoration partners, including hundreds of Sachem North students over the years, helped restore about 130 acres of tidal creek and salt marsh habitat.

Sachem students helped plant native marsh grasses and tracked the return of a greater variety and abundance of fish, shellfish and shorebirds. The creek offers a living example of how science and community action can help an ecosystem recover.

Organized by Sachem North science teacher and troop parent Monica Saleh, the outing gave children a chance to discover Long Island’s biodiversity while making a meaningful contribution to community science.  The hope is that a fun afternoon of discovery sparked an appreciation for our local waterways and planted a seed of stewardship that will grow alongside these young scientists.