CityScience News
For all media inquiries, please contact Thor Snilsberg or call 347-454-0088.
CityScience Grants Page Updated!
Check out the CityScience Classroom and Project Grants page that was recently updated. On it you’ll find a compilation of current funding opportunities for classroom projects, after-school programs, summer time learning, field trips, professional development, community improvement projects as well as educational student contests.
CityScience in Scientific American
Today Scientific American magazine features CityScience’s suspension bridge activity. Bringing Science Home is an amazing resource written for 6-12 year olds to do science with their parents at home in an hour or less. CityScience is thrilled to support learning opportunities for families outside traditional school time.
Read the activity here and try it yourself! To learn more about CityScience courses, visit our catalog.
Eco Fest in Fort Tyron Park
Teaming up with Skraptacular Eco Fest organizers, CityScience provided free engineering activities for PS 314 and PS 178 students. Students acted out the parts of a suspension bridge so they could physical feel the forces of compression and tension and discussed the role engineers play in solving environmental issues.
If you would like to support more free programs like these, click here to Support CityScience or contact Executive Director, Thor Snilsberg, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Bringing Young Engineers to Your Classroom
CityScience is excited to partner with the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Young Member Forum to bring the enthusiasm and experience of professional engineers to urban classrooms.
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you are interested in implementing a career focused engineering program in your school or after-school site.
Classroom Grants
During these tough economic times, more and more teachers, administrators and parents are writing grant applications to help fund projects and resources for their classrooms. To make this process easier, CityScience is launching a new service that aggregates opportunities for classroom projects, after-school programs, summer time learning, field trips, Professional Development, and community improvement projects.
According to the National School Supplies and Equipment Administration, the nation’s teachers spent $1.3 Billion on school supplies for their classrooms. Including support from parents and PTA’s this number increased to 3.5 Billion.
Spread the word by forwarding this link to teachers looking for additional resources to bring to their classrooms. Stay tuned, in the coming weeks, CityScience will begin posting boilerplate text to further ease the grant writing process.
Healthy After-School Snacks
Focusing on healthy food choices Benjamin Bannaker High School students set out to create recipes and publish a menu for snacks that can be made for less than $3. Partnering with nutritionist Omena El and Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership students learned about their bodies, vitamins, and reading labels. Using this knowledge they visited local groceries to collect data they used to create healthy after-school snack recipes.
Sharing their healthy alternatives, students prepared these snacks and served them during an after-school tasting and posted them on the Teens Making a Difference Facebook page.
Green Building Tour
As part of CityScience’s green building program, Queens Community House students received a behind the scenes look at NYC’s newest and most environmentally sustainable skyscraper. Led by Helena Durst, co-vice president of Durst Organization, and Daniel Monahan, the building’s Chief Engineer, the students explored the city’s 2nd tallest skyscraper, and 1st to Receive Platinum LEED certification.
From the boardroom to the basement, the 4th, 5th and 6th graders enjoyed eating lunch in the atrium, touching the recycled and rapidly renewable materials, and observing the building’s machinery and monitoring systems.
Touching, seeing, hearing and smelling the mechanics of one of the world’s greenest building epitomizes CityScience’s core values. Experiential learning connects learning to students’ lives and their surroundings. Questions naturally arise, demonstrating student engagement and interest in their world.
“How do the waterless toilets work?” “Why are there little dots on the windows?” “Are there bugs and pollutants in the recycled carpets?” “Where do they make these counter tops?” “How do you make bent buildings?” “Why does it smell like that?” “Why did my ears pop?” “Is that wall of plants alive?” “What makes bamboo grow so fast?” “How many people work here?” Why do you need to air condition the building in the winter?” “If buildings are so bad for the environment, why aren’t more of them nicer like this one?”
Stay tuned for the Green Building Magazine published by these students. Its early drafts communicate the impact and awareness that field trips like these spark in children. As Chief Engineer, Monahan remarked, “young students like these are the building engineers of our future.”
After School Snack Project
CityScience will launch a healthy after-school snack program on Myrtle Avenue in May. Partnering with the Myrtle Avenue Restoration Project (MARP) and nutritionist Omena El, students from Benjamin Banneker High School will produce maps, recipes, and a campaign to communicate the benefits and availability of healthy after-school snacks on Myrtle Avenue.
New Community Partnership
CityScience is pleased to announce a new Community Partnership with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy (BBPC). Beginning immediately, BBPC will offer CityScience’s time-tested Brooklyn Bridge curriculum that integrates science, engineering, history and geography in eight activities. In the classroom and at the bridge, students learn the bridge’s unique history and its impact on the region. Engineering forces are key learning objectives taught by building and testing model bridges, physically role-playing different parts of the bridge, and by building a fifty-foot human bridge.
To learn more about the Great Brooklyn Bridge yourself, visit Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s calendar here.
Careers Outside the Classroom
CityScience Executive Director, Thor Snilsberg joined panelists from across New York State for a discussion of Careers Outside the Classroom at St. Johns University. This year will be one of the toughest job markets for pre-service teachers seeking looking for work. According to Snilsberg, Out of School Time programs provide opportunities to develop new hands-on teaching skills post graduation. Specifically, interns at CityScience learn to use the natural and built environment as educational resources.
Graduate students in education who are interested in CityScience internships should email their resumes to.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
New After-School Sites
This spring elementary students in Queens and Brooklyn will study green buildings and build composting bins. As part of the Toyota Heroes program, The After School Corporation (TASC) sites will engage in a rich project-based learning experience led by CityScience. Stay tuned, these students and their projects will be honored and on display at the New York Hall of Science on Saturday, May 21st.
Brochure & Map Project
After nearly two months of work and many rounds of revisions the Great Falls Youth Corps (GFYC) released the first brochure for the Great Falls National Historical Park. Working as a team, six Youth Corps members refined the brochure’s content. Text, pictures, and all graphic design were all completed by team members who took great pride in their roles.
Using the brochure team and the entire GFYC as a sounding board, Aileen Salunas took the lead in shaping the brochure text. Aileen’s special connection to the project was clear. “In 1976, when the Great Falls Historic District was formed, my mother won a student award for designing a brochure that explained the historic significance of the District. It was exciting for me to do the same thing for the new National Park.”
Graphic design and hours of Photoshop played an important role in the final product. Garrett Morgan Academy’s graphics teacher, Johan Palacio, provided a professional critique of early drafts and Ibrahim Ahmed took over from there. Reflecting on his summer, he declared “I did my best at graphics, making brochures and banners to spread the word.”
Producing professional quality projects for real audiences is an important aspect of CityScience’s project-based learning programs. Click here to download the double-sided 11x17 inch brochure.
GPS Mapping Project
Using handheld Geographic Positioning Devices (GPS), computer software and their feet, Adam Amaro and Edgardo Beltran searched the entire National Park for existing conditions data that would be useful for the Park’s planning stage. Their GPS study created and mapped new data on paved and unpaved footpaths, interpretative signage, garbage cans, and benches found in the Park. This data will assist the National Parks Service in planning and managing the Park’s trails. The data will also be used to prioritize future improvements to interpretative signage, garbage cans, and public seating. Key findings included:
Total distance and elevation change of unpaved footpaths:
o Upper Raceway (1,982’ path distance & 31’ elevation change)
o Middle Raceway (871’ path distance & 4’ elevation change)
o Lower Raceway (1,426’ path distance & 10’ elevation change)
o Path to Costello Pool (925’ path distance & 39’ elevation change)
o Upper Hinchcliffe (377’ path distance & 20’ elevation change)
o M.E.K. Park - Ryle Rd. (886’ path distance & 49’ elevation change)
o Steps and Beach Path (654’ path distance & 48’ elevation change)
o M.E.K. Park - Wayne Ave. (689’ path distance & 30’ elevation change)
Total distance and elevation change of paved footpaths:
o M.E.K. Paths (792’ path distance & 33’ elevation change)
o M.E.K. Bridge(s) - McBride (490’ path distance & 26’ elevation change)
o M.E.K. Steps - Falls Overlook (58’ path distance & 17’ elevation change)
Survey of park amenities:
o 15 total number of garbage cans in the Park
o 21 total number of existing interpretative signs in the Park
o 13 total signs in good condition
o 8 total signs missing or vandalized
CityScience empowers youth with technology and training so they can conduct and publish original community research. Click here to view the GPS maps.
Urban Forestry Project
Today the Great Falls Youth Corps (GFYC) released the results of their street tree inventory. Focusing on the Great Falls Historic District, GFYC researchers found 95 total trees in 9 different tree species. The Callery Pear is the most common street tree found in the District. After careful analysis of their data, GFYC researchers recommended 5 new species of trees that would add biodiversity, beauty, and habitats to the District. The species of trees recommended by the GFYC are the Crabapple, Golden Raintree, Japonese Pagoda, Magnolia, and Zelkova. In the summer of 2011, the GFYC plans to plant the 15 empty tree pits they identified with these trees.
The tools and techniques practiced by GFYC researchers were identical to those used by professional foresters and arborists. Youth Corps members learned to use a dichotomous key, forestry tape measures, height meters, and a classification system to determine the species of tree, calculate its age and height, and measure tree health. In the National Park system and beyond, forestry is an important career that impacts the quality of air, animal habitats, and the natural beauty of an area.
CityScience is proud to have provided curriculum, Professional Development, and support for this project. Click here to view a poster, here to see the raw data, and here to read the student’s summary.
GFYC Summer Employment Kick Off
Today, twenty-five Great Falls Youth Corps (GFYC) members kicked off their summer employment by walking the Upper Raceway with Congressman Bill Pascrell and Bill Bolger of the National Parks Service. This eight-week program will pay the members of the GFYC to spearhead park improvement projects and become knowledgeable ambassadors for the Park.
Speaking at the press conference, GFYC member Randa Darwood, described how the program combines service-learning with a rigorous curriculum. Congressman Pascrell told the GFYC that he expects a lot from them and that he will “quiz them” after they learn about the geological, ecological, and architectural factors that made Paterson, NJ America’s first planned industrial city. In addition to developing the curriculum, CityScience is providing weekly in-depth professional development for the GFYC program managers, instructors, and AmeriCorps volunteers.
Support for this program is being provided by the National Parks Service / Youth Conservation Corps, the Geraldine R Dodge Foundation, Community Foundation of New Jersey and New Jersey Community Development Corporation.
Learning From Lowell, MA
Great Falls Youth Corps members practice leadership development activities with Spindle City Corps members in Lowell, MA
Three days of discussions, games, and tours at the National Park in Lowell provided lessons in what a Youth Conservation Corps can be. In Lowell, two Spindle City Corps Maintenance teams work with the Park maintenance staff to tackle backlogged projects and The Youth Theater Program team presents first person costumed interpretation programs throughout the Park and city. This summer the twenty-five members of the GFYC will be tackling both maintenance and interpretive duties in the new National Park. On top of regular clean-ups, GFYC members will complete CityScience’s project-based curriculum that is geared toward career exploration and research that will produce detailed maps of the park, a street tree biodiversity plan, a Mill Mile walking tour, geology, aquatic ecology, and renewable energy projects.
GFYC Visits Washington, D.C.
Great Falls Youth Corps members awaiting their meeting with Paterson native, and Chief of Staff to Nancy Pelosi, John Lawrence.
Three days in Washington, D.C. connected GFYC members to their political leaders and illuminated Paterson’s historic bonds to our Nation’s Capitol. Welcomed by Paterson native, John Lawrence, a wide ranging discussion around the Speaker’s conference room table proved that GFYC members are politically aware and savvy. Not only did the GFYC tour the Capitol and the Library of Congress, they visited the White House, Lincoln Memorial and Union Station. At the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum members saw Spirit of St. Louis, whose engine was built in Paterson. From the top of the Washington Monument, GFYC members got a lesson in guided interpretation from National Park Rangers and witnessed the city plan of Pierre Charles L’Enfant, the designer of Paterson’s famous raceway system.
World Science Festival Labs
Delighting over fifty families with live worms and snails, CityScience provided two afternoon labs at this year’s World Science Festival in Washington Square Park. This annual festival brings together hundreds of educators and scientists for five days. Geared towards children seven and under, CityScience’s labs gave participants the opportunity to handle worms and snails while learning about their anatomy and roles in local ecology. Throughout the day, we were reminded that every child’s “ooohhh,” “eeewww” and “aaahhh” are moments that build that child’s connection to nature.
Earth Day 2010
As stewards of the Nation’s newest National Park, the Great Falls Youth Corps members set out to improve their environment. During the 2010 Earth Day clean up, Youth Corps members evaluated the existing conditions of the Great Falls National Park and outlined ideas for improving its appearance, safety, and comfort. The day served as a reminder, that something as simple as picking up trash can start a larger conversation on improving your environment.
Youth Corps Launch!
Today marked the launch of the Great Falls Youth Corps, an after-school program, and partnership between the National Parks Service, New Jersey Community Development Corporation, and CityScience. This after-school program is open to all area students interested in learning more about the newest National Park and its rich history. Participants will meet three times per week with CityScience instructors to discover Paterson’s central role in early American industrialization. Topics explored will include: important historical figures, the evolution of water power, geology, aquatic ecology, urban forestry, vernacular architecture, and the evolution of manufacturing in Paterson. Beginning in July, Phase II will offer summer employment opportunities.
New Community Partnership
CityScience announces its first community partnership in Paterson, NJ, home to the Nation’s newest National Park. Working together with New Jersey Community Development Corporation and the National Parks Service, the goal of this partnership is to develop the Great Falls Youth Corps (GFYC), a service-learning program.
Within this partnership, CityScience will create curriculum to connect area youth to the rich history and learning opportunities in the Park. Through their learning, participants will be empowered to develop projects to physically improve the new Park. The GFYC will develop in two phases; an after-school program beginning in February followed by a full-time employment program beginning in July.
What's Happening
Check out the CityScience Classroom and Project Grants page that was recently updated!
I know for me, learning science in the summertime was important.Marqueesha G. 18