Plumeflow Project
Sand Tank Science Fair
June 2, 2003
June 2, 2003
New York City teachers and students gathered at Barnard College at on the afternoon of June 2 to share the projects they have worked on using the sand tank models provided through EMSI's Plumeflow project. EMSI Director George Flynn and Barnard College Provost Elisabeth Boylan introduced the event, and Professor Martin Stute of Barnard College Environmental Science Department gave some background on the Plumeflow project and the sand tank models, including the large model at Biosphere 2. Then the teachers and students took the stage to demonstrate the wide range of things they have learned using the sand tanks. The presentations were followed by pizza and informal discussion of the projects.
The Sand Tank Science Fair was organized by Professor Stephanie Pfirman and Catherine Cook of the Barnard College Environmental Science Department, and by Roberta Mitchell and Sue Sacks of the Barnard College Education Department.
George Stengren's high school students explain the comparisons between fresh and salt water that they did with the sand tanks. Mr. Stengren teaches environmental science at the Heritage School in Manhattan.
Kiran Purohit's eighth grade students talk about the sand tank projects they did that were inspired by Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring. Ms. Purohit teaches at the Manhattan Academy of Technology.
Julie Broderick's fifth grade class have just started working with the sand tanks. They came to the science fair to gain inspiration from the other students' projects. Ms. Broderick teaches at the Manhattan School for Children.
Two of Julie Broderick's fifth grade students show off the drawings they have done as part of their sand tank project to EMSI faculty member Martin Stute. Professor Stute is the person who initiated the Plumeflow project.
George Stengren and one of his 12th-grade students pose with a sand tank model after their presentation.
Kiran Purohit's eighth-grade class poses with Martin Stute and Professor Stephanie Pfirman of the Barnard Environmental Science Department.
Photographs by Kat Valdés and Chris Ricupero.