Cathy Cirotti Dives into Stream Ecology to Enrich Environmental Science Curriculum

Upper School Science teacher Cathy Cirotti, over the summer, participated in the New Jersey School of Conservation’s "Aquatic Connections: How Stream Ecology Tells the Story of Your Landscape" workshop from August 19–22, 2024. This immersive program brought together 16 educators from across the state for hands-on exploration of aquatic ecosystems.

Throughout the workshop, Cathy:

• Studied stream macroinvertebrates by sampling and identifying species in the Flat Brook River, learning how these organisms provide insight into the health of aquatic systems.
• Worked alongside university scientists to analyze the physical and chemical parameters of the Flat Brook, focusing on geology, water chemistry, and forest health to understand how aquatic systems evolve over time.
• Engaged in the National Geographic-funded MacroBlitz project and received training in iNaturalist, applying geographic practices to map and assess macroinvertebrate species distributions.

This professional development, led by experts including Anne Lewis (National Geographic) and Scott Collenbur, deepened Cathy’s expertise in ecology, environmental science, and conservation practices. Her experience will undoubtedly enrich her science curriculum, bringing real-world environmental connections into the classroom.

We applaud Cathy for her dedication to hands-on learning and environmental education!