What is the age range for participants?

The program is designed for students in grades 4 through 12.

Are chaperones required for school groups?

Yes, chaperones are required to accompany student groups during the program.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Programs may be canceled due to severe weather; rescheduling or refunds are offered when possible.

How many students can participate at once?

Each session accommodates up to 35 students.

Are any special skills or experience required?

No prior skills are needed; the program is hands-on and taught by educators.

Where in the park does this activity take place?

The program is held outdoors at Pier 5, right along Brooklyn Bridge Park's waterfront.

Hands-On Marine Science at Brooklyn Bridge Park | Museum | Water Activities

Brooklyn Bridge Park, stretching along the East River waterfront in Brooklyn, New York, offers more than urban green space—it’s a dynamic outdoor classroom for students eager to engage with the environment in real time. Among its standout educational programs, "Plankton and Plastics (Gr. 4-12)" invites students from grades 4 through 12 to step into the role of citizen scientists as they investigate the health of the river’s ecosystem. Set at Pier 5, this fully outdoor experience combines hands-on water quality testing with microscopic examination, shedding light on marine life vitality and human impact alike.

Participants gain practical skills testing temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH levels, essential indicators of water health. With water samples under the microscope, they spot plankton—the river’s microscopic foundation—while also identifying plastic pollutants that threaten aquatic life. This local, inquiry-driven approach connects young learners directly to the East River's complex urban ecosystem, offering context to environmental challenges and science standards alike.

Brooklyn Bridge Park stands out as a resource within the dense urban fabric of New York City, a place where students observe how natural systems endure and adapt amid a heavily industrialized waterway. The park’s innovative educational model serves over 10,000 students annually, leveraging public waterfront access as a living laboratory that blends recreation, historical waterfront infrastructure, and environmental stewardship.

This program is not just about data collection—it’s about inspiring environmental awareness where it counts, right in the heart of Brooklyn’s waterfront. Whether you’re local or visiting, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers a gateway to understanding urban ecology that’s as meaningful as it is accessible. For educators and families looking to turn a day at the park into an active lesson on ecology and pollution, "Plankton and Plastics" delivers a unique combination of science education and outdoor engagement.