Who We Are
What We Did
We explored Indian Point and learned first about the different plants that were there and why they grew their. For instance, some are present because of global warming and are more abundant than in the past. Others, live further away from the water, some on the border of land and water, and the sea grass and others native to the water. Then we learned the equipment that Dr. Smee and Avery use to conduct their experiments and actually got to use these as well. There was one where you essentially pump up sand/sediment from the ground to explore the living organisms that exist. Another you essentially drag a large area underwater on the ground and see what collects in a container. The last one, you throw a big crate type box and wherever it lands, you have your sample and can scrape up sediment for live fish, crabs, plants, etc. It was a great hands on learning experience for sure. I was glad to have been a part of it as I had never seen any of this first hand. 
What We Learned
We learned how tedious research extractions can be. You have to diligently keep trying to get the right sample. I also learned that in order to get the right sample, sometimes you to make your own gadgets. Dr. Smee explained how they were having trouble finding a way to get samples and he saw a you tube video of some friends out of state who had built a machine to pump up sample areas. So as a result, he and his colleagues built one of their own.
Questions We Have
How many samples do you typically take at a time?
How long is usually spent out in the field on a typical day?
Connections to Teaching
This was a great connection to teaching. For one, it is here in our community. This would serve as a great field trip to to take students and teach them about science and their community around them. Dr. Smee even said that there are resources and programs here in our community that will serve as guides to teach the students. A great learning experience for them.