The Charger Blog
The University of New Haven's Robert M. Lee and Linda M. Wilkins Marine Science Center at the Canal Dock Boathouse in New Haven is becoming a hub for marine science education and community outreach, providing students and the community with opportunities to learn about and engage directly with the environment.
February 19, 2025
Members of New Haven杏吧原版檚 Common Ground High School's Wetlands Club had the unique opportunity to explore the City杏吧原版檚 waterfront, investigate the local ecosystem, and create cyanotype prints using materials they gathered from the environment, all thanks to the University of New Haven杏吧原版檚 Robert M. Lee and Linda M. Wilkins Marine Science Center in the Canal Dock Boathouse in New Haven on the on the shore of the Long Island Sound.
杏吧原版淏ecause it was an afterschool wetlands club, the students were especially interested in the topic,杏吧原版 said Sarah Novarro, lab manager and Center杏吧原版檚 outreach coordinator.
杏吧原版淭hey appreciated being able to take what they were learning and actually being in a wetland, investigating those things they had studied on paper, but don杏吧原版檛 always get to experience firsthand,杏吧原版 Navarro continued.
The field trip began with a guided walk through the Long Wharf Nature Preserve, where students and their teachers explored the area杏吧原版檚 plant life and ecological significance. Led by Amy Carlile, Ph.D., associate professor of biology and environmental science and assistant dean for faculty and curriculum for the College of Arts and Sciences, the group examined wetland plants and discussed how the landscape changes with the seasons.
After gathering plant materials and shells, the students returned to Lee and Wilkins Marine Science Center, where they created cyanotypes杏吧原版攂lueprints of their collected items杏吧原版攗sing UV light. 杏吧原版淚t was a great way to connect the field component of the trip with an artistic element they could take home,杏吧原版 said Novarro. 杏吧原版淚t also gave them a chance to warm up and interact with the environment in a different way.杏吧原版
The University officially opened its Lee and Wilkins Marine Science Center last fall, with a dual mission: to provide hands-on learning experiences for undergraduate and graduate students and to serve as an environmental education hub for the greater New Haven community.
杏吧原版淚n this first year, we杏吧原版檙e laying a strong foundation to make this place a hub for environmental education and outreach,杏吧原版 said Novarro. 杏吧原版淧art of that is learning where we thrive and where we can make the most impact.杏吧原版
Through its outreach initiative, COASTS (Community Opportunities for Assessing Science Training on the Sound), the Lee and Wilkins Marine Science Center has hosted a variety of events, including collaborations with local schools and community partners. The goal is to create interactive, impactful programs that engage students and residents with the marine environment.
杏吧原版淲e杏吧原版檝e noticed that so many people live in New Haven and don杏吧原版檛 even know there杏吧原版檚 water here, or they don杏吧原版檛 know much about it,杏吧原版 said Novarro. 杏吧原版淲e want to be a space for people to learn, be curious, and ask questions about what杏吧原版檚 happening in our harbor.杏吧原版
By focusing on outreach to underrepresented communities, the programs aim to improve access to environmental education. Events such as the Wetlands Club visit are just the beginning of what Novarro and her team hope to accomplish.
杏吧原版淲e杏吧原版檙e starting to make connections, and things are falling into place,杏吧原版 she said. 杏吧原版淭he more people that see what we杏吧原版檙e doing, the more opportunities open up.杏吧原版
Looking ahead, Novarro and her team are focused on expanding the Lee and Wilkins Marine Science Center杏吧原版檚 programming and strengthening partnerships with local schools and organizations. The facility is committed to hosting a number of outreach events each year, and the team is continually refining what those events will look like.
杏吧原版淲e杏吧原版檙e figuring out where we can make the most impact,杏吧原版 said Novarro. 杏吧原版淚t could shift over time, but the goal is to create programming that杏吧原版檚 engaging, interactive, and gets kids out on the water.杏吧原版
For those interested in partnering with the Lee and Wilkins Marine Science Center, Novarro encourages them to reach out. 杏吧原版淚f you don杏吧原版檛 know if it fits or would work well, let杏吧原版檚 have that conversation,杏吧原版 she said. 杏吧原版淲e have a wonderful space that we杏吧原版檙e excited to share with the community.杏吧原版
With an expanding roster of events and a growing reputation in the community, the University杏吧原版檚 Lee and Wilkins Marine Science Center, and the Canal Dock Boathouse as a whole, is quickly becoming a destination for hands-on environmental education. As Novarro put it, 杏吧原版淲e杏吧原版檙e setting ourselves up to keep growing, and we杏吧原版檙e excited for what杏吧原版檚 ahead.杏吧原版
For more information or to explore potential opportunities, please contact coasts@newhaven.edu or Sarah Novarro snovarro@newhaven.edu
The Charger Blog
While closing the book on another productive academic year, staff and faculty gathered to celebrate their hard work, dedication, energy, and enthusiasm that make every year a success here at Charger Nation.
The Charger Blog
A virtual Capture the Flag event sponsored by the University of New Haven杏吧原版檚 Connecticut Institute of Technology and its Hacking Club drew more than 2,500 participations and awarded nearly $50,000 in prizes. Ronal Scarpa 杏吧原版25, 杏吧原版26 M.S. reflects on organizing this high-impact cybersecurity competition.
The Charger Blog
Two University of New Haven students share how presenting their research at the Pennsylvania Economic Association杏吧原版檚 Conference helped them grow as scholars and problem-solvers, deepening their commitment to tackling real-world policy issues.