Excitement filled the room as a group of Class 4 students waited for their tour of Chapin’s water system to begin. Dana Leibowitz’s fourth grade science class has studied water and its many uses all year long.
From aqueducts, the New York City water system, fresh potable water access, reservoirs, water chemistry to watersheds, Class 4 has supplemented what they’ve learned through a variety of hands-on experiences and primary sources. In April, for example, our Class 4 students embarked on a field trip with Ms. Leibowitz to explore the Old Croton Aqueduct and the Croton River.
Since the beginning of the year, the students have been raising a group of Brook trout to study their life cycle and make connections between water use, pollution and its impact on the natural world. They’ve even calculated their own water usage and identified conservation efforts (e.g., turning off the faucet when brushing their teeth). Their studies have further developed their scientific skills and, through their connections between the classroom and their daily lives, they’ve developed a deeper interest in their work.
To underscore why this connection is so important, Head of Middle School Hazel Hunt explained, “These experiences and essential understandings are the underpinnings that will support their future scientific endeavors at Chapin and beyond, and will strengthen their ability to infuse empathy into their efforts to create lasting change in their world.” Ms. Leibowitz’s latest adventure for the girls—a tour of Chapin’s water system—is another example of this idea in action.
Animated chatter increased as Rick Ugenti, the School’s Safety Administrator and Transportation Coordinator, and Sonia Pinzón, Chapin’s Associate Plant Director, led the girls to their first destination. (Plant Director Tom Palermo also gave tours to the other sections.)
Upon opening a door, a mass of pipes, valves and pumps was revealed to Class 4. Mr. Ugenti explained that these pipes pull water into the school from the main city line. This pipe, with power from a water pump, allows water to reach every sink, toilet and radiator in the building! In case of a fire emergency, there are also pipes that carry water to the sprinklers which, Mr. Ugenti explained, run throughout the School. He pointed out white caps in the ceiling that conceal the sprinklers underneath. The girls were fascinated by his description of the way these caps would melt and release water should there be a fire.
Their enthusiasm and curiosity remained strong throughout the tour as they visited various areas of Chapin’s cellar level including the boiler room, waste lines and the fire pump–which can pump 750 gallons of water a minute. Ms. Leibowitz contextualized this number for the girls by saying that amount equals almost 13 of their trout tanks!
The girls asked many questions seeking specific information when something (like the melting sprinkler caps) caught their attention or clarification in cases such as what, exactly, goes in a waste pipe (or how the drinking water is cleaned–with filters for each faucet).
At the end of their tour, the girls had newfound appreciation for members of their community, like Mr. Ugenti, who maintain the infrastructure they use every day. They did wonder, however, who made all of these important pipes and pumps?! With that, it seemed as if the girls had finally stumped Ms. Pinzón and Mr. Ugenti!
While their exploration of Chapin’s water facilities may be over, the girls—with their boundless curiosity—would soon be back in their classroom to continue their scientific learning as they prepare to release the trout they’ve cared for all year at Silver Lake Park.
