Science Lessons
Using the Hudson River
These lessons explore physical and life science topics related to the Hudson. They make use of actual data collected by scientists, students, and others studying the river. The worksheet questions will require students to interpret information presented in graphs and tables. The data are often linked to geography through use of Hudson River Miles, a system that uses mile numbers to locate points on the river. Be sure to download a copy of the "Hudson River Miles Map" for students to use.
Fish Communities in the Hudson
Students will use tables of fish collection data to draw conclusions about where fish live in the Hudson estuary.
Educator Lesson Plan for "Fish Communities in the Hudson"
Student Worksheet for "Fish Communities in the Hudson" (580 kb pdf)
Finding the Salt Front
Students will use Hudson River salinity data to create a line graph that shows the location of the salt front, and use math skills to explore how this location varies over time.
Educator Lesson Plan for "Finding the Salt Front"
Student Worksheet for "Finding the Salt Front" (110 kb pdf)
The Hudson's Ups and Downs *DRAFT*
Students will interpret line graphs of Hudson River water levels to learn about tides and tidal cycles in the estuary.
Educator Lesson Plan for "The Hudson's Ups and Downs"
Student Worksheet for "The Hudson's Ups and Downs" (430 kb pdf)
These Maps Are For The Birds *DRAFT*
Students will study New York State Breeding Bird Atlas maps to learn where different bird species nest and how their distributions have changed over time.
Educator Lesson Plan for "These Maps Are For The Birds"
Student Worksheet for "These Maps Are For The Birds" (1020 kb pdf)
Science Lesson Package
Teacher and student sections for all of the lessons above in one pdf file, paginated to allow back to back copying.
Science Lesson Package (3.2 MB pdf)
Hudson River Miles Map (190 kb pdf)
*Note: This is set for legal (8.5 inches x 14 inches) paper to maximize legibility, but it will work on letter (8.5 inches x 11 inches) paper as well. To obtain legal size copies, you may need to use the options in your computer's print menu to specify printout on legal size paper.
