February’s Science Saturday set sail with a nautical theme, focusing on water quality testing aboard the World Ocean School’s Denis Sullivan. For this hands-on activity, Territorial Parks and Protected Areas Director Kitty Edwards joined WOS deckhand educator Mak and student Alejandro Quiñones, Jr.

Throughout their season on St. Croix, the World Ocean School hosts 5th-grade students and community members, providing an immersive sailing experience. After learning about the vessel and reviewing safety measures, participants embark on a journey around Christiansted Harbor. “This impactful program blends STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education with social-emotional learning, offering students a unique and dynamic curriculum.”

Dockside, Kitty and Alejandro worked alongside Mak to complete the water testing lesson used with students who come aboard. In this activity, “students use scientific tools to measure key indicators of ocean health, including temperature, salinity, turbidity, and pH.” Alejandro hauled up a bucket of seawater, which was tested alongside fresh water from the ship. With each step, Mak recorded the data and explained the effects of warmer ocean temperatures, salinity levels, and water clarity on corals and marine life.

Curious about how density differs between saltwater and freshwater? Watch the full interview with Kitty and Mak to see the science in action!

Science Saturday, a monthly Facebook LIVE event, airs on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. To discover more about the fascinating science behind STEM lessons onboard an educational ship visit the World Ocean School website and watch the full interview on the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.