Shoreham-Wading River High School students Kaitlyn Roberts, Jocelyn Nastasi and Alexandra Seletskaya recently set sail on an exciting hands-on learning expedition aboard a 45-foot catamaran in Shinnecock Harbor.

The students, in the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program, were guided by marine scientist Katie Santoro from Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus. Together, they engaged in a dynamic exploration of oceanography and marine biology.

During the session, the students deployed a Niskin bottle to collect water samples at varying depths, analyzing salinity and temperature to better understand marine conditions. They also operated a dredge to gather sediment from the harbor floor, examining the composition of the underwater environment.

The highlight of the trip came as they hauled in a trawling net teeming with marine life. The trio observed and identified a diverse array of creatures, including sea horses, jellyfish, a sea robin and multiple species of crabs—spider, blue and hermit—as well as a small ray.

“The experience provided a unique, immersive opportunity for these aspiring scientists to connect classroom knowledge with real-world research in marine science and engineering,” SWRHS teacher and WISE advisor Ellen Fraser said.

Click here to view the WISE Students Dive into Marine Science Aboard 45-Foot Catamaran slideshow.

Date Added: 5/29/2025