Immigrant Social Services (ISS) announced Wednesday that it has joined forces with local ecologists and architects to create "This Is Our River", a free hands-on project for students at PS126, in grades 6-8, who are interested in Science and Math. 37 students will have the opportunity to participate in weekly workshops focused around the East River Improvement Plan and the pending Esplanade Restoration. The organizations partnering with ISS include SHoP Architects, The Lower East Side Ecology Center and The River Project.
Soo Baek, Program Director at ISS, told The Lo-Down, "SHoP Architects are working on developing the East River Esplanade and they wanted
to work with the students on envisioning how that area/land could be
used. They will work on several different projects including building
models, making designs all based on the idea of how the students
envision the development of the riverfront".
Students will also be working with the
River Project at their location, at Pier 40 in Hudson River Park, on various projects including working
to restore the ecosystem of the Hudson River.
The LES
Ecology Center will be working with the students on projects including
studying wildlife in the river, testing water quality and learning about
composting.
The program is designed to encourage academic success, personal growth and life-skills as well as increase the students' participation in their community.
"This Is Our River" Team (L to R): Robert Weber
(Weber Associates), Margaret Noldon (NY State OASAS), Christine
Datz-Romero (LES Ecology Center), Victor Papa (Exec. Dir, ISS), Chris
Anderson (The River Project), Carlos Romero (Assistant Principal PS 126
MAT), Jan LeeKnegt (SHoP Architects), Ayumi Sugiyama (SHoP Architects),
Jimmy Huynh (ISS), Soo Baek (ISS), Winnine Chung (ISS)
