Expand Learning Beyond the Classroom

Twice a year middle school students from around New Jersey experience hands-on marine environmental education at the Jersey Shore. Central and Northern County students visit Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook in May and Southern County students visit Island Beach State Park in October. The Student Summit is a great way to expand learning beyond the classroom.

Students get to learn about different marine animals and ecosystems at their location. In the Spring students learn about one of NJ’s unique and ancient marine animals, the horseshoe crab. Students learn about the life history of this species that pre-dates the dinosaurs, the myths about this animal, its role in the ecosystem, the biomedical and economic importance to humans, and how we have impacted the species. Students will be shown the proper way to handle the horseshoe crab so they can get a closer look at this valuable species.

In the fall, the students learn about terrapins, turtles that inhabit estuaries along the east and Gulf coasts of the United States. Students learn about the life history of this species, interesting variations in their marking attributed to genetic diversity, its role in the ecosystem, and how we have impacted the species. Students will be shown the proper way to hold and handle the terrapins so they can get a closer look at this interesting species.

Other activities at the Student Summit include an interactive series of work stations with a variety of hands-on activities for students to learn about the environment. Students will learn about the water quality approach to aquatic resource assessment by collecting and analyzing water samples. New Jersey is within the Atlantic Flyway, providing a diverse viewing of coastal birds throughout the year. Students will join local birding experts in a survey and identification of coastal birds. Waves, wind, and currents shape New Jersey's barrier beaches. By making a beach profile, students will understand sand distribution, beach zones, and tidal water levels. New Jersey’s estuaries offer a variety of habitats as important breeding, feeding, and nursery grounds for a diversity of fish and invertebrate species. Students will use seine nets and sieves to collect fish and invertebrates to observe and identify common marine animals found in the local bays. Students will learn about the types, quantities, and sources of marine debris plaguing our coastal region and will participate in a cleanup.

These hands on activities allow students to get out of the classroom and into nature. In this day and age it is important to get children back outside exploring their own backyard. During our Student Summits participating students not only get to learn about different species and issues, but get to hold the animals, collect samples, and see firsthand threats facing our coast. The Summit left a lasting impression on past participants and we encourage more schools to apply!

The deadline for the Spring Summit is April 24th. Apply today! 

More information on the Student Summit can be found on our website under Education Programs www.cleanoceanaction.org

15th Annual Seaside Sunset, COA Celebrates Environmental Education Programs

L to R: Seaside Sunset Committee Member Debbie Disakis,
COA Executive Director Cindy Zipf and
Seaside Sunset Committee Chair Ann Gilmartin

Vibrant music, dedicated coastal supporters, and delightful food and drink from area businesses and local restaurants set the scene for the 15^th Annual Sunset event, a benefit for Clean Ocean Action (COA), Thursday, October 10 at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch, NJ.  This year’s event supported Clean Ocean Action’s environmental education programs.

COA’s environmental education programs include Beach Sweeps, the largest grassroots environmental event in New Jersey with thousands of volunteers cleaning waterways up and down the coast.  Clean Ocean Action also holds a biannual Student Summit where students become marine scientists for a day and experience hands-on marine environmental education at Sandy Hook, NJ.  School presentations to students of all ages are an additional component of COA’s programs.

The Sunset event gathered supporters of Clean Ocean Action, including ocean enthusiasts, local organizations and corporate partners.  The evening’s menu included a delicious raw bar by Lusty Lobster Seafood Market & Catering, a unique spread of artisan cheeses by Sickles Market, and a buffet designed by McLoone’s Chef Joe Racioppi.  Music for dancing was provided by local favorites and long-time COA supporters - Thom White and The Rogues.  The event invitation featured an image from New Jersey native and dedicated COA ally Ryan Struck, an award-winning surfing photographer.

“Defending the ocean is serious work, but the Seaside Sunset is a fun way to support the ocean.  Fellow friends of the ocean gathered, enjoyed fabulous food from the sea, and had a rocking good time,” said Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf.   “Our education programs motivate people about how they can make a difference and become the solution to ocean pollution,” she added. 

Plymouth Rock Assurance enjoying the event

Seaside Sunset is sponsored by Plymouth Rock Assurance, The McManus Family, Shore Point Distributing Co., The Bailey Family, Litwin & Provence, LLC, Montecalvo Material Recovery Facility, and Guaranteed Plants & Florist. COA’s auction and raffles were filled with unique, ocean-friendly gifts and services with a focus on New York and New Jersey shops and restaurants.  

A Heartwarming Internship Reflection from Boston University-Bound Gianna Fischer

Beach Sweeps Intern - Gianna Fischer

From Left to Right: International Intern Axelle Allain, Beach Sweeps
Intern Gianna Fischer, and COAST Intern Macailagh McCue out at sea!

"The closing of this week brings the end of my internship at Clean Ocean Action. My experience with COA these past 4 months has been beyond anything I could have imagined. My time here has not only provided me with an entirely new understanding of some of the issues that trouble coastal communities, but also with an entirely new network of remarkably dedicated and driven people who will continue to inspire me with their passion and intelligence for years to come.

I have had the pleasure of working with the data from this past April’s sweeps, gaining a greater understanding of the pollution that litters New Jersey beaches. I have also had the opportunity to attend a variety of events, such as COA’s bi-annual Student Summit, the annual Back to the Beach Event, press conferences (on the beach!) and environmental rallies.

One of the biggest projects I worked on this summer was the Corporate Beach Sweep Program. I worked with Chelsea and Zach to schedule and run Corporate Sweeps. Working with companies who were dedicated to bettering their communities was wonderful. The people that I met while working with the businesses inspired me to continue to work for a cleaner and better-protected ocean.

Perhaps the most valuable lesson I learned this summer is this: There is no community more closely knit than one who joins together to make the world a better place. My coworkers at Clean Ocean Action have taught me indispensible lessons and have made this internship an experience that I will never forget. I am honored to have worked with a group of such passionate and driven people for an organization that stands up for what is right, regardless of how daunting the fight."

Gianna will enter Boston University’s class of 2017 this fall as a Communications major and intends to pursue a second degree in Marine Biology.

Hundreds of Students Learn about the Ecological Effects of Superstorm Sandy

Sandy Hook Beaches, Trails, and Marshes Become Outdoor Classrooms at Clean Ocean Action’s Student Summit

Group on Tuesday, May 21

Students learning about horseshoe crabs on May 22

Over 600 middle school students and teachers, from 20 schools in Northern and Central New Jersey joined scientists and volunteer teachers for a day of learning on the beach at Clean Ocean Action’s two-day Annual Spring Student Summit held on May 21 and May 22. Students experienced hands-on marine environmental education by participating in six learning table activities and twelve interactive field trips. The beaches, trails, and marshes of Sandy Hook served as the outdoor classroom for the seaside symposium. This year, the round-table activities and interactive field trips are tied to the ecological effects of Superstorm Sandy.

Students participated in six hands-on learning table activities, which included live horseshoe crabs, identifying seashells, studying invertebrates, observing a model of nonpoint source pollution, and learning the effects of litter in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy on the marine environment. Students also participated in an activity showcasing the importance of dunes. Students from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, a Monmouth County vocational high school located on Sandy Hook, served as peer teachers at the activity workstations.

In addition, naturalists and other education professionals led students in twelve field activities throughout the park. Students used seine nets to collect and identify common marine species of Sandy Hook Bay and learned about key bird species and the important role of Sandy Hook in bird migration. Students also participated in a beach cleanup, tested water quality, learned fishing & surfing techniques, traversed trails with park naturalists, and learned about beach profiling.


The 2013 Spring Student Summit was made possible by donations from private foundations, businesses, and citizens, including Provident Bank Foundation.

The following schools participated in the Spring Student Summit: 

May 21 Participating Schools: Timothy Christian (Piscataway), Asbury Park Middle (Asbury Park), Carl Sandburg Middle (Old Bridge), Colin Powell Elementary (Union City), Lincoln Elementary (Caldwell), Long Branch Middle (Long Branch), Memorial (S. Hackensack), Our Lady of the Lake (Verona), Sacred Heart School (Morris), Saint Jerome (W. Long Branch), South Orange Middle (S. Orange), St. Joseph Regional (Newton).

May 22 Participating Schools: Academy Middle (Jersey City), Joao Antao (Elizabeth), Long Branch Middle (Long Branch), Memorial (Washington), Newark Christian (Newark), Passaic Art and Science Charter (Passaic), St. Andrew the Apostle (Clifton), The OLC School (Jersey City)

About COA’s Student Summits:

For 25 years, Clean Ocean Action’s Summits have reached over 15,000 students in New Jersey, expanding learning beyond the classroom. The Summit program presents students with an interdisciplinary marine and environmental education experience that complements the NJ Science Standards.

COA invites northern and central New Jersey public and private schools to the Spring Student Summit, which is held in mid-May at Sandy Hook. The Fall Student Summit takes place in early October, at Island Beach State Park for southern public and private schools. Schools are mailed applications prior to the Summits and are accepted based on the application and availability. 

For information on additional COA educational programs or events, visit www.CleanOceanAction.org or call COA’s Main Office at (732) 872-0111.