Harbor School has 6 CTE Programs of Study which begin in the 9th grade survey course Introduction to New York Harbor.
Introduction to New York Harbor or “Harbor Class” is taken by all ninth graders at New York Harbor School and is the basis for our six Career and Technical Education Programs of Study: Marine Biology Research, Aquaculture, Vessel Operations, Ocean Engineering, Marine Systems Technology, and Professional Diving. Harbor Class focuses on a scientific, cultural and historical introduction to the New York Harbor and the various water bodies that make up the estuary. Students visit different sections of the estuary, meet different environmentalists, boat builders and others who work on the water, and study estuary specific scientific concepts. Activities include water quality testing, hiking, sailing and rowing. In addition, students will compare and contrast the water bodies in terms of their physical make-up, their water life and their environmental issues.
Aquaculture
Aquaculture teaches the theory and practice of raising aquatic plants and animals. Re-circulating aquaponic systems containing tilapia and herbs/vegetables are used to teach nutrient balance, feed ratios, fish disease identification/treatment, entrepreneurial ship and filter design. Oyster hatchery, nursery, and growout techniques will be taught for the purposes of restoration. Water quality monitoring, hydrology, human/estuary interactions…
Aquaculture provides students with the following skills:
• To restore the New York Harbor oyster population.
• To involve students in relevant restoration work that gets them on the water and learning skills that will increase their competitive edge in college.
• To provide graduates the skills that will make them more attractive for employment in this emerging industry.
• To provide an opportunity for students to make a real connection to the natural world.
• To involve students in relevant scientific research
Marine Biology Research
The Marine Biology Research Program is a 3 yr. program that will jump start high school students in core marine science topics employing hands-on, problem-based learning strategies. Students will begin by building and studying simple aquatic ecosystems; formulate experiments with these systems; learn the biology, chemistry, physics, and ecology behind them; and apply basic instrumentation techniques to monitor them. Once these sets of “in house” skills have been mastered, the program will then shift students’ attention to the natural ecosystems around Governor’s Island through the formulation of projects around 3 main topics: oyster restoration, habitat characterization, and water quality monitoring with a student built and maintained network around the Hudson River Estuary. Students will learn how to formulate projects, submit professional reports, present at national and international research fairs (e.g. Intel Talent Search), and, ultimately, use their own data to propose resource management solutions to local government agencies. Upon satisfactory completion of this program students will also be eligible for 12 college credits and various certifications that will give them a competitive advantage when applying to college.
Marine Systems Technology
This program will teach the knowledge skills and attitudes that will prepare successful graduates to be marine systems technicians. Marine systems include electrical, fuel, hydraulics, refrigeration, propulsion and plumbing systems. This course includes information needed for marine systems technicians to comply with United States Coast Guard, Code of Federal Regulations, American Boat and Yacht Council safety standards, and best industry standards
Marine Systems provides students with the following skills:
• Prepare students to pass National Occupational and Career Testing Institute “Marine Systems Technician Exam”
• Teach students the technical knowledge, manual skills and proper attitudes to be successful marine system technicians.
• Instill a desire to pursue highest standards of integrity, quality of service and concern for safety for clients and coworker
Ocean Engineering
Students learn about design, drafting, the physics of motion, electronics, and underwater technology as well as working well in a team, managing a project, measuring and presenting outcomes by designing, and assembling and testing submersible robots, commonly known as ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles).
Ocean Engineering provides students with the following skills:
• To draft models of existing and hypothetical mechanical and electronic devices
• To use the concept of simple machines, aquatic motion, torque, and buoyancy
• To design, fabricate, and assemble a circuit and describe its functions
• To program a microcontroller to interpret sensor data and control an ROV
• To use a variety of mechanisms to provide ROV movement and manipulation
• To manage projects by setting goals, meeting deadlines, and assigning goals for a team
• To present information to an audience as well as online in an appropriate Web 2.0 format
Professional/Scientific Diving
The program will take students through a series of certifications as recreational divers through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), beginning with Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver. Students will receive training in boat safety and handling, emergency marine response. In addition students will receive the training (and the certification if they reach the age of 18 by the time of graduation) as Dive Masters and then Assistant Instructor. These certifications can lead immediately to employment in the recreational dive industry.
As students gain competence and experience they will begin studies in the physics of diving, dive physiology, dive equipment repair, and marine environmental studies which will culminate in their American Academy of Underwater Scientists (AAUS) Scientific Diver certification. Students will then begin their commercial diving program, learning essential skills to master basic aspects of entry level commercial diving employment (search and recovery, surface supply air, piling/dock assessment and repair, non-destructive testing (NDT), and dive tendering). The students will begin working as interns during their senior year in the professional diving industry in a field of interest to them (commercial diving, scientific diving, equipment repair or as a dive professionals in recreational diving). These internships will be designed to lead directly to employment (hyperbaric chamber operations, oil rig maintenance, underwater archeology, marine biology, PADI dive instructor, etc.).
Diving provides students with the following skills:
• This program will open up the dive industry to public school students in New York City who would not otherwise have access to this lucrative profession. Graduates will have broad experience and several professional level certifications in the dive industry that can lead to immediate employment.
• In addition, students will engage as stewards of the NY Harbor, using their diving skills and certifications to assist with research and rehabilitation projects in the New York estuarine environment. This will connect the students with their environment, provide opportunities for employment and advancement in the dive industry, and increase their appeal to research universities.
• This program will uniquely combine strong academic requirements and technical skills, which lead to a variety of different opportunities for students with diverse abilities and strengths. Through this program some students will find their role as commercial divers or public safety divers, others will pursue underwater archeology or marine biology, while still others will work on cruise ships or resorts. This program will meet the needs of a diverse group of students with a widely varying set of interests and skills, and prepare them for employment or continuing studies in the underwater world.
Vessel Operations
This major prepares students for careers as licensed deck crews, as well as allowing them a stepping stone into management and operations positions aboard small passenger vessels and commercial towing units. Vessel operations students will receive extensive theoretical and practical training in navigation, boat handling, seamanship, safety and industry rules and standards. Students train on the schools vessels and through internships in the marine field during their last two years in the program. Internships will provide excellent opportunities to apply for positions upon graduation.
Vessel Operations provides students with the following Licenses:
• US Power Boating,
• FCC Marine Operators Permit,
• Basic Safety Training,
• Red Cross Professional Rescuer,
• 90 days of sea time for the limited captains license (launch operator)
