What Do Batteries and Aquariums Have in Common?

Star fish on a rock- some f the cool species we hope to add to our tanks!We need them both at CCB!

As part of a new program we are launching with the City of Bridgeport Public Schools, CCB is embarking on a brand new chapter in marine education. 

As part of the Maritime Explorers Program and in partnership with 3rd Grade teacher Kate Crossin  and the students of The Hall School, CCB will begin a monthly in-class project to explore Long Island Sound and the many aspects it holds  to enhance the students learning and enjoyment of math and science in real world applications.  

A 20-gallon aquarium- perfect for use by "All Hands on Deck"The project, termed "All Hands on Deck For Math and Science",  involves multiple groups from the school who will start by setting up marine aquariums in their classrooms and stocking them with indigenous species of fish and marine life collected from Long Island Sound. The tank will then take center stage for a series of hands on demonstrations and in-class lectures about the ecology and key features of our greatest natural resource, Long Island Sound.

Topics will include:

• How was Long Island Sound was Made? 
• What's it like at 60 feet deep? 
• Why is There so much Sea weed at the beaches?  
• And our favorite, How did that Plastic bottle get here?

And as the weather warms, the kids will come down to the CCB Boat Launch and Seaside Park to explore the waters in their back yard along with a sailing lesson at the end of it all in June.

Do you have one of these in your garage or basement? So why do we need batteries and aquariums you ask? Because it is our hope to put a salt water tank in every classroom in Bridgeport as well as a series of tanks at our Eco-Classroom at CCB. The need for aquariums is obvious, but the batteries, well thats where things really get cool.

As the first and only Off-Grid Educational Facility in Bridgeport, CCB generates it's own power, water and all the other things a salt water tank will need to run. And while we could use a dozen solar panels to keep it alive during the day, it's the night time when the power shuts off and the batteries kick in. We need at least a dozen deep cycle batteries to keep the pumps and filters running.

So if you have an aquarium, deep cycle battery, pumps, filters, hoses, stands or any other of the great many things required to keep our mission alive, please call 203-382-3661 to arrange pickup or come by to drop it off and take a tour of the facility. And as always, donations to CCB are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.