Ecological Research with Curtis High School

Curtis High School students at Freshkills Park

Arthropods are the most diverse and plentiful animal phylum, representing almost 85% of all known animal species. They are invertebrates, characterized by their segmented bodies and hard exoskeleton. Monitoring arthropods at Freshkills Park reveals insights about our grassland and wetlands’ biodiversity and health. Insect profiles of each of the four mounds can vary, and additional research is necessary to understand why. In an effort to better understand the differing biodiversity, Curtis High School focused their research efforts on North Mound of Freshkills Park.

Across two sessions in October of 2024, Curtis High School students visited Freshkills Park to conduct habitat assessment and arthropod surveys. A total of 70 students were introduced to methods of data collection, instructed to catch and identify arthropods to assess the state of biodiversity in the park. Field tools like nets, transects, binoculars and microscopes were used, while students recorded their observations on a data collection sheet, available here. Being in charge of their own data collection and organization implored students to learn how to create efficient, innovative, and accessible presentations of their findings. 

Data Collection Sheet

Arthropod Survey Data

Data collected by Curtis High School students.

Following their visit, several students summarized their experiences in personal narratives. Arijeta, a student at Curtis High School and president of the Environmental Club, reflects on her time at the park, stating that “Going on this trip was a great experience because not only was it great practice in data collection for my peers and I, it exposed us to environmental projects in our own community.” As a closing remark, she added, “It exposed us all to environmental justice close to home, and it inspired us to take action at our own school, too.” Access the full versions of student narratives here.