Scajaquada Creek Environmental Science Lab

Our new zebrafish (Danio rerio) are settling in nicely as the living foundation of our classroom aquaponics system here at the Scajaquada Creek Environmental Science Lab (SCESL).

Aquaponics is a sustainable system that combines aquaculture (raising aquatic animals) with hydroponics (growing plants without soil). The zebrafish produce waste rich in nitrogen compounds, which beneficial bacteria convert into nutrients that plants can absorb. In turn, the plants help filter and clean the water, creating a balanced, self-supporting ecosystem.

This system gives our students a hands-on model of real environmental science concepts, including nutrient cycling, ecosystem interactions, water quality, and sustainability. By observing Danio rerio and the plant system together, students can see how living organisms depend on one another and how carefully designed systems can reduce waste and conserve resources.

We’re excited to watch this ecosystem grow and to use it as a platform for student-driven research and environmental learning right here at SCESL. 🌎

🌊 TONIGHT: Scajaquada Creek Community Workshop at McKinley High School! 🌱

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper is hosting a community workshop focused on the Scajaquada Creek Ecological Restoration Plan. This is an opportunity to learn about restoration efforts, meet the project team, and share ideas about improving the health and resilience of our local watershed.

📍 Lower Section Workshop (our home base!)
🗓 TONIGHT – February 3
⏰ 5:30–7:00 PM
📌 McKinley High School
1500 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14207

✨ All are welcome!
✔️ Refreshments provided
✔️ Children’s activities available
✔️ Language translation and accessibility accommodations available upon request

If you care about local water quality, environmental justice, and community-based science, we encourage you to stop by—even if just for a short time. Your voice matters in shaping the future of our creek 💙🌿

We’re thrilled to share that Scajaquada Creek Environmental Science Lab (SCESL) has teamed up with Weather Underground to publicly share our weather station data! 🌍📊

That means our local real-time weather observations from McKinley High School are now part of a global network of personal weather stations helping improve weather forecasting and provide hyper-local conditions right here in Buffalo. ☀️🌧️🌬️👩‍🔬

👉 Check out our live weather dashboard here:
🔗 https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KNYBUFFA472

Whether you’re tracking temperature trends, wind speeds, humidity, or other conditions, our data is now more accessible than ever — and contributing to a worldwide community of weather enthusiasts and scientists. Thanks for following along and being part of our environmental science journey! 🌱📡💙

🌱 New Classroom Vermicomposting System! 🪱

We’re excited to share that our school recently received a classroom vermicomposting kit through a grant from Let’s Go Compost! This setup will serve as a hands-on classroom demonstration, helping students learn how food waste can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost through the work of red wiggler worms.

The kit came with everything needed to get started—plus a coupon for the worms and educational materials to support lessons on decomposition, nutrient cycling, sustainability, and waste reduction.

This is a great example of how real-world environmental practices can be brought directly into the classroom to spark curiosity and meaningful learning 🌎♻️

Huge thanks to Let’s Go Compost for supporting schools and environmental education!

👉 Learn more about their school programs here: https://www.letsgocompost.org/schools

🌦️ Our Weather Station Is Officially Live!

We’re excited to announce that our weather station is now active and collecting real-time data!

📊 Check out current conditions, trends, and local stats here:
👉 https://www.weatherlink.com/embeddablePage/show/22e0646bc8bf42e6bccb071cc3bec339/summary

This data will help us better understand local weather patterns and support ongoing learning, research, and community projects. More updates coming soon—stay tuned!

We’re excited to share that SCESL students will be competing in the Sea Grant Aquaculture Challenge, a hands-on STEM competition where teams design, build, and operate their own aquaponics systems.

Through this challenge, students will combine science, engineering, and environmental problem-solving as they:
🌱 Design and construct a working aquaponics system
💧 Monitor water quality and system health
📊 Analyze data and refine their designs
💡 Explore sustainable food systems and real-world applications of aquaculture

The Sea Grant Aquaculture Challenge encourages students to think critically about sustainability, food security, and innovation while developing skills in teamwork, communication, and systems thinking.

We’re incredibly proud of our students for taking on this challenge and representing SCESL as they apply classroom learning to real environmental solutions. Stay tuned for updates as their systems come to life! 💪🌎

For more information, visit the Michigan Sea Grant website: https://www.michiganseagrant.org/educational-programs/aquaculture-challenge/

Attention Macks! 🌊🌱

Interested in learning more about the local environment?
Want to explore Buffalo’s waterways, build new skills, and make a real impact?
Looking to earn college credit while you do it?

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper's Young Environmental Leadership Program has FIVE openings for McKinley High School students this spring.

📅 Tuesdays & Thursdays after school
🗓 April 28 – June 16

Stop by Room 216 to see Mr. Sajdak and learn how to apply!

At the SCESL, we see firsthand how important community collaboration is to improving water quality and protecting our local watershed.

That’s why we’re helping spread the word about the Queen City Clean Waters Initiative. Buffalo Sewer Authority wants to hear directly from community members about how infrastructure improvements can support a cleaner, more resilient Buffalo.

If you live, work, or spend time in the city, your perspective matters. Take a moment to share your insights here:
👉 https://buffaloqccw.org/share-your-insight

Community collaboration is a key driver in the success of the Queen City Clean Waters Initiative.

We want to hear from you!

Please visit the link below to share your thoughts on how we can enhance our infrastructure to create a cleaner and more resilient community.

https://buffaloqccw.org/share-your-insight

👀

📢 Great Lakes Funding Opportunity!

New York Sea Grant and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation are excited to announce $200,000 in funding through New York's Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program!

We’re seeking project proposals that use ecosystem-based approaches to support the goals of NY’s Great Lakes Action Agenda and address locally identified needs related to water quality, natural resources, and sustainable land use.

💰 Grants up to $40,000
📅 Applications due: March 27 by 4:30 PM

Learn more at our informational webinar on January 27 at noon. Register now and learn more about this opportunity at https://small-grants-program-ccegeomaps.hub.arcgis.com/.
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Photo caption: An ADA-compliant canoe/kayak launch installed in the Village of Sodus Point as part of a 2019 small grant project. Credit: Village of Sodus Point.

Some Scajaquada Sewer news for your reading pleasure!

At the Scajaquada Creek Environmental Science Lab (SCESL), our work is rooted in connecting students and the community to the real environmental challenges facing our watershed 🌿

These upcoming public workshops for the Scajaquada Creek Ecological Restoration Plan are a powerful opportunity to help shape the future of the creek through shared knowledge, lived experience, and community voice. The ideas gathered through this process will help guide restoration efforts that impact water quality, habitat, and neighborhood health.

SCESL is proud to support and engage in this work alongside our community partners, and we encourage students, families, educators, and residents to participate.

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper

Come plant a tree along the Scajaquada Creek!