Living Classroom
Engaging youth through hands-on learning is one of the most successful means of fostering an appreciation of the natural environment.
Working with scientists, naturalists, and environmental leaders, LIVING CLASSROOM challenges students to think about their waterfront here in Rockaway as living, breathing ecosystem.
Due to the pandemic, RISE has launched a series of FREE Virtual LIVING CLASSROOM Workshops for Elementary School (3rd - 5th grade) and Middle School (6th - 8th grade) children and their families to participate from home.
Each workshop is an hour in length and led by an experienced RISE educator, focused on a specific topic (marine science, climate change, urban farming, healthy cooking, recycling, water safety, etc.) and includes a hands-on activity for students to do from home.
Classes are FREE to all, but advanced registration is required. Check out our calendar of events for all upcoming workshops & registration.
Check out our video past Living Classroom students have taken part in!
Living Classroom is a STEM educational science program, originally intended for K-12 schools in and around the Rockaway Peninsula, to utilize the natural shoreline for hands-on experiential learning and to foster an appreciation for nature.
When classes resume in person, we will go back to working directly with faculty and teachers to host Living Classroom Field Trip/Workshops at the RISE Center, in Rockaway, NY.
- Each class is 45 minutes in length.
- Classes are conducted during the regular school day (virtually) from our headquarters at the RISE Center, or along the shoreline of the Rockaway Peninsula.
- Program fees are specific to size of class and school district. Contact us for pricing.
Workshops address a variety of topics specifically designed for Pre-K-12 classes with lessons focused on marine science, climate change, urban farming, healthy cooking, recycling, water safety, and more! Each workshop involves hands-on activities to actively engage learners and meets the NYS Department of Education common core standards.
Any private schools, charters or public schools, outside the Rockaway Peninsula are welcome to sign up their class for in person workshops for a minimal fee. Contact us for rates.
To learn more about this program or to schedule a Living Classroom Workshop, please contact us at: programs@riserockaway.org
Special thanks to our sponsors: NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD).
Living Classroom is FREE to all Rockaway Public Schools in Community District 31 thanks to Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers through DCLA CASA, Cultural Immigrant Initiative and DYCD Greener NYC Initiative.