Waves and Wetlands: Teaching Wave Phenomena Through Local Tidal Marsh Restoration

This poster presents a phenomena-based series of lessons on waves using a local tidal marsh restoration. Centered on restoration efforts at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Clinton, CT, the lessons connect wave physics to real-word coastal resilience, through the lens of coastal erosion and storm surge. Students investigate real storm surge data from Superstorm Sandy in their own and neighboring towns. Using mapped flooding extents and elevation data from UConn's CT Coastal Hazard viewer, they analyze the impact of wave-driven storm surge on the coastline. Students then apply their understanding of wave energy and its effects to explore how tidal marshes reduce storm surge and wave impact. They synthesize their learning by creating annotated scientific models showing how marshes act as natural barriers, dispersing wave energy and protecting infrastructure, and demonstrate the importance of current tidal marsh restoration in their own town. These lessons demonstrate how local, real-world data can ground wave instruction in authentic, meaningful phenomena.