The Mercy College Center for STEM Education (MCCSE), in cooperation with the New York State Marine Education Association (NYSMEA) engaged urban middle and high school students from diverse backgrounds to connect with ocean scientists and educators; engage in stewardship and water quality monitoring activities; and attend a specially designed student conference. Students from schools in low socioeconomic urban areas of lower New York State, including Yonkers, the Bronx, Mt. Vernon, and Brooklyn participated in a series of activities including webinars with marine scientists and educators; a field trip to the Center for the Urban River at Beczak; the National Marine Educators Association conference, and “It’s My Estuary Day” (IMED). This project brought more than 150 students to IMED to participate in water testing, ROV exploration, beach cleanups, kayaking, seining, and more. Through mixed methods research, investigators examined students’ beliefs about the importance of the ocean and waterways. Findings revealed that participating in water literacy-based experiences did not significantly change students’ beliefs about the ocean but did increase students’ caring about the ocean and resulted in new ways of viewing waterways and their importance.