Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies at Washington Academy is not your ordinary high school science program. No dry textbooks. No long lectures. Instead, WA's approach to environmental science and ecology takes traditional learning and literally turns it "inside out."

The Environmental Studies Program at Washington Academy is intensive, hands-on, nature-based, and selective, open to approximately 10 students annually. Washington Academy's high school environmental science program is unique among private boarding schools and secondary schools, giving students real-world experience in ecology research and problem solving.

Led by the National Science Foundation's Science Teacher of the Year, Mr. Donald Sprangers, students experience the kind of work done in a diverse number of fields -- including oceanography, conservation, biology, wildlife management, environmental engineering, chemistry, microbiology, urban planning, law, and political science.

Washington Academy's Environmental Studies Program takes place during a block of Field Ecology classes each afternoon. Students spend much of their time outdoors, where they perform research and field experiments, both as a team and in partnership with area biologists, conservation groups, and other non-government agencies. Washington Academy's Environmental Studies students are also actively involved in the community, teaching younger students, doing public speaking, and helping in local efforts to clean up beaches and rivers.

Beyond research and outreach, the Environmental Studies Program also gives students the skills to help them untangle the complex web of historical, political, economic and cultural perspectives on environmental issues.

Thanks to Washington Academy's unique location -- surrounded by natural resource-based businesses, from fishing to forestry -- Environmental Studies students are challenged to find workable, sustainable solutions to real-world problems. They emerge with higher reasoning abilities, a life-long passion for the environment and some very marketable skills for job placement and college success.

They also have a lot of fun!

Research Sampler:
Here are some of the projects Environmental Studies students at Washington Academy may take part in:

Salmon Restoration Project
Students raise salmon to fry stage from eggs provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery. Students then determine ideal release locations through assessment of salmon habitat and water quality.

Marine Biology
The salt water environment of nearby Raider Point is the focus of habitat studies including tests of animal diversity, intertidal biology, natural and physical factors influencing marine populations, marine management issues, and sustainable harvesting practices.

Organic Farming
Students assist local farmers with crop rotation, natural methods of soil improvement, composting and cover crops. Students also manage a 5-acre community garden located on the Washington Academy campus which benefits the school lunch program and local food pantry.

Wetland Restoration Project
Students propagate trees, shrubs, and native wetland plants for "riparian" buffer restoration projects. Students help manage nursery operations and make use of the school's half-acre irrigation pond, head tanks, potting sheds, greenhouse and outdoor laboratory.

Alternative Energy
This project puts students in charge of planning and managing the use of solar and wind power to provide electricity for the Washington Academy campus. Experiments involving the uses of biodiesel are also underway.

Water Quality Program
The WA Stream Team monitors the physical and chemical properties of local rivers and tributaries. Students map each site, take multiple samples, and test the waters for temperature, flow rate, oxygen, BOD, pH, alkalinity, conductivity, bacteria, and macroinvertabrate biodiversity. The Washington Academy Lake Monitoring Program involves monitoring lakes for temperature, D.O., clarity and plankton.

Summer Field Experiences
Opportunities for advanced students to continue research and educational outreach during the summer months is made possible by permission of the Environmental Studies instructor.

For an enrollment application and qualification details, please contact Samra Kuseybi, Admissions Director, at (207) 255-8301.