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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
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 that
accompany many of today's vital environmental
issues.
Thanks to Washington Academy's unique
location—surrounded by dynamic,
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 lifelong passion for the
environment, and a valuable set of very
marketable skills for job placement
and college success.
They also have a lot of fun!
Research Sampler:
Here are some of the projects that 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 Maine's Craig Brook National
Fish Hatchery. Students then determine
ideal release locations through assessment
of salmon habitat and water quality.
Marine Biology
The saltwater environment of nearby
Raider Point is the focus of habitat
studies that include 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 also
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
Unique opportunities for advanced students
to continue their research and educational
outreach during the summer months are
made possible by permission of the Environmental
Studies instructor.
For an enrollment application
and qualification details, please contact
Kim Gardner in Admissions
at (207) 255-8301 ext 207.
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