Marine Biology Heads to the Beach!

Every September, the US Marine Bio students head to the Jersey Shore to investigate the unique ecology of both the salt marsh and a barrier island beach.

Students conduct chemical tests at both locations, and collect plankton and sediment samples which are brought

back to our lab for further analysis. They  also use seine nets to collect organisms and then observe and discuss the biodiversity at each location.

"One of the most interesting activities is the collection of data at the beach, called a transect, which allows students to visualize a profile when the data is graphed back at school. This year we analyzed our data along with data taken at the same spot thirteen years ago!" reports teacher Becky Pizzino.

"Google Earth is also used in our discussion of how Stone Harbor Point has changed due to both human and natural processes (especially Super Storm Sandy!)."

What We Are Reading

Richard Louv in his influential work Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, speaks directly to the "staggering divide between children and the outdoors" argues that a growing nature-deficit in our wired children threatens their health and well being along with that of our families and communities. More than just a call to action, Louv offers practical suggestions for creating meaningful bonds with the outdoors.  

Planting Garlic for Overwintering in Lower School Garden

The late autumn garden season in the lower school wasn't quite over yet for busy lower school students.  While most folks were getting ready to celebrate the plethora of winter holidays, the kindergarten class was thinking about spring. The spring garden that is. During science class each student was busy planting a garlic glove for overwintering. Once harvested in spring, students will dry the garlic in a dehydrator and make and eat home grown garlic bread!

Refresh Mountain: MS Take to High Ropes!

At the start of the fall term sixth grade students headed en mass to Refreshing Mountain a year round retreat and adventure center in Lancaster County. Intended as a way to give the 6th grade students and advisors a chance to get to know each other through a variety of team building, low ropes, and high ropes activities.  Refreshing Mountain adheres to the philosophy of "Challenge by Choice," encouraging students to take risks in a safe environment while never forcing them to participate.  GA students and teachers participated in the team building activities and most participated in some or all of the high ropes "Challenge Adventure" course that included five zip lines.  Students also enjoyed the "Giant Swing," three levels of climbing walls, and archery.

Greens Harvest in the Pre-K

Earlier this fall, at the peak of growing season, lower school science teacher Lisa
Martin, along with the pre-K students and teachers harvested spinach they planted in the Sally Wolf Memorial Garden adjacent to their classrooms. After picking and cleaning the spinach, they sat down to a feast of raw leaves and ranch dressing! The garden projects in the lower school are integrated programs that include science and thematic classroom studies.

Upper School Outdoor Club Visits Weiser State Forest

In mid October the US Outdoor CLub camped and hiked in in Weiser State Forest visiting Swatara State Park and Boxcar Rocks. Senior club leader Jack Beltz reports, "the biggest highlights of the camping trip were exploring ruins of an old river lock and climbing on and eating lunch at these amazing rock formations called box car rocks on Saturday." The group consisting of GA faculty and students also found time to star gaze, observing several shooting stars and a meteor and enjoy a good old fashioned camp fire complete with S'mores, ghost story's and campfire music galore.