5th Grade Salamander Study

Fifth grade students, sporting their wellies and water shoes headed to the Wissahickon creek last week to begin their salamander study led by their teacher Craig Newberger who has been teaching science in GA's abundant outdoor spaces since he arrived here over 25 years ago.  A pathfinder in outdoor and hands on science education Newberger's programs have been the gold standard for an integrated science curriculum incorporating classroom and site studies, modeling for area schools and colleagues best practices for the study of environmental science.  "He makes science fun." commented one student above the squeals from others as they entered the chilly water noting, "This is the best class, ever!"

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Senior Pat Longo and his Eagle Scout troop worked tirelessly to help restore the Ballay Garden along the Wissahickon. The meditation garden was a gift to the GA community community from the Ballay family in memory of their son Cole.  Since it's installation in 2009, storms and flood waters have disrupted the hardscaping around the seating area and entrance way to the creekside garden. When Longo approached Upper School Nature Program Coordinator and Preserve manager Sarah Kesten to inquire about a school need the garden was on the top of her list.  The decision to restore the garden was an easy one for Longo who loves the outdoors and felt that this particular project was a great way to honor a fine young man and give back to GA.

Goldsworthy Inspired Art from Nature in Lower School

Lower School Art Coordinator Jess Grisafi writes,  "After studying the artwork of Andy Goldsworthy, 4th graders spent a spring day in art class, scavenging for natural objects among our campus to create a design project.  They scoured the playground, the paths, and eventually the Green Ribbon Trail, searching for beautiful, natural items and picking up any trash along the way.  The students brought their findings into the art room and went to work.  Arranging and balancing, making shapes and patterns, the 4th graders carefully laid out a design
that was beautiful and meaningful for them."

Andy Goldsworthy is a world renowned British artist and environmentalist who produces amazing site­specific sculptures and land art.  Much of his artwork is meant to be temporary, and is archived only through
photography. 

Lower School Nature Curriculum Featured in Neighbor Days

The Admissions Office in collaboration with lower school science department invited prospective families and community members to explore GA's rich outdoor curriculum during Neighbor Days. Designed to introduce students to Germantown Academy’s unique on-campus natural habitat—the wetlands, the event began with a walk to The Preserve to learn what wetlands are and why they are important. Other activities included using nets in the pond to search for creatures that make their home there and opportunity to make an artistic rendering of a wetlands habitat under the direction of the Germantown Academy LS Art Teacher.

2nd Grade Trip to Penny Pack

Lisa Martin, Lower School Science teacher arranged a visit for her second grade classes to Pennypack Farm and Education Center at The Highlands in Fort Washington. Education. She reports, "Director Diane Diffenderfer gave us a tour of their community supported agriculture (CSA) organic farming project.  We learned about sustainability and the importance of buying locally grown food.  We also learned about organic farming practices and producing food with high nutritional quality. Our visit to the Pennypack at the Highlands built upon our science studies of plants and gardening this spring,* as well our Health and Wellness initiative of promoting good nutrition."  Students saw firsthand the strawberry flowers and immature berries, soon to become ripe and ready for picking and tasted kale that overwintered on the farm." 

MS Green Challenge 2014

Middle School student Olivia Negro along with the support of MS Green Ambassadors director Maura Saurman, Science Chair Rollie Wakeman, and Jay Wright Student Council Leader, successfully launched Green Challenge 2014 a two week set of advisory challenges aimed at demonstrating just how easy it is to Go Green.  "Each day there was a different theme or activity related to green initiatives where students would gain advisory points for meeting those initiatives. Disconnect Tuesday where students were asked to conserve battery power in their devices, Water Bottle Wednesday supporting reusable water bottles, Meatless Monday and Litter-less Lunch Friday, were just a few of the 10 challenges for students," reports Negro before commenting "I am very happy about how the middle school responded to the green challenges. They were enthusiastic about the events and I hope that we can do it next year."

The Swail Project in the Preserve: New Spring Arrivals

Close Up of Tadpoles

Tadpoles Clustered Along the Water Edge

New Plant growth from Fall Seeding

New Plant Growth from Fall Plantings