Adopt-a-Tree

Every year 10th grade students participate in a long term study of the trees on the Poolseville campus. Each student finds a tree that "speaks to them" and they adopt it for the year. They identify their tree, measure the dbh (diameter at breast height) and generate a scientific drawing of the tree. The data collected is entered into a database for further analysis. Throughout the year, they visit the tree on their own and check on the progress of the tree.

Furnace Branch Water Quality Study

Working in conjunction with scientists from Thorpewood and Hood College, students collect qualitative and quantitative data on the water quality of Furnace Branch, a tributary of the Monocacy River.  This data is compiled by Thorpewood and when it is combined with data from other school groups, a detailed picture of the health of the Monocacy Watershed emerges. The sampling is conducted in the fall and spring to detect seasonal differences and to accurately track changes over time. 

Living Classrooms

Working with the Living Classrooms organization, students rotated through stations set up at Edward's Ferry for hands on experience with:
 *  modeling the Chesapeake Bay watershed
 *  making and reading topographical maps
 * comparing runnoff in urban and rural settings
 *  examining water samples from the river for evidence of plankton, macro invertabrates, and dissolved oxygen
 *  comparing the relative degradablity of a variety of common marine pollutants

Stewardship Projects

Stewardship is a major theme in the Global Ecology Program. It is important for students to not only understand the environmental challenges that face us but also to realize that they can make a positive different. Stewardship project vary from year to year and involve such activities as invasive plant removal, planting riparian buffers, and removing tree shelters. Students have worked with a variety of non governmental and governmental organizations such as the National Park Service, NRMA, Potomac Conservancy and Potomac Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Sugarloaf Research Plot Soils Study

Working alongside scientists from Hood College, students collect data on soil depth at our research plots on Sugarloaf Mountain. Students are studying the effects of hurricanes on deciduous forests and successional changes that occur in the gaps created by trees that have fallen down during the hurricane.

Smith Center Predator and Prey

Students explore the dynamics of food chains and energy transfer by participating in a simulation called Predator Prey.  Students are assigned trophic roles and attempt to stay alive by gathering enough food and water and not being eaten by other predators. Students experience the challenge of gathering enough food, water and shelter for the day.