Wild ideas

St. Edward’s uses campus to cultivate environmental stewards

BY KERRY FIRTH

While most high school students are sitting at desks during classes, students enrolled in the Environmental and Marine Program at St. Edward’s Upper School are wading and snorkeling in the Indian River Lagoon, hiking through flatwood forests and cultivating oysters and clams.

“Our unique location of St. Edward’s School — and campus access to the Indian River Lagoon estuarine ecosystem — provides immersive and inquiry-based learning opportunities within one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America,” said Brandy Nelson, who developed and teaches the school’s environmental and marine programs. “Our classes incorporate an immersion into marine, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems through field labs. They also incorporate laboratory, research and presentation skills, student-led projects and collaborations with the community.”

The 10th, 11th, and 12th graders participate in field research, laboratories, discussions and class activities to strengthen scientific knowledge, research skills and field sampling methods, with an emphasis on critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration.