“The QUEST/EarthWatch trip to the Schoodic Institute in Acadia National Park proved to be both an educational and enjoyable experience,” WFS teacher John Roskovensky, who traveled with the students, said. “Students learned field skills for observing and measuring biological components of the local ecosystem while being taught the rationale for the work in relation to a changing climate by both the project scientists and technicians (students and post-grads). We were able to collect and analyze actual data that will be used in long-term studies of the Acadia environment. We lived at the wonderful Schoodic facilities and were able to enjoy free time hiking, playing games, and relaxing in the beautiful natural setting.”

Students who participated in the trip kept a blog of their experience to share with family back home. “Today started early for everyone, with some choosing to watch the sunrise and others getting ready for the morning excursion,” they wrote. “We worked with two technicians in the intertidal zone to catch and mark green crabs. This is to help track the population size of an invasive species. After a break and field lunch, we were ready to head back out to the rocks for a session of ‘refugia.’ We split into groups to carefully measure the abundance and location of a native plant, black crowberry.”

QUEST Term Service/Leadership Trips engage students in an experiential learning model to increase their understanding of global issues as well as strategies to mitigate the impact of these challenges. During the summers preceding their 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years, students may elect to travel to domestic or international destinations to engage in global issues through service and leadership.