Students Across Divisions Explore the Environment
Students in upper and lower school took part in lessons and activities this week that focused on the environment and their role in caring for the earth.
To wrap up their lesson on humans’ role in and relationship with the natural world, freshmen traveled to Powell Gardens in Kingsville, Missouri, where they spent a day volunteering. They helped the organization further their mission of teaching visitors about plants by weeding flower beds and painting display bricks to prepare the space for spring and summer guests. During these activities, they reflected on ways that they can be good stewards to the community and the earth.
Freshmen read “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer earlier this semester, learning about humans’ relationship with nature through the lens of indigenous traditions. They also learned about soil, sustainability and climate change from Dr. Charles Rice, a Distinguished Professor of Agronomy and Nobel Peace Prize co-recipient, who visited from K-State.
Freshmen read “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer earlier this semester, learning about humans’ relationship with nature through the lens of indigenous traditions. They also learned about soil, sustainability and climate change from Dr. Charles Rice, a Distinguished Professor of Agronomy and Nobel Peace Prize co-recipient, who visited from K-State.
First graders in Ms. Brooke Thompson’s class also learned about sustainability and responsible reuse of discarded plastic. They listened to “One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia” by Miranda Paul, an illustrated book that tells the story of a woman who collected discarded plastic bags around her village in the Gambia and found creative ways to reuse the material. The students made their own creations out of recycled plastic bags and yarn, ranging from clothing and jewelry to creative toys.
Projects like these give students of all ages the knowledge and experience to make thoughtful, responsible decisions about the world around them and their place within it.
