Learning by Doing: Junior School Embraces Earth Day with Action

On Tuesday, April 22, the Junior School participated in several fun, educational, and outdoor activities to help students develop a further appreciation for our Earth. Our Grade 8s were taken off campus, led by Mr. Kevin Lakes. They explored a woodlot and discussed wise forest management, then learned how a domestic solar panel system works along with the storage of energy in batteries. No visit to Birch Hill would be complete without a photo opportunity with Wink, the one-eyed horse, which they all enjoyed after cutting down a tree for harvest and splitting some firewood by hand. Wink is 13 years old, just like the students!

On campus, our day began with a cleanup walk with different groups covering areas around campus and the Town of Windsor. In total, students collected about 20 garbage bags of discarded trash and recyclables. One group even collected an old bike – which Charlie Arthur '30 proudly and excitedly exclaimed!

Next, students took turns in different stations with activities of an outdoor scavenger hunt, bird feeder making, seed planting, and flowerpot painting. Students Lydia Libis ‘28 and Abby Woodworth ‘28 painted some pretty pots, creatively capturing ocean waves and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Between fresh air, getting our hands dirty, artistically crafting, and creating an inviting and tasty spot for birds to visit campus, lots was accomplished.

Upon returning from lunch, students learned about their impact on the environment with Mr. Eric Kershaw – who, by the way, rode his bicycle to school all the way from Wolfville! He encouraged students to consider how their choices influence the planet, shared interesting facts and tips on how societies and individuals impact their environment, and showed the students how to calculate their own ecological footprint.

To come full circle, students ended their day similar to how it began. Back in groups, students were led by their teachers on trail walks to explore some wonders of nature and our wonderful Windsor areas. Avid bird watcher, Mr. Marcel Rochon, brought his binoculars to seek out the local wildlife. Students returned to campus just before it began to rain. April’s showers are working on bringing May’s flowers.

All the seeds planted by students are resting near the windows in our cafeteria, overlooking our students and our campus quad, watching patiently as students and spring continue to blossom.