Watershed Festival highlights conservation, student research
All three divisions came together to learn about our watershed.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Middle School students are committed to protecting our local watershed and shared their research with the community on Friday, April 27, at the annual Watershed Festival. The Festival brought together students and faculty from all three divisions to learn about the watershed and care for the environment.
Mr. Jonathan BySura's seventh-grade science students showcased their capstone research projects throughout the day. Each project had a research and service component. Topics included salamanders, birds, pollinators, water quality, phenology, small mammals, trees, trail and maintenance workers, fish, and bees. Students talked about biodiversity and its importance in the watershed ecosystem.
The seventh-graders and Mr. BySura have also led a service learning project together, installing markers in three local cities that warn about dumping pollutants that could contaminate the watershed. These markers have been installed in Franklin, NC; Highlands, NC, and Clayton, GA. The students worked with local city officials and conservation groups on this project.
"I've challenged the seventh grade class to identify their own passion for the outdoors. I ask the students to find something that motivates them, follow that passion, and see where it leads them. In doing this, they have not only produced amazing and professional quality work, but they have a much better awareness for where they live and it's importance,” said Mr. BySura. “They have been recognized nationally and locally for their efforts by the Georgia DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and I couldn't be more proud of them. Anyone that saw their capstone presentations understands their enthusiasm, effort, and dedication to their topic. It was truly an amazing day."
In addition to the seventh-graders’ research, the Watershed Festival featured educational programming for Lower School students with Highlands Nature Center, Coweeta Hydrologic Lab, and Mainspring Conservation. Lower School students had a chance to search for salamanders in the nearby creek.
Ms. Nehila McIntyre’s eighth-grade science students held a special PLASHION show featuring fashions crafted from plastic bags. The students researched the environmental hazards of plastics and created materials encouraging everyone to recycle. Using what they’ve learned from humanities class about propaganda, the students also created slogans and posters highlighting a global environmental issue.
“The Watershed Festival is an amazing opportunity to highlight our students engaging in project-based learning exercises to facilitate learning. Our faculty all do an amazing job at creating these moments for our students,” said Head of the Middle School Mr. Steve Nowack. “It was a fantastic day to have all three of our campuses together around this important topic.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.
