Williams College Spends Another January Term at The Island School

For the eighth year, Sarah Gardner of Williams College brought a January term class to stay at The Island School and research different topics. Last year, this class studied how agriculture on Eleuthera could be revitalized, and this year, continued that work by addressing three main issues: fruit and vegetable processing and slaughtering, increasing youth involvement in farming, and changing the packing house system. Local farming on Eleuthera plays a vital role in increasing food security and reducing import dependency, as well as providing economic opportunities for young people. The students remark:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

“To better understand these issues, we conducted field research and interviews with restaurants, farmers, government officials, and high school students. Shaun Ingraham was instrumental in helping us set up interviews with high school students,

NYC Admissions Reception a Great Success!

We had over 50 guests attend the Admissions Reception at the Florio’s Home in New York City last night, including many interested families, prospective students, and of course plenty of alums! Thank you to all who attended–and a very big thank you to the Florios for hosting such a successful event.

The next Admissions Reception event is in Easton, Maryland on Tuesday, January 31 from 6pm-8pm. It will be held at the Koch Home:

28299 Old Country Club Road
Easton, MD 21601

We hope to see you there!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Join Us for the Spring 2012 Fiction Writing Workshop with Richard Bausch April 8-15

The week-long workshop sponsored by the Cape Eleuthera Writers & Artist Workshop series will bring together a small group of adults interested in fiction writing to the Cape Eleuthera campus to work with celebrated author, Richard Bausch. Participants will further develop their writing by receiving expert feedback on their own manuscripts in a safe and constructive environment as well as by engaging in writing exercises, by considering issues of craft and of the writing life, and ultimately by cultivating a community based upon the shared love of writing. “Sense of place,” a concept deeply integral to the philosophy and mission of The Cape Eleuthera Island School, will be interwoven into the fabric of the week, both in the actual workshop activities and in “exploration time.” The workshop ultimately promises to be a perfect mix of instruction, inspiration, relaxation, and celebration of the art of fiction.

Highlights of the week include:

• Intimate workshop experience with veteran writer, Richard Bausch
• Individualized feedback on a manuscript
• “Exploration time” to enjoy the beaches, waters, and Cape Eleuthera
• All-day “Sense of Place” writing retreat at Lighthouse Beach
• Optional afternoon activities, including SCUBA, snorkeling, and biking
• Accommodations in the new state-of-the-art Hallig Lodge
• Variety of evening social and literary events, including sunset cruise, “book club” with author, and catered final banquet

To learn more about the workshop, please click here.

DCMS Grade 7 School Without Walls

DCMS students are currently studying in their School Without Walls unit. Grade 7 is conducting an eco-system study of Jack’s Bay and comparing it to other marine environments like the reef at Fourth Hole. Next weekend they will travel to the Exuma Land and Sea Park for an overnight camping and snorkeling trip.  Student Zachary Carey took these photos of their snorkeling trip last week.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

CEI at the Abaco Science Alliance Conference

Last week members of the Cape Eleuthera Institute attended the 5th Abaco Science Alliance Conference. Every two years Friends of the Environment host this conference that showcases research being done on the areas of natural history and environmental science of Abaco and The Bahamas. This two day event was held in Marsh Harbour and addressed a wide range of subjects, from cave formations to migrating birds.

CEI’s aquaculture manager, Marie Tarnowski, presented on the development of the Sustainable Aquaculture Program at CEI and Annabelle Brooks, Research Manager at CEI, presented findings on lemon shark abundances in mangrove creeks around South Eleuthera. CEI’s Flats manager, Liane Nowell, presented a poster that focused on bonefish handling practices and the bonefish tagging program while Josh Shultz, Aquaponics manager at CEI, presented a poster that focused on developing aquaponics in The Bahamas. This was the first time anyone from the Cape Eleuthera Institute had presented at the Abaco Science Alliance. All attendees from CEI had a great time not only learning about other facets of research in The Bahamas, but also sharing our own novel research and making great connections. Representatives from CEI look forward to attending future Abaco Science Alliance Conferences.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Reflections from The Maine School of Science and Mathematics

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Students from The Maine School of Science and Mathematics departed this morning, having completed two weeks of research and experiential learning here at The Island School and Cape Eleuthera Institute. During their time on Eleuthera, they worked closely with CEI researchers, while learning about the importance of conserving resources, exploring the surrounding tropical ecosystem, and discovering some of the many hidden treasures of the island. They reflect on their experiences:

“One of the main goals for coming here was to conduct research meaningful to the place in which we were living. We were divided into two groups for our program-long projects, one collecting data on the diet of invasive lionfish via dissection and analysis of stomach contents. This group dissected over 100 lionfish and went free diving among the coral reefs to see them alive and swimming. The other group worked diligently to find the maximum temperature at which certain species of fish can

Final Thoughts from The Canterbury School

Students from The Canterbury School of St. Petersburg, Florida have had a week to unwind since their time on Eleuthera, and it is without doubt that they have continued to think critically about the world around them and our part in making the planet a better place. It is our hope that they will continue to be stewards of the earth through research, education, and conservation, and that they might serve as a launching pad for sustainable practices in their own community. We wish them well as they embark on their second semester of school and will welcome them back whenever they get the chance!

To read a first-hand account of Canterbury’s adventure in The Bahamas, please click here.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

And The Winner of CONCHtribution 2011 Is…

…click here to find out!

As a collective alumni community, we reached 33% participation and raised over $110,000! Way to go! While we did not meet our goal of 45% overall participation, we did see much improvement from last year’s CONCHtribution campaign. 2010 recorded 32% participation, or 294 alums, raising $103,000. This year, 368 alums donated, which is over 70 more than 2010! We also raised $7,000 more than we did last year! Thank you to all who “Donated Once and Gave Back Twice!” We appreciate your support of The Island School.

Winter Admissions Receptions

Looking for something outside the classroom? Join us for our Winter Admissions Receptions!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012
6-8pm

The Maroni Home
220 Clyde Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
6-8pm

The Florio Home
129 East 95th Street
New York, NY 10128

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
6-8pm

The Koch Home
28299 Old Country Club Road
Easton, MD 21601

*Alumni–if you join us, please bring a friend who is interested in The Island School!

RSVP to Hannah Mauck at hannahmauck@islandschool.org

The Island That Never Sleeps

There is no rest for the weary on Cape Eleuthera as Island School and CEI staff geared up for the arrival of visiting high school and college programs on the first of the new year. Throughout the past week, dorms have been readied and Johnny Bread has been prepared for five academic groups eager to see the world in which they live through new and exciting lenses.

-The Canterbury School of St. Petersburg, Florida spent last week on its own mini-Island School adventure, complete with a run to High Rock, a Down Island excursion, and even a half-day kayak expedition! Students were oriented to their surroundings through natural history lessons, daily snorkeling, and a trip out to the sand bar to learn all about Ooids.

-The Maine School of Science and Mathematics is nearing the end of its first week in which students have been teamed up with CEI researchers working on both the bonefish and lionfish populations here in Eleuthera.