Students in Plant Biology looked at plant-based solutions to Global Issues in this project. "Inspired" by a wildfire-caused smoke-filled day that was so bad we canceled all outdoor activities, we took a break from our normal curriculum to talk about the Climate Crisis which turned into a discussion on how plants can solve many of these large-scale global challenges! One student took the project further and did a deep dive into EcoCities. Enjoy!

We went on a 4-day, 3-night immersive field science experience to the Mount Rainier Institute this session! Students engaged in two research groups: Carbon Sequestration and Fire Risk. Each group collected data in Pack Forest (an experimental forest run by the University of Washington), analyzed that data and then presented their findings at our culminating symposium. Along the way, we played games, laughed together, and investigated fallen logs, BIG trees, mushrooms and more. We slept in cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, ate together in a dining hall, and navigated the ups and downs of sharing space with middle schoolers. We had a lively debate about how to manage our resources in light of the climate crisis. Our last campfire was a beautiful sharing of poems, songs and skits. Students walked away with a true sense of belonging...to eachother and this beautiful place that we live in and the earth we live on. We reflected deeply on the connection to land and the native tribes -- Squaxin, Nisqually, Chehalis and others -- that have stewarded this land for tens of thousands of years. Our day on Tahoma (Mount Rainier) was a much-needed source of joy playing in the snow. MRI felt like the perfect way to welcome in community while engaging in transformative learning.