My Earthwatch Teach Earth Fellowship, Climate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park, was truly life-changing. For one week, I collaborated with fellow educators and scientists from the Schoodic Institute on two meaningful climate change research projects.

The first focused on intertidal food webs, where we observed evidence of coastal life within the forest and documented how wind may transport marine remains inland. The second project involved monitoring species in climate refugia by collecting data on four key plant species, contributing to long-term studies of environmental resilience.

We also collected data using trail camera footage. During this experience, we were noting what types of animals appeared in the photographs as well as if they animals had a food source in their mouths.

Participating in these authentic scientific investigations gave me valuable insights and experiences to bring back to my students—real-world science that I can now integrate into my teaching. Just as impactful was the time spent with an incredible group of educators. We supported one another through long hikes, lesson planning, nightly “porcupine hunts,” and conversations that forged a lasting professional and personal bond—one that I know will carry forward in all of our classrooms.