We use the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Issues Investigation Framework to facilitate learning that ends in student driven action projects.
Thanks to a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust (funded by sales of Maryland's Treasure of the Chesapeake license plate) we leave our urban campus to get outside and learn through hands-on experiences.
Most of our student driven best management practices are done off-site.
Thanks to a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust (funded by sales of Maryland's Treasure of the Chesapeake license plate) we leave our urban campus to get outside and learn through hands-on experiences.
Most of our student driven best management practices are done off-site.
Storm Drain Stenciling- Charles Village South, Baltimore, Maryland
with education and materials from Blue Water Baltimore
6th, 7th and 8th grade students.
Middle School Storm Drain Stenciling in our Baltimore Lab Community.
In 2014, 6-8th grade students and 5 staff members participated in STEAM activities to learn about pollution and took action by cleaning and stenciling 3 storm drains. No new storm drains were added in 2015. That year, students visited and maintained the storm drains by removing debris and recommended we apply to the city to re-do and paint more drains the following year. In 2016, Middle School students cleaned, painted and stenciled 6 new storm drains. In 2017, Middle School students cleaned, painted and stenciled our original 9 storm drains and added 8 more for a total of 17 storm drains.
Dates: Wednesday, May 7, 2014. 8:30 am-12:00 noon.
# of students: 27
Names of students: Philip, James, Natalie, Will G, Jaelen, Max, Julian, Zane, Matt, Faajah, Ariel, Harry, Noah, Kyron, Sean, Julian U,Magnus, Bradley, Veronica, Loye, Roman, Mia, Clay, George, Brenna, Ade,and Julia.
# of storm drains: 3
Dates: May 1, 2016. 8:30am-12 noon.
# of students: 40
# of storm drains: 6
Names of students: Jack, Mitchell, Caroline, Alexa, Drew, Miles, Frankie, Rodney, Kristen, Ethan, Taylor, Justin, Nicholas, Avi, Alexander,
Skylyr, Natasha, Nosson, George, Philip, James, Morgan, Natalie, Ricky, Will, Jaelen, Max, Julian, Zane, Stefan, Matt,
Iman, Faajah, Ariel, Olivia, Andrei, Leah, Cuyler, Cian, and Will W.
Activity:
Dates: May 11 and 12, 2017. 8:30 am-12 noon.
# of students: 33
Names of students: Will, Judy, Kendall, Amelia, Joshua, Jack, Torben, Lucas, Olivia, Andrei, Leah, Cuyler, Cian, Will,
Jack, Mitchell, Caroline, Alexa, Drew, Miles, Frankie, Rodney, Kristen, Ethan, Taylor, Justin, Nicholas, Avi, Alexander, Skylyr, Natasha, Nosson, and George.
# of storm drains: 17
Staff: Darlene White, 8th grade Language Arts teacher, Karen Yeoman, 8th grade Social Studies, Kara Huggins, 7th and 8th grade Science teacher, Ruth Goodlaxson, 7th and 8th grade Math teacher.
Outdoor Education Coordinator: Patti Child
Middle School Storm Drain Stenciling in our Baltimore Lab Community.
In 2014, 6-8th grade students and 5 staff members participated in STEAM activities to learn about pollution and took action by cleaning and stenciling 3 storm drains. No new storm drains were added in 2015. That year, students visited and maintained the storm drains by removing debris and recommended we apply to the city to re-do and paint more drains the following year. In 2016, Middle School students cleaned, painted and stenciled 6 new storm drains. In 2017, Middle School students cleaned, painted and stenciled our original 9 storm drains and added 8 more for a total of 17 storm drains.
Dates: Wednesday, May 7, 2014. 8:30 am-12:00 noon.
# of students: 27
Names of students: Philip, James, Natalie, Will G, Jaelen, Max, Julian, Zane, Matt, Faajah, Ariel, Harry, Noah, Kyron, Sean, Julian U,Magnus, Bradley, Veronica, Loye, Roman, Mia, Clay, George, Brenna, Ade,and Julia.
# of storm drains: 3
Dates: May 1, 2016. 8:30am-12 noon.
# of students: 40
# of storm drains: 6
Names of students: Jack, Mitchell, Caroline, Alexa, Drew, Miles, Frankie, Rodney, Kristen, Ethan, Taylor, Justin, Nicholas, Avi, Alexander,
Skylyr, Natasha, Nosson, George, Philip, James, Morgan, Natalie, Ricky, Will, Jaelen, Max, Julian, Zane, Stefan, Matt,
Iman, Faajah, Ariel, Olivia, Andrei, Leah, Cuyler, Cian, and Will W.
Activity:
Dates: May 11 and 12, 2017. 8:30 am-12 noon.
# of students: 33
Names of students: Will, Judy, Kendall, Amelia, Joshua, Jack, Torben, Lucas, Olivia, Andrei, Leah, Cuyler, Cian, Will,
Jack, Mitchell, Caroline, Alexa, Drew, Miles, Frankie, Rodney, Kristen, Ethan, Taylor, Justin, Nicholas, Avi, Alexander, Skylyr, Natasha, Nosson, and George.
# of storm drains: 17
Staff: Darlene White, 8th grade Language Arts teacher, Karen Yeoman, 8th grade Social Studies, Kara Huggins, 7th and 8th grade Science teacher, Ruth Goodlaxson, 7th and 8th grade Math teacher.
Outdoor Education Coordinator: Patti Child
| storm_drain_stencilling_notes__2_.docx |
| may_1_2016_storm_drain_stenciling.docx |
| may_11_and_12_2017_stirm_drain_stenciling.docx |
| storm_drain_stenciling_permission_slip.doc |
High School Students Make Public Service Films about Pollution after receiving education from CBF Educators
Dates: September 7, 11, 18, 2017.
# of students: 3
Names of students: Loye, Clay and Ben.
Film contest.
Activity: The Yearbook staff started the year with an Environmental video creation challenge. Loye and Clay started by tracking trash flowing down the Jones Falls and discussing Mr. Trash wheel's important job. They decided to focus on plastic use, environmental challenges, and telling a story through visual and auditory means. The result was a public service movie on the effects of micro plastic pollution on our oysters!
Teacher: Zac Lawhon, High School Yearbook 1 and 2
# of students: 3
Names of students: Loye, Clay and Ben.
Film contest.
Activity: The Yearbook staff started the year with an Environmental video creation challenge. Loye and Clay started by tracking trash flowing down the Jones Falls and discussing Mr. Trash wheel's important job. They decided to focus on plastic use, environmental challenges, and telling a story through visual and auditory means. The result was a public service movie on the effects of micro plastic pollution on our oysters!
Teacher: Zac Lawhon, High School Yearbook 1 and 2
| september_11_2017_high_school_snow_goose_trip.docx |
Annual Fort McHenry Field Day with the National Aquarium Conservation Team
Dates: October 10, 2015. May 7, 2016, October 15, 2016, May 7, 2017. 10am-1pm.
# of students: 20
Names of students: Mia, Clay, Brenna , Ade, Michael K., Lee W., Clay, Victor, Alex.
Trash collected: 12,000 pieces of debris
Activity: Fort McHenry Field Day, part of the International Coastal Cleanup and a National Public Lands Day event! With the help of 20 Baltimore Lab School students and teachers, we helped to collect over 12,000 pieces of debris. We also weeded, mulched and planted "our" pollinator and rain gardens. *This Pollinator Garden maintenance is done by Baltimore Lab students every year beginning in 2012. Documents can be found in Habitat Restoration.
Teachers: Lauren Moore, High School Environmental Science Teacher, Amy Zbikowski, 12th grade Language Arts and Community Service Coordinator.
Other staff: Outdoor Education Coordinator: Patti Child
# of students: 20
Names of students: Mia, Clay, Brenna , Ade, Michael K., Lee W., Clay, Victor, Alex.
Trash collected: 12,000 pieces of debris
Activity: Fort McHenry Field Day, part of the International Coastal Cleanup and a National Public Lands Day event! With the help of 20 Baltimore Lab School students and teachers, we helped to collect over 12,000 pieces of debris. We also weeded, mulched and planted "our" pollinator and rain gardens. *This Pollinator Garden maintenance is done by Baltimore Lab students every year beginning in 2012. Documents can be found in Habitat Restoration.
Teachers: Lauren Moore, High School Environmental Science Teacher, Amy Zbikowski, 12th grade Language Arts and Community Service Coordinator.
Other staff: Outdoor Education Coordinator: Patti Child
Annual September 11th Action Project
Dates: September 11, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.
High School Government Students, High School Technology Students, Middle School Science Students.
# of students: 40
Names of students: Philip, Gracie, James, Morgan, Natalie, Ricky, Will G, Jaelen, Max, Julian, Zane, Stefan, Matt, Iman, Faajah, Ariel, Harry, Noah, Ameer, Nathan, Matthew M, Kyron, Sean Joseph Julian U Myles, Magnus, Emanual, Bradley, Veronica, Loye, Roman, Mia, Clay, George, Brenna, Ade, Julia.
# of bags of trash removed from storm drains: 10
Beginning on September 11, 2014 High School Government students picked up 3 bags of trash while monitoring our storm drains. We were appalled at the amount of trash on our neighborhood streets. In 2015 and 2016 high school technology and middle school students want to join in and do something about the problem. This is now an annual event.
High School Government Students, High School Technology Students, Middle School Science Students.
# of students: 40
Names of students: Philip, Gracie, James, Morgan, Natalie, Ricky, Will G, Jaelen, Max, Julian, Zane, Stefan, Matt, Iman, Faajah, Ariel, Harry, Noah, Ameer, Nathan, Matthew M, Kyron, Sean Joseph Julian U Myles, Magnus, Emanual, Bradley, Veronica, Loye, Roman, Mia, Clay, George, Brenna, Ade, Julia.
# of bags of trash removed from storm drains: 10
Beginning on September 11, 2014 High School Government students picked up 3 bags of trash while monitoring our storm drains. We were appalled at the amount of trash on our neighborhood streets. In 2015 and 2016 high school technology and middle school students want to join in and do something about the problem. This is now an annual event.
| ms_gardeners_spring_2015.pdf |
Annual Macro Invertebrate Counts and Stream Surveys with equipment and resources from Anne Arundel Watershed Academy
Annual Stream Investigation and Shoreline Restoration. Bear Creek, Cool Stream and Severn River in the Ben Oaks Community.
Dates: May 2014, May 15, 2015, March 2, 2016, May 2017.
# of students: 17 Environmental Science Students
Names of students: Amanda, Lucy, Travon, Trey, Chris, Justin, Brenna, Jay, Benjamin, Loye, Roman, Mia, Clay, George, Brenna, Ade, Julia.
Activity: On going Stream Investigations. Our Baltimore Lab School Watershed Stewards have been cleaning and conducting stream surveys annually in the Ben Oaks Community on the Severn River. Students have shared lesson plans, field data sheets, and information with the BOCA Community. Water quality is assessed through chemical water testing and collecting macro invertebrates. We have not had success finding macro- invertebrates at this site. Students report findings to the Ben Oaks Watershed Stewards.
Lauren Moore's Environmental Science Students report water quality testing results to the Ben Oaks Watershed stewards every year.
Visit to Providence Center and Floating Gardens built and Installed in Severn River (Upper School).
Date: May 15th, 2015
# of students: 15
Names of students: Sara, Ben,
# of floating gardens: 3
Students learned about floating gardens, built and installed 3 floating gardens off of the pier in Ben Oaks. This program was discontinued by our students because it was not successful. Ben Oaks residents tried to do this again without success.
Teachers:
2012: Jonathon White, High School Chemistry.
2013, 2014: Kara Huggins, High School Environmental Science.
2015: Ite Clary, High School Environmental Science.
2016 to present: Lauren Moore, High School Biology, Statistics and Environmental Science.
Outdoor Education Coordinator: Patti Child
Stream Investigations: Sparks, Md. Looking for and finding macro-invertebrates!
Dates: March 3, 2016 and June 16, 2016
# of students: 8
Names of students: Loye, Roman, Mia, Clay, George, Brenna, Ade, Julia.
Grade Level: High School Environmental Science
Activity: Stream Investigations: Sparks, Md. Students collected macro invertebrates and evaluated the health of the stream.
Staff: Lauren Moore, High School Environmental Science, Amy Zbikowski, Senior Internship and Service Learning Coordinator
Dates: March 3, 2016 and June 16, 2016
# of students: 8
Names of students: Loye, Roman, Mia, Clay, George, Brenna, Ade, Julia.
Grade Level: High School Environmental Science
Activity: Stream Investigations: Sparks, Md. Students collected macro invertebrates and evaluated the health of the stream.
Staff: Lauren Moore, High School Environmental Science, Amy Zbikowski, Senior Internship and Service Learning Coordinator
| ben_oaks.pdf |
| stream_investigations_in_ben_oaks.pdf |
| student_letters_to_boca.pdf |
| attendence_list_for_may_15_floating_garden_action_project.docx |
| june_16_2016.docx |
2 Rain Barrels painted and installed from Rain Barrels on the Bay.
Date: June 1, 2016
# of students: 12
Names of students: Phillip, James, Max, Zane, Iman, Will G., Natalie, Ricky, Stefan, Matt,Faajah, Ariel.
# of rain barrels installed: 2
Activity: Rain Barrels on the Bay provided rain barrels for our students to learn about, paint and install. This idea began in 2015, when students wrote a letter to our Head of School asking to install rain barrels. Due to the historic building we are in, Baltimore Lab students were not allowed to install the rain barrels on school property. Rain Barrels were installed at student's houses.
Teachers: Ruth Goodlaxson, Middle School Math and Kara Huggins, Middle School Science.
# of students: 12
Names of students: Phillip, James, Max, Zane, Iman, Will G., Natalie, Ricky, Stefan, Matt,Faajah, Ariel.
# of rain barrels installed: 2
Activity: Rain Barrels on the Bay provided rain barrels for our students to learn about, paint and install. This idea began in 2015, when students wrote a letter to our Head of School asking to install rain barrels. Due to the historic building we are in, Baltimore Lab students were not allowed to install the rain barrels on school property. Rain Barrels were installed at student's houses.
Teachers: Ruth Goodlaxson, Middle School Math and Kara Huggins, Middle School Science.
| student_letter_re_rain_barrels.pdf |