Global Education Trips Take Student Learning Beyond the Hilltop

Eleven students, chaperoned by Ms. Johnson, Mr. Hasslinger and Ms. DiStefano, flew down to south Florida to explore the Everglades, Dry Tortugas and Biscayne Bay National Parks as part of the "Global Context: National Parks" course. Each student had researched specific ecosystems and organisms that the group encountered, and they were so excited to spot the objects of their research. The students were so well educated and invested in the experience. It was truly a unique trip! Animal highlights included baby manatees, baby dolphins, crocodiles, alligators, roseate spoonbills, great white herons, nurse sharks and more. The group did a wet walk through a cypress dome, rode an airboat through the river of grass, spent six nights camping in tents, took a boat ride in Florida bay, kayaked through mangroves, did night hikes with park rangers in the woods, snorkeled in a coral reef and more. 

As part of the "Rome and the Idea of Citizenship" course, seven students, accompanied by Mr. Sheppard, Ms. Jablon and Dr. Robinson, traveled to Italy.

Fourteen students toured Uzbekistan on a Casten Trip with chaperones Dr. Liu, M. Fahy and Ms. Enow-Pluchino. Over the course of the nine-day trip, students toured historic, cultural and religious sites of Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, and also enjoyed a day in a village in the Nurata Mountains. They painted pomegranates during a miniature painting workshop, made sumalak (a traditional food) to celebrate Navruz, played chess with kids in a local club, and met peers at an English language school. It was a valuable opportunity to learn about the rich cultural heritage of a beautiful country.

And on another Casten Trip, 13 students and three chaperones — Ms. Esteves-Kraus, Mr. Sawkins and Ms. Coy — ventured to Argentina. The group visited Patagonia to view the amazing landscape and hike on the Perito Moreno glacier. From there, they explored the history and culture of various neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and visited Belgrano School, a Round Square partner school. The itinerary also included a side trip to historic Colonia, Uruguay, across the Rio de la Plata. It was a trip rich with history, culture, sights and experiences that will not soon be forgotten.