Last week, Wiscasset’s seventh graders spent a beautiful spring day at Chewonki, an environmental education organization in Wiscasset. Students learned about local ecosystems and the adaptations that help living things survive in them.

In support of classroom learning about genetics and changing gene pools, students spent an action-packed day bird watching, exploring a vernal pool, and making observations of how the forest ecosystem changes as you move from the ground to eye level to tree-top. In addition, students were introduced to some of Chewonki’s animal specimens, including a live millipede, salamander and lizard.

This visit is one of a number of programs Chewonki has provided to Wiscasset’s students this year, including the traditional eighth grade encampment in the fall. Chewonki and Wiscasset schools are working more closely than ever this year, launching a new partnership to explore ways to provide more place-based, hands-on experiences that inspire and support science learning K-12.