School News: Launching the Chesapeake Watershed Semester

Winter 2019

In August, Gunston School (MD) headmaster John Lewis and program director Emily Beck formally launched the Chesapeake Watershed Semester (CWS)’s first cohort with full enrollment of 13 junior and senior students. Over the 15-week semester, students studied science and public policy and spent time in the lab and in the field. The semester concluded with students presenting their independent research and projects at a regional symposium. 

           

Chesapeake Watershed Semester students recently celebrated the end of their Leadership Expedition with a three-day, 16-mile kayaking trip. Photo by Emily Beck


Semester schools are inspired by collegiate semester abroad programs but adapted for high school students. They offer a full semester of academic credit as well as a wealth of knowledge and new experiences for students, who then return to their four-year institutions.

In its first year, all CWS students were from Gunston; in future years, the program will welcome students from around the region and beyond. The next CWS will be in fall 2019.

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