Wooster School students currently taking the Deep Learning Initiative course, Complexity and Life, recently completed their first tutorial of the year. Throughout the DLI course, students are introduced to foundational biological understandings in the areas of biodiversity and ecology, inheritance and the molecular basis of evolution, and body systems and homeostasis, and how each of these illustrates the principle that complexity characterizes and sustains life.
Using a tutorial process, the aim of the first trimester was for five research teams of students to document our campus biodiversity. Given the current rate of global change, the value of documenting our biodiversity and tracking how it responds to various stressors and/or management practices over the years has never been greater.
The class of 17 students was divided into five research teams working to assess mammal, tree, bird, wildflower, and bee diversity. Each team presented their work to their classmates as well as to several local experts who also shared their experience and knowledge with the class.
A special thank you to our guests: Cathy Hagadorn, Program Director of the CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm Center; Anthony Kaczmarek, white-tailed deer ecologist with White Buffalo Inc.; Sharon Bodenschatz, farmer at Bluestone Farm; Sarah Lucas, farmer at Yarrow Hollow Farm; Roberto Zapata, farmer at Yarrow Hollow Farm; Dr. Parker Gambino, retired biology teacher and Hymenoptera expert from Brewster, NY, Dr. Tom Philbrick, professor of plant ecology & evolution at Western Connecticut State University, and Geordie Elkins, Operations Manager at Highstead Arboretum.
Great work Wooster students!
About Wooster School
Wooster School is an independent, co-educational college preparatory day school, serving students from Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Located in Danbury, Connecticut, the School serves students from Pre-K through grade 12. A leader in classroom innovation and teaching, Wooster School is a place where thinking and learning are personal, meaningful, and visible; and where faculty work closely with students in small classes and cohorts to think and communicate critically and creatively. At Wooster, every student participates, every student contributes, and every student learns and develops the necessary skills to be a life-long learner and leader in college and beyond.
To learn more, visit http://www.woosterschool.org/ or contact Wooster School Admissions at (203) 830-3916.