This spring break, a group of Germantown Academy students will get the exciting opportunity to explore the fascinating marine life of an island in the Sea of Cortez . The trip will take place in March, giving students time to fully dive into the immersive experience as it allows for a more flexible schedule during spring break.
The Sea of Cortez is a narrow passage of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from mainland Mexico. Its waters contain vast amounts of marine life and are home to many rare species.
“This is an experience where students will swim with whale sharks, which are a keystone species in the Sea of Cortez. Additionally, there are many other species unique to that area,” US Science Faculty Ms. Liz Cravero said. “My experience was in 2018, where I was invited by a school and a group of students to join them on a trip and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.”
Throughout the trip students get to engage in different activities, such as snorkeling and kayaking around the island. The trip focuses on adventuring outdoors whilst nurturing their knowledge outside of the classroom.
“Since experimental learning is one of my main focuses, the trip will bring classroom aspects to it while exploring a unique environment,” US Math Faculty, Mr. Henry Wadsworth said. “Sometimes the best classrooms are not classrooms at all”.
This trip will offer tons of fun along the way. It can build core foundations for students interested in marine biology or ecological sciences. Through first-hand experience, the trip may spark a passion for a subject one did not consider before.
“I’ve never seen a school trip where we get the opportunity to go camping on an island and explore for three days,” Saanvi Bayireddi ‘28 said. “We get to learn about how to snorkel through these coursebooks and about marine biology in the area.”
In this opportunity, core memories can be made along with unforgettable knowledge. Sign ups for this trip are soon to be determined, as the information meeting has already passed. In the future, students may see trips like these offered more as the program takes off.