RE Log Spring 2019

SPRING 2019 Ransom Everglades LOG 21 From the Everglades Campus In the words of legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle, “No water, no life. No blue, no green.” The ocean truly supports our planet. While earning my PhD in marine geology at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, where I deciphered ancient records of rapid sea level changes preserved in the islands of the Bahamas, I became increasingly convinced of the truth in those words. My research inspired a passion for understanding threats to our ocean and our changing climate, and learning about what can be done to protect both. That passion not only drives what I teach in my Earth Science classes, but it also has inspired my leadership of the RE Sustainability Task Force, which launched in June 2018, and participation in other en- couraging campus initiatives. I’m proud to be surrounded by an enthusiastic team of students, faculty and staff that is seeking action and changes across our campus – to connect more with our natural envi- ronment as well as reduce our carbon footprint. Change takes time, but every little action helps. Every small step we take at Ransom Everglades represents one step our community takes to ensure a sustainable and resilient future. One of the most exciting developments at RE is the installa- tion of the school’s very first solar panels, which were sched- uled to be installed in mid-March on the Hogan Building roof at the Middle School. There are 18 panels capable of generating up to 5.2 kW. While this is not enough to power our campus, we are thrilled to have an installation that will be a key educa- tional tool in the science curriculum. We want students to see the panels, talk about them, and in science class we will learn how they work and analyze data over time. The RE Sustainability Task Force, which includes 20 faculty members on both campuses, has set several goals, including improving recycling efforts at both campuses and brainstorm- ing ideas to reduce our environmental impact. We are seeing changes big and small. This winter, the school abandoned tra- ditional cleaning agents in favor of green products. RE students are growing organic vegetables on campus in the aquaponics tank installed last year and with a brand-new FarmBot system in the Quad that combines technology and sustainability. Clubs at the Middle School (RE Green Team) and Upper School (Verde Club) have helped. The Verde Club’s resis- tance to plastic straws at the Upper School caused an outside smoothie vendor to eliminate them completely. RE is compet- ing in Dream in Green’s Green Schools Challenge. In May we will hold our third annual RE Energy and Climate Change Symposium. This event, which was launched It’s in the Water RE follows path to sustainable future in 2017 by science faculty Robin Escobedo and Gus Palacios, has grown from a one-day event to a four-day festival. This year, all sixth- and seventh-grade students will present science projects about aspects of climate change, alternative energy or solutions. We are also excited that several teachers outside the science department are participating, making this a truly interdisciplinary event. We have an exciting lineup of speakers who are experts in their fields and leaders in our community, and we are excited to showcase sustainable solutions to the RE community – simple tools or habits that can be incorporated into our everyday lives. Another brand-new initiative is RE Water Patrol, a partner- ship between RE and Miami Waterkeeper that began in August 2018. Students are part of MWK’s program called “1000 eyes on the water.” Middle and Upper School students receive training and then participate in monthly water patrols with science faculty and Miami Waterkeeper staff. The students collect water samples, record data and learn how to make scientific observations. RE SCUBA launched last summer and continues to grow, offering entry level, advanced and specialty PADI scuba diving certifications so more people can explore the amazing coral reef ecosystems in our backyard. The common thread through these initiatives is a connection to the water, which has always been a defining feature of campus life at Ransom Everglades. The initiatives remind students that the world they inhabit is a treasure to be enjoyed and protected, not taken for granted. Ransom Everglades allows students to experience the ocean through sailing and scuba diving, water pa- trols, the science curriculum, special projects and clubs, all while providing guidance and resources that enable them to take action. Change takes time but our students can be the environmental stewards of our future. Dr. Kelly Jackson Science Teacher