News Archive

The Environmental Science 11 class travelled to the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre in Cowichan Bay on Tuesday, April 9, to get a first-hand look at a significant and sensitive ecosystem as part of their wetland ecology unit.

 

“The focus of this field trip was on human impacts to the estuary, and using quadrats to investigate the estuary,” science teacher Ms. Alexandra Ballantyne explained. “A main focus of the quadrat study was to identify species living in the tidal zone and to compare invasive and non-invasive species. We primarily looked at varnish clams and the potential threat of European green crabs.”

 

Students fanned out across the globe over Spring Break – many to their homes both near and far, but some on a variety of School-sponsored trips and tours related to their academic, athletic, and artistic pursuits at Shawnigan.

 

 

Seven students and two staff members flew to Jamaica as part of the EDGE (Engagement, Development, Gratitude and Experience) program, where they took part in projects to improve the lives of children there. They first visited the SOS Children’s Village, a sanctuary for children ages six to 17 who have been separated from their parents. The village houses 40 kids in all, six or seven to a house with an “auntie” who oversees them. The Shawnigan students painted one of the houses, including sanding and preparing the building, and spent three days engaging with the kids.