CedarBridge Academy has reflected on its partnership with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences for a programme that provides a wide range of Stem pathways.

BIOS, a unit of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University, formed a signature learning partnership with the school in collaboration with BIOS’s Waterstart programme.

It has been engaging students aged 14 to 16 in science learning through hands-on experiences across various environmental and scientific fields.

The programme included CedarBridge Academy’s senior 1 and senior 2 classes, made up of 76 students who recently participated in the partnership, supported by the Ministry of Education.

In 2024, two-week sessions held over September and December focused on environmental topics designed to engage students through an interactive curriculum.

The lessons complemented CedarBridge’s biology syllabus and aimed to deepen students' understanding of natural systems.

The partnership was designed to equip students with skills required to address local and global environmental challenges.

Students took part in field trips to the ASU/BIOS campus at Ferry Reach and Waterstart’s classroom on Burt Island.

The curriculum encouraged critical thinking around Bermuda’s marine and terrestrial habitats.

Ashley Robinson, the head of science at CedarBridge Academy, said the programme is “a great example of how partnerships can transform education”.

In September, a group of S1 students took part in an immersive experience related to the role and importance of coral reefs.

During their visit to ASU BIOS, they were introduced to the Bermuda Marine Mesocosm Facility, an outdoor experimental laboratory where environmental systems are studied under controlled conditions.

A spokeswoman for BIOS said: “Collaboration such as this offered a unique opportunity for high school students to engage directly with leading professionals and researchers at ASU BIOS, showcasing the invaluable transfer of knowledge to Bermuda’s youth.”

Melanie Burrows, a faculty member of the science department at CedarBridge Academy, added: “This hands-on experience not only enriched their understanding of ocean science but also inspired a deeper passion for protecting our ecosystems.”

More than 100 students have participated in the signature learning partnership during the two years it has been in operation.

Kaitlin Noyes, BIOS’s director of education and community engagement, spearheaded the initiative “to provide students with a window into what’s possible, while reinforcing curricular standards”.

She also emphasised that these “experiential learning opportunities and the career guidance helps students identify new career opportunities on and off-island”.

Ms Noyes added: “Partnering with Waterstart introduces students to a broader range of environmental topics, exposing them to additional career pathways in conservation and sustainability management.”

While at Burt Island, CedarBridge Academy students had the opportunity to engage with Waterstart experts who taught them about plant taxonomy in terrestrial and coastal habitats.

The pupils also learnt about the importance of native and endemic species to a healthy environment.

Anne Kermode, Waterstart’s education officer who served as an instructor during the trip, said: “Welcoming students to our outdoor campus is the first step in helping them connect with a real, physical environment.”

In December, a separate group of CedarBridge S2 students visited ASU BIOS, exploring the food chain. As part of the programme, the students were able to board a research vessel and perform a plankton tow.

Janos Lindsay, one of the students, said: “It was so exciting to collect samples and look at them under the microscope.

“Seeing all the tiny organisms was incredible and I never realised how important plankton are to the entire food chain.”

Virtual reality technology helped explain the systems and the vital role plankton play in maintaining the balance of the ocean.

This group also visited Burt Island where Waterstart provided training on food security and the role aquaculture plays in the economy.

Students learnt about challenges under the guidance of JP Skinner, the director of Waterstart.

The group saw a small-scale oyster farm and experienced the process of cleaning the bags that house oysters and scallops.

Aaliyah Berkeley, a student who attended the field trip, said: “Cleaning oysters was my favourite part.

“It was amazing to learn how oysters self-clean our oceans and it made me realise how important they are for the environment.”

The spokeswoman for BIOS added that the signature learning partnership, and the support of Centennial Bermuda Foundation, was providing a wealth of opportunities for students.