St. Mary's County
Public Schools
Environmental Education
Each year, St. Mary’s County Public Schools provides students with hands-on learning experiences through our Environmental Education Program. As part of our Meaningful Watershed Education Experience (MWEE), students in 2nd, 5th, and 7th grade explore the natural world in ways that connect classroom learning to real-life stewardship. From studying local birds, trees, and pollinators, to investigating aquatic ecosystems by canoe, to growing produce for local food banks and tackling real environmental challenges, these field trips bring science to life while fostering a sense of responsibility for our community and environment. Best of all, there is no cost for families—these experiences are built into the curriculum and, for 7th graders, also fulfill the Student Service Learning graduation requirement.
Program Descriptions
Grade 2
The instructional focus of the Grade 2 lesson will be habitats and the role of pollinators.
Grade 5
The instructional focus of the Grade 5 lesson will be energy and matter transfer in ecosystems.
Grade 7
The instructional focus of the Grade 7 lesson will be non-native plants. Students will complete a service learning project, investigate biodiversity, and engage in an engineering challenge.
High School
Environmental Education staff will support high school Environmental Science classes during the winter months.
Planning Your Trip
What to Bring:
Bring water in a refillable bottle labeled with their name.
Lunch packed in reusable containers to minimize trash, which must be carried back home.
How to Dress:
Dress for the weather in layers for flexibility. We will be near the water, where temperatures tend to be 5 ̊ – 10 ̊ COLDER than inland at SCHOOL and HOME.
Strongly consider wearing a hat and sunglasses and using sunscreen and/or insect repellant (which should be applied at home).
What to Expect:
Be prepared to spend the day outdoors, even in the rain or snow, and get wet & dirty!
Be prepared to carry out all trash, as Sotterley follows Leave No Trace principles: Pack-in, Pack-out.
Permission Slips:
Your student will receive permission slips from the school.
Groupings:
- 2nd Grade: 4 groups per class.
- 5th Grade: 2 students per canoe.
- 7th Grade: 2 groups per 3 classes.
PICKUP AND DEPARTURE TIMES:
Students should report to their schools at the normal time. The times listed below indicate when the students will be leaving for the field trip (pickup) and returning from the field trip (departure). Students will return home from school as normal.
Elementary - Regular Start
Pickup: 9:15 AM
Departure: 2:15 PM
Elementary - Early Start (GWCES, GKES)
Pickup: 8:45 AM
Departure: 1:45 PM
Middle Schools - Regular
Pickup: 8:30 AM
Departure: 1:00 PM
Middle School - Charter
Pickup: 8:45 AM
Departure: 1:15 PM
