Monthly Archives: September 2011

Aquaculture, Cape Eleuthera Institute, research

Fall 2011 First Aquaculture Research Project Update!

[slideshow]

Aquaculture Fall 2011 is off to a great start! Six enthusiastic students have embarked on a journey through the wild scientific studies of Aquaculture. Already, we have trod through mangroves, swum through strong currents, and collected 200 water samples in the past week. We have been testing pH level, levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature of the water. The water sample data we collected is being used to see if the mangroves surrounding the school and institute filter the water efficiently. The water is collected outside of the CEI campus and is then used in the CEI labs to raise fish. After the water goes through CEI, it goes through the mangroves and back out into the ocean. Hopefully our water sample research will show that the mangroves do effectively filter the water. Later on in the semester, we will dive down ninety feet to our underwater Aquaculture cage in order to help inform ourselves on ways to improve the problems Aquaculture has faced. We will keep you updated on our progress throughout the rest of the semester!

Cacique Update

Cacique Update September 27, 2011

by Caciques Tori O. and Forrest

Today we woke up at the regular time of 6:30 for run and swim track practices.  Run track completed a timed run of around four miles while swim track practiced sprints.  After breakfast we rotated between Literature, Math, and Histories class.  In Histories and Literature we had Harkness discussions, while in math we began our project on The Island School cisterns.  The project entitles students to try to answer the question: how do we most efficiently use our cisterns? Continue reading →

Uncategorized

Stories Beneath the Waves

In the beginning, there was artwork. From the artwork, came stories. Yes…yes, we are indeed talking about marine ecology. No joke.  Marine ecology is NOT just about diving and pretty fishes.  God help us if it was.  Sticking with the cross-disciplinary approach at The Island School, students incorporate themes from other departments, holding them close as they descend beneath the waves. Beautiful dives abound throughout the Cape, yet the beauty is never truly ‘seen’ until one’s attention is focused. This is where the intricate detail is. This is where the nuances come alive. This is where life begins. This is where ecology happens. Continue reading →

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Eleutheros – An Inter-Disciplinary Reflection

This year, the Human Ecology, Histories, and Literature Departments have collaborated on a series ongoing assignments. Each week students are asked to write a reflective essay that demonstrates their understanding of the themes from their coursework and effectively links these themes to their unique thoughts and experiences.  Enjoy reading how our students have deeply and personally engage with essential questions, important to their course of study at The Island School…

This Weeks Prompt:  Within the context of your experience at The Island School so far, especially in Literature, Histories and Human Ecology how have you begun to see your own paradigm and worldview challenged or changed?

“Gingersnap” by Grace Fowler

Gingersnap is the perfect example of a paradigm. Orange and very temperamental, Gingersnap fits the common stereotype of a “sassy ging.” He bites, claws, mauls and sneaks. He terrorizes lizards and tries to steal food from people’s plates. I’ve heard some students say he is the most hated cat at The Island School, and have even seen him be hurled off the dining hall deck by the scruff of his neck. However, spend enough time with him or pick him up when he’s not busy hunting lizards, and he’s the sweetest cat. Countless times he’s crawled onto my stomach and began purring loudly. He’s curious and smart. Once you get past the incessant biting, he’s a gem.

A paradigm is a system of understanding. Often in this world, people are defined by their paradigms. Their judgments, beliefs and biases determine who their friends are, what they like, and what they do. To see the big picture, you must understand it. You must talk to people and experience what they experience to understand their culture and beliefs. Continue reading →

CEI, Uncategorized

Carlton University Field Course Videos

Every winter for the past few years, the Cape Eleuthera Institute has hosted biologist Nigel Waltho and a group of students from Carlton University in Ottawa, Ontario for a two-week dive-intensive field course. During their stay, the students develop individual projects on coral disease, reef health, fish communities, etc. At the conclusion of the course, they must put prepare and present a final report. Nigel has recently uploaded a number of videos from their time in Eleuthera. Check out all their videos here!

Cacique Update

Cacique Update September 26, 2011

1 Comment

by Caciques Tori Suslovitch and Connor Sullivan

Tori:

Today during advisory time, my (Megan’s) advisory traveled to Rock Sound in search of a hidden cave. None of us had ever been there before but Megan had very general directions of where to look: follow the road into Rock Sound, stop at the first white church that you see on the right, and take the path on the other side of the road until you find a ladder. Climb down the ladder. Vines winded in and out of the cave and spiderwebs hung from every corner. While it was dark and a little frightening, we all climbed over the unusually shaped rocks and explored the series of caves. We even found an area that was full of bats. Going on an adventure through this National Heritage Site was incredible and exciting; the entire exploration felt like a scene straight out of an Indiana Jones Movie.

[slideshow]

Connor:

During my (Beth’s) advisory time, we also went to Rock Sound, but we explored the ocean hole. Although it looks like a lake, it is connected underground to the ocean by a deep cave, the bottom of which has never been found. Continue reading →

Deep Creek Middle School, Uncategorized

Caribbean Boarding School Fair Pre-Conference in Eleuthera

Deep Creek Middle School in conjunction with The Island School is hosting boarding school admissions officers in Eleuthera in November. It is a great opportunity for schools to get to know some of the local students who may be considering continuing their education in the U.S. for high school. As part of their time in Eleuthera, admissions officers would conduct a school fair, observe classes, and tour The Island School. It is a great opportunity for sending schools to spend some time at Deep Creek Middle School, as well as some time on The Island School campus. Please click here for more information.

Cacique Update

Cacique Update September 25, 2011

by Caciques Maddy and Ian

A Poem Update by Maddy:

Waking up, it’s a brand new day

All of the rain got chased away

Waking up it’s the early morn

Shhh.. you have to be quiet inside the dorm.

Doing some homework before the day starts

Makes me feel so awesome and smart.

I walk to the boats, excited inside

The water is currently at low tide

We boat to blue holes ready to dive

We want to see lionfish, we’re so alive

Justin and Rob dive down with spears

And I have to wonder if they’ve been doing this for years

Some of us practice shooting the sand

There are no lionfish, nothing goes as planned,

We try two more sights and it’s obviously clear

That they’re much deeper down than they appear

Rob catches one that he had chased way deep down

We all crowded round to see the lionfish with the great big frown

We got back in the boats to head back to school

I got to practice free diving and that was so cool.

This morning was educational and fun

We got to swim in the nice warm sun.

That’s what I did on my morning off

Even though my bed was so soft.

A Reflection by Ian:

Sunday is easily my favorite day of the week here. Continue reading →

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New Cacique Update Blog Editor!

Show don’t tell. Three words simple words that make the world of difference in writing, three words that have been branded into my writing by my teachers atExeter. I didn’t like it at first, it took longer, and at times would go horribly wrong but they have made a huge difference in my abilities as a writer. As the new cacique blog editor, I would like to help incorporate that simple phrase into the upcoming blog posts. My name is Tyler Courville. I grew up in a small town in St. Ignatius, MT until my freshman year when I was accepted into Phillips Exeter Academy. One year after my first departure from home I got a plane again only this time I was headed in a completely different direction, The Bahamas. The Island School has changed my perception on sustainability and my outlook on culture and life. I am excited to work with the Caciques this fall.