Story by Jing Jing Yang, Grade 10 World of Work Intern
Photos by Claire Liu, Grade 10 World of Work Intern

“It’s like having a giant, living laboratory on our campus.”

This is how Grade 3 Teacher Phillip Cowell described WAB's campus during a unit about humans and the ecosystem. The Grade 3 classes were exploring Duck Lake, a small body of water nestled between WAB’s High School and Middle School buildings. They had been making picture e-books for the students in their buddy class, a group of kindergarteners with whom they often partner for learning.

“The students have loved it, and the teachers have been amazed by this impressive resource,” Mr. Cowell said. “Students can use it for science, for art, for outdoor education, or even as a tranquil place to write.”

Since the WAB community ramped up its efforts to clean Duck Lake and transform it into a platform for learning, wildlife has steadily returned, and the ecosystem has recovered. The project Mr. Cowell’s Grade 3 students have been working on is exactly the type of learning WAB hoped a healthy Duck Lake could facilitate.

Project-based learning offers students a wealth of interdisciplinary opportunities. Creating this book about ecology for Kindergarten students required them to scientifically observe and collect data, utilize language skills for a younger audience, and design a multimedia book that could both entertain and inform. Learning across subject areas and the ability to apply skills and knowledge to real-life situations help students enhance their understanding of concepts and equips them with skills they’ll need in the future.

This school year is a milestone in Duck Lake’s education potential as a resource for project-based learning at WAB. The students worked on the project over an extensive period of time and were engaged in analyzing positive and negative human impact on the environment as well as demonstrating their learning by creating a product for a real audience. It unleashed a curious, creative energy among the students.

Duck Lake is a iconic symbol of WAB’s community and culture. Sparked at the WAB Gala in the fall of 2016, community donations and the Fund for Education and Environment of Duck Lake (FEED) raised money and contributions of cleaning equipment to create a thriving ecosystem that could be used as a learning resource as well as a venue for community activities.

“We are deeply thankful to everyone who played a part in renovating the lake,” Mr. Cowell said. “Without the efforts of our entire community, the commitment of our administration, the care from WAB families, and the initiative shown by our teachers and students, this amazing resource would not exist. We are truly grateful.”