Podcasting Deep Dive #2

Last week, the students rolled up their sleeves for the second podcasting deep dive with Manda Aufochs-Gillespie and Immanuel McKenty.

Students started on the process of planning out, researching, scripting, interviewing and producing a feature-length (30 minutes+) journalistic podcast.

Students learned about narrative structure, the many (sometimes challenging!) stages of a creative project, and interviewed award-winning author Ruth Ozeki about her book, “A Tale for the Time Being”.

FolkU with Rex Weyler

We recently had Rex Weyler stop by on Folku Friday to regale us with tales of the early days of Greenpeace, including how the organization was founded and the early days of working to end whaling.

Rex’s talents vary widely, and we’ve been fortunate to have Rex teach us math on Fridays and provide ongoing math tutoring. Thank you so much to Rex for all you do to support the Academy and the students!

FolkU with Miranda & Autumn

This past Friday, we joined Miranda and Autum for a tour of the Kw’as pond site, where we learned all about beavers, wetlands and the incredible work that has been done there to help co-create (with the beavers!) a healthy wetland ecosystem. 

It was fascinating to learn all about these creatures and the essential work they do!

Trip to Surge Narrows!

In the first week of November, the students visited Surge Narrows on Read Island. Exploring bogs, learning how to navigate with a compass, harvesting chanterelles, learning to start a fire with flint and steel, many hikes, learning about off-grid energy, and playing games with the local kids! It was a blast. 

Thank you to the Surge Narrows community association, Sheila, Scott, Renate, Suzanne, and Ralph for hosting, transporting and feeding us!

Pitfiring Masks at Mansons Lagoon!

Last Wednesday, students got a weather window to complete their wild clay masks with Tianna, and pit fire them at Mansons Lagoon.

Requiring two firings, we had another excellent survival rate, made s’mores, talked about social practice, solutions of storytelling, and stayed warm (enough)!

The students created a video about their experience creating these clay masks and have submitted it to the Mount Washington video competition in hopes of winning a free day of skiing! You can watch their video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca_Zei2nn7U&feature=youtu.be

Grade 7/8 Trip to Channel Rock

This past Friday, a group of CIA students led a trip to Channel Rock on Cortes Island with a group of Cortes Public Schools Grade 7/8 students and a group from Homalco Nation.

Everyone had a blast participating in a fire-building challenge, playing Ayajuthem language games, as well as various other indoor and outdoor games.

We even found a giant cauliflower mushroom, weighing in around 10-15 lbs!

Thank you to Elliott for allowing us to use visit this amazing property!

For the past three weeks, students have been in the forest — asking questions, forming hypotheses, and running their own experiments! From studying which plants thrive near certain trees to counting slugs in different ecosystems, they’re learning what it means to do science in the field.

On Tuesday, Duane Hansen joined our class to discuss Two Eyed Seeing, and his work at the school wetland project. 

Wetland restoration specialist, Miranda Cross, gave us an overview of the role of wetlands, the historical context for this area and the work that her and the team have been doing. 

In these photos you can see the layout of over 500 native plants, which were all planted that day!

Surge Narrows Trip

Next week, students are off for another adventure! They will be exploring the trails, forests & beaches around Read Island.

Students will be immersed in place-based learning, youth-led activities, local knowledge holders, and more.