Every October, both AP Environmental Science (APES) and CP Marine Biology classes have the opportunity to go on a weekend trip to Catalina Island. Students were able to experience a multitude of activities and learn ways they can help conserve the environment.
As CHS has attended the trip for several years now, the popularity of the program has increased. Senior Maddy Ambrose, an APES student who went on the trip last year, reflects on the most memorable experiences that continue to resonate with her a year later.
“The highlight of my trip was when we went scuba diving at night during the bioluminescence and got to learn about how it works,” Ambrose said.
The privilege to go on the trip is also an opportunity for the teachers, as they enjoy helping the students learn more in-depth about the class. APES teacher Todd Muilenburg, who always attends, illuminates how the learnings from their class can be applied to experiences on the trip.
“[Students] learn about ecosystems, how organisms interact with their environment [and] how people interact with their environment,” Muilenburg said. “That’s something that we get to witness out there.”
Students taking the classes this year were excited to go for various reasons, ranging from activities like rock climbing and kayaking to the interactive ocean labs. The experience also gave students more insight into how the locals conserve the island and how they can apply these learnings to the mainland.
“We saw what protecting and conserving our environment looked like and how we could develop our skills along the way,” Ambrose said.
During the trip, students were able to reflect on the teachings they’ve retained within their science classes and understand their value. Along with this, students learned how this education can be applied to real scenarios, making it more fun through interactive settings.
“We learned all about rain science, island ecology, and all about marine biology,” Muilenberg said. “This helps them connect real-life situations to class and allows them to enjoy learning more.”
As the island-experience strongly differs from the average field trip, students are also expected to adapt to island accommodations. A chance to be disconnected from social media and other online pressures for the weekend, teens get to fully immerse themselves in the trip.
“Well the biggest reason [we have the trip] is that it’s a lot of fun and pretty unique,” Muilenberg said. “Seeing how you get to be on the island and you’re remote, there’s no cell service, no shopping, [you’re] just totally isolated.”
For many students who attended the trip, the opportunities and exposure given expanded their views on both the class and future careers. An immense privilege for CHS students, both teachers and those involved in the program hope for students to continue seizing the opportunity and applying their learnings.
“I believe that it’s good to get hands-on experiences when learning about a subject,” Ambrose said. “I feel like it brought me closer to the class itself and helped me better understand the concepts of [environmental science].”
