Chesapeake Watershed Semester

Mrs. S is hosting an information session for 9th grade students + families who might be interested in CWS💻🦪🥾📚While students don’t dive into this immersive program until their junior or senior year, the path to the watershed starts now‼️

Whether your student is a budding scientist🔬an outdoor enthusiast🏕️or just looking for a unique way to learn,l📝we encourage you to attend. We look forward to sharing how CWS can transform your student’s high school journey!

Click the 🔗 in our bio to register or email Mrs. S at [email protected]

Environmental stewardship and student leadership were on full display as 12 Gunston students joined Mrs. S and Mr. Hirsh at the Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit. The event served as a dynamic hub for young conservationists to collaborate, learn and advocate for the future of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Gunston community was well-represented in both leadership and presentation roles!

Elena Szwaja ‘27 served as a Shore Rivers Student Leader, playing a pivotal role in the organization and ex*****on of the day’s events.📋

Annabelle Baker ‘26, Eleonor Hubbert ‘26 and Lilly Showalter ‘27 took the stage to represent delivering an impactful presentation focused on tangible student action and climate advocacy. ⚖️

The intersection of art and science was also highlighted, with Chesapeake Watershed Semester visual journals featured in a dedicated gallery, showcasing how creative reflection integrates into environmental action🎨🖌️🖼️

We are 92% enrolled for Fall 2026! Only one spot left - apply now at the link in our bio!👩‍💻‼️

Have questions? Reach out to Director, Brad Hirsh, at [email protected] 📧

The Chesapeake Watershed Semester had their Capstone Symposium yesterday evening to close out the semester🎉

Students presented on a variety of topics, all relating to the Chesapeake Watershed (of course)🌊The audience included community partners, board members, advisory committee members, Gunston teachers, students, parents, CWS6 alumni and future CWS-8 students!

Interested in learning more about CWS? Check the link in our bio to visit the website!🔗

The 7th cohort of the Chesapeake Watershed Semester (CWS) has reached its exciting culmination, and we are thrilled to invite you to celebrate the accomplishments of our dedicated students at the annual Capstone Presentation! Students have spent a semester immersed in field studies, research, and exploration throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. They will now share their final projects on critical environmental topics that directly address the challenges facing the region. Light refreshments and student meet-and-greet will be from 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. and the Student presentations and CWS Certificate Ceremony from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. RSVP at the link in our bio!

CWS7 had a blast on their last expedition the week before Thanksgiving Break!🌲🍂🍁🌊🏡Students traveled to the Norfolk and Virginia Beach areas to learn about climate change and resilience in urban areas🏙️🚗From hiking in and visiting to spending time with and touring the Ryan Resilience Lab with our students made the most of their last time in the field☀️🥾📝

We love working with EPCAMR The Gunston School !

Another great day in the field with the Chesapeake Watershed Semester!🌊🌾🐮

Students visited the Harry Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology to learn about the connections between the scientific research, agriculture, forestry and environmental policy🌾🌿🍁

Assistant Director, Nancy Nunn, and cover crop pioneer Dr. Ken Starver, spoke with students about the work they do and even walked them through different stakeholder engagement scenarios. Working with our partners is one of the best parts of this semester program!

What a day in D.C.! 🇺🇸 CWS7 met with Senator to talk about the work he does to protect and advocate for the Chesapeake Bay 🌊🦆, then hopped on the Capitol Subway System to see the Senate in session⚖️👩‍⚖️👨‍⚖️ Such an inspiring experience!

Join us on Zoom from 6:30 - 7:30pm TONIGHT to learn more about the Chesapeake Watershed Semester with Director, Brad Hirsh!💡🌊🦪

Have questions? Can’t make the meeting? DM us here or email Brad directly at [email protected]

Click the link in our bio for the Zoom Registration links🔗

CWS7 was back in the field this week, this time in Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal region. Students explored the area’s rich history and its ecological and cultural legacies, rode a coal cart deep into a room & pillar mine, and hiked to journal atop the tailings of the Mammoth Vein, the largest anthracite seam in the world. ⚒️🪨🌲

Students also met with Executive Director, to learn about acid mine drainage and even got to see how they treat it!

While staying in cabins at Hickory Run State Park, students ventured out to the Boulder Field which has been there for 20,000 years!🪨