LU Biological & Environmental Sciences

Though quite chilly early on, it was a lovely day for an Ornithology (BIOL 371) field trip. The students had great looks at some fun species like Brown-headed Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bald Eagle, and some Tree Swallows that may have been rethinking their early arrival! Not as many waterfowl species as hoped, but the woodpeckers tried to make up for that (Downy, Red-headed, Red-bellied, Nothern Flicker, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker). Great day!

And that's a wrap! The LIFE STEM Scholars and faculty joined the Longwood University Department of Mathematics and Computer Science's Computer Science Scholars and faculty for a celebratory wrap-up to the pre-semester summer bridge programs. Now the new Scholars are immersed in New Lancer Days. We wish them well as they launch their Longwood careers!

The LIFE STEM Scholars' Chesapeake Bay explorations included a tour of the Cowart Seafood facility. We followed oysters from the boat dock through the shucking house and into cold (very cold!) storage. The Cowart team is always generous with their time, and Captain Rowe of Bay Quest Charters is so great at facilitating these behind-the-scenes experiences.

Monday was the LIFE STEM Scholars' last full day on the Chesapeake Bay. It was spent with Captain Rowe of Bay Quest Charters aboard his Chesapeake Bay deadrise. The scholars tonged for oysters, netted fish, handled crabs from crab pots, and continued their water quality data collection. Much was learned about the health of the bay and the work of the watermen.

The semester hasn't even started for these first-year LIFE STEM Scholars, but we do science! It was a great day of designing and carrying out experiments at The Baliles Center at Hull Springs.

The LIFE STEM Scholars Class of 2028 has arrived! The summer bridge program is underway at The Baliles Center at Hull Springs. After arriving on Friday, scholars collected water samples and explored the site. On Saturday, we headed to Tangier Island on the Chesapeake Breeze with Tangier Island Cruises. Today we're designing and carrying out experiments to explore water quality questions. This year's cohort of 12 scholars is joined by 11 mentors from the LIFE STEM classes of 2027, 2026, and 2023!

It's BioBlitz week! Bring the family to the Longwood Environmental Education Center this Saturday to explore local biodiversity. Register here (or decide at the last minute - that's okay, too!):

Longwood 2024 BIOBLITZ This April 20th, we are restarting the BioBlitz. Come and join us from 9:00am – 12:00pm to enjoy nature, identify plants and animals.

Always great to see the work of our Longwood University Citizen Leaders! Way to go, Kelsey Thornton!

One more update from the LU@CBay group. They had a very full Fall Break studying the stewardship of the Bay: science + civic engagement!

The LU@CBay academic adventure continues!

Another great Brock Experience facilitated by the Chichester crew!