LA students observed nature by the University of Maine Darling Marine Center shoreline their recent field trip to the Walpole campus. Photo credit: Heather Leslie.

More than 115 Lincoln Academy high school students visited the University of Maine Darling Marine Center last month. 

On two beautiful late October days, members of LA’s sophomore class had the opportunity to hike along the Damariscotta River, and engage in close observations of the natural world with their teachers and peers. They wrote poetry and shared reflections about their connections with nature, and particularly with coastal places.

“It wasn’t boring,” one student observed. “We had fun.” 

“I really enjoyed sitting [by] the river,” one student reflected. “I feel like I don’t get much time to just sit and notice anymore. It was peaceful, and I’d like to do it more.” 

Another student said, “The difference between learning in a classroom versus coming here [to the DMC] is really big. It was so nice to be outside all day, and be able to move around [while learning].”

The goal of the program was to provide space for the students to connect with the river and one another through poetry and other creative writing activities. LA and DMC staff collaboratively designed the program over the last six months, with support from a grant from UMaine’s Senator George J Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions.  

The program is part of a research project led by Heather Leslie, professor of marine sciences. Leslie is based at the DMC and is a resident of Newcastle. 

“We are interested in exploring creative ways to understand and build resilience in our community,” Leslie explained. “It was fantastic to have LA students on campus, sharing their observations and using outdoor spaces on campus to write, reflect, and learn.”

As part of their visit to the Walpole campus, students heard the stories of some of the many people working on the river and at other places on the Maine coast, and about the changes they’ve observed in their local communities and ecosystems.  

“It was wonderful to get students out of the classroom and into nature,” said LA English teacher Bridget Wright. “Students engaged in interdisciplinary learning opportunities and had time to think and talk about the ways English, science, and nature intersect.”

To learn more about the project, including how you can get involved by sharing your story, please contact Leslie at the Darling Marine Center, via heather.leslie@maine.edu. 

Founded in 1965, the Darling Marine Center’s mission is to connect people to the ocean. The Center’s researchers, staff and students work alongside fishermen, aquaculture entrepreneurs, marine industry professionals and other members of the community in Maine and around the world. More information is available at dmc.umaine.edu