CAG

CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF GIRLS Exploring Biodiversity Abroad Students Live as Field Scientists in Costa Rica

by Elizabeth Dallara ’17 and Annie McConnon ’17

Landscape in Guayabo, Costa Rica

We were both very intrigued when we discovered that Agnes Irwin was offering a summer trip to Costa Rica to study biodiversity, sustainability and conservation. Neither of us really had any experience traveling out of the country before and thought it would be a great experience to try something new and exciting. We were hoping to expand upon what we learned about biodiversity in the classroom and immerse ourselves in the culture of a country so different from our own.

The two of us, as well as junior Maya Brown-Hunt and seniors Teagan Aguirre and Jaakirah Reid, were accompanied by physical education teacher Abbey Kelley, and set out on the adventure of a lifetime. Our trip was sponsored by a high school study abroad program, Council on International Educational Exchange, or CIEE. This program is a nonprofit organization that promotes international education and exchange among different groups of people. We traveled with four other all-girls’ schools from different parts of the United States, giving us the opportunity to make new friends from across the country.

Costa Rica, one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, was the perfect place to live as field scien

Local store in Sierpe, Costa Rica

tists. We traveled for three weeks and visited five regions along the west coast: San José, Corcovado, Isla Chira, Guayabo and Monteverde. This unique learning experience provided us with the opportunity to open our eyes to things we could have never seen in a classroom. From studying the habitats of tarantulas and crocodiles to testing the waters of ecotourism by snorkeling and river tubing, we were able to immerse ourselves in the ecosystems of Costa Rica, studying and analyzing the aspects that make it one of the most environmentally-friendly countries on the planet.

One of the most meaningful and distinctive parts of our journey was on Isla Chira, where we focused on women in conservation and the crucial role that they play in Chira’s society. We listened to the Damas de Chira as they explained how difficult it was to overcome gender inequity when forming their organization, La Amistad, which is dedicated to rural tourism. After hearing the inspiring words of these women and visiting the Artisans Core, we learned that it is women who run the island. Being students at Agnes Irwin, this was the part of the trip that had the biggest impact on us as a whole. The women of Chira are people whom we as

a community should model ourselves after: strong, dedicated women who go after what they want and allow nothing to stand in their way.

As a whole, our journey to Costa Rica has opened our eyes to the world, and the people and creatures who inhabit it. One of the most important things we learned from studying biodiversity, conservation and sustainability is that every action plays a role, no matter how big or small, and is crucial for the ecosystem to function properly. We, as humans, play a huge part in the destruction — or preservation — of these ecosystems; it is up to us to make a positive difference.

Local boy in the Anexión del Partido de Nicoya Parade in Liberia, Costa Rica

Real Girls. Real Voices. Real Impact. These words perfectly embody the Center for the Advancement of Girls’ (CAG) newest leadership initiative. On Saturday, Oct. 24, CAG welcomed 50 fifth and sixth grade girls from around the area to the first of two leadership workshops to be offered this year. How Do You See Your Selfie? was an opportunity for emerging girl leaders that incorporated fun, interactive and reflective activities designed to encourage girls to think about who they are and what they stand for.

One of CAG’s central tenets is the belief that all girls have the ability to lead. Keeping this idea at the core, the Center’s staff collaborated with Middle School class deans Katie Cooper and Cathy Lynch to develop a program that thoughtfully engaged fifth and sixth grade girls about their potential as leaders. History and theater teacher Ann Ramsey, English teacher Leslie Hahne and science teacher Jennifer White, all from the Middle School, served as workshop coordinators.

In small groups, girls were encouraged to hone in on their voice and identity by distinguishing between how they are perceived by others and how they perceive themselves, as well as identifying what is most important to them. They learned that while values may differ, it is important to both appreciate those variances and hold onto what you believe. Each girl constructed a “selfie” that captured characteristics that make them unique and reflected some of the lessons learned from the day’s activities. The workshop wrapped up with a lively discussion about what students learned about themselves as leaders.

CAG’s next Middle School leadership workshop, What Do You Want on Your Pizza?, will be held Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Agnes Irwin School. All fifth and sixth grade girls are invited to attend. — Alison Brant

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

How Do You See Your Selfie?

BRIEFS

Reinvisioning Curriculum

In April, faculty who teach math came together for a lively after-school discussion of the growth mindset and its implications for instruction in mathematics across all divisions. Assistant Head of School and CAG Director Mariandl Hufford facilitated the retreat and led the group in the creation of a vision statement for the school’s math program.

Research Studies

This year, both Middle and Upper School students will be part of national research studies. Eighth graders will continue to participate in a National Science Foundationfunded survey of attitudes toward STEM. On Oct. 28, Upper Schoolers completed a survey about their school experiences conducted by author Rachel Simmons and Dr. Michele Tugade of Vassar College.

Day of the Girl Assembly

On Oct. 2, leadership from the Council for the Advancement of Girls presented an assembly for the Lower School to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child. The representatives shared stories about different girls around the world from the United Nations’ website, and then asked the Lower Schoolers to shout out words to describe a girl; “awesome” was a favorite.