Sustainability

We want to instill within our students the knowledge, skills and attitudes to make environmentally and socially responsible decisions so they can create sustainable solutions for the future.

Sample of Upper School courses

Marine Science: Local

In this course, students focus on the local marine and coastal environment — the “nature of GFA — by exploring and learning about each of the three ecosystems
right in our backyard: the Sound, beach, and marsh. This introduces many topics (physical, chemical, and biological) that allow students to explore in more detail as the semester progresses, and prepares them for regular monthly surveys and additional fieldwork.

Marine Science: Global

In this course, students will take a more global focus on the oceans. They will engage in fieldwork and take time to investigate global ocean ecosystems and issues with a focus on ways in which human activities influence the oceans. The units in this course may include oyster reefs, coral reefs, noise pollution, and marine debris, among other topics.

Human Ecology and Sustainability Inquiry

An in-depth exploration of what it means to live well in a place. Through case studies, primary literature, and other readings, students study sustainability theory, environmental ethics, and environmental justice. The course includes an off-campus immersion experience that will help class become a collaborative cohort of leaders in sustainability.

ADVANCED INQUIRY IN HUMAN ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY

For students who are passionate about study of the environment and sustainability issues, GFA offers an interdisciplinary, project-focused program designed to empower students to explore their passions and become stewards of their world.

Check out Sustainability in action at GFA!

Sustainability in the News

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Project-Based Learning in PreKindergarten: Raven and The Box of Daylight

Every spring, the PreKindergartners develop a long-term, interdisciplinary project. This learning is driven entirely by the children’s interests and imaginations; students author the work. We partner with the PreKindergartners by bringing their questions and passions into our academic program. Young children need to know they are taken seriously, and their ideas are worth acting on. Although the students’ projects differ greatly from year to year, our objective remains the same: We hope children will learn to take ideas hidden in their minds, realize them, and share them with the world.

GFA is on the Pollinator Pathway!

By Anna Moss '24

Hi, I am Anna, a sophomore at GFA, currently in Dr. Heenehan’s human ecology and sustainability inquiry. A part of this inquiry’s course is choosing a project to focus on during the spring semester. For my project, I decided to base my project on the pollinator pathway and get GFA on the pollinator pathway map!

Surround Yourself With Successful People

By Cosi Whieteley '26

Surrounding yourself with people smarter than you will result in overall growth. Engaging people with curiosity about the world will make you more interested and curious as well.

Clean Your Community and Win a Prize!

Earth Day is Friday, April 22, and each division has events planned throughout the day at school. We also encourage you to give back to Mother Earth by picking up trash in your backyard, or at your favorite park or beach or even on the hiking trails you go to throughout the week.