Cape Cod Field Trip

Hello from Baxter Academy for Technology and Science! My name is Kate Strait and I am a science teacher here at Baxter. For the past year, my juniors and seniors have been diving into the beautiful world of marine science. They’ve studied everything from the crucial role phytoplankton play in keeping our oceans balanced, to the wonderful world of whales.

Despite our school being just a few miles from a working waterfront, many students have never had the opportunity to spend a day at the beach due to financial inequities. Nevertheless, these students remain incredibly excited and engaged even just learning from their desks. However, I am a firm believer that the best way to learn science is to do science. That means being in the field conducting experiments and participating in local citizen science projects. While Portland, ME is filled with projects relating to marine science, it does not have a National Marine Sanctuary like Stellwagen Bank (located in Cape Cod), where whales come to feed every summer. Portland also does not have an all-encompassing aquarium, like the Boston Aquarium, filled with many of the marine species we have learned about all year.

I have held a vision of taking these bright, young students on a whale watch out of Cape Cod, and to the Boston Aquarium all year. To bring this dream to fruition and ensure that all students can participate irrespective of their financial situation at home, I need to raise just $3,000 more dollars. This will cover the travel and accommodation costs, the whale watch, a visit to the Boston Aquarium, and food throughout the length of the trip for the students.

Prior to teaching, I worked as a videographer on the Hyannis Whale Watcher. To be out on the water with these gentle giants was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It sparked my abiding love of science and marine life and it is my great hope to give this extraordinary experience to my students at Baxter. There is no greater place to see whales than Cape Cod! I want my students to witness the sheer beauty and power of these animals.

Deepest Mahalo!

Kate