Since 2007-08, as part of its professional development program, Marymount has collaborated with the Earthwatch Institute to offer teachers the opportunity to work with scientists in conservation and field research around the world. As Earthwatch Live from the Field Fellows, the teachers share their experiences with Marymount students through videoconferencing and blogging as well as in assemblies upon their return to New York.
In January 2008 Upper School math teacher Ms. O’Doherty spent ten days in Costa Rica studying and tracking leatherback turtles. In February 2009 Upper School history and economics teacher Dr. Cornelis travelled to the Artic’s edge and worked with a team of researchers studying temperature and climate change. Their experiences in the field enriched the whole community.
Class IV homeroom teacher Ms. LeSage travelled along wildlife trails of Red Butte Canyon, Utah, tracking ungulates and other wildlife in winter 2010, and later Middle School counselor Ms. Graham joined an Earthwatch team to study volcanoes in Nicaragua. Visit Ms. LeSage’s blog and Ms. Graham’s blog.
In January 2011, PreKindergarten teacher Kathy Egan joined Earthwatch’s ongoing Costa Rican sea turtle study as Fiona O’Doherty had earlier; she skyped daily with students and kept a blog of her experience. World languages department chair Christine Tesson traveled in February to San Salvador Island to assist with the Bahamian reef survey; she kept the community updated on her activities through her blog.