BELL I

From destroying fragile tundra for oil pipelines to spraying pesticides on our front lawns, we make decisions every day that impact the environment in significant ways. Sustainable development, which the United Nations defines as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” attempts to balance the many demands our modern lifestyles place on the environment with the needs of generations to come.  In this course, students study sustainable development through the lens of several academic disciplines, including biology, geology and environmental science and policy.

Narragansett Bay, a 147 square mile estuary, and Brown’s Haffenreffer estate, a 372 acre historic farm property, provide an ideal setting for learning about human impacts on the environment. Narragansett Bay is one of the most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems on earth, home to hundreds of different species. Its watershed, that is, the larger area of land that drains into the Bay, is one of the most densely populated watersheds in the country.  This makes the Narragansett Bay region an excellent location to learn about the challenges of protecting the environment while trying to meet many different human needs. Through living and learning in the field, students can witness the environmental impacts of human decision-making occurring literally in their own backyard.

BELL’s highly experiential curriculum allows students to learn by doing: from trawling for marine organisms on a 45-foot research vessel, to assessing the ecological effects of their own energy consumption, students take a hands-on approach to evaluating human impacts on the Narragansett Bay watershed.  Students also learn and practice steps they can take to make a positive difference in their home communities.  In this way BELL is more than a course, as the entire experience becomes a 24-hour laboratory for sustainable living. What’s more, students gain the skills of true environmental leaders by learning to collaborate in groups to solve problems and effectively communicate findings, through simulations, case studies, panel discussions, and a day on a ropes course.

Students will leave this course with a greater appreciation for the natural world, and the knowledge, skills and confidence to advocate for its protection. The leadership skills students develop have even broader applications, serving them at home, at school, and in their local communities.

Who are BELL students?

Students applying to this course are interested in the environment, adventurous, and want to take active leadership roles as they challenge themselves both physically and intellectually. They are often interested in environmental science and policy, biology, chemistry or geology. We look for students with a diversity of experiences, emotional maturity and a track record of interest in collaborative activities.