Takoma Park Middle School Teacher Brings Research Back to Classroom

For Takoma Park Middle School science teacher Mary Ellen Wolfinger, getting out was an important way to bring things back to the classroom.

Wolfinger joined an Earthwatch research team for a 12-day expedition from June 27 to July 8 in Exuma, an island in the Bahamas. Her mission was to help scientists develop a database of water quality and fisheries biodiversity and implement a coastal restoration project. Nine teachers sponsored by Northrop Grumman took part in the project.

“It was great to be in the field doing research,” Wolfinger said.  “I can’t wait to do more data collection with my students this year and teach them some of the techniques I learned on my expedition.

Wolfinger and the other volunteers did daily water quality sampling at Victoria Pond on Exuma, and fish, algae and conch surveys at six reefs near the island she said.

The trip reminded Wolfinger how much she loved research.

“My experience in The Bahamas reinvigorated my love for ecology and introduced me to an ecosystem that I cannot experience in Maryland.  Living in Exuma for two weeks and working with local scientists helped me to understand the challenges of protecting the natural treasures of a fragile island environment,” Wolfinger said.