Deep Creek Middle School Students Dive Into School Without Walls
As part of the Deep Creek Middle School (DCMS) curriculum, students spend three academic weeks each year fully immersed in the natural environment for a hands-on learning experience in a program called School Without Walls.
In the last week of School Without Walls for this academic year, Grade 7 students explored natural ecosystems of South Eleuthera and learned about native species; Grade 8 students ventured to Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, to learn about preserving cultural traditions, and Grade 9 students completed their junior open-water scuba certifications and learned about the importance of marine conservation.
Each class is given a driving question that guides their learning throughout the week. Students apply the knowledge they have learned in the classroom to hands-on lessons in order to develop a deeper understanding of their coursework and solve real-world problems.
Grade 7 Students Explore the Natural Environment
Driving question: Are marine protected areas (MPAs) culturally relevant and helpful for sustainability in South Eleuthera?
Throughout the week, our Grade 7 students explored different marine environments to identify indigenous and invasive species; collect data, and create maps.
Students also participated in an invasive species lesson and learned about lionfish. These animals, which are indigenous to the Indo-Pacific region and the Red Sea, were first spotted in The Bahamas in 2004 and have quickly populated the area. They sport large, ornate fins with venomous spines, and their massive appetites make them a threat to Caribbean reef health. Lionfish are known for eating nearly any fish or crustacean that they can manage to swallow! Led by teachers who carefully removed all of the venomous spines, students participated in a lionfish dissection to examine their stomach contents.
Luckily, lionfish are delicious and perfectly safe to eat, which makes them a wonderful and sustainable seafood option.
Grade 8 Students Celebrate and Create Methods for Preserving Bahamian Culture
Driving question: How can we, as environmental stewards, design solutions to sustain and celebrate Bahamian traditions in a rapidly changing world?
Our Grade 8 students traveled to Nassau to explore the concept of “cultural sustainability” by interacting with stakeholders in various industries, including tourism, animation, straw work, and Junkanoo.
Diving Deeper Into Marine Conservation with Grade 9 Students
Driving question: What can we do as a people to preserve, sustain, and enhance our coral habitats to protect the vital industries our Bahamian communities rely on?
Our Grade 9 students continued the process of getting their PADI Junior Open Water scuba certifications and dove deeper into marine ecosystems while building confidence in their diving skills. Becoming scuba certified is a giant milestone for each and every one of our DCMS Grade 9 students, as it allows them to develop a better appreciation for the ocean and understand their role in protecting the marine environment.
The Bahamas Coral Innovation Hub team at the Cape Eleuthera Institute also delivered PADI AWARE Coral Conservation curriculum to Grade 9 students. Through this program, students were able to get hands-on experience identifying the most common corals in the Caribbean, as well as the many invertebrates that call them home.
They will continue their scuba journey, and we hope that all students have their certifications completed by the end of the academic year.
Creating Space for Non-Traditional Learning
School Without Walls provides our Deep Creek Middle School students with an opportunity to further-develop their critical thinking skills and build confidence as young leaders. To see more photos of their time outside the walls of a traditional classroom, click here: Spring 2025 School Without Walls.