800-Acre Labs - About - McDonogh School
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800-Acre Labs

800-Acre Labs

Learning Rooted in Nature

Building on McDonogh’s legacy as a farm school, 800-Acre Labs expands the School's reach into environmental and agricultural sciences. This program of distinction offers students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade transformative learning experiences that foster deep connections with the natural world. With access to our campus's abundant natural resources—including fields, streams, woods, ponds, and watersheds—students of all ages have countless opportunities to explore diverse ecosystems, investigate natural and agricultural systems, and deepen their understanding of environmental science.

This innovative initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Frohring Foundation Environmental Sustainability Endowment.

Purpose

The purpose of 800-Acre Labs is to offer students unique opportunities to explore the fields of agricultural and environmental sciences and gain a deep understanding of their complexities, significance, and challenges in today’s world.

The program seeks to graduate a community of environmentally conscious leaders who possess deep connections with the natural world and who are inspired to enter these fields in order to do the greatest possible amount of good.

PROGRAM FEATURES

Environmental Sciences
We integrate K-12 coursework in environmental sciences, utilizing our diverse campus ecosystems as living laboratories, classroom settings, and areas for exploration.

Field Research Projects
Student-driven research initiatives take place across our woods, fields, ponds, and streams, contributing to the scientific understanding of our natural world.

Watershed Studies
Students engage in a comprehensive investigation of our campus water systems (e.g., streams, ponds, wetlands) and examine the impact that our land use has on the aquatic ecology and water quality of these systems.

Biodiversity Conservation
Students actively participate in habitat restoration as well as long-term ecological, community, and population monitoring programs across systems and species of interest.

Roots Farm Integration
Students engage in hands-on learning at Roots Farm, our 10-acre working farm, featuring sustainable agriculture practices, livestock management, and farm-to-table programs.

Sustainable Agriculture
Students gain practical experience with the science of organic farming, regenerative agriculture, and soil health management.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Students graduating from McDonogh will:

  • Develop environmental literacy through understanding of ecological principles, environmental challenges, and sustainable solutions.
  • Build agricultural competency through practical skills in sustainable farming, soil management, and food production systems.
  • Demonstrate understanding of scientific methodology by proficiency in field research, data collection, analysis, and scientific communication.
  • Deepen understanding of systems through the ability to understand complex environmental interactions and interconnected systems.
  • Inspire innovation, problem-solving, advocacy, and community engagement by creative approaches to environmental challenges using scientific principles which lead to advocacy for change and mobilization of community members.