“I’ve painted 19 gold rocks. . . A whale tooth. . . . And these acrylic specimens that resemble fossils,” enthused Mrs. Sara Acharya, Geneva Day School’s devoted instructor of Environmental Education.
Where are these treasures headed!?
To the school’s sandbox!
Student-scientists engage in a “dig” to simulate the work of environmentalists. As they discover sand and mud, they reflect on the meaning of “excavation” and the structure of Earth’s layers.
“I need the kids to understand what’s above, below, and around them,” explained Mrs. Acharya, who also presented a ten-foot diagram of a cross-section to Earth. Through vivid illustration of what can be found at each layer, student-scientists see the larger picture.
“I want them to have a full awareness of all that they encounter in the Geneva grounds and in the area. We learn about what is relevant here,” she said of this enlightened approach.
Environmental Education at Geneva places emphasis on the here and now. It celebrates regional distinctions and invites discovery of Maryland Green School grounds. An innovative playground, bamboo forest, tree stump obstacle course, Monarch Butterfly Waystation, fairy tale bridge, and flower garden yield endless exploration.
According to Director Daisy Lizama, who has long supported the school’s pioneering programs, “the Geneva Method nurtures a deep respect for our natural world. And it empowers kids to explore, ask questions, and love our environment.”
Recently, the campus became stage to a high-stakes exercise in natural selection. "We did a lesson on camouflage. We worked on patterns. . . Building on patterns," Mrs. Acharya noted.
The goal was for student-scientists to discover how color manifestation can be a matter of life or death in the wild. Accompanying patterns may enhance (or diminish) chances of survival. “If you are trying to evade a predator, you would not want to be rainbow-colored. You would want to blend in,” explained Mrs. Acharya.
To bridge the gap between theory and local wildlife, student-scientists examined the white-tailed deer. "I showed a quick film of fawns with spots on their backs. The spots look like mottled light coming through the forest canopy," Mrs. Acharya described.
To test their knowledge, Mrs. Acharya hid frog figurines of varying color and pattern across Geneva's grounds. "Students stood on the outdoor classroom’s elevated parapet. I wanted them to look out and discover what they could see. Frogs which had good camouflage, they could not detect, and would survive."
“Friendly predators" (otherwise known as the students) leapt with excitement as they scoured the landscape. “The frog figurines they did see, we collected during the lesson. The ones they could not see, we missed," Mrs. Acharya laughed. Even the trained eye of a professional (who maintained “insider knowledge” of where the frogs hid) could not manage to corral them all.
What is it about Geneva's grounds that advance such lessons with joy?
For Mrs. Acharya, the answer is the immersive power of Nature. Flower fields are only somewhat contained. The bamboo forest sprawls. Butterfly chimes and child-proportioned teepees beckon. A tree stump obstacle course leads to an open field for additional exploration.
"Obviously we prefer lessons outside," Mrs. Acharya said, who greatly looks forward to the warmer months. “We . . transition as soon as the temperatures allow. Any time (outside) is the best time."
As facilitated by the Geneva Method, Environmental Education evolves with the seasons and as a response to student-interests. Wish to make fairy huts from moss and flowers? Wish to dig like an environmentalist who also dreams of paleontology? All of this and more become possible when innovation and imagination unite.
"I hope that we can plant in April or May. Students did bulb planting in the fall. These flowers are starting to pop up,” noted Mrs. Acharya, who revels in the colors of the new season.
“Director Lizama talked about milkweed seedlings, which promote the path of migratory Monarch Butterflies," she added. Throughout the school’s six decades, its mascot, the Monarch, has received the dutiful support of milkweed plantings, and this year is no different.
“(Soon) there will be new growth in the garden, so I’ll make sure (student-scientists) keep apprised of Nature’s spring arrival,” promised Mrs. Acharya.
At Geneva Day School, lessons are not just found within books. They thrum within tall grasses, whisper from the sand of the sandbox, and bloom in unbridled gardens. By teaching student-scientists to always look closer and ask questions, Mrs. Acharya ensures they find the "gold" in the natural world each and every day.
Geneva Day School, often considered the region's "Best Preschool," continues to accept Applications for Academic Year 2026-27.
Its award-winning Summer Camp registration remains underway.
Be sure to call 301-340-7704 to schedule your tour!
www.genevadayschool.org
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