What do reading and bacteria have in common? Not much, right? Well, learning connections can surprise you, and as part of McAlister’s upcoming whole school reading of the book Thirst, fourth graders took a visit to Suffield’s wastewater treatment plant. Why, you ask? In Thirst, water scarcity and pollution make life unbearable for Mumbai’s citizens, a concern our students thankfully don’t face. However, when librarian Joy Tierney and STEM teacher Brooke Abbott sought to connect their students to the issue, they realized making it directly relatable could provide a lasting lesson. Enter Jamie Kreller, Suffield’s EPA award winning wastewater treatment plant superintendent. Jamie and his staff generously guided curious students around the facility, showing them how the plant works using bacteria and a series of processing tanks to remove contaminants, making it safe for discharge into the neighboring Connecticut River. According to Abbott, “it was such a cool experience for kids – they were so engaged and asked so many questions. It was a highlight of the year so far.”

Chief Operator Adam Kaminski shows the 4th graders how the lab is used in treating wastewater using bacteria.
Now why on earth would kids be so fascinated by this process? I mean, they hadn’t even read the book yet, right? Their motivation to learn arises from an educational approach called ‘place-based learning,’ and it’s something we are trying to spread deeply into the teaching and learning at Suffield’s elementary schools (and beyond). Place-based learning leverages community assets – like local history, expertise, natural resources, or, in this case, the town’s wastewater treatment as a way to deepen student engagement by tying it directly to students’ lived experience. Every ‘place’ has a compelling story to tell, and by breaking down the silos that separate schools from their communities, magical things can happen. There are other benefits too. By increasing opportunities for our students to learn outside, we are able to reap the cognitive, social-emotional, and kinesthetic benefits that natural spaces (which are part of a community’s resources) bring to the table. From self-regulation to decreases in cortisol (the hormone that triggers anxiety), from increased ability to assess risk to improved executive function, the benefits of learning outdoors are deeply compelling, and with streams and forests right outside of our schools, Suffield is perfectly suited to maximize those benefits for our kids.
Related to this are a couple of other amazing things happening at SPS. Dr. M Jackson, who I had the pleasure of meeting in Antarctica (yes, we really met there) is coming to speak to our students. M is a Ted Fellow, National Geographic Explorer, author of four books (fiction and nonfiction), has her own Crash Course video series, and plays the role of science expert on a Netflix series ‘Pirate Gold on Adak Island.’ She’ll be talking with classes about writing, science, glaciers, climate change, film, and inspiring our students to dream big dreams. Daniel Kinzer, whose work is at the intersections of bio-cultural conservation, education, technology, exploration, design, and innovation will be here for Earth Week in April to work with students in rethinking their relationship with the place they live. Lastly, in a more far afield effort (because there’s a whole world out there), students at Suffield High will have the opportunity to head to Baja California Sur in March 2026 for a hands-on marine science and research trip! They’ll explore unique desert ecosystems, snorkel in the aquamarine waters of the Gulf of California, conduct underwater tropical fish surveys, and contribute to a coral reef restoration project. The 8-day course will be offered to Suffield High School students in partnership with Ecology Project International. Contact jkaput@suffield.org for more information.
Take a moment to get outside – better yet, bring along someone small. They’ll thank you for it later.