Experience is a great teacher. That’s why we provide opportunities for our students to learn both in and outside of the classroom through a partnership with University of Arizona’s Sky School. If you are interested in learning about science, ecology or the stars, or even if you just want an excuse to get out and explore, the Sky School elective at our tuition-free high school may be just the ticket.
What Is Sky School?
Sky School is part of a tuition-free elective class called “Investigating the Ecology of the Sky Islands” that partners Edge with UA Sky School to learn about astronomy, science and our earth. Sky School is open to all Edge students, and returning students can join and act as group leaders. It’s a popular course and typically fills up fast. We meet every Wednesday for two periods. The course is taught by Edge science teacher Lee Borzick and University of Arizona Sky School instructors, and includes many components that take place off campus.
What Do We Learn?
Sky School introduces Edge students to the ecology of the Sonoran Desert and the Santa Catalina Sky Islands, and we learn about careers in the fields of environmental science, conservation, and forestry. Students work in small groups to develop and implement their own research project investigating a research question of their choice. Research projects are implemented at the Mount Lemmon Sky Center and students present the results of their studies to their classmates and family on the final night of the capstone trip. We also learn from guest speakers and take day trips – like traveling to the Biosphere to volunteer and experience their ecological systems.
As a capstone to the course, we spend four days and three nights at the Mount Lemmon Sky Center in the Catalina Mountains, learning about geology, dendrochronology (that means dating tree rings), ecology, data collection, and astronomy with the use of UA telescopes. Plus we get to do fun team-building activities and games. This year’s capstone trip Sky School will take place May 7-10.
Why Do We Love Sky School?
For one thing, Sky School is a highlight of our Edge school year. It’s a unique opportunity to get outside of Tucson and experience nature first hand. We participate in authentic science inquiry experiences that we just wouldn’t be able to access in a school classroom. We meet and work alongside UA scientists, and maybe spark an interest in pursuing a STEM-related college degree and/or career. And we definitely develop a deeper understanding of the Earth, our universe – and our role in it. What’s not to love?
If Sky School sounds interesting to you, let’s make it happen for the 2024-25 school year. Learn more about how enrolling at Edge can bring experiences that will last a lifetime.
About Edge
EDGE is a Cognia accredited, tuition-free, charter high school, with two campuses in the greater Tucson area. We provide an alternative to traditional education, meeting the diverse learning and life needs of our students with our blended curriculum and flexible morning or afternoon class schedules. Our high-quality, passionate teachers are dedicated to individualized instruction in our small academic classes. Be you. With us. At Edge.