From March 30 to April 2, Math and Science Academy sophomores went on a trip to Tremont, Tennessee, exploring the wilderness and learning all about environmental science.
“We went on hikes, one of which to a huge waterfall named Cades Cove, and we investigated wildlife and the environment of the area,” sophomore Camryn Early said. “There was no service, so we spent time getting closer as a group and getting to know each other better.”
This year, sophomores and their chaperones rode a bus instead of flying like last year. This allowed the teachers to expand the amount of students going on the trip, from 24 to 42. Due to the abandonment of the flight, it nearly halved the cost of the trip for students who wanted to attend. The bus left at 12:30 a.m. and took a ten hour trip, compared to a 4:30 a.m. departure from Norfolk International Airport last year. Students participated in activities such as hiking, making smores, learning about ecosystems and much more.
“Riding the bus was a much different experience than flying, and to everyone’s surprise the bus broke down on the way there,” MSA Molecular Biology teacher Jeremy Schratweiser said. “A pipe carrying had burst inside of the engine and forced us to stop. Fortunately enough, another bus drove by shortly thereafter and offered to take us for the rest of the trip.”
As well as new methods of travel, two new chaperones attended this year. AP Environmental Science teacher Nick DiNapoli and MSA Advanced Algebra teacher Natalie Kasmarek each attended the trip for the first time. Kasmarek also attended the trip as a student, and it became a full-circle moment for her, going now as a teacher rather than a student.
“The trip was actually exactly the same. I remembered bits and pieces from my time as a student and from what I could remember we got to participate in the same activities,” Kasmarek said. “We also took our day trip to the same place, but the weather was much better this time then the freezing temperatures I experienced as a student.”
Lastly, it is a bittersweet trip for MSA Molecular Biology teacher David Bostic, as it is his last time going on the trip as a teacher. Bostic plans on retiring after the 2025-2026 school year.
