In October, Essex High School’s STEM Academy welcomed six students from Tottori Nishi High School in Japan through the Kosuke Hayashi STEAM Exchange Partnership, promoting scientific inquiry, cultural understanding, and global collaboration.
Under Dr. Walogorsky’s guidance, visiting students presented research projects, collaborated with STEM Academy peers, and participated in hands-on lessons, including sheep brain dissections and water quality testing.
Beyond the classroom, Green Across the World organized Vermont-based experiences, including tree coring at Saint Michael’s College, hiking Mount Philo, visiting Shelburne Farms, apple picking, exploring Lake Champlain aboard UVM’s research vessel Marcelle Melosira, and participating in the “Keeping Track” program in Jericho, where they learned about local wildlife while hiking.
The exchange enriched students’ scientific knowledge and strengthened connections between Vermont and Japan. As senior Ben Lang noted, it fostered both academic and cultural growth, continuing to inspire innovation and global citizenship in STEM education.