Grade 7 Students Launch Long-Term Climate Study at Cattle Point

On May 26, the Grade 7 class at St. Michaels University School began an ambitious long-term study to track the effects of climate change on intertidal biodiversity. With clipboards in hand and quadrats at the ready, students surveyed species distribution at the mid-intertidal zone of Cattle Point in Victoria, beginning what is expected to be a decade-long project.

Using one-metre square quadrats to ensure consistent, repeatable observations, students documented plant and animal life along the shoreline—many for the first time.

“This past Monday our entire Grade 7 class went on a field trip to Cattle Point to start a long-term study to track changes in local ecosystems due to warming oceans and climate change,” wrote students Victoria, Isla and Sienna.

“Some students had never put their hands in a tide pool before and were quite nervous. By the end of our time, everyone really enjoyed counting the shy creatures and exploring the unique intertidal zone.”

The project reflects the school’s commitment to hands-on, experiential learning, especially in an age where technology like artificial intelligence increasingly mediates how young people engage with the world.

“Having middle school students do field work is especially urgent now as we lean more towards AI to provide us with answers,” the students said. “We feel that spending more time learning in nature is increasingly important to gather data first-hand while we observe and appreciate local areas with our friends.”

Over the coming years, students will return to the same tide pools to monitor changes, contributing to a growing body of observational data. Through this work, they’ll develop not only research skills but also a sense of stewardship for the environment—an understanding that climate change is not a distant threat, but an immediate reality for many.

As Canadians, we are uniquely positioned—and privileged—to contribute meaningfully to global solutions. At SMUS, we believe in doing more. By offering students real-world opportunities to gather data and engage with their local environment, we help them build a stronger connection to the natural world.

Next week, students will continue their outdoor learning with a camping trip along the coastline, deepening both their scientific understanding and their appreciation for British Columbia’s natural ecosystems.