The GUS Podcast: Episode 3 - Learning to Care Through Science

A conversation with Emilie Cushing

What does it mean to care for the world — and how do children learn that care?

In this episode, Head of School Gretchen Forsyth sits down with science teacher Emilie Cushing to explore how care grows from experience, curiosity, and time spent outdoors. Through scientific exploration rooted in place, students develop empathy, a sense of responsibility, and a deeper understanding of the natural world.

When students know the land, the organisms, and the people around them, care becomes personal — and learning becomes something they carry with them long after they leave the classroom. Over 25 years at Glen Urquhart School, Emilie’s work shows that stewardship isn’t taught through lectures – it’s lived, practiced, and discovered.

Key Takeaways

• Outdoor, place-based learning deepens understanding and builds lasting compassion for the natural world.

• Following student curiosity leads to interdisciplinary learning that feels purposeful and authentic.

• Autonomy, collaboration, and trust empower teachers to create interdisciplinary, mission-aligned learning.

• Science becomes meaningful when students experience it firsthand, not just read about it.

• Living science means embracing uncertainty, mistakes, and iteration as essential parts of learning.

• Learning science by living it helps students become confident thinkers, problem-solvers, and caretakers of their world.