Advanced Environmental Science Research

Advanced Environmental Science Research (AESR) offers Berkshire students the opportunity to investigate pressing environmental questions through rigorous, hands-on research. Drawing from disciplines such as ecology, chemistry, data science, and public policy, students identify real-world problems, design and carry out experiments or field studies, and analyze their findings in depth.

We conduct research outside under the Mountain, so our cutting-edge lab extends for acres in every direction. To create research-based projects with access to such a beautiful area and a species-rich ecosystem is a true gift."Sheri Mahoney
Director, Advanced Environmental Science Research

Sheri Mahoney
Dir. of Advanced Environmental Science Research
Email: smahoney@berkshireschool.org

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Student Research in AESR

Recent projects have explored the diet and ecological role of eastern coyotes near campus, measured light pollution across Berkshire’s grounds, and designed a low-cost direct air capture system to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. If you're curious, self-motivated, and eager to make a difference through science, AESR offers the tools and mentorship to take your ideas from concept to discovery.

AESR student Gabe Raphael '25 used the **JEOL Scanning Electron Microscope** to study micro-plastics in bees.

Diet and Ecology of the Eastern Coyote (Canis latrans × Canis lycaon) Around Berkshire School

Billy Adkins '25

Developing Small-Scale Direct Air Capture for Carbon Dioxide Removal

Olive Simpson '25

Experiment on The Resulting Quantity of Biogas From Changing the Ratio of a Bio-Digester Feedstock

Wilson Miller '25