Michael Scott is already looking beyond the classroom. The 18-year-old Bermuda College student is studying arts and science with plans to pursue a degree in civil engineering, but his ambitions extend well beyond designing roads and buildings.
He wants to help shape infrastructure that works with the environment, not against it.
That goal became even clearer during a recent Bermuda College Eco-Club trip to the Bahamas, where students explored environmental conservation, connected with their Caribbean neighbours and gained a broader perspective on sustainable stewardship.
The Bermuda College Eco-Club, which operates under the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute’s Eco Schools programme, is mentored by Amy Harvey McGlynn, senior lecturer in earth and environmental sciences at Bermuda College. While the trip was a highlight, it was also the result of months of planning and fundraising led largely by the students themselves, including Mr Scott.
Their original goal was to raise enough money to send 11 students to the Bahamas. In just two months, they raised more than $25,000. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the campaign exceeded expectations, leaving funds that are now being used to establish a scholarship for Bermuda College graduates pursuing studies in environmental sciences.
The idea came after the students recognised a gap in the scholarships available to those entering the environmental field. The group is now working through the administrative process of establishing the award and hopes the scholarship will be available to students in 2027.
Ms Harvey McGlynn said the fundraising campaign and plans for the scholarship reflected the culture of the Eco-Club, where students are encouraged to lead.
“These students really take the helm,” she said. “They organise projects, solve problems and support one another. It is exciting to see students with this level of confidence and passion. They are developing skills that will serve them well long after they leave Bermuda College.”
That student-led approach is one of the reasons Mr Scott joined the Eco-Club in the first place. Drawn by both his passion for the environment and the opportunity to work alongside like-minded students, he saw the trip as a chance to learn beyond the classroom.
“I was interested in seeing both the similarities and differences between Nassau and Bermuda,” he said. “It was fascinating to learn how another island community approaches environmental stewardship.”
One of the highlights was partnering with the Bahamas National Trust, where students participated in a community cleanup while learning about environmental challenges, including illegal dumping.
“Learning about those challenges gave me a greater appreciation for the ongoing effort required to preserve natural spaces,” Mr Scott said. “It showed me that protecting the environment takes commitment from the entire community.”
The cleanup left a lasting impression.
“Seeing the dedication of the people involved and the pride they take in protecting their environment was inspiring,” he said. “It reinforced the idea that meaningful change comes from consistent community effort and reminded me that everyone has a role to play in caring for the places we live.”
The experience also strengthened his career ambitions.
“It reinforced my goal of helping design and build infrastructure that protects natural ecosystems and contributes to a greener, more sustainable future,” he said.
The visit to the University of The Bahamas also introduced students to new academic programmes and scholarship opportunities, while helping them build confidence through networking and collaboration.
“The experience helped me build confidence by encouraging me to connect with people and strengthen my networking skills,” he said. “It also gave me a better understanding of opportunities for further education and scholarships.”
As Mr Scott looks ahead to university, he says experiences like this have reinforced the value of learning beyond the classroom.
“I would encourage any Bermuda College student to join the Eco-Club or take part in opportunities like this,” he said. “It is a great way to learn outside the classroom, meet new people and gain hands on experience with environmental conservation. The trip broadened my perspective, gave me lasting memories and reinforced the importance of protecting our environment.”
For the Eco-Club, the trip to the Bahamas was more than an educational visit. It was the result of students taking the initiative, investing in one another’s future and creating opportunities that will extend beyond their own time at Bermuda College. If all goes according to plan, the scholarship they helped make possible will support its first environmental sciences students in 2027.
