Conversations about Earth’s changing climate have become a mainstay in coastal regions, and students at Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) are joining in through the formation of a new club: Adolescents Driving Environmental Progress through Teaching and Technology, or ADEPTT.  

“We're the next generation ... We need to be the ones who are educated on this, who are striving to improve this world, because this is where we're going to be living for the next 60-plus years,” explained sophomore Moriah Smith. 

The idea for the organization was formed after several BRHS students, including Smith, attended UMaine Orono's Youth Climate Leadership Summit in April. The Summit provided participants with skills to start climate projects in their schools. Sophomore Elijah Smith spoke about the work members have done volunteering or interning with the Boothbay Region Climate Action Team (BRCAT) as another founding influence for ADEPTT.   

Personal observations have also shaped student interest, such as erratic weather patterns, lingering frosts, and the prolonged drought conditions that canceled this year’s Homecoming bonfire. The floodwaters that swallowed coastlines across the region during the winter of 2024 were particularly memorable. Sophomore Addie Barter, who works at Brady’s Restaurant during the summer, recalled how hard the restaurant was hit by the storms and the remodeling it required afterwards.  

“(The flooding) was definitely an eye opener for a lot of people,” said Elijah Smith. 

The discussion doesn't stop at anecdotes; the ADEPTT club wants to learn more and raise awareness. The group is collecting data and conducting interviews to create a short documentary that shows how climate change is impacting the region through changes in sea level, drought frequency, weather patterns and more. For members, it’s not about trying to convince anyone of the validity of a changing climate through a political lens, but to state the facts.  

“We want to show the truth in an unbiased way,” said sophomore Zuri Smith.  

ADEPTT has already received support from BRCAT through the donation of two cameras and microphones for the documentary. Members hope to foster similar community connections moving forward, which ADEPTT co-advisor Stacey Gauthier highlighted as a valuable learning skill as students gain experience gathering and disseminating information.    

“It's nice to see students engage in the process of finding out more, finding out why (and) being able to back up their perspectives with actual data.”