"Endersession" Success

Innovation Academy is a public charter school in Tyngsboro, Mass. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the school is its “Endersession” program. Each year in June, one week is dedicated not to classes, but to a weeklong end of year session or endersession of the students’ choice. Teachers propose endersessions and then students sign up. Some of these sessions involve road trips and off campus excursions, while others are based on campus for cooking classes and daily museum visits. For this first time this year, one of the endersessions visited Hurricane Island and we had a great week.

Scenic rowing in Penobscot Bay

Of the ten Innovation students on Hurricane, some selected the Hurricane trip due to their love of science, while others pursued our trip for their love of the outdoors. Many of them were eager to embrace new experiences in a different setting, and some of them were out of their comfort zones.

My two favorite experiences of the week were our sessions around scallop aquaculture and when we went lobstering. During our scallop aquaculture discussion, students were actively participating and thinking critically about fisheries and aquaculture opportunities. We went down to the dock to pull up the lantern net holding our scallops, something I have done dozens of times, and the students immediately expressed their excitement and interest in the clapping, squirting critters. Sometimes I forget how profound an impact the scallops can have on first impression so I appreciated experiencing the fun again with Innovation students.

Students examine these lobsters and determine they are too small to keep.

Later in the week, we went lobstering, and the students were so animated, curious, and excited as we hauled traps and held the lobsters, examining their anatomy and assessed whether they were legal size. As we progressed through the lobstering and scallop aquaculture sessions, the students’ positive energy fueled me and I had fun as an educator and a facilitator. Innovation’s endersession took place during our last week of school programs before we kicked off our summer season, and I am grateful for the curiosity and positivity with which we ended our own school year.

June Smidgens

Guest blog post by Science Educator Teddy Simpson

Picture everyone huddled in groups, in the classroom, on the porch and rocks beside. On the final full day of the program, the students from Abington Friends School in Philadelphia sprawl about working on their final poster presentations. The windows in the classroom are the best: tall and wide along the east face of the building, Hurricane Sound a basin down the hill, constant and bright. The space feels cinematic, surreal enough that it warrants an honest debate as to whether or not it is a productive learning environment. The light on the wood floors and frames is distracting, but the peace the space inspires is second to none. For now I am on the “pro” side of the debate. Facilitating the final weave of their research experience, I am feeling a little scattered. I bob from group to group, chatting about carrageenan, admiring their meticulous snail sketches, looking down at the galley and out toward Greens Island. My mind dances then plods, like a novice’s needle at a sewing machine (does this simile land with the Island Update’s reader demo? I think I nailed it). But the students play foil to my mind, continually surprising me: they approach me with specific questions about rephrasing methods or interpreting a calculation. They want the details to be right, the lines to be straight, the facts correct.

Abington students collecting data in the intertidal

I explain this moment, small amidst our week together, to say this feeling is not unique. There are myriad times that I have been surprised, supported, challenged by this community in the short while I’ve been here. Hurricane constantly pokes us in the cheek, saying, “look at me. Don’t forget where you are and who you’re with.” During the final campfire with Appleton School, I was poked again. These eight students - after having moved through each day on the island with unending and exceedingly extroverted joy - spoke eloquently about the relationships they’d built with their classmates. They paused. Their silence, their pause, reminded me once again that this place brings presence and intention to its inhabitants. We move curiously among old spruce and sea spray, wondering how these lichen or those wind turbines came to be. It is infectious. When, toward the end of a program, I see how this attitude has rubbed off on students - well, that’s surprising. And I don’t ever want it to not be.

A particularly windy evening on Gibbons Point

Scallops & Students: On fun lessons, good questions, and bivalve friends

Guest blog post by Science Educator Alex Griffith

It’s increasingly difficult to pick a favorite activity to lead with students, but I think that the discussion of aquaculture, and more specifically scallops, is quickly becoming one of my most looked-forward-to lessons to teach—especially now that I know how to pronounce the word the way Mainers do (tall “a,” as in y’all:  “scahllop”).

The lesson starts off pretty straightforwardly, with a simple question asking students what they think aquaculture is.  We then move into a discussion about the local Penobscot Bay lobster industry and the research Hurricane Island is doing regarding the sustainability of kelp and scallop aquaculture as potential supplements to the lobster fishery here.  Unfortunately, the kelp often doesn’t hold students attention as much as the scallops do, but scallops are a little bit easier to identify with (I guess).

A lantern net loaded of scallops enjoys a beautiful day on the docks.

We start off by talking about the lifecycle of the scallop, from spawn to spat to full-grown adult. This of course entails a discussion of how baby scallops are caught in spat bags, then spend their growth phase in the bottom cage, and are finally moved into their final home in the scallop high-rise in our lantern nets or ear hung lines.  After a few more minutes of conversation regarding the sustainability of aquaculture, yada yada yada (this is when some groups start to get antsy), what do you know: students want to go look at real, live scallops.

So I grab a bucket and off we go to the dock.

Some of the students tend to lose a lot of their enthusiasm as soon as they see the condition of our lantern nets, which are covered in brown algae, but for most of them, hearing the scallops snap shut as they leave the water is enough to get them excited to hold one.  After filling the bucket with saltwater and throwing a few scallops into it (hopefully a few of them will start to swim around), students then get the chance to hold them. Of course, in the process of opening and closing, scallops usually spit water out—always eliciting a scream or two from some of our more squeamish students.  Additionally, I always warn students that the scallops might “bite”; not intentionally, of course, but still enough to surprise you.

A bunch of scallop friends spending some quality time away from their lantern net home.

Some of the best conversation I’ve had with students has come by way of our scallops.  This past week with Nobleboro Central School, I had a discussion with a student about the difference in perception and consciousness between scallops and humans and how (in my opinion) it’s all but impossible to say which life experience is “better” because they’re so different.  Talking about aquaculture sustainability, specifically how scallops and kelp being grown for eventual harvest still contribute to the local ecosystem, is also great, especially when we can tie it into how other fisheries have collapsed and how well-run the lobster industry is.

Not quite full-grown, this scallop has a few more years in a lantern net before it is of harvestable size. 

All in all, scallop and aquaculture are fun to teach in every way—the coupling of the in-class discussion and lesson with the hands-on scallop experience on the dock is a cohesive experience that really does manage to bring it home for a lot of students.  

Now if only we could eat the scallops.  

Dishes + Dance Party = Building Community

Guest blog post by Science Educator Emily Buckner

Most people don’t particularly enjoy doing the dishes; prune-y fingers, weird smelling sponges, clogged drains, etc. On top of all that, they are one of those tasks that seem like as soon as you have cleaned up one meal’s the next start to accrue! Because of these commonly shared sentiments we understand that students may do this task a bit grudgingly, and yet it is something that everyone who spends time on this island is asked to do. Why? It certainly would be more efficient for several staff members well into the groove of the season to do it consistently, and it would give a little more time for students to participate in other programs, not to mention alleviate an already tired instructor of explaining the suds, rinse, sanitize, and dry system for the 50th time. And yet, we’ve decided it’s worth it.

One group of fun-loving middle schoolers visiting last week from Dorchester, MA proved once again that asking students to participate in such an everyday task should absolutely be a part of our program. While starting off with the usual level of resistance, the Epiphany students quickly figured out how to be having more fun than anyone else on the island, putting on some pop radio and throwing an impromptu dance party and sing-a-long in the dish pit. We had only asked for 5-6 students to do the task but the rest of their classmates joined in the fun, showing their support by keeping the energy upbeat and positive. Their smiles and laughter were infectious and had everyone else on the island (2 other high-school groups and staff) feeling happy and singing along to Justin Bieber. It was the epitome of what building community can look like here on Hurricane: sharing the responsibilities of necessary tasks, working together, supporting one another, and bringing up everyone on the island. So why have students help with the dishes? Because it transforms them from being mere visitors to engaged island community members, learning what it means to be relied on and to be appreciative for the work of others (not to mention a useful life skill!). Plus it might even turn out to be one of the highlights of their experience.

Epiphany students checking out some of our live scallops.

Eight Days of Data, Sun, Hiking, and Fun (but maybe only 4 days of sun)

Twelve students from the Cambridge School of Weston (CSW) recently spent 8 days on Hurricane as an intensive field component to their Marine Biology course. The juniors and seniors in the program all had been studying field methods and reading about intertidal research prior to arriving on Hurricane, so they had a solid foundation to start their independent and small group research projects.

Foggy morning data collection with transects and quadrats.

Within a few hours of their arrival on Hurricane, students were exploring the intertidal zone, examining organisms, and asking questions. The next morning, they were in the field by 6 am, practicing using transects, quadrats, and stadia rods so they would be prepared to start collecting data for their research projects. Their topics ranged from tidepool biodiversity to seaweed fertility to hermit crab habitats to dog whelk shell erosion and more. They diligently collected data each day and thoughtfully considered many factors contributing to their results.

Using calipers and measuring scallops as part of Hurricane's lantern net growth experiment. 

While this group stayed focused and worked very hard, they also took moments to enjoy down time and the natural beauty of Hurricane Island. They continually expressed gratitude and joy as they appreciated meals, foggy views, seal sightings, and hikes. I remember our first perimeter hike on day 2 when a student exclaimed “whoa this is so cool and different” when we entered a wooded section of the trail. This stands out to me because I recall having the same reaction when I first walked that trail three seasons ago.

At the end of a long day in the field, not much beats a colorful sunset like this!

I value the balance of hard work, gratitude, and fun that this group brought to our Hurricane community, and I wish them luck finishing up their project reports for final presentations back at school. They will upload their final project reports to their class website, where they also kept a blog of their time on Hurricane. Check it out here!  

One of the sunny days during this program! Excellent for seaweed data collection.

First Impressions

Guest blog post by Science Educator Alex Griffith

Upon reflection, it’s remarkable that only 16 days have passed since I arrived on Hurricane Island, but in that brief time, my excitement for the summer to really kick off has only increased.  Having spent most of my April at home down in North Carolina, the cold weather was at first a shock, but after moving into Flywheel cabin I find myself incredibly busy and already a part of the strong community here on Hurricane.

In the short two weeks or so since I first set foot on this island, I’ve already experienced a wide range of programs, from a board meeting to a volunteer day to two school programs.  St. George Elementary was here for a day trip with a focus on history, and after a history hike around the island and a timeline and archaeology activity, they left with a solid grip of the fascinating human history of the island.  Gould, on the other hand, was here with a focus on team-building, so I got to really use my prior experience working in experiential education to help them work through the raft challenge, some rock climbing, and the polar plunge.  

Above:  some of the artifacts and resources used to teach St. George Elementary School students about the granite quarry and history of the island.

Working with Gould students in the raft challenge has definitely been the most challenging and educational part of my time here so far.  Since I’d never led this activity before, I took a very hands-off approach to see how the kids would organize themselves to get across the Ice Pond, with occasional bits of advice.  When they started to get crabby with one another, I gradually started taking away their supplies to increase the pressure—a tactic which, of course, only made them more frustrated with me.  At our post-activity reflection, I made sure to tell them that I had learned as much from the challenge as they had, and would be sure to appropriately adjust my approach to leading the challenge in the future.  Through these first two school programs, I’ve learned more than staring at lesson plans could ever teach me, and I look forward to continuing to grow as an educator throughout this summer and fall.

Above: looking out over the raft challenge supplies and Ice Pond, site of a great deal of learning for both students and instructors.

I’ve greatly enjoyed—and adjusted to—living on Hurricane in these first two weeks as well.  I’m slowly getting used to not showering every day (or even every other day), and I already know that the weather and I are going to be locked in a constant struggle until October as my southeastern soul longs for 90 degree days.  Regardless, it’s more than balanced out by the incredible community here and friends I’ve already made on this beautiful island. I can’t wait for more programs to arrive and to get even more into the swing of things than I am already.  

Beetles Leadership Institute: Immersed in professional development

“Immersive” is a word we often use to inform future participants about their upcoming  experience on Hurricane Island. It’s hard not to be immersed in the Hurricane community when coming to the island. Our island schedule impacts people’s time, and during prescribed meal times, participants eat the delicious food our chefs prepare. Participants disconnect from technology, relying on the present community for all social interaction. Rustic housing and outdoor showers with sunrise views solidify the place-based experience, and people bond over the natural beauty that surrounds them.

As staff members living on Hurricane for the season, we have such a long time to adjust to the lifestyle that it becomes familiar, and sometimes we forget how the immersive environment may feel to the participants who join us for the first time. In December, Director of Education Dr. Jenn Page and I were reminded of the participant perspective as we experienced it ourselves. We traveled to Petaluma, California for a week of learning with the Beetles Leadership Institute at the Walker Creek Ranch.

Beetles, short for Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning, and Expertise Sharing, is a research-based project out of Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science, providing resources to outdoor science programs. During our week of learning, Jenn and I were two of ~50 program leaders focused on strategies to train field instructors, considering both curricular approaches and organization-level protocols to improve science teaching and learning.

In California, we were the participants, dependent on our hosts to feel safe, nourished, and rested. I am grateful to the staff at Walker Creek for providing many delicious meals and snacks, while accommodating a diverse array of dietary restrictions. The Beetles staff had so much content to cover during the week, and I appreciate that they provided both intentional reflection time and a bit of unscheduled free time each day. One of the biggest takeaways for me was the value of continual reflection to improve practice. As such, Jenn and I are planning to incorporate reflection opportunities for our staff this season.

During our free time, some days, I prioritized a power nap, while other days, I explored the area around the ranch or bonded with fellow participants. I relied on them for humor and as conversation partners to process the experience. We grew our personal and professional networks, and I hope we keep in touch and cross paths again. One morning, a number of us woke up early for a guided sunrise hike up to Walker Peak. This hike, as we set out in the dark, reminded me of the night hike we do with students on Hurricane. Instead of leading the hike on trails I’ve walked hundreds of times like I do on Hurricane, I was unfamiliar with my surroundings and put my full trust in our guide George and my headlamp. This hike connected me to the natural beauty of Petaluma, as I watched the pink sunrise over the hills, and noticed frost crystals on the grass as we hiked down to breakfast.

Overall, having a week dedicated to learning in the Beetles environment, largely free of distractions from other aspects of life, allowed for so much attention to the community and the topics. We were continually able to build upon insights from previous sessions and days. Jenn and I have brainstormed numerous ways to incorporate some of our Beetles learnings into the Hurricane Island experience. We recognize how the immersive environment at the Beetles Leadership Institute allowed for productive growth. Fully submerged, I felt the transformative power of being in an intentional environment for a week. I hope our participants on Hurricane similarly feel the positive impacts of our immersive environment when they join our community.

California sunrise

Hiking crew: early morning smiles after watching the sunrise from Walker Peak!

Jenn (center) and Robin (right) snap a selfie with Michigan-based participant Ben (left).

Making connections at RootSkills Conference

Between the end of November and the beginning of January many people are in a holiday 'blur', so it is understandable if you attributed that surge of positivity and global hope you felt at the beginning of December purely to the cheer of the season. What you were really feeling on December 1st and 2nd was the emotional glow generated by over 300 community organizers, funders, nonprofits, and sustainable businesses gathering together in Manchester, New Hampshire for the 2017 RootSkills Conference put on by the New England Grassroots Environment Fund. The conference itself was formed to 'bridge the divide between social and environmental justice' and even though it was centered in New England it drew in people from as far away as California to join us.

Robin and Jenn participating in the 2017 Emerging Changemakers group - Photo from MEEA's website

From the visionary keynote presentations given by Vien Truong (CEO of Dream Corps), San Juana Olivares (President of the Genesee County Hispanic/Latino Collaborative), and Rev. Mariama White-Hammond (Minister for Ecological Justice, Bethel AME Church), to the workshop tracks that spanned everything from Local Food to Youth Activism, the entire conference was inspirational beyond words. Among the many sessions I attended was one delivered by members of the Maine Environmental Education Association. Hearing how MEEA has worked so hard to eliminate power dynamics within their organization based on age was a highlight of the conference for me, especially when it was being presented by the youth representatives themselves. It made me proud that Hurricane is part of MEEA's Environmental Changemaker's Network and even more energized to help empower and support youth on Hurricane Island and in our communities as the change-makers of our collective future.

Placing our opportunities and challenges on the path to great results!

The activity we participated in at RootSkills in the MEEA session had us all thinking about the opportunities and challenges we all face in helping youth have an equal voice on any playing field but particularly around environmental issues. We brainstormed and discussed our ideas in small groups while we wrote the opportunities on colorful paper fish and the challenges on small 'boulders'. We then came back together as a group and all shared what we came up with and placed our fish and boulders on a paper 'river', with all the fish moving towards the end result: empowering young people from all communities who are passionate about the environment.

Through every session we participated in, Phoebe, Robin and myself made more connections to other people and organizations and grew our mental networks as much as we grew our professional networks.  We all left the conference vibrating with new ideas and positive energy and we are riding that momentum into our 2018 season.  On that note.... we would love to have other passionate individuals join us on that journey so if you know of someone who would like to work on the island this summer please send them our way! :)