Student Day Trips to Penikese

Place-based Environmental Education

Penikese "Discovery Days" are more than just a field trip - they offers students an unparalleled opportunity to be fully immersed in an environment ideal for hands-on learning experiences centered around exploration. This 75-acre island becomes a living classroom where students can engage with the environment firsthand.

The boat ride to Penikese alone is a memorable experience for many students!

Natural and historic wonders abound on Penikese Island, which is a peaceful, unspoiled setting, far removed from modern distractions, where learning and discovery can be nurtured.

Day Trip Brochure

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“I was sold from the moment I was told of Penikese's history as a

science laboratory and a bird sanctuary.

Penikese Island is a place of exceptional beauty, mystery, and peace.

Large enough to get lost on, but small enough to have a sense of the whole,

Penikese is a point of sacred geography. Taking a group of fifteen high school kids

to this island was one of the best and most impactful experiences I have had as an educator. It was great to see how the kids flourished in this unstructured environment away from technology and normal social roles. It also provided a truly unique opportunity for me to connect with students and colleagues.”

– Teacher from Sturgis Charter School

Field Trips begin on the water, as students ride through the waters of Buzzards Bay or Vineyard Sound on our 36-foot MV Richard S. Edwards, they are introduced to navigation and follow the route on their own laminated charts. As they pass by the Elizabeth Islands chain it is quickly revealed that they have remained undeveloped, looking much as they did centuries ago. After arriving on Penikese, students are introduced to life on the island with a guided walking tour of Penikese that includes an overview of the history, topography, animals and plants of Penikese, and the surrounding tidal and ocean environment. They explore this uninhabited island wildlife sanctuary: learning about coastal and grassland ecology, reflecting on pre-colonial, colonial, and modern use of the island, observing birds and seals through binoculars, walking the beach to examine the intertidal ecosystems, experiencing the effects of marine debris, collecting shells, touching seaweed, and turning over rocks to find crabs.

Sample Day Trip Itinerary

9:00 am

Depart Woods Hole dock (at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

10:00 am

Arrive at Penikese; quick bathroom and snack break; split into two groups.

10:30 am

Island Tour: A natural history tour of Penikese, exploring the island's leper cemetery, leper colony ruins, cistern hill, and stone walls.

11:30 am

Microscopy: Examine plankton tow and other items under dissecting microscopes.

12:00 pm

Break for lunch and unstructured discovery time

12:30 pm

Intertidal Zone Activity; Students uncover the mysteries of this remarkable habitat, learn about the organisms that call it home, and understand the crucial role the intertidal zone plays in the larger marine ecosystem. First, students observe and record the conditions of the day as if they were field scientists. Next, students collect specimens to bring back to the larger group for identification and discussion. Together they identify species using field guides, previous knowledge, comparison, and guidance from their educator. Students discuss species diversity and abundance as related to their findings and interesting observations often lead to longer discussions about structures, adaptations, or behaviors. A broader discussion of the intertidal zone and its food web ties all these specimens and observations together.