Over spring break, ten PDS Upper School students had the opportunity to visit the Island School on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. Founded by an ex-Navy Seal in 1999, The Island School is one of the only places in the Bahamas to produce their own food and energy, making it an ideal location for students to learn about sustainability.
At the Island School, students engaged in hands-on activities such as snorkeling, caving, and weeding to learn more about environmental protection. However, students practiced sustainability outside of these activities as well. Ms. Courtney White, Director of Sustainability & Environmental Education, explained that at the Island School, “you live sustainability… We’re dependent on the sun and the wind. ” In New Jersey, fossil fuels are present in every aspect of day-to-day life. Thus, going to the Island School became a powerful opportunity for students and faculty alike to reframe their mindsets.
The Island School is also home to a plethora of science researchers working towards sustainable development. The students were able to learn firsthand about sustainable energy research from someone who is currently working in the field and even partake in research experiments themselves.
The Island School trip is not only an excellent opportunity to learn about the environment—it also allows students to build deep connections with one another. Sophomore Ally Cao reflected,“I expected the trip to bring me more environmental knowledge, and though it did, I believe I more importantly attained a healthy and beneficial mindset and precious memories. [For example], on our first day on the island, the van driving us to the school was playing “Don’t Matter” by Akon. This song became a mutual inside joke for us, symbolizing the togetherness of our PDS group.” Ms. White further emphasized that “when you’re always with a group of people, you’re dependent on each other. You’re cheering each other on, lifting each other up. And there’s tremendous power to that.”
As the effects of climate change become increasingly prevalent in everyday life, it is more important than ever to learn about sustainable lifestyles to help preserve the Earth. The annual Island School trip is a great way to spend time with friends, make new friends, and learn about saving the environment all at the same time.
