For eight days this summer, the Azores became a living classroom for a group of Bonner & Prendie students and faculty.
From July 30 through August 6, 28 students and faculty members traveled to the Portuguese archipelago—sometimes called the “Hawaii of Europe”—for an immersive exploration of environmental science, conservation, sustainability, and Azorean culture. Organized and led by Math faculty member Mr. Matthew McShane, the trip gave students the opportunity to experience environmental science in action.
Across São Miguel Island, students hiked volcanic landscapes, studied marine life, contributed to scientific research, explored farms and botanical gardens, and learned how the people of the Azores live alongside—and work to protect—their unique natural environment.
A Living Laboratory
The islands' volcanic origins provided a dramatic backdrop for the trip. Students visited the Observatório Vulcanológico e Geotérmico dos Açores to learn how volcanoes and the meeting of three tectonic plates shaped the nine islands of the Azores.
They later experienced that geology firsthand while hiking the Serra Devassa trail. The group climbed through clouds to Picos das Éguas before the skies cleared to reveal spectacular views of crater lakes and volcanic valleys. They also visited the famous Sete Cidades lakes and ventured underground into the preserved lava tunnels of Gruta do Carvão.
At Lagoa das Furnas, students learned about efforts to monitor the area's volcanic activity and restore the health of the lake. They also saw how volcanic heat is woven into local culture: traditional Cozido das Caldeiras is cooked underground using heat generated naturally beneath the surface.
Students Become Scientists
One of the highlights of the trip came on the water.
After learning about the whales and dolphins that live in and migrate through the Azores, students boarded a catamaran with Picos de Aventura for a cetacean-watching excursion. Two large groups of dolphins surrounded the boat, including mothers swimming alongside their young.
But students weren't simply there to observe.
While at sea, they collected water samples that they later brought to the University of the Azores' São Miguel campus. Working with a marine biologist, students learned about the importance of plankton to marine ecosystems and used university microscopes to search their samples for phytoplankton and zooplankton.
Some students discovered specimens that were recorded by the biologist in the university's database for further study—allowing them to make a small but meaningful contribution to scientific research.
Putting Environmental Science Into Action
Throughout the week, students explored the relationship between the environment and the people who call the Azores home.
They learned about native and introduced species at the Centro Ambiental do Priolo, including the rare Azores bullfinch found only on São Miguel. They explored traditional farming practices, visited thermal springs and botanical gardens, and toured Chá Gorreana, Europe's oldest tea plantation, where tea is still processed using machinery dating to the 1800s.
One particularly meaningful moment wasn't on the itinerary. During free time in the coastal town of Ribeira Grande, several students independently began collecting trash from the beach—putting the environmental stewardship they had been learning about into practice without being asked.
The trip also provided plenty of opportunities to experience Azorean culture, from sampling the island's famously sweet pineapples and swimming at black-sand beaches to exploring Ponta Delgada and joining residents for the annual White Ocean Party.
By the time the group returned home on August 6, students had experienced environmental science not as something confined to a textbook, but as something all around them—in the ocean, volcanic landscape, wildlife, agriculture, food, and communities of the Azores.
The experience was an unforgettable reminder that sometimes the world itself is the best classroom.
Where to Next?
Bonner & Prendie's international learning opportunities will continue with a trip to Eastern Europe planned for 2027 and Costa Rica in 2028.
Students interested in future trips can contact Mr. Matthew McShane at [email protected] for more information.