Schools
Woodhull School Students Explore Nature Up Close at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve
Woodhull School students enjoyed a fascinating exploration of nature at the Caleb Smith State Park Preserve in Smithtown
The first and second-grade students at Woodhull School in the Fire Island School District embarked on an exciting environmental education adventure during their recent visit to Caleb Smith State Park Preserve in Smithtown. From the moment they stepped off the bus, students’ enthusiasm was evident. Once there, the students dove right into hands-on learning experiences surrounded by the wonders of the natural world.
The park’s educational lab immediately sparked curiosity, featuring an aquarium teeming with aquatic life, turtle shells, and skeletal remains of local mammals. Students also enjoyed listening to a Madagascar hissing beetle reaching an impressive 90 decibels, meeting a friendly rabbit and greeting a walking stick insect up close.
Equipped with binoculars, the young explorers scanned the environment, discovering wildlife and natural features throughout the park’s scenic trails. Their learning experience expanded into creativity as they crafted journals from recycled materials, documenting their observations with illustrations that vividly captured everything they encountered.
“The trip to Caleb Smith Park brought our science curriculum to life,” said Fire Island School District Superintendent Travis Davey. “It gave students an opportunity to learn through exploration, observation, and creative expression.”
The district continues to emphasize environmental education as a cornerstone of its early-elementary learning experience, fostering curiosity, stewardship, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
To learn more about the Fire Island Union Free School District, please visit the District's website at https://www.fi.k12.ny.us/. Happenings in the District can also be followed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FireIslandSchoolDistrict/.
