P.E.A.K.

(Partnering Environment and Academics on the Keweenaw)

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Planning for the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative (LSSI) in the summer and fall of 2007 inspired the creation of a new, interdisciplinary, two hour block class at Hancock High School. Approved as a two hour, two credit course by the Hancock HS school board for the 2008-2009 school year, the Partnership for Environment and Academics in the Keweenaw (PEAK) is designed to allow juniors and seniors the opportunity to develop mentally, emotionally, physically, and academically through a hands-on experiential and place-based teaching methodology.  Students participating in this class will receive one credit of elective science and one credit of senior english, with a total of 360 contact hours annually focused on place-based education, service-learning, and stewardship projects. In partnership with community partners, this class will use real-world projects addressing community needs to complete required English and science high school content expectations.  This course will also partner with Hancock Middle School, with some joint field projects in which PEAK high school students will mentor middle school students in field work. An integral component of this course will be the use of bicycles, skis and snowshoes to travel to project sites throughout the Hancock community, introducing students to recreation that promotes life-long health and fitness, while also promoting stewardship through reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and its associated impacts. Relying on bicycles, skis, and other human-powered transportation with also help to ensure the long-term sustainability of integrating field-based community projects into this course by eliminating the reliance on costly bussing. Tandem bicycles will be used to foster team-building and balance students’ biking skill and ability.

PEAK Mentors