Connections Resource Portal
Connections for Boston Public Schools
Thompson Island Outward Bound’s flagship program model, Connections, combines hands-on science lessons with the best of Outward Bound’s approach to social-emotional learning, leadership, compassion, and service.
Our research-based middle school science curriculum aligns with the Next Generation Science standards and has been written in conjunction with certified Boston Public Schools science teachers. Researchers have documented that time spent on Thompson Island is expanded learning that works, laying the groundwork for students’ success in the classroom, workplace, and community. By the end of eighth grade, our students consider themselves scientific thinkers in their approach to solving problems and have both the drive and ability to lead constructive change in their communities.
Connect with Thompson Island
Discover What's on the Island
Thompson Island is one of the largest and most ecologically diverse islands in the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. The island includes 204 acres of mature forests, meadows, freshwater and marine wetlands, salt marshes, and a variety of important geological features. The campus has dormitories, a dining hall, classrooms, lab space, a gymnasium, outdoor challenge courses and climbing towers. What can you find?
(Click Map Hotspots to Explore)
Connect with Thompson Island
Discover What's on the Island
Thompson Island is one of the largest and most ecologically diverse islands in the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. The island includes 204 acres of mature forests, meadows, freshwater and marine wetlands, salt marshes, and a variety of important geological features. The campus has dormitories, a dining hall, classrooms, lab space, a gymnasium, outdoor challenge courses and climbing towers. What can you find?
7. Challenge Field
4. East Beach, Orchard
Welcome to Thompson Island!
1. Main Campus
2. Bowditch Grove
3. North End, Perera Point
5. East Salt Marsh
9. Family Learning Zone
10. Weather Station
8. West Salt Marsh
6. Root Cellar
7. Challenge Field
4. East Beach, Orchard
Essential Question: What role do organisms play in moving energy and matter move through an ecosystem? Why is it important for ecosystems to maintain balance?
What you need: access to an intertidal zone (or video of an intertidal ecosystem) or simulated ecosystem in an aquarium with plants and organisms like rockweed, sea lettuce, periwinkles, sea snails, etc…
Organism Observation Recording Sheet (PDF)
Welcome to Thompson Island!
1. Main Campus
2. Bowditch Grove
Essential Question: How do structural and behavioral adaptations help a population of organisms survive?
What you need: outdoor space with invertebrates or a terrarium or indoor ecosystem with invertebrates; insect aspirator (optional), bug viewer, hand lens, space to write observations
Invertebrate Observation Sheet
Activity: Make Your Own Aspirator
More resources: Life Under A Log
3. North End, Perera Point
Essential Question: How does erosion affect our environment?
Either Google maps (satellite view), or photos of an outdoor area over several years, or an outdoor area to explore – could be a parking lot, playground or park – anywhere; paper and colored pencils to create a map; clipboard; notebook or worksheet for observations
9. Family Learning Zone
Essential Question: How have different species of plants adapted differently to the problem of seed dispersal?
What you need: Different kinds of examples of seeds (physical or pictures of them). Cover 9 dispersal ways.
Activity: Have Seeds, Will Travel
