Written By: Georgina Murphy

To mark the end of the 2024-2025 school year, in early June, RCDS faculty members and selected students were fortunate enough to travel all the way to Iceland for an incredible experience learning about sustainability and Iceland’s environment.  The students and faculty were in Iceland for about eight days and mainly stayed in the South, but they also took a day trip up to Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital.  The faculty chaperones on this trip were Mr. Flynn (Upper School Humanities Teacher), Dr. Bischoff (Director of STEAM and Upper School Science Teacher), and Mr. Robinson (Director of Performing Arts Spaces and AV).

Known for its focus on protecting the environment, Iceland is one of the leading countries in sustainability. In fact, almost 100% of Iceland’s energy comes from renewable sources such as geothermal energy and hydropower. Thus, this trip presented a meaningful opportunity for students who are passionate about sustainability and the environment. To learn more about Iceland’s strong compassion for the environment, Mr. Flynn, who has traveled on the Iceland trip for three years now, says that students participated in a beach clean-up and also visited a geothermal plant called Hellisheidi CarbonFix and Power Plant, where they learned about one of Iceland’s major energy sources. Furthermore, Flynn says that journaling was essential in the student’s schedule as a way to reflect on their learning and experiences. 

Not only is Iceland known for its focus on sustainability, but it is also known for its captivating landscapes. The group went on many hikes and visited multiple waterfalls and other land features. When asked what a highlight from the trip was, Nola Coady ‘25 says that she “loved going to a farm to listen to an Icelandic singer perform traditional Icelandic songs and talk about what rural farm life in Iceland is like”. Flynn said that he enjoyed hiking inside the Vatnajokull glacier and visiting the infamous Gullfoss double waterfalls. In addition to the amazing waterfalls and glaciers, the students and faculty also saw one of Iceland’s most famous inhabitants…puffins! Flynn said that they saw more puffins on this trip than any of the years past.

The Iceland trip is more than just a teaching experience—it is a window into a culture deeply rooted in sustainability. For students that have a strong interest in sustainability, the Iceland trip offers a unique opportunity to observe how a nation prioritizes its environmental welfare while forming connections to your fellow classmates and teachers.