Book Authored and Illustrated by Students as Marine Biologists Officially Available
Miller Place, NY (March 12, 2022)—The Miller Place School District recently celebrated the official book launch of Peachy Keen, a book written and illustrated by Science Club students from North Country Road Middle School about their adventures rescuing a local sea turtle. The book launch was the culmination of a year-long science club project in partnership with the NY Marine Rescue Center in Riverhead. Canon USA sponsored the Marine Center program and graciously covered the costs of printing 250 copies, which are on sale at the NY Marine Rescue Center, the aquarium gift shop and at the MacArthur Airport gift shop. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to supporting the work of the NY Marine Rescue Center.
“This activity is exemplary of the Miller Place School District’s mission to empower students to creatively put their classroom lessons into action and make the world a better place,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marianne Cartisano. “The entire school community is proud of what these students accomplished, and we are grateful to the NY Marine Rescue Center and Canon USA for providing our students with this life changing opportunity.”
The turtle, which the students affectionately named Peachy Keen, was released back into the ocean in August of 2021 at Tiana Beach in Hampton Bays. Since that time, students and marine biologists have been tracking Peachy Keen’s progress from Long Island down the East Coast to Northern Florida. The book, written and illustrated by the 17 students of the NCRMS Science Club, tells the story about the students’ experiences and the lessons they learned about marine mammals that inhabit NY waters and the importance of keeping beaches clean. It also includes photos of Peachy Keen’s rehabilitation and journey back to the ocean.
The New York Marine Rescue Center is a rescue and rehabilitation organization that promotes marine conservation. Its mission is to preserve and protect the marine environment through conservation efforts including rescue, rehabilitation, education and research. Since its inception in 1996, the New York Marine Rescue Center has rescued more than 3,900 animals including over 119 sea turtles, 762 seals and seven cetaceans.
Special thanks to Science Club Advisor Mrs. Opitz who coordinated and supervised the activity. To continue tracking Peachy Keen, visit the NY Marine Rescue Center Tracking site at https://bit.ly/3w1HT3k.
For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page.
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PHOTO: North Country Road Middle School Science Club students join with Miller Place School District officials, NY Marine Rescue Center and Canon USA representatives in celebration of the publication of the students’ book, The Adventures of Peachy Keen.
