On Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, Copper Beech Elementary School played host to author and underwater photographer Michael Patrick O’Neill, who came to the school for a conversation and Q&A with students, held in four different sessions throughout the day. During the 10 a.m. hour, O’Neill met with 5th-graders, and after the session, enjoyed lunch with a select group of 14 lucky students from the grade.
At Copper Beech’s library and inside its classrooms, O’Neill’s images and books have inspired research projects, the pursuit of creative endeavors, and a desire to understand connections to our world and the impact we can have on it. His visit supported the school’s “Dive into Reading” library theme this year, and also encouraged student excitement around this year’s school musical, a performance of The Little Mermaid.
O’Neill, an award-winning photographer and author specializing in marine wildlife and environmental issues, has traveled extensively for the last 25 years photographing diverse aquatic animals and their habitats. His images have appeared in many publications including BBC Wildlife, National Geographic Magazine, Ranger Rick and The New York Times, and have won the most prestigious competitions, including World Press Photo, Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Pictures of the Year. O’Neill has written and photographed seven nonfiction marine life books designed to encourage children to read, write, and become involved in science and conservation.