busy in biology labs!

Ninth graders are busy in the biology labs, preparing for multi-day experiments and observing plant and animal cells under microscopes.

more monarchs to migrate from NCCS!

Early Childhood, Lower School and Middle School have been enjoying some pretty amazing fall guests in their classrooms. Monarch butterfly larvae were collected from milkweed plants (the monarch larvae’s host plant) around campus so that students could observe as this species undergoes metamorphosis into adult butterflies. In the fall, the Monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains undertake the longest migration known of any butterfly species as they attempt to fly to overwintering sites in the mountains of central Mexico. These adults (the great, great grand offspring of the butterflies that migrated back to North America last spring) are morphologically different than spring and summer monarch butterflies. This generation has undeveloped reproductive systems and large abdominal fat stores; adaptations that help them make the long journey south. Country School students of various ages watched with awe and wonder as larvae grew, molted, pupated and then emerged as beautiful winged adults. They then released them and wished them luck on their epic migration. To learn more about the monarch butterflies and track their migration, go to Journey North.

ninth grade bio bloggers

Do you know how to blog? Can you make your own? The Honors Biology students have created their own blogs this year. They are using web 2.0 tools and techniques to learn about biology and to learn from each other. Take a look at their videos, Jings, Prezis, and more! We know you'll be impressed.
Click on the Bio Hub!

native garden

On Sustainability Day this spring, ground was broken for New Canaan Country School’s Native Plant Garden. Middle schoolers cleared a one hundred square meter grassy parcel of land and planted sixty native perennials and shrubs, representing 30 species from our local flora. In addition to its pleasing aesthetics, the garden was created to serve as a teaching tool, not only for the students of NCCS, but for the greater NCCS community as well. As many of the species exhibited in the garden are rare in our landscape, the hope is that people will see and learn about them, and then plant some in their own gardens. The garden is also meant to improve the habitat for local wildlife including various species of insects and birds. Come visit it and learn about the ecological roles of some of our native flora.

butterflies in beginners!

a new school year!

The NCCS Science Department is happy to introduce you to a new member of the Lower School Science team, Bruce Hallett, who you may remember was a Middlebury J-term intern in the Upper School not too long ago. Bruce will be assisting Chantal Detlefs with grades one through four and we know that our Lower Schoolers are in for a great year in science with this dynamic pair of educators! We are also so excited to have Jeannie LaPlante return this year to teach the 5th graders in Carol Etzold's sabbatical absence. Jeannie has brought her expertise in science and her knowledge of how students learn best to every division in Country School. So hang on, the school year is about to start...there's a lot to discover and learn!

kids love science in the summer!

These kids have gathered together to read about opportunities for science in the summer.

Check out these links:

New Canaan Nature Center Summer Camp

Project Limulus: Info & Training Sessions; Long Island Sound

Bruce Museum Seaside Center; Greenwich, CT

Spark; Science for Middle Schoolers at Brown University

Camp Soundwaters; Stamford, CT

Greens Farms Academy Summer Enrichment Programs

spring arrivals in Thacher and Lower School!

scenes from NCCS Sustainability Day

the secret life of plants...

9th graders draw their findings of plant anatomy in dissections of flowers

sugar shack visit

8th graders learn about the physical changes sap undergoes on its way to maple syrup. we always finish our visit with "Maple Memories" and "A Toast to Spring" with maple tea

7th graders debate environmental issues

We Love Blue Liquids!

After days of experimenting, these 8th graders are happy because they have figured out the solution to the Blue Liquids Challenge!

testing properties of frozen precipitation

science department members in the news

Jeannie LaPlante, Biology teacher, holds Lola, newest member of the science department.

Scott Lilley presented at the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools Conference on 21st Century Teaching Skills.

science class can be a hair-raising experience!

fourth graders learn about electricity first hand...

on the Van de Graaff generator!

up, up and away...

second graders learned that hot air expands and rises!

first graders explore the senses

hear

taste

smell

touch