What really happens inside the classroom? At New Hampton School, it’s anything but ordinary. Picture students building architectural models for eco-friendly living out of cardboard, creating vision boards of alien creatures that don’t exist simply through their knowledge about a given ecosystem, and entering the ceramics studio with a “what if” mentality for their next project—all in the name of learning.
Enter Today in Class—our new video series pulls back the curtain on the classroom experience. This isn’t just about lectures and note-taking; it’s about hands-on exploration, lively discussions, and real-world problem-solving. Each episode showcases how students engage with their subjects, demonstrating the creativity and intentionality of our faculty’s lesson planning across every academic discipline.
Engaging Minds, Encouraging Inquiry
To date, we’ve released three episodes, each offering a unique perspective on the classroom experience. In Mr. Bozzi’s IB History class, students examined the painting Gassed by the American impressionist John Singer Sargent. This powerful World War I artwork served as a focal point for discussion, allowing students to analyze visual cues with the piece to uncover themes of war, soldier preparedness, and the realities and lessons of life during combat. Through organic conversation and visual interpretation, they made discoveries that deepened their understanding of history.
In Mrs. Henry’s Chemistry class, students took on the challenge of creating alloys by subjecting pennies to a chemical process utilizing sodium hydroxide and granulated zinc, followed by a secondary process through the application of heat. This hands-on experiment allowed them to observe firsthand how materials change at the molecular level, reinforcing key concepts in chemistry through an engaging, practical approach.
Meanwhile, in Mr. Moore’s Theory of Knowledge class—a requisite course within the International Baccalaureate curriculum—students were put to the test in an exercise designed to explore perception and knowledge. They each reached into pillowcases containing hidden objects, and then relied solely on their sense of touch and their past personal experiences to interpret what they were holding. This activity is tied into the Theory of Knowledge’s lessons on our “community of knowers,” emphasizing how each of us brings unique experiential backgrounds that shape our understanding of the world.
Seeing the Vision
Today in Class is more than just a glimpse into the classroom experience—it’s proof that learning here is active, immersive, accessible, and full of unexpected discoveries. Whether students are analyzing art, experimenting in the lab, or challenging their own perceptions, they are constantly pushing boundaries and engaging in meaningful dialogue.
And the best part? We’re just getting started. Keep an eye out for future episodes as we continue to spotlight the innovative, hands-on approach that makes learning at New Hampton School anything but ordinary.
