Hamden Hall Enters Collaboration with Mystic Seaport

Navigating science, technology, and history lessons will be far-reaching and creatively topical for future Hamden Hall Country Day School fourth- and fifth-graders as the school enters into a new collaboration with Mystic Seaport.

A pilot partnership with the popular in-state historic attraction will commence in the 2012-2013 academic year in a cross-curricular, high-touch program. Students will travel to Mystic Seaport for several on-site sessions, while Mystic educators will reciprocate by bringing their own lesson plans to Hamden Hall’s classrooms, both in person and via Skype.

“Mystic Seaport is proud to be partnering with Hamden Hall to provide rigorous and dynamic programming that complements what happens in the classroom. Hamden Hall is leading the way with innovative use of educational resources outside of the classroom,” said Mystic Seaport President Steve White.

Hamden Hall faculty have been in planning mode for the past three months,with Head of School Bob Izzo and Lower School Director Andrew Niblock coordinating the logistics of the long-term initiative.

“The connections that are possible for our fourth- and fifth-grade students involved next year and beyond will only scratch the surface,” said Hamden Hall science teacher Steve Jewett. “We already have identified three major topics that can easily connect our existing curricula: simple machines, seashore connections, and weather and navigation.”

Faculty members have also been working with Mystic personnel to create a sustainable curriculum model that could be implemented in future partnerships between the seaport and other statewide schools.

“Mystic is not just a great historical travel destination, but it is also the school of American Maritime History with other academic partners, including Williams College. Now that Hamden Hall is an official part of Mystic’s ongoing educational mission, the possibilities are immense,” said Hamden Hall History Department chair Tom Iampietro, who has been a part-time volunteer at the Seaport for the past decade.

For fourth-grade teacher and Hamden Hall alumna Emily Schimelman, the partnership has added a new dimension to her role as an educator.

“I will be working directly with the Seaport experts to put together an experience
for my class that is visual, experiential, and, most importantly, memorable,” she said. “I am also honored to have been asked to join Mystic’s Teacher AdvisoryBoard.”

And while technically the partnership doesn’t start until the next school year, this year’s fourth- and fifth-graders will also benefit from the new collaboration. A field trip is planned for May and a special program is being designed for that visit.

“Field trips enhance any curriculum and allow students to make everlasting memories. I know that our students will be eager to take pride in our relationship with the Seaport,” said Schimelman.