Science Camps

With New Hampshire’s spectacular Lakes Region and White Mountains as a classroom,
Cody’s science programs immerse students in powerful hands-on science learning
experiences designed to maximize student interest and outcomes. Cody’s curriculum offers a dynamic hands-on interdisciplinary program, which presents the sciences in a compelling way using our location and facility as a unique learning laboratory. In addition to the strong educational component aligned to the state frameworks and standards, students also participate in teambuilding and recreational activities designed to improve peer cooperation and strengthen the student-teacher relationship.

A typical day at Cody consists of morning group activities, environmental classes, special interest classes, recreational periods, teambuilding and an evening activity. Breaking up into small groups for science classes, students are assigned one of Cody’s terrific teachers. As students explore the natural environment, they engage in hands-on science exploration, and come to conceptualize traditional scientific concepts so vital to their education and better understanding of the world around them.

Special interest classes give students the power to craft their own schedule allowing them to focus on their favorite field of study. Be it aeronautics, dissection, or one of the other interesting science classes, students are given the chance explore that which most excites them. Teambuilding is another integral component of the Cody Education Center’s program. With activities that challenge the individual to work and rely on their classmates, these activities serve to highlight the need for peer cooperation and bond students together as they strive towards a common goal.

The recreation component of Cody’s curriculum provides students and teachers alike with some wonderful “downtime” activities during the day. Be it sailing, biking, tennis, or one of Cody’s many other recreation activities, these breaks allow students and teachers to enjoy yet another side of Cody.

For evening activity, teachers and students take part in a large group activity. Schools may choose to do a night-hike or a science fair, a campfire, a talent show, or a science-based treasure or scavenger hunt; the evening program provides a great end to memorable day.

Having spent a weekend at Cody living and learning together, students have a greater appreciation and understanding of science, and realize that science can be fun to experience and learn. Students also depart with an enriched sense of community and a greater appreciation of their peers, and seeing teachers more as an ally in the learning process. With this new peer cooperation and improved student-teacher relationships, students return to the classroom better prepared to continue in their pursuit of knowledge.

The Cody Outdoor Center offers a variety of science-based classes, including: aeronautics, geology, chemistry, electricity, ecology, energy, physics, botany, zoology, ecology, water, pollution, nutrition, medicine, architecture, math, mapmaking, language arts, music, sensory awareness, societies' arts and crafts, campcraft, native American society, early American society, societal values and much more. These are just a few of the many lessons offered:

Sciences
• Just Plane Fun: Flight and aerodynamics are taught as students craft their
own planes
• Go With the Flow: This activity deals with the heart and blood and
examines how circulation works
• Blast Off: Model Rockets
• Dissection: Students experience dissecting mammals and sharks!
• Weather or Not: Weather station construction
• Oh, Chute: A class about parachutes
• The Charles River: Learning about river pollution
• Water Bars: Erosion prevention
• What’s Happening: Environmental chemistry
• Incredible Edibles: Students research plants and learn which are edible
• Egg Drop: Student look at how engineering different packages can reduce
the shock of their dropping egg
• Kelp Kopers: Students examine seaweed and life underwater
• Tooty Fruity: This activity deals with fruit dissection exploring the inner
workings of some of our tastiest foods

Mathamatics
• Geo Dome: Students work together to construct a geodesic dome
• Map Making: Students design a map of their surroundings
• Get Lost: Students venture into the back woods of Cody and use a map and
compass to find their way back
• Time: Clocks and sundials are constructed and students learn how to
measure time themselves
• Float Your Boat: Raft construction
• Hang in There: Suspension bridge construction

Social Science
• The Pumping Mill: Students reconstruct a mill and learn about early
American water power
• Sticks and Stone: Examining primitive tools
• Beads and Quills: Native American embroidery
• Underground Railroad: Recreation of this historic migration
• Let ‘em Roll: Early American Colonial farming

Humanities
• On the Air: Radio broadcast writing
• Hear Ye: Students construct a newspaper detailing the events of the day