Hampton School District Students Tap into Hands-On Learning with Maple Sugaring Project

HAMPTON —  Superintendent Lois Costa shares that students from Hampton Academy and Marston School are learning about the science, tradition and teamwork behind maple sugaring.

Throughout the last weeks of winter, students have learned to identify maple trees, assess their suitability for tapping and determine the optimal timing for sap collection. When conditions were right, students successfully tapped 24 trees and installed 26 collection buckets at Hampton Academy, the High Street Cemetery, and Marston School.

Since the tapping, students have participated in collecting sap and transforming it into maple syrup, gaining insight into the production process. The experience has allowed students to explore concepts including the chemistry of sap and syrup, calculations for estimating yield, and agricultural practices. 

Students have also worked with specialized tools such as hydrometers and refractometers, learning about osmosis and observing biological changes.

The project has allowed the district to use its propane-powered maple evaporator, purchased through grant funding from the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. During a recent full-day boil, students from multiple grade levels observed firsthand how sap is concentrated into syrup, gaining a deeper appreciation for the science and efficiency of the process.

Cross-grade collaboration and connection were fostered through the project. A group of 7th and 8th-grade students led an after-school Nature Club session for 24 Marston School students. The Hampton Academy students guided their younger peers through the process of selecting and tapping trees and facilitated four interactive learning stations.

The learning stations covered sap collection and data recording operation of a reverse osmosis machine and a refractometer, the internal anatomy of maple trees, and the function of the evaporator. Students also had the opportunity to taste and compare the maple sap and finished syrup.

To date, the district has produced just over two gallons of maple syrup. Students are looking forward to enjoying the final product and gifting their syrup in bottles decorated with student-designed stickers.

“This project is an excellent example of how hands-on learning brings education to life for our students,” said Superintendent Costa. “Not only are they building skills in science, math and agriculture, but they are collaborating and connecting with a meaningful local tradition.”

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