Course Descriptions

Girls may choose five classes as their top preferences. They will be given two classes total, which they will attend each day for two weeks.

Engineering Experience

Do you ever take apart machines to figure out how they work? Do you ever wonder how bridges and buildings stand up? Or why they sometimes fall down? This hands-on engineering experience will give students an opportunity to explore the engineering design process through daily labs in which students will draft, build, analyze and test their own engineering designs. 

Taught by Meredith Legg

Media Exploration

Who Gets to Be American?

The image of America as a melting pot beckoning to the oppressed is directly undermined by the immigration legislation passed in the United States between the 18th and 20th centuries. This course will examine the American motivations for passing these acts and the consequences of these restrictions.

Taught by Quinn Brueggeman

More than Rosie and Betty

This course will examine the unseen and forgotten women of World War II, and their impact on the development of the Women’s Movement during the second half of the twentieth century.

Taught by Quinn Brueggeman

Math: Who was Euclid and Why do we Care about the Greeks Anyway?

This course is designed for the rising geometry student. It will review topics from Algebra 1 while looking through a historical lens in order to prepare for Geometry. Students will learn to draft using compasses and protractors and also on a computer program called Geogebra. Students will apply their Geogebra skills to real life situations. This course will build a strong foundation in number sense, spatial reasoning, and graphing. Students will need a computer.

Taught by Annie Schwartz

Math: Why 10?

This course is designed for the rising Algebra 2 student. It will explore how our number system developed and why we chose base 10. Students will explore other historical number systems and use this knowledge to create their own systems of mathematics. All of this will be used to review topics from Geometry and Algebra 1 in order to be fully prepared for Algebra 2. Topics covered will include: functions, linear equations, systems of equations, and graphing. Students will need a computer.

Taught by Annie Schwartz

Chemistry and Art

Have you wondered how chemistry can be related to art? Students will examine the relationship between chemical reactions and different forms of art. Activities will include painting, textiles, pigments and binders, ceramics, and drawing. Each girl will use objects from nature to design her own cave painting as a way to understand how paintings from 2,000 years ago have endured to this day. Basic knowledge of chemistry is recommended.

Taught by Amelia Dosio

Creative Writing

Offered in the traditional workshop format, this course will allow participants the opportunity to write and think creatively, with the aim that each girl leaves with one polished short story and at least three polished poems. Participants will be encouraged to submit their work to a number of literary magazines and contests.

Taught by Kitt George

College Essay Writing – “In 750 Words or Less…”: The College Essay

Each year, the total number of applications to American colleges and universities seems to break new records. Between standardized tests, transcripts, and the Common Application, an increasing significance has been placed on the college essay. This course will combine a study of effective and engaging personal essays with a workshop-style approach to the generation and critique of original essays that should leave each student feeling confident in her ability to “shine on paper.”

Taught by Kitt George

This is a sampling of the courses that may be offered. Other offerings may be added. A minimum of ten students per class will be required.