DEALL WEEK
(Drew Education for Active Lifelong Learning)
April 1-5, 2024
2024 Program Catalog
Get excited for DEALL 2024! During DEALL week, a completely flexible schedule allows all of our faculty to create week-long, experiential courses that let students take a deep dive into a topic and explore in ways that connect their learning to the wider world. While our learning goals, topics, and locations during DEALL week will all be different, collectively we will share the experience of learning through new experiences.
DEALL 2024 Programs LOCAL Wild at Night To the Stars! Gaming in the Real World: Tabletop strategy and design Screenprinting and Activism Leap into Learning: An intro to Dance Storytelling in Film Animation Experience Bay Area Jazz Crawl What’s Cookin? Traditional Chinese Medicine Navigating the Sea A People’s History of the Bay Area “Asiatowns”: Asian American Space, time and memory in SF
OVERNIGHT Outward Bound: Joshua Tree Marine Science in Monterey Bay Democracy and US History Washington DC Complex Communities: Climate Change and Conservation in Southern Florida Water, Land and Heritage in Arizona NYC: Urban Equity and Access
Experience the Bay Area
Read ahead to learn about the 13 Bay Area DEALL programs! These programs are all provided with no additional cost to families. Some programs are inside, some are outside, some are in the evening, and some require more physical activity. Read the course descriptions carefully and consider these factors before making your choices.
Wild at Night How does observing wildlife at night change my perspective on protecting the local environment? Do you love the nightlife? Do you like to boogie? So do the animals! For this DEALL, we’ll see what our animal friends are up to at night, participating in exploration and citizen science. Come experience the wild nightlife of the Bay Area, from bioluminescence to hooting owls. Together, we will consider how human activity impacts wildlife and participate in advocacy to call for changes to light pollution in our city. Program Needs: you must be available for evening programming and comfortable hiking with a group after dusk Photo by Jesse Cason on Unsplash
To the Stars! What is a cosmic perspective and what is its value? Are you hoping for an out-of-this world DEALL experience? Look no further! During our week together we will aim for the stars and deepen our space and astronomy interest and knowledge through exciting field trips and connections with local organizations, students, and experts. Some of the stellar activities you will participate in are: a private, behind-the-scenes tour at Planet Labs, a day at UC Berkeley with current astronomy students; model rocket building with members of the National Association of Rocketry; awesome guest speakers; hands-on activities and telescope viewings at Chabot Space and Science Center; and, a private tour of the Lick Observatory on the summit of Mt. Hamilton. Join us as we set our sights on the stars! Photo by Adam Miller on Unsplash
Gaming in the Real World: Tabletop Game Strategy & Design What are the key aspects of games that bring people together? Do you love sitting down at a table to play a game with your friends (or enemies)? Have you ever wanted to invent a new tabletop game? Now’s your chance! Our group will spend the week playing a mix of role-playing, card and board games, and we’ll design our own new game together! Come explore what makes games stimulating and entertaining, how they encourage competition and/or cooperation, and how we learn communication skills through play. We’ll learn basic game design theory and world-building techniques, with tips and techniques from experienced game-builders. Roll the dice and join in on the fun! Photo by Dave Photoz on Unsplash
Screen Printing and Activism What am I trying to make people think, feel, and do through my art? Come create and screen print original images, continuing the rich history of posters as a form of political messaging! We will learn the historical context of printmaking in the Bay Area, including visiting artists and viewing portfolios. You will learn the screen printing process from start to finish (including design, color separations, screen emulsioning and reclaiming, registration, and printing) and get to create an original political poster around an issue important to you. In the end, your artwork with be shared so your message can be spread to the Drew community.
Leap into Learning: An Intro to Dance How can movement tell a story? Have you ever been curious about how dancers tell such powerful stories through movement? This program is for absolute beginner and low intermediate dancers to learn the basics of dance composition and movement, and enjoy the opportunity for selfexpression in an inclusive dance community. You will spend the week at the Alonzo King LINES Ballet , a black-founded non-profit organization created with the purpose of touching hearts and stirring minds through dance. Programming will include a variety of dance technique classes that incorporate skill building, dance-making (composition/choreography), and community building. In addition, you will get to observe rehearsals and participate in informal and facilitated exchanges with other members of the LINES dance community, including professional teaching faculty, program directors, and dancers. The week will culminate with an informal sharing of what you learned at the dance center! Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash
Storytelling in Film What makes a story good? Who decides a story is good? Film offers a particular glimpse of the world we inhabit and is an opportunity to explore worlds we don’t have access to. Through film, we are able to see the connections we have as humans and the differences in our experiences that shape us. The human practice of storytelling is one that is particularly vibrant in film, as it provides a full sensory experience through which it addresses the themes of life. We will seek to understand--what makes a film good, and who gets to decide? How does film reflect the ideals, values, beliefs, and/or opinions of a particular decade/era? We will watch and analyze films and then write reviews based on that analysis. At the end of the program, with all that you have learned, you will write a recommendation for a film of your own!
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Program Needs: anticipated within school hours but may deviate to accomodate movie times. Expect flashing lights and loud noises.
Animation Experience How can I use animation to create a story? Animation studios like Disney and Pixar have created some of the most beloved and popular animated stories in our country’s history. Join this DEALL to learn the fundamentals of 2D animation that bring characters to life! Through an intensive studio experience at the Disney Family Museum, you will work with digital tools each day to create a story of your own using ToonBoom software. We will also look at rare original art from the museum and watch cartoons to find new appreciation and inspiration. Exercises will include animating walk cycles, mass in movement, and timing, with time for a short personal project. Photo by Sarath P Raj on Unsplash
Bay Area Jazz Crawl What role does musical performance play in creating culture? Are you interested in live music and Jazz? Ever wonder what it would be like to explore jazz clubs and jazz bands in different parts of the Bay Area? In this DEALL, you will explore 4-5 venues and experience the great local musicians that call the Bay Area home. You will learn about the storied history that makes the Bay Area a famous location for musicians, as well as what goes into making a successful venue for musicians and audiences alike.
Photo by Jens Thekkeveettil on Unsplash
Program Needs: this DEALL takes place outside normal DEALL days and during evenings. For this program you must have afternoon and evening availability 3/31-4/7 and be comfortable in evening venues with music
What’s Cookin’? How can cooking be an outlet for creativity and connection with others? Dice? Mince? Sauté? Pan fry? Poach? Blanch? By the end of the week you will know how to do these and more! We will be learning new cooking techniques, exploring new flavors, and sharing our skills. There will also be individual and team cooking challenges! Cooking experience is not required. Vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores are welcome. Photo by Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash
Traditional Chinese Medicine: An Exploration of the Alternative
How does what I learn from TCM change the way I think about taking care of myself and others? In recent years, popular media like Doctor Strange, Kung Fu Panda, and Iron Fist have brought concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to a mainstream audience in the US. This elective is an exploration of the TCM system (sometimes considered “alternative” medicine), including concepts like Yin and Yang energy as well as practices like acupuncture, Tai Chi, and Qigong. In an effort to explore how understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine might benefit your existing self-care routine, this program includes a Tai Chi class at ODC in the Mission, a trip to a Chinese Medicine shop, and a mini unit on medicinal properties of tea.
Photo by
五玄土 ORIENTO on Unsplash
Navigating the Sea How can we sustainably harness nature for human needs, incorporating age-old traditions? Spend the week out of the classroom and on the Bay. Through active engagement in sailing a traditional wooden sailboat, students spend the week exploring the centuries-old relationship that humans have had navigating the sea. We'll partner with SF Sea Scout, a youth boating organization with a focus on leadership training, to consider how we engage with and care for our natural environment (think tides and winds and stars, as well human-created challenges). Our ultimate question: How can we sustainably harness nature for human needs, incorporating age-old traditions? You will also emerge with strengthened leadership and collaboration skills with the end goal of independently sailing the boat as a team (with Sea Scout support!). Program Needs: anticipated to run until 4pm each day
Photo from SF Sea Scouts
A People’s History of the Bay Area How does who I am connect to where I live and who was here before me?
“Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights!”-Bob Marley The Bay Area is an explosion of culture, history, and progress. Join us for a tour of the Bay Area through a different lens. We will center Black, Indigenous, Latina, Queer, Disabled, API, and Feminist stories to explore how our own identities intersect with different sites of history where marginalized peoples fought and won their rights. We will think globally and act locally to grapple with questions like “how do historic moments shape the Bay Area?” and “how does who I am connect to where I live and who was here before me?” We will travel by foot, ferry, BART, and MUNI to Angel Island, Oakland, and the far reaches of San Francisco’s hidden gems. Program Needs: This program will include lots of walking and riding public transportation. Think about shoes, weather, comfort, water and what your body needs.
Photo by Piotr Musioł on Unsplash
“Asiatowns”: Asian American Space, Time, and Memory in San Francisco How can art help us to understand the history and lived experience of Asian Americans? You may enjoy the food, shops, and cultural events in Chinatown, Japantown, and Soma Pilipinas, but how much do you know of the histories of these ethnic enclaves and how they've changed over time? Who lived and still lives in these communities, and how have political and socioeconomic forces shaped their experiences as Asian Americans? How might the art and architecture in these spaces help us to understand whom these spaces are for? Including explorations of the Asian Art Museum, the Angel Island Immigration Station, the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, our week will culminate with students sharing their own artistic reflections on the important community spaces in their lives. Co-designed and led with Margaret Yee, former Manager of School and Teacher Programs at the Asian Art Museum. Photo by Jared Lisack on Unsplash
Experience the United States
Read ahead to learn about the 6 overnight DEALL programs! These programs have important dates, program needs, and costs listed in their descriptions. All costs listed include flights. Read the course descriptions carefully and consider these factors before making your choices.
Phones and devices on Overnights This year, ALL overnight programs will be phone and device-free for the the duration of the program. “Sometimes with social media we lose sight of how big the world is and all the people around us. Even though at home my phone made me feel connected to people, I didn't realize how much I was missing. By putting my phone away, I was genuinely able to make connections with people on my trip. I made new friends, learned more about old friends, and experienced a new beautiful place. I would not have had this experience if I was on my phone.” - Lena Wilson 2026
Support for phonefree overnights We believe in the benefits of leaving our phones behind to build community on our overnight programs, and we recognize that this also raises concerns. To support these programs we will: Provide a safety communication plan with 24/7 support Allow digital or disposable cameras and encourage faculty leaders to take photos Most programs will provide a daily update home with program highlights and photos of the group
Outward Bound: Joshua Tree What can I learn when I challenge my personal limits? During this adventure, you’ll backpack through the vast expanses of the Mojave Desert. The beautiful Joshua Tree National Park receives more than a million visitors each year, but only a handful of those venture more than a mile from the parking lot. With this up-close view, you’ll travel through the rich ecosystem of birds and animals beside the parks’ namesake, the Joshua Tree, cholla cactus and palms. The desert offers the opportunity to expand your personal limits and learn about compassion, leadership, and integrity in a supportive environment of peers and trained guides.
Dates: 4/1-4/5.
Cost: $2000
Program Needs: Outward Bound provides support with outdoor gear for this trip. THIS IS THE ONLY OVERNIGHT PROGRAM OPEN TO 9th GRADE
Marine Science in Monterey Bay How are we connected to the ocean?
The California coastline from San Francisco to San Simeon is a nationally protected area known as the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. But how protected is it? What are some effects of global warming on the area and more importantly what can we do about it? On this overnight trip, we will be exploring Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz. We will be getting up close and personal with the marine mammals when we snorkel, kayak, whale watch, and check out the elephant seal pups in Año Nuevo. Most importantly we will also try to mend the environment by planting coastal plants and contributing to Marine Science research by recording observations of marine mammals. So if you love the ocean and want to protect it this is the DEALL for you! Program Needs: This program includes snorkeling so you need a basic level of comfort in the water.
Dates: 4/1-4/5.
Cost: $1300 (no flight)
Democracy and US History Washington DC How do decisions made centuries ago impact our choices and experience today?
Washington DC is the national epicenter of our democracy — both its founding institutions as well as its societal resources for education and civic engagement. This trip begins at the National Mall, as we explore the monuments, memorials, and institutions of governance that define American politics and policy. From there, we look at DC as a city with an identity that is representative of our democracy and the complex tension between individual freedoms and societal good. As we visit the neighborhoods of DC, we will explore new foods and meet local leaders, residents, and the organizations and communities seeking to uphold our foundational promises of equality and justice. Through this trip, we will consider the various narratives around The Nation’s formation that serve to reinforce or disrupt our personal understanding of what it means to ‘be an American’. Photo by Hannah Skelly on Unsplash
Dates: 3/31-4/5.
Cost: $3600
Complex Communities: Climate Change and Conservation in Southern Florida How do we build a sustainable future? Miami is a unique cultural capital of the United States, home to vibrant communities of immigrants from Cuba and Haiti and a long history of cultural mixing. But as climate change looms, this richly diverse city is amongst the most vulnerable places in the world, facing serious threats of sea level rise, flooding, and damaged infrastructure. Just south of the city lies the Florida Keys and the Everglades, which are also threatened by climate change and the impacts of human development. On this program, we take a deep look at the host of challenges facing southern Florida, and we will meet the people and organizations working hard to build a sustainable future for the area. Traveling through urban and natural landscapes by bus, foot, boat and bicycle, we learn about the importance of fast, effective action on climate change and biodiversity loss. As we learn about the complexities, strategies, and philosophies behind these efforts, we will identify how we might be able to bring our learning home to effect meaningful action and awareness building in our home communities. Dates: 3/31-4/5. Cost:$4200
Photo by Denys Kostyuchenko on Unsplash
Water, Land, and Heritage in Arizona
How do we balance the needs for people with the needs of the environment? Come consider the complex relationship between land and community amidst the incredible rock formations of Arizona. While the rock formations change slowly over time, this state is rapidly changing both in terms of urban development and population demographics. This Grand Canyon state serves as a case study for how communities can navigate complex challenges like climate change and water use across a population with diverse attitudes and values. We will meet with a local prairie dog expert, support the removal of invasive species, view the geological formations of the Grand Canyon, and examine indigenous artifacts, all in an effort to investigate the impact of human development on the natural environment. As Edward Abbey once said: “It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here.” Come enjoy this beautiful desert landscape with us!
Photo by Gigin Krishnan on Unsplash
Dates: 3/31-4/5.
Cost: $3300
NYC: Urban Equality and Access
How do we plan a city that supports all of its people?
Eight million people. 700 languages. New York City is one of the greatest cities in the USA - it's often considered a world of its own. We will set out to explore some lesser known parts of the city that reflect its fascinating history and cultural diversity. We will walk, train and eat our way through all five boroughs, considering how the built environment and transportation shape the culture of a city, all the while discussing the consequences of urbanization and gentrification. From Queens to Brooklyn, from the South Bronx to the Lower East Side, we will gain familiarity with the ever-changing metropolis, celebrating the stories that define what it means to be a New Yorker and a US American. Program Needs: This program will include lots of walking and riding public transportation. Think about shoes, weather, comfort, water and what your body needs.
Dates: 3/31-4/5.
Cost: $3200