Brewster Academy Interim Studies 2023

IT’S TIME TO THINK OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM INTERIM STUDIES OVERVIEW

CURRICULAR THEMES

students get to select an experiential learning opportunity that sparks their creativity and satisfies their curiosity. It’s hands-on learning at its best—learning by authentically doing and reflecting.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

At Brewster, we know that learning through experience allows students to gain mastery of skills in the real world, outside the confines of the classroom. We’re excited to offer a slate of options for 2023 that are varied and relevant. There’s something for everyone!

WHEN IS IT?

February 22-March 2, 2023

HOW DOES SIGN UP WORK?

First, parents and students should take a look at the lineup of experiences here in the 2023 Interim Studies Viewbook—then discuss the opportunities together and decide which options are best. Parents will be asked to indicate their student’s top three choices via the Parent Portal by November 9, 2022 Submitting choices after this window means a student risks losing placement in the experience they prefer.

We hope to offer every student one of their top choices. Experiences with limited space will be filled by class seniority first and then a random lottery if needed.

This year, the Interim Studies choices are tied to curricular themes of Community, Explore New England, and Life after Brewster.

IS THERE TRAVEL INVOLVED?

This year’s experiences fall into four categories of travel: On Campus, Off Campus (traveling away for the entire experience), Local Travel (you’ll have a day trip or two, but sleep on campus) and Modified Travel (there will be at least one local overnight trip).

WHAT DOES IT COST?

There are a range of fees: Some Interim Studies experiences are absolutely free, and most are under $300. But there are a few off-campus travel options that have a cost for materials, lodging, meals, etc. (This year, the highest-cost experience is $3,000.) There will be limited financial aid for those who apply and demonstrate the financial need for consideration.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

All experiences will follow the same health guidelines that we are following on campus and elsewhere in the community to combat COVID. Our first priority is to keep our students and employees safe. As such, all experiences are subject to change and/or cancellation at any time if we feel that we will not be able to safely run the experience as the launch day gets closer. Any changes will be communicated as quickly as possible.

QUESTIONS?

Email Interim Studies Director Melissa Oliva at moliva@brewsteracademy.org.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE?

Submit your top three choices via the Parent Portal by November 9, 2022. (Reminder: Submitting choices after this window means a student risks not being placed in one of their top choices.)

COMMUNITY

The experiences in this section focus on the enrichment of working in service with and for the greater community.

THE EXPERIENCE

As Winston Churchill said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” Horses are intelligent and intuitive animals that are keenly aware of human emotion. By partnering with specially trained horses, students in the Adaptive Equestrian experience\ will learn how horses have the power to build self-esteem, selfawareness, and confidence for children with special needs. Throughout this Interim Studies experience, certified therapeutic riding instructors from Granite State Adaptive Sports will introduce Brewster students to equineassisted activities and therapies, and provide instruction in foundational horsemanship.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Basic understanding of horsemanship (health care, nutrition, grooming, understanding horse behaviors)

• Understanding of various disabilities and empathy for people who defy the odds, including those with autism, visual impairments, and Down Syndrome

• Responsibility of caring for an animal for a week

Would you like a job that helps you make a difference instead of just making money? Don’t just get a paycheck—get paid to make your community a safer place. Being a lifeguard will help you to develop useful skills that you’ll hopefully never have to use, but will remember for years to come. And it’s always great to get First Aid, CPR, and AED training. Now you’ll get paid to become equipped with lifesaving knowledge. The experts at SwimNH will be ensuring that students have successfully learned the skills needed to earn their lifeguard certification. Must be at least 15 years old to participate in this experience. On the first day, students will take a swim test. If they can swim 550 yards and pass all other components of the

course, they will receive a waterfront lifeguard certificate. If they can swim 300 yards and pass all other components of the course, they will receive a regular lifeguard certificate by the end of the experience. If they can swim 100 yards and pass all other components of the course, they will receive a shallow water certificate by the end of the experience.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Lifeguard training for waterfront

• First aid training

• CPR/AED training

LOCAL TO GLOBAL: PEACE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND CITIZENSHIP IN NEW YORK CITY

THE EXPERIENCE

What are the political, economic, and cultural stakes of citizenship and how do they play out locally, nationally, and internationally? Is globalization more likely to bring cooperation and peace among communities or competition and conflict? How do we bridge the local and the global and co-construct a fairer, more peaceful world that sustains and shares its resources? Designed with Brewster’s Global Scholars in mind and leveraging the rich geography of New York City as a springboard and exemplum, students will cultivate a deeper appreciation of the role various local, national, and international organizations play in promoting engaged citizenship, peace, and sustainable development as they explore topical issues and engage in open interactions around how we can improve our communities at scale. From visiting the headquarters of the United Nations, museums, and think tanks to exploring the ways in which New Yorkers are taking action towards a more sustainable urban future, students will navigate one of our planet’s most populous global megacities and, in so doing, will discover and walk alongside the many histories and

futures it has to share. At its core, this session invites students to view New York as a complex microcosm from simultaneous and graduated vantage points, considering at once the role it plays in shaping the international political, economic, and cultural landscape as well as, for example, how a city-wide commitment to sustainable development, equity, and social justice are brought to bear on these broader discourses and policy goals. The novum caput mundi of our modern age awaits us—so let’s dig in.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Examining local, global and intercultural issues

• Understanding and appreciating the perspectives and worldviews of others

• Engaging in open and effective interactions across cultures

• Taking action for collective well-being and sustainable development

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Participants will engage in a variety of community service opportunities here in New Hampshire. In the morning, you might be working with the elderly on understanding technology that helps them connect with their grandkids—and in the afternoon, you could be volunteering with elementary school kids with learning games and recess. You might assist a local non-profit organization prep for an event, or lend a hand on a community cleanup or stocking a food pantry. There is no shortage of places that could use our help to reach their goals and help the community. You will work together to form relationships with

community organizations to find service areas that you are passionate about. Those interested in this experience will be part of the planning process prior to the Interim Studies period.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Communication

• Self-confidence

• A greater understanding of your place in the world.

SAILING THE FLORIDA

Home to numerous birds and abundant marine life, the Florida Keys owes its productivity to the confluence of water flowing out of the Everglades into inner Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Students will grow to understand the complex challenges this unique environment faces as climate change and a growing population place demands upon its resources. It is a goal for all participants to engage in a community service activity that connects them to the Keys. The backcountry of Florida Bay offers challenging shoal draft navigation and the opportunity to explore mangrove keys, tidal flats, and coral patch reefs. These warm, shallow waters provide an exciting cruising area for Outward Bound’s sailing boats and some of the best training grounds for developing advanced sailing skills. The Atlantic side offers excellent open-water sailing and snorkeling at the outer reefs. The course area extends to the Everglades, with beautiful sand beaches and a maze of rivers and bays to explore. This experience will foster skills of independence and interdependence as participants eack work as a crucial member of a team navigating daily challenges.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Personal and interpersonal communication, collaboration and leadership

• Understanding of sailing, including the parts of a sailing vessel, how to rig and sail, and navigation

• Teamwork

THE EXPERIENCE

Do you wear clothes that express your personality, your creativity, and your commitment to the planet? Explore the emerging trend of upcycled fashion and create one of a kind clothing with two experienced designer/upcyclers at Makers Mill in Wolfeboro. Today’s “Fast Fashion” industry creates inexpensive clothing that is discarded after only a few wearings. Due to the environmental problems generated by the fashion industry, new techniques and trends have emerged to create amazing and unique garments responsibly. Students will design

and create their own pieces and learn to bring authenticity to their personal styles. Together we will create mindfulness and connection related to the clothing we wear and bring authenticity to our personal style.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Sewing

• Self-confidence

• Clothing repair and fit

Have you ever looked at a photo and been amazed or inspired and wished you could take pictures like that? Now is your chance to learn how to take some incredible, breathtaking photos!

Come join us as we experiment with different camera settings and learn different photography techniques. We will take pictures of sunrises, sunsets, night shots, the mountains, the ocean, wildlife, and other fascinating things in and around campus and town. Learn to look at your surroundings in a very different way. We will go on several day trips, so you can practice using the different techniques, enhance your creativity, and

have fun. Come learn a new skill and enjoy being outdoors to capture memorable moments.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Basic understanding of camera settings

• Techniques such as theme, composition, perspective, blur, action, reflection, lighting, nature, landscape, and portraits

• Editing programs (LightRoom, Photoshop, and Vsco)

• Photo-enhancing techniques

THE EXPERIENCE

In an era where large ski companies are buying up ski areas, students will visit numerous independent, locally owned ski mountains across New England to experience first-hand where skiing got its soul: the local ski hill. From larger independently owned mountains like Saddleback (Rangeley, Maine), Magic Mountain (Londonderry, Vermont), and Cannon Mountain (Franconia, N.H.) to smaller local mountains like Whaleback (Enfield, N.H.) and Black Mountain (Jackson, N.H.); even down to the town-owned mountains like Abenaki right here in Wolfeboro, students will gain first-hand knowledge on the impact that these independently owned mountains have on the local community. This will be accomplished not only by skiing these mountains, but through meeting those who make these places run on a daily basis, exploring topics like the impact climate change will have on these mountains’ future, and speaking to

those that call these mountains their local hill. By the end of the experience, students will have a newfound appreciation for the independently owned ski mountain, no matter what the size, and find where skiing got its soul.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Interviewing

• Understanding ski resort operations and how businesses can adjust to unavoidable change (climate change, inflation, labor shortages, etc)

• Employee relations

• Marketing

• Understanding of the impact of ski resorts on community

• Overall deeper understanding of the ski industry

THE EXPERIENCE

Discover Boston like you’ve never done before on a STEM trip with your friends! Have a blast in Boston as you take part in STEM activities: a STEM Tour of Fenway Park, cruising on a whale watching tour, participating in a StageOne Robotics and Coding Helicopter Workshop designed by MIT, and getting a behind-thescenes tour of the Franklin Park Zoo. Through inquiry-based learning, investigation, and experimentation, you’ll dive into the biodiversity on earth, and the history and intricacy of mathematics.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

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Enjoy the most thrilling outdoor sports New Hampshire has to offer with Wild Winter Waterscapes. Under the direction of professional guides, you will work with crampons and ice axes to climb giant columns of ice and frozen waterfalls. You will study and observe how they form—and how climbers ascend and descend them safely. Spend a night on Mt. Washington, the highest mountain in the Northeast, as you learn about its human and natural history and study the snow and ice conditions of its eastern watersheds. Earn your turns backcountry skiing or splitboarding as you see how aficionados of the sport rely upon weather, snow science, maps, and an understanding of human physiology. The experience includes an introduction to belaying, two days of ice climbing, a two-day overnight ascent of Mt. Washington or a similar peak, and a day of backcountry skiing/riding. The experience is

guided by an overarching theme: How water in its various states performs an essential role—around us and within us—during winter adventure sports.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Using ice tools and crampons

• Ice climbing movement

• Belaying

• Mountaineering

• Terrain Awareness

• Snow Science

• Backcountry skiing/boarding

• Winter camping

• Self-confidence and self-reliance

• Group interdependence

• Risk management

LIFE AFTER BREWSTER

Develop new skills that will serve you well after your school days are over. Discover new hobbies, hone your craft, build your work skills, or get creative!

CODING

THE EXPERIENCE

Studies show students who study computer science perform better in other subjects, excel at problem solving, and are more likely to attend college! This course provides a fun, engaging way for students to learn basic computer science concepts. It is completed entirely on the computer. This course teaches the foundational concepts of programming using drag and drop blocks rather than a text language such as JavaScript or Python. Blocks are an easier way to get started and even top universities today begin their classes with block-based programming. Students learn

programming concepts and computational thinking, and develop problem-solving skills and persistence. Along the way, you create computer programs including interactive games and creative projects you can share.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Programming concepts and computational thinking

• Problem-solving skills and persistence

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SONGWRITING AND MUSIC PRODUCTION

THE EXPERIENCE

The Art and Science of Songwriting and Music Production will be a hands-on opportunity for students to learn the craft of music making using modern technology. Students should come prepared to share and discuss their musical influences and interests. Topics to be covered will include song structure, basic music theory, and arrangement. Students will have the opportunity to develop technical skills using Digital Audio Workstations and recording equipment. Each student will write, record, and produce a song. There will be many opportunities for collaboration. No previous

musical experience is required. Students will acquire a deeper appreciation of music, the creative process, and the influence of technology on music.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Songwriting

• Music theory

• How to use GarageBand

• Confidence in one’s creative voice

• Collaboration

THE ART OF COMICS

THE EXPERIENCE

Students participating in this offering will learn the art of comic style illustration. From comic book art to graphic novels to cartoon newspaper comics. Students will learn what it takes to produce comic art. They will brainstorm a story concept, write the script, develop characters, and draw the necessary panel art for the comic of their choice. They will learn various means of publishing their comics. Selfpublishing, submitting to newspapers or sending their work to publishers. We will have one of two ways of speaking to a professional. One day during the project period, guest speakers who have worked in the comic industry will attend the class and discuss work associated with the visual arts industry. Or, we will take a day trip to an art school and tour the illustration department and speak to professors. The

students’ final comics will be submitted to the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition, and a curated art show of the work will be hung on display in the Grayson Student Center in the Rogers Building.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Comic illustration techniques

• The process and hours involved in making a comic

• Importance of writing in a comic

• Script writing for a story

• Techniques in storytelling through comics

• Storyboard illustration

• Character design

• An introduction to publishing

CRAFTING THE TOOLS OF FISHING

THE EXPERIENCE

This course is designed to allow students to explore the craft of fishing. There is no actual fly fishing, but rather the change to delve into the hands-on craft of building one’s own fishing rod. Participants can also choose to create a specific style of art that reflects the fishing culture or learn to tie fishing flies and design and create their own lures. Students will research and choose what part or parts of the project they would like to focus on. In rod building students will choose between building a spin or fly rod, select rod blanks, eyelets, and handles that will be used to create their individual fishing rod. Students can endeavor to build a complete and usable rod within their own budget—from full kits to individually sourced and designed rods.

Participants will also have the ability to explore the multifaceted media of designing and creating art that depicts the world of fishing. Students can choose their medium(s) and design and create piece(s) of art for an end-of-the-term display. Participants also have the choice to learn how to design, create and tie a fly fishing fly of their choosing.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Researching, designing, and building

• Creating within a budget

• Insight into fishing culture

THE EXPERIENCE

Brewster presents: The Great Brewster Bake Off! A floury dive into the practice and science behind the culinary perfection of the ultimate bake. In this course students will learn a variety of cooking and baking techniques from caramelizing pineapple upside-down cakes in cast iron pans to boiling bagels before their egg wash. Armed with wooden spoons, a freezer-full of frozen butter, and the sugarcane that drove the world’s first wave of globalization, interested bakers will make a variety of cultural bakes from around the world while learning of their history and origin. Each day students will experience a new aspect of the kitchen, its contents, and the different techniques chefs and bakers use to create a symphony of taste. Much like the popular TV show, students will engage in various challenges that test their skills of preparation, improvisation, and attention to aesthetics. The two daily sessions will close with a lucky panel of judges, both teachers and students, who will have a chance to

sample the day’s work to determine the “Star Baker.” (We can hardly wait for Bread Week!)

In addition, students will visit local bakeries for tours and potential workshops that look at a day in the life of local bakers, discovering where goods are sourced and how mass-scale production works. All the while, students will reflect on the question, “Am I eating food?” as well as what the industrialization of modern foods meant for health and well-being. With a little luck and a lot of practice, students will grow a versatile set of skills that will serve them well, and encourage the retention of a good dentist.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Familiarity with the history of food

• Understanding kitchen tools and their safe use.

• Baking and cooking

• Mastering the art of timing and precision

INTERNSHIPS

THE EXPERIENCE

This year, we have internship experiences lined up that allow students to spend the Interim Studies period getting real-world business experience. You can work with the entrepreneurs who own Winnisocks or Allie Caps…or see what it’s like to work in a physical therapy office! Interim Studies Director

Melissa Oliva will work with the students who are interested in an internship experience and see where their interests are the best fit—and share more internship topics as they come together.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Social media marketing and branding

• The art of the sale and product development

• Marketing tools

• Health care business insights

THE JOY OF PAINTING WITH BOB ROSS

THE EXPERIENCE

Unleash spirit of your inner painter and enjoy the relaxation and joy of painting! This experience will be based on one of the most popular and successful art/education TV programs in the 20th century: “The Joy of Painting.” In this experience, students will follow the instructions of late artist Bob Ross from the program and attempt to re-create some of his most iconic scenic paintings. If you have always wanted to learn how to paint alongside Bob Ross but could not find the time, here is the perfect experience for you. No prior painting or art

experience is required—artists of any level are welcome.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• How to work with acrylic paints

• How to compose large-size scenic painting

• Patience and attention to details

• How to regulate your mood using paintings

• Using various tools and brushes

THE EXPERIENCE

How is studying Latin one of the best ways to improve our command of English and cultural literacy? Much of our English vocabulary derives from Latin, and a grasp of Latin grammar and syntax teaches us how sentences really work. The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the basic vocabulary, grammar, and syntax of Latin Each day the students will have an opportunity to

exercise what they have learned by translating sentences and answering very specific questions about their reasoning.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Latin language understanding

• Improvedn understanding of English

THE EXPERIENCE

that scene in The Hunger Games

Peeta is basically the ground? Have you ever wanted to tell when someone is lying?

importantly, are you ready to become the ultimate spy? In Master of Disguise: The Art of Spy-Craft you will do this and more!

your Interim Studies

to make and break codes, secure and pass information, camouflage yourself in a variety of scenarios, solve a crime scene, and surveil your surroundings. By the end of this experience, you may just expect a call from CIA recruiting offices!

Come learn the incredible skill and art of pottery! From beginner to advanced, this course will allow you to grow your knowledge of this beautiful art form. The experience is led by a master potter and supports each individual’s growth and success. You will learn about the important history of pottery and understand how it has developed over time. Through your own hands-on work and visiting local galleries, you will grow your understanding and appreciation for this art form that has been shown to improve mental and physical health.

Students will learn how to use the pottery wheel to create a plate and bowl, and design and create a ceramic piggy bank and a coffee mug!

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

Pottery-making techniques and practices , Better understanding pottery as an art form., Communication., Appreciation of the history of pottery and local potters.

STORY

Ed STAGE

THE EXPERIENCE

TED Talks took the world, the internet, and the informational stage by fury. Here is your opportunity to take something you are passionate about, and potentially tell the world all about it. Let’s learn how to amplify your voices-student voices, the voices of Gen Z, the Digital Native Generation. You not only have hope and optimism but incredible ideas and solutions, perspectives that are sometimes missing from the conversations adults are having. In the words of TEDEd organizers: “The world is waiting to be redefined by the biggest, smallest, boldest, quirkiest, bravest, most inspiring, and most brilliant ideas from young people around the world.” We’ll finish this experience with a TEDEd Event for the Brewster community, but don’t stop here, there are opportunities for students to apply and take

their talk global! Maybe you are saying, “I want to do one, but what will I share?” Or perhaps you’re anxious about speaking in public (everyone is!). Let’s use this time together to develop, create, design, and implement the best talks from Brewster students—and give you the confidence to do it! Find your voice, use your voice, and share your voice—we are listening.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

Communication

Performance

Storytelling

Collaboration

Critical thinking

WOODWORKING

THE EXPERIENCE

Join us and learn about woodworking! In this experience, you will learn about shop safety, and then expand your knowledge and experience through a chosen week-long woodworking project, or several smaller projects. You will learn about—and safely use—hand tools (hand saws, chisels, hammers, etc.), and power tools (compound miter saw, jigsaw, belt sander, router, table saw, and more), and develop your woodworking skill throughout the week. By the end of our experience, you will have lifelong woodworking skills, and a completed project that will be yours to keep (or share). The focus

of this experience will be to step outside of your comfort zone, and challenge yourself to (safely) create something that you plan, design, and build yourself.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Safe use of many different manual and powered woodworking tools

• Design and planning of a project

• Execution of blueprints/designs

• Making something with your hands