May Term Brochure V2

M AY T E R M

2024 R EG I S T E R

INTENSIVES PROGRAM

BY

D E C . 4, 2 0 2 3

COURSE OFFERINGS

TH E

S EVE N HILLS SCHOOL

CONTE NTS

What is May Term?

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Course Descriptions

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Registration Info and FAQs

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What is May Term?

ONE COURSE . . . FIVE DAYS . . .

UNLIMITED CURIOSITY

MAY T E RM is an innovative program designed to provide students with an immersive learning experience. Taking place during the five school days after final exams, this program offers an exciting departure from the traditional classroom setting. It allows teachers to become creators of specialized courses, tailored to their expertise and passions, and students to pursue their interests and enroll in these intensive courses for a week of deep exploration and skill development.

In essence, the May Term Intensives Program is a celebration of education as an adventure, where both students and teachers embark on a journey of exploration, discovery, and personal growth. It redefines the boundaries of traditional education, engaging students with the world beyond our campus, as they explore compelling topics and pressing civic issues.

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What is May Term?

KEY FEATURES

1 T E AC H E R-D E S IG N E D COU R S E S

The heart of the May Term Intensives Program lies in its teacher-driven curriculum. Educators collaboratively develop and teach courses that align with their interests, expertise, and teaching styles. This approach fosters a vibrant and diverse array of course offerings, ensuring there’s something for every student.

2 W E E K-L O N G I M M E R S I O N

Unlike standard semester-long courses, May Term Intensives offer a condensed yet rigorous learning experience. Each course spans just one week, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in the subject matter without the distractions of multiple concurrent courses.

3 H A N D S -O N L E A R N I N G

May Term Intensives emphasize experiential learning. Whether building

furniture, preparing dishes from a variety of cultures, painting a wall mural, or some other immersive experience, students engage in hands-on activities that deepen their understanding and enhance the learning environment.

4 COMMUNITY BUILDING

Beyond academics, the May Term Intensives foster a sense of community and camaraderie among students and teachers. Social activities, group outings, and collaborative projects outside the classroom enhance the overall experience.

5 LI F E-E N R I C H I N G E X P E R I E N CE

The May Term Intensives are more than just courses; they’re transformative experiences that can ignite students’ passions, open their minds to new possibilities, and equip them with practical skills they can carry into their future endeavors.

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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Addiction and the Community

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines addiction as “a compulsive, chronic, physiological, or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity that has harmful physical, psychological, or social effects.” This definition falls short in capturing the true consequences of addiction for individuals and their friends, families, and communities. In this course, we will delve into the effects of addiction and explore efforts to combat this disease. We’ll examine how legal systems can approach this issue with compassion and recognize that treatment is a lifelong commitment for the addicted and their support network. Through a combination of field trips, speakers, and other experiences, we’ll gain insights into initiatives and strategies implemented in Cincinnati to address this societal challenge. We will also discover ways in which we can make a difference. Addiction affects us all, directly or indirectly. Join us to learn more about this critical issue.

Adventuring: Exploring the Limits of Human Performance

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery, physical challenge, and exhilarating adventure? Join us for a week that will test your limits and leave you with a sense of accomplishment.

Adventuring: Exploring the Limits of Human Performance is a fun and active course designed for students of all fitness levels, who possess the determination to embrace physical and mental challenges.

Our goal is to take you out of your comfort zone as you explore unique

adventures, rain or shine. Past experiences have included: races through the woods, rock-climbing, trekking on new terrain, kayaking local rivers, and experiencing the underwater world of scuba. We will learn from experienced adventurers who have challenged themselves beyond what they thought was previously possible. If you have a thirst for adventure, a willingness to embrace new experiences, and the positive attitude needed to thrive in a team atmosphere, this is definitely the May Term course for you!

Art for All People

Enjoy a variety of art experiences focused on the uniting of people. Whether you possess advanced artistic skills or are simply curious to explore your creative side, this course promises an inclusive space for us all. With an assortment of opportunities, you will get to create, view, and experience art. Hands-on activities may include glasswork, tie-dying, painting, pottery, and crocheting. Besides the act of creation, you will view art at local museums and galleries that include expressions by local artists, contemporary artists, and art by people of color and within the LGBTQ+ community. And finally, you will have the opportunity to engage in artistic collaboration and community building potentially with artists from the local community, artists with disabilities, and artists within the homeless population of Cincinnati.

Everyone is an artist and art connects and equalizes; become a part of this openminded and explorative opportunity.

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Course Descriptions

Cincinnati Treasures

Do you know that Cincinnati is a top 10 United States travel destination? That Cincinnati has become a celebrated city for its restaurant scene? That young professionals are moving to Cincinnati in droves? Let’s go see what all the buzz is about! Come be a tourist in your own hometown. During our Cincinnati Treasures May Term elective, we will visit a wide range of Cincinnati’s cultural landmarks, some of them longstanding and some more recently developed. Do you love sports? Parks? Historic architecture?

Museums? Public transportation? Signs and branding? The zoo? Good food?

Beautiful views of the Ohio River? We will enjoy all of these and more. Put on your walking shoes, and join us for a great week as we head to downtown Cincinnati or into the surrounding neighborhoods daily. We will learn more about the people of Cincinnati, its long history, and all our bustling city offers today. This is one of the Upper School’s most popular May Terms for good reason!

Civil Rights through Landmarks

Join us as we travel through the south to Alabama to visit some of the most iconic locations in the Civil Rights Movement.

From the Civil Rights Institute and the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham to the Selma bridge to Montgomery’s state capitol and its historic offerings, we will learn about the history, visit the hallowed grounds that supported the powerful social movement for justice, and tour the amazing museums that commemorate all of it. We will also stop for a campus tour

of the University of Alabama, a walking tour of Tuscaloosa, and a discussion about the fight against racial integration at UA in 1963. We will travel by bus and stay in hotels the duration of the trip. Breakfast will be included with the hotels, but you will need to bring money for lunches and dinners. Depending on registration, the cost of the trip will be between $400-$600. Financial aid is available — contact Dr. Bolton for more details. We hope you’ll join us!

Cooking and Culture

Are you curious about the intersection of food and culture and interested in an immersive culinary experience? In this course, you will experience hands-on cooking in a collaborative environment.

We’ll go on field trips to CAM International Market and Jungle Jims, where we will discover new ingredients and learn about their cultural significance.

Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and prepare diverse dishes from around the world. Previous years have included assembling Mexican tamales, exploring the flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine, savoring dishes from various African countries, and learning cultural norms during Chinese dining and English teatime. By the end of this course, you will acquire knife skills and advanced cooking techniques, kitchen lingo, and food prep and cleanup skills.

This course involves working in facilities with nuts and common allergens, posing a risk of cross-contamination. We advise against enrollment for individuals with severe food allergies.

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Course Descriptions

Furniture Design

Each student in Furniture Design will design and build their own piece of furniture. In order to accomplish this, the course begins with a speedy overview of furniture from prehistoric times forward as well as some practical pointers on construction methods. While students are thinking about what they want to design, they will begin learning how to use the equipment safely. Individual instruction and supervision will begin with student pairs building a piece of predesigned furniture for Scrap2Home to distribute. Someone from Scrap2Home will share how their program works and why Cincinnatians need help obtaining furniture. Instructors will review and help revise student designs before they begin building and will be closely monitoring process and safety throughout the course.

Tools that students have used in past furniture projects include: table saw, panel saw, miter saw, band saw, scroll saw, air nailer/stapler, drill, pocket jig, chisel, router, and laser cutter.

I N I T I AT I V E

Give, Grow, and Be Great: A Week of Service Learning

In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” As a participant in this course, you’ll engage in service and learning activities to benefit people, animals, and/or the environment.

Experiences may include stocking shelves at a food pantry, planting trees in a park, serving meals at a soup kitchen, or other actions to help address real needs.

Additionally, you’ll grow in empathy, understanding, and critical thinking as you

participate in workshops and simulations centered around topics of social justice and poverty with the Ozanam Center in Cincinnati’s West End neighborhood.

Throughout the week, you’ll reflect on your experiences and consider how the needs of people, animals, and the environment intersect with and impact each other. Join this course and become your greatest self! By participating fully in this course, students will earn 15 hours of credit toward their community service graduation requirement.

Guilty Until Proven Innocent: Wrongful Conviction in America

Is the American justice system as fair as it seems? Did you know that every year, countless innocent individuals find themselves behind bars or even facing the unthinkable — execution? This course goes beyond the ordinary classroom experience, delving into wrongful convictions, false confessions, memory manipulation, and the pitfalls of flawed science. You will engage with legal experts, judges, and scientists during visits to places like the Hamilton County Crime Lab, a local courthouse, and the Ohio Innocence Project at UC Law. The real highlight? Meeting exonerees who’ve endured unjust imprisonment — their stories will inspire you to question the justice system and make a difference.

In past years, this course has served as a launching pad for securing internships, pursuing careers in fields from legal studies to STEM, and inspiring college essay topics.

Join us in uncovering the truth, challenging the status quo, and working toward a world where justice prevails.

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Course Descriptions

Immigration in America

The United States is a country built by immigrants, and the movement of people to the U.S. continues to be a defining issue of the 21st century. In this course, we will explore why and how people from different parts of the world come to America. We’ll go downtown to meet with immigration attorneys to discover how immigration law works and how one can become a U.S. resident and citizen. In addition, we will meet with members of immigrant communities and first-generation populations in our city, with a special focus on immigrant-owned businesses.

We will examine the complexities and conflicts that exist in current immigration debates. As a culminating activity, we will each create and share meaningful digital projects about our own families’ stories of coming to the Americas. We hope you will join us in exploring how immigrants of the past and the present continue to contribute to our unique country and in celebrating the beautiful diversity of our nation of immigrants.

I N I T I AT I V E

Madisonville Mural: Art, Culture, and Community Exploration

Immerse yourself in an artistic journey that combines the creation of a vibrant mural with an exploration of the vibrant culture and rich history of Madisonville.

Working directly with artist Cedric Cox, you’ll produce an 18 x 8 foot wall mural inside the Artsville building on Whetsel Avenue. You’ll also engage with Kathy Garrison, director of Artsville and community activist and organizer, to delve into the traditions, heritage, and landmarks that define Madisonville’s

character. Discover how recent changes in Madisonville — including the construction of apartments in the center of the business district and the continued expansion of Medpace — have affected the community in both positive and negative ways. By melding the creative process with cultural exploration, this program offers a unique opportunity for participants to leave a lasting artistic legacy while gaining an appreciation for the diverse stories and experiences that contribute to Madisonville’s rich tapestry.

Mechanical Engineering: Exploring Combustion Engines

The internal combustion engine is a marvel of design, function, and fabrication. With its history in the late 1700s the IC engine has not changed much since the early commercially successful engines of the 1860s. Yet, for many, it is a magical block of metal, wires, and hoses hidden under a hood or behind a panel. Whether two cylinders or 10, students will identify the components of a gasoline engine and describe the four main steps of combustion. Students will get hands-on experiences in the course, and will learn about the design and operation of carburetors, ignition systems, and the common two and four stroke engines. Students will work in teams to disassemble, troubleshoot, and re-assemble small engines such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers, and get an intro to mechanical and automotive engineering. Though some metal fabrication is a goal, specifics may change. Prior experiences included a tour of UC College of Engineering and the Bearcats Motor Racing team.

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Course Descriptions

Parks and Recreation: Experiencing the Outdoors in Hamilton County

Our group of adventurers will explore the Hamilton County Parks system, visiting four to five different parks across the Cincinnati area. Plan on being outside, rain or shine, as we listen to naturalist presentations, go hiking on trails and through streams, and enjoy other outdoor experiences. From exploring the disappearing habitats and biodiversity of our area wetlands, looking for signs of local wildlife, investigating the earthworks and technology used to unearth the mysteries of ancient Ohio civilizations 1,500 years ago, learning about the ecology of the Winton Lake area, we will be on the move.

You may get dirty and wet while having fun with your classmates! Past recreation activities have included biking, boating, pioneer era sports, archery, mini-golfing, and/or visiting a farm. We may also perform some service work as we enjoy the beauty and diversity of our local parks together. All that is required for this week are some older clothes and a great attitude!

Storytelling in the Digital Age

In an increasingly digital world, the ability to craft compelling narratives and share them through podcasting has become an essential skill. This course will empower students to become proficient digital storytellers and podcast creators.

Through theory, hands-on activities, and creative projects, participants will embark on a journey to explore the art of storytelling in the digital age. By the end of the week, students will experience the entire process of story creation,

from conceptualization to publication. In addition to classroom learning, this course offers a unique opportunity for students to engage in real-world experiences. In partnership with WVXU, students will gain hands-on experience in both the field and the recording studio, further enriching their understanding of digital storytelling and podcasting. We will have the chance to visit the radio station, learn from experienced professionals, conduct interviews, and practice sound editing techniques.

Ways of Being Well

Join us for an exploration of the world of adolescent — and lifelong — mental health. This course combines scientific principles with both fun and practical experiences to provide a positive approach to this vital topic. We’ll hear insights from experts who will discuss the latest research on adolescent mental health challenges as well as tell us ways of dealing with those challenges. We’ll also take part in a range of activities aimed at promoting mental well-being. In the past, activities have included visiting Urban Air to fly through the air on a zipline, hiking on the Nature Center’s idyllic paths, creating artwork at a glass studio, and learning how to do therapeutic drumming, coached by professional drummers. Other activities may include doing yoga, practicing mindfulness, experiencing aromatherapy and relaxing head and neck massages, creating and eating colorful, healthy meals, and engaging in invigorating physical exercise. Join us; we’ll have a great time!

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Course Descriptions

Yearbook Publishing

Experience what goes into publishing while working on the yearbook. You will learn to use Josten’s “Yearbook Avenue” software to create spreads and layouts and learn to use tools in Photoshop to help make pages pop. Throughout the week, you’ll workshop with Amanda Cawdrey, a professional photographer who will teach you the tricks of the trade as you document May Term experiences happening on campus. You’ll become an embedded journalist off campus as well, documenting the other May Terms through photographs, videos, and interviews; this material will be shared via slideshow at the end of May Term week.

The material you capture will also be used to create a unique May Term spread in the yearbook, capturing the essence of our lively Seven Hills community.

Students who contribute work to the yearbook will receive credit as staff in the book!

Please note: Unlike with other courses, students are permitted to sign up for the Yearbook Publishing even if they have taken the course in the past.

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Registration & FAQs

REGIST RATION R EG I S T R AT I O N O P E N S M O N DAY, NOV. 20, A N D C LO S E S M O N DAY, D EC. 4.

After reviewing the course options and determining which are of most interest, students rank their top five choices using the linked Google form. After the registration period concludes, students are assigned to courses based on availability and their ranked preferences. Juniors are given priority placement, followed by sophomores, and then freshmen.

FA Qs WHICH GRADE LEVELS PARTICIPATE IN MAY TERM?

May Term participation is limited to students in grades nine through 11.

Occasionally, a student will have to defer taking a May Term course due to unavoidable circumstances. In such instances, the student will participate in May Term during their senior year.

AM I ABLE TO ENROLL IN THE SAME COURSE MORE THAN ONCE?

Unless otherwise noted in the course description, participation in a particular course is limited to a single time.

I S M AY T E R M A R E Q U I R E D EXPERIENCE?

Successful completion of three May Term courses is a requirement for graduation.

The requirement for students who enroll at Seven Hills after their freshmen year

is reduced in accordance with their grade level upon enrollment. For example, a student who enrolls as a sophomore must only complete two May Term courses.

ONCE ASSIGNED TO A COURSE, AM I ABLE TO SWITCH TO A DIFFERENT COURSE?

Course assignments are final. Only under exceptional circumstances will course assignments be changed.

I H AV E T O M I S S S C H O O L D U R I N G M AY T E R M . D O E S T H E T I M E I AT T E N D S T I L L C O U N T T O WA R D THE FULFILLMENT OF THE G R A D U AT I O N R E Q U I R E M E N T ?

Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, but please be aware that missing school during May Term may result in the need to complete another May Term course during one’s senior year.

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M AY T E RM R E G I S T E R B Y D E C. 4, 2 0 2 3

ONE COURSE . . . FIVE DAYS . . .

UNLIMITED CURIOSITY

Hillsdale Campus Cincinnati, OH 45227 Doherty Campus Cincinnati, OH 45206 513.728.2400 © 2023 The Seven Hills School