2024 Unbounded Days Course Catalog

DO UNBOUNDED THE WEBB SCHOOLS 2024 UNBOUNDED DAYS COURSE CATALOG

2024 UNBOUNDED DAYS

THE PURPOSE IS CLEAR

COURSE LIST Unbounded Days will take place from February 28-March 3, 2024. Most courses will be three days and will meet from Wednesday, February 28-Friday, March 1, 2024. These courses include options for overnights and day trips. Find listed below under 4- or 5-day courses those that will also meet Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3.

Unless otherwise indicated in the course description, there is no additional fee.

If a student selects a course with an additional fee, that fee will be billed directly to the student’s account. Students on financial aid will automatically receive the same percentage of assistance they receive for tuition and it will be applied

Unbounded Days draws upon The Webb Schools’ enduring purpose

directly to their bill.

of inspiring students to boldly reach for a greater sense of who they

3-Day Courses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 5 - 27

are and what they can achieve. Through immersive, collaborative,

Arts Adventure The Art of Comedy and Improv Backpacking for Beginners Cultivating Connections: A Journey of Service and Cultural Exchange Desert Solitude: Meditation and Mindfulness Retreat in Joshua Tree Discover Catalina For the Birds: A Study in Observation, Inspiration, and Creation Go for the Green: Golf Course Architecture Garage Band and Punk Art The Great Escape History of L.A. through Sports How to be Creative Just Plane Fun Life after Death: Skeletons, Skulls, and Preservation in Museums and Culture Living with Animals Optic Nerve: Art, Light, and Instillation A Queer History of Los Angeles Rock Stars The Shape of Water: Urban Planning, Sustainability, and California Dreaming SoCal, So Fit, So Fun SoCal Marine Life & Conservation Tasting Home: Memory, Food, and Place Theater: Inside and Out Women in Leadership Lab

relevant and deeply engaging journeys that connect the classroom and the broader world, students expand their understanding of what it means to think, create and reflect. They learn that their possibilities and their minds are truly unbounded.

When Robert A. Hefner III ’53 made his generous gift to the schools, he made special provisions to enable us to learn directly from extraordinary individuals. In this spirit, Unbounded Days has been created. Unbounded Days has grown not only from Mr. Hefner’s personal thirst for creativity and love of exploration, but also out of his deep admiration for one of his former Webb teachers, Dr. Ray Alf, who first showed him how to think beyond what he could see.

Unbounded Days is supported by the

ROBERT A. HEFNER III ’53 ENDOWMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE 3

Unbounded Days

4-5 Day Courses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 28 - 30 Climbing through History: An Adventure through Joshua Tree’s Past, Present, and Future Robotics, Drones, and Submarines: Underwater Robotics and Data Science in the Field Hiking the Trans Catalina Trail The Webb Schools

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ARTS

ADVENTURE

Faculty: Roberto Ayala and Linda Silva (3 days)

5 Unbounded Days

In Arts Adventure, you will explore the connections between nature, urban settings, and specialized environments through visual art, movement, and music. The experience begins with an arts expedition through the massive boulders in Joshua Tree National Park. On day two, you will discover the music and film industry at Warner Brothers studio to see and hear how music is applied to film and television. Our very own city of Claremont houses some world-famous pieces of art at the newly opened Benton Museum, where you will be hosted on a personal tour by museum staff. Afterwards, we will visit various public art sites on the college campuses, including the famous Orozco Mural. Finally, you will do a hands-on art project based on your experiences. By the end of the course, you will have seen, heard, felt, and created art, and you will have a greater appreciation for ways to make art part of your life.

THE ART OF

COMEDY AND IMPROV

Faculty: Meagan MacPhee and Helga Zambrano Course Fee: $50 (3 days)

Prepare to unleash your inner comedian in a whirlwind three-day comedy extravaganza!

This course invites students into the modern world of humor through an exploration of Los Angeles’ diverse and unique comedy landscape. From mastering stand-up routines to refining your improvisational skills, this experience is a non-stop laugh fest. On the first day, you will delve into the intellectual, poetic, and performative aspects that craft unforgettable comedic moments. You will have the chance to explore how comedy both reflects and challenges societal norms, decipher what makes today’s comedians so effective, and finish the day with a live comedy show! The next day, you will have the chance to build your own chops through comedy and improvisation workshops. In these explorative sessions, you will embrace personal growth, creativity, and the art of performance. Finally, you will conclude your hilarious journey by getting up on the stage and performing your own original improv or sketch routine for an audience of your peers.

Do not miss this chance to learn, laugh, and leave others in stitches.

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BACKPACKING FOR BEGINNERS

Faculty: Sawyer Belville and Megan Horejsi (3 days) Includes Overnights

7 Unbounded Days

Are you curious about outdoor overnight backpacking but intimidated by a lack of experience? This course will teach you the basics—how to pack a backpack, how to light a fire, how to cook outdoors, how to set up a tent, how to use a map and compass, and how to filter water. You will get handson practice with these skills in a controlled setting before setting off on a five-mile overnight trip in Anza Borrego State Park.

Get up close and personal with nature, connect with your inner Stone Age creature, and experience the deep satisfaction of adventuring outdoors!

CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS: A JOURNEY OF SERVICE AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE

Faculty: John Choi and Melissa Mani (3 Days)

Culture is the shared values, customs, language, music, arts, and cuisine of a group of people. Community is rooted in meaningful relationships between different groups of people. Community service bridges cultures and groups, fostering mutual understanding, empathy, and connection. Join us as we live out the Webb mission statement of serving with a generous spirit while exploring greater Los Angeles through meaningful service and authentic cultural exchange. We will collaborate with a foundation in Little Ethiopia that provides displaced refugees and immigrants with community and resources through food, music, and storytelling. We will also serve local communities in the Inland Valley by distributing fresh food to foodinsecure families. Finally, we will volunteer our time at Huerta del Valle in Ontario, which serves as a cultural hub for the MexicanAmerican community, where we will celebrate with food, fun, and hard work.

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DESERT SOLITUDE:

MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS

DISCOVER CATALINA

RETREAT IN JOSHUA TREE Faculty: Stephen Hebert and Allison Madar Course Fee: $100 (3 days) Includes Overnights

9 Unbounded Days

Life throws a lot at you each day: text messages, email, social media, homework, family commitments, and planning for the future. What if you could build a toolkit to help you confront those pressures and navigate through them with greater ease and joy?

What would it be like to let go of the digital world for a few days and reconnect with who you really are? In this course, you will learn some of the foundational skills of mindfulness and meditation, laying the building blocks for you to develop your own practice. You will do this by retreating to an artists’ compound near Joshua Tree National Park. Leaving your cellphones and other devices behind, you will try a variety of approaches to mindfulness, including guided meditation and journaling, cooking, and hiking. The course will culminate in a “solo” where you will put what you have learned into practice. Join in this opportunity to be fully present, reconnect with yourself, and engage, individually and collaboratively, in an exploration of what it means to be human in the 21st century.

Faculty: Sarah Lantz and Sarah Trobaugh Course Fee: $150 (3 days) Includes Overnights

Twenty-two miles off the coast of California sits Catalina Island, a travel destination known for its rich history and beautiful natural environment.

Working with the Catalina Island Marine Institute, this three-day course takes you on a marine science expedition. You will cross the ocean channel while looking for dolphins and whales, explore the underwater world off the shoreline while snorkeling, investigate the unique geology and biology of the island and rediscover the night sky. You will stay at the beautiful Fox Landing camp, a quiet beach on the Catalina coastline, near Long Point State Marine Reserve, with access to Catalina’s marine diversity, including its wild interior where bison roam and its dark skies perfect for stargazing. This is the ideal course for anyone who wants to learn more about marine life on the California coast.

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FOR THE BIRDS: A STUDY IN

OBSERVATION, INSPIRATION AND CREATION Faculty: Elizabeth Cantwell and Stefanie Graefe (3 days)

11 Unbounded Days

Learn how to identify birds by sound and sight, venture out into deserts and coastal areas to practice watching and listening for birds, reflect quietly on the experience of slowing down and engaging with Southern Californian habitats, and produce buoyant art that can help your inner selves take flight. This course will include a morning spent with Audobon Society experts helping you to identify local species; a day trip to Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve, a coastal estuary harboring over 200 species of birds and important nesting sites for seabirds, where you will participate in a guided tour and engage in some hands-on restoration work in the wetlands; a day trip to Joshua Tree, known to harbor about 250 species of birds, where you will try to track down a real roadrunner; and a special stargazing evening where you will contemplate all that you see when you look up instead of down. Finally, you will take the inspiration from your birdwatching activities and think about the benefits of time spent slowing down in nature to produce works of art that speak to you (paintings, sculptures, poems, songs, films, dances, photographs, mixed media, etc.). No experience in birdwatching is necessary for this course—plan to embrace the concept of the “beginner’s mind” (shoshin) in an unbounded way! All you need is an interest in stepping off the treadmill of life, slowing down, absorbing flight, and re-engaging with the natural world.

GO FOR THE GREEN:

GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTURE Faculty: Michael Hoe and Eric Vos (3 days)

Why are there so many bunkers on this course? Should a golf course exist in a desert? For those interested in landscape architecture, business, and competition, this course will cover the myriad factors affecting golf course design, including environmental, economic, and social issues. With field trips to meet with a local golf course superintendent, touring part of a golf course, and some fun at TopGolf, students will learn about the intersection of design, business, and the game of golf writ large as a popular activity in the leisure industry. As we learn about the advantages and disadvantages of various natural resources used to build and maintain golf courses, course design strategies, and business interests, students will use design software to build a golf course that integrates the material and experiences from the class.

No prior experience playing golf is required for this course.

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GARAGE BAND AND PUNK ART Faculty: Peter Hatala and Jose Muñoz-Lopez (3 days)

13

Unbounded Days

We invite all students, regardless of their musical or artistic background, to embark on a thrilling journey into the rebellious world of punk music and art history. In this course, students will immerse themselves in the vibrant, energetic world of punk rock, just like legendary bands such as The Clash, The New York Dolls, and Black Flag did. Not only will you explore the sonic side of punk, but you will also delve into the visual artistry that has long been intertwined with the punk movement. This course promises to ignite your creativity from both musical and artistic perspectives. You will explore the origins of punk, its iconic figures, and its enduring impact on culture and society. You will dive into the punk ethos of self-expression, individuality, and the power of DIY. Whether you are creating music or visual art, you will have the opportunity to channel the punk spirit into your own original work. We will teach you the basics of playing instruments like guitars, bass, and drums, and guide you through the creation of punkinspired art and lyrics. You will also spend time in record stores, music venues, and art museums. Whether you are a seasoned musician or artist looking for an avenue for self-expression, or have never touched an instrument or paintbrush, this course is for you. All skill levels are welcome! Do not miss your chance to take part in the creation of your very own garage band!

THE

GREAT ESCAPE Faculty: Anthony Flucker and Wendy Maxon (3 days)

You and your teammates are trapped in a room and only have 60 minutes to escape. All around you are clues that will lead you one step closer to the exit. Left only to your wits, creativity, and teamwork, will you have what it takes to solve the puzzles and make your way out of the room before the time runs out? This course will push your problem-solving, design, and world-building skills to the limit. You will work together in teams to take on several escape rooms around Los Angeles, all the while figuring out how you could do it even better. This course will offer you opportunities to use masterminding, storytelling, worldbuilding, and project-managing skills all at once. Create the world you have always wanted, and then watch as groups of attendees try to unravel the challenge.

Can they manage? Well, that’s up to you.

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HISTORY OF

L.A. THROUGH SPORTS Faculty: Brian Kays and Malick Mbengue (3 days)

15 Unbounded Days

When it comes to sports and entertainment, there is no other city like Los Angeles. All five major American sports leagues have teams in the Los Angeles metropolitan area (sometimes multiple teams in the same league). The Lakers and the Dodgers have won 21 titles between them. L.A.’s iconic venues have hosted a World Cup final (1994), the Summer Olympics twice (1932, 1984), and the Super Bowl (2022).

However, beyond the glamour, L.A. sports tell unique stories about the rich history and culture of the city, the people who support them and the neighborhoods they call home.

Students will take a walk through time as we learn about the history of the city through the people and places that shape the L.A. sports landscape. You will look at the past and future as the city prepares to host the 2028 Olympic games. Come explore L.A. with a completely new lens: tour iconic venues (Dodger Stadium, Crypto Arena, SoFi Stadium, or The Coliseum), experience the city vibe on game day, and interview fans, reporters, historians, and everyday Angelenos whose lives are impacted by sports, whether they like it or not.

HOW TO BE CREATIVE Faculty: Eric Hansen and Jackie Leishman

In this course, you will explore how creativity takes form as mashups and remixes of earlier creations.

You will get off campus and into creative art spaces where food, dance, hip hop, and visual art are created Course Fee: $100 and re-created. Each of these experiences will help you initiate your own creative experiments while (3 days) you spend one night incubating in apartments in Includes Overnights downtown L.A. Over the three days, you will consider: how do an artist’s intentions go from initial ideas and playing around to become viable, independent creations that bear no resemblance to what inspired them in the first place? How do creative people approach subjects that have been done before with new life and meaning? What sparks new work when you are not feeling creative? Concepts and prompts for your own artistic work will be guided by Jerry Saltz’s How to Be an Artist and interviews with hip hop pioneers like Quest Love, as well as lessons in art, writing, and creativity from the Unbounded instructors. Throughout the course, everyone will contribute to a book organically born of their impressions, inspirations, and photos. Participants can expect to arrive at a different understanding of what the word “creativity” means as well as methods and mindsets for entering creative states of mind and spaces, both independently and in collaboration.

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JUST PLANE FUN Faculty: Dr. Brendan Beikmann and Viviana Nicolosi (3 days)

17 Unbounded Days

Alis grave nil. Nothing is heavy to those who have wings. During this three-day Unbounded experience, you will have the opportunity to work individually and collaboratively to learn about the incredible field of flight, from how to take off and land a plane to the physics and science behind flight. This course will help weave together the answers to many of your top flight inquiries. The first two days will be spent exploring the multiple facets of flight that include case studies, hands-on experimentation, and flight simulation, while the final day will be dedicated to the physics behind body flight. Are you ready to earn your Webb Wings?

LIFE AFTER DEATH: SKELETONS,

SKULLS, AND PRESERVATION IN MUSEUMS AND CULTURE Faculty: Andy Farke and Billie Guerrero (3 days)

The dead—in bony, “pickled,” and taxidermy form—are central to natural history museums and nature education. In this course, you will investigate the decisions that go into a museum display – from choice of specimens to cultural awareness to labeling presentation. Does it matter if a “real” skeleton or a replica is exhibited?

How do intellectual property rights intersect with museum development? Is it ethical to use remains of endangered species in educational settings? Through field explorations at Los Angeles museums and businesses, you will learn how “the dead” are presented in exhibits and education.

Make your own mark when you develop and assemble a new dinosaur skeleton exhibit for the Alf Museum. A skeleton in a museum is never just a skeleton!

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LIVING WITH ANIMALS Faculty: Morgan Kapp and Gavin Thrasher (3 days)

19 Unbounded Days

So much of humans’ lives are intertwined with the lives of our animal and plant cohabitants.

We “share” habitat, depend on them for resources, work with them for specific tasks, and build relationships with them. There are many examples of this intersection with nature in Southern California. The goal of this course is to develop greater understanding of the animals and ecosystems we interact with and explore our impact on the world around us. This course will examine marine life and inland ecosystems, then bring it all back to our environment at Webb. In each environment, we will conduct our own investigations and learn from experts about native animals and plants, the human impact on them, and the way the environment changes through these interactions. Understanding the intersection of our lives with animals is important both now and for the future. Students will directly connect with animals and the ex-perts that deeply care for and about them to further explore the ways we impact and benefit from the other living things in our world. Let’s explore the animals of SoCal together!

OPTIC NERVE: ART, LIGHT, AND INSTILLATION Faculty: Mark Dzula and Ardina Greco (3 days)

The sun breaks, cascading through the window, dazzling colors spilling on the floor. The projector flashes and transports its audience, breaking boundaries, and illuminating unforeseen worlds. Light has long inspired artists, and Southern California offers a spectacular laboratory. This course will take students on light-based art adventures in locations all around Los Angeles and culminate in an on-campus art installation.

We will discover history, make meaning, and consider novel approaches to using light and optical media as we make and encounter art together. Potential projects include stainedglass explorations and experimentation with projection mapping, as well as other lightbased art forms. Potential visits include Judson Studios, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and L.A. churches. This course is meant for any level of experience and interest: beginners are welcome, and all kinds of curiosity will be celebrated.

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A QUEER

ROCK STARS

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES Faculty: Gretel Barsotti and Dr. Kenny Nguyen (3 days)

21 Unbounded Days

Although the founding of the Society for Human Rights in Chicago in 1924 and the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City have been commonly cited as the origin of the gay rights movement in the United States, what we know as “Gay Culture’’ was arguably born in the Southland beneath the glitz of Tinseltown, the glamor of Palm Springs, and the melding of disparate cultures in between. Los Angeles and Palms Springs in particular have been the backdrop to events small and large: from the complex relationship between the studios and its LGBTQ+ stars, to modern examples where queer people of color have been claiming their identities through Chicano/x LGBTQ+ origins and, more recently, queer Asians uniting through nightlife. In this course, students will explore and experience this history through films, lectures, museum trips, discussions, and, of course, interacting with the seen and unseen history of queer L.A. and Palms Springs on the ground.

Faculty: Will Allan and Geoff Owers Course Fee: $100 (3 days) Includes Overnights

In Rock Stars, students will enjoy and study the scientific wonders of Death Valley. This unique national park offers the clearest, most stunning views of the night sky as well as some of the most peculiar geologic features on planet Earth and a stunning annual exhibition of natural wildflowers. Come explore the largest vertical range that science can offer in this part of the world—we will study the geology of Badwater Basin that lies at an elevation of 278 feet below sea level, as well as the wonders of the cosmos that are thousands of light years away. Telescopic viewing of the stars, photographic opportunities that can be embraced nowhere else (during both night and day), and short hikes to local features such as Natural Bridge, Artists’ Palette, Zabriskie Point, or Dante’s View, will be part of this unique exploratory field trip. The overarching goal of the trip is to gain an appreciation of extremes in nature—heat and climate extremes, wind and water’s incredible effect on the landscape, elevation extremes, as well as the extreme vastness of the universe.

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THE SHAPE OF

SOCAL, SO FIT, SO FUN

WATER:

URBAN PLANNING, SUSTAINABILITY, AND CALIFORNIA DREAMING Faculty: Mark Lauer and Cory Warren (3 days)

23 Unbounded Days

For the 1893 Chicago World Fair, L.A. city leaders crafted a booster advertisement campaign designed to lure in people from the U.S. and around the world to experience a coastal paradise surrounded by palm trees and endless possibilities. From there, a myth was created. California was a “Land of Sunshine” that was quickly running out of the most valuable resource needed to support the incoming stream of people: water.

In this course, students will explore how the fast-growing metropolis changed the landscape through designing water supply concepts that continue to shape the lives of people today. Students will investigate, analyze, and reflect on the use of space around water resources, learning about how Angelenos perceive and use those resources. Excursions to the L.A. River and the port of Long Beach will lead you to reflect on and critically engage with issues of water sustainability and urban design. Students’ research and creative work will culminate in a poster presentation. The presentation will entail excerpts of student interviews with Angelenos on how water or the absence thereof shapes their lives and actions, student drawings and (poetic) narratives that capture their perspective on L.A. water, scientific data of water samples taken at the sites we visit, and recommendations on how every Angeleno can help protect our most valuable resource.

Faculty: Melanie Bauman and Ken Rosenfeld Course Fee: $50 (3 days)

Exercise and food trends come and go. Humans are efficient machines that adapt to routines to make things easier and more comfortable.

Consequently, for any individual to gain and maintain optimal health and wellness, they need to introduce a variety of healthy movements into their lives, and they need to introduce a variety of healthy combinations of foods to their system. In other words, they need to change things up, get off the treadmill, get out of the gym, and get outdoors.

SoCal, So Fit, So Fun is an Unbounded experience designed to utilize Southern California’s resources to provide participants with opportunities to experience different activities that will connect the mind, body, and soul in ways that naturally support a healthy, active, and mindful lifestyle.

Such activities may include but are not limited to hiking, surfing, skiing/snowboarding, yoga, meditation, and anything else Southern California has to offer. Just as you are now encouraged to “eat local” and think of the “sustainability” of your food, you will set balanced health goals, utilize your surroundings for energizing activities, and fuel yourself with proper nutrition and rest—creating an overall experience that can be best described as a “local, sustainable lifestyle.”

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SOCAL

MARINE LIFE &

TASTING HOME:

MEMORY, FOOD, AND PLACE

CONSERVATION Faculty: Nika Haleftiras and Syrah Lemos (3 days)

25 Unbounded Days

The ocean is one of the most important biomes on our planet. Take three deep breaths; every third breath you take comes from oxygen generated by the ocean. Your food, makeup, shampoo, salad dressing, and more come from products from our oceans.

Incredibly, in Southern California, the ocean is right at our backdoor. Come explore the most biodiverse ecosystem on our planet.

You will learn about the importance of preserving this world beneath the waves through both personal experience and experimentation. Grab your snorkels and wet suits and dive underwater to experience firsthand the importance of our ocean. Bring your samples back to the lab to learn about conservation methods and how scientists are using high- and low-tech ideas to tell us about our marine environment. In looking at both macro and micro scale understandings of our ocean, you will come to understand all the life that lives in the ocean and why you need to work to preserve it.

Faculty: Leah Moore and James Huerta (3 days)

When food critic Anton Ego tastes Chef Remy’s ratatouille dish, his mind and body are transported back to his mother’s kitchen, and he is overcome by nostalgia. Pixar’s Ratatouille is one excellent example of the way food— its production, preparation, presentation, and digestion—cultivates and transmits community, culture, history, home, and belonging. This Unbounded program will center itself around the ways food is used as a source of sustenance and a medium to explore environment, culture, identity, citizenship, and power. You will explore L.A. food culture, meet and learn from various chefs, test your own skills in the kitchen, and build your storytelling skills as you reflect on the ways food intersects with who you are, where you are from, and your values. Participants will leave the course with a variety of food-oriented adventures, develop their cooking skills, learn more about others’ (chefs’, farmers’, classmates’, etc.) relationships to food and culture, feel more rooted in the culture of Los Angeles, and having contribute to a class cookbook blending recipes with creative personal storytelling.

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THEATER:

INSIDE AND OUT

Faculty: Olivia Silva and Stef Plumley Course Fee: $50 (3 days)

27 Unbounded Days

Do you have a passion for the performing arts? Are you looking for an immersive experience where you can channel this passion? Join us on a three-day journey as you do a deep dive into all things theater!

In this course, you will get a chance to work on stage, behind the scenes, and watch amazing theater in the L.A. area. Over these three days, you will be challenged to think outside the box, collaborate with your fellow thespians, and explore creative processes on your own while receiving professional guidance. You will learn from guest artists in the industry about their craft, and you will have the opportunity to create and stage a story you would like to tell with your peers. No prior performance experience needed!

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP LAB Faculty: Theresa Smith and Danielle Gordon (3 days)

Women have made significant strides as leaders in the last 30 years. They comprise 25% of the U.S. Senate and 28% of the U.S. House of Representatives. This is a notable improvement from 1990 when the number was closer to 2%. 10% of the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are women, compared to 0% in 1995. And female college and university presidents have grown three-fold in that time.

Still, challenges facing women who aspire to leadership remain, both in the United States and around the world. In this lab, we will connect with influential female leaders across industries – including banking, tech, science, academia, politics, and non-profits – and learn from their stories. We will explore how to confront stereotypes about women in leadership, and consider the possibilities for female leadership styles to transform male-dominated spaces. Through facilitated discussions and interactive workshops, each student will leave with concrete leadership experiences, a leadership development plan, and a Webb network. This course is intended for students who identify as female.

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CLIMBING

THROUGH HISTORY:

AN ADVENTURE THROUGH

JOSHUA TREE’S PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE Faculty: Joseph Vincent and Lisa Nacionales Course Fee: $100 (4 days) Includes Overnights

29 Unbounded Days

Join us on a rock-climbing adventure that will give you a unique perspective of one of the most beautiful desertscapes in the country: Joshua Tree National Park. However, when climbing, hiking, camping, and enjoying the outdoors, we believe that we should do it in a way that respects the land and the people, past and present, who call that land their home. This four-day course will challenge you physically and broaden your knowledge of the natural and cultural history of the place.

Throughout your stay, you will explore rockclimbing crags and learn techniques to send them, including top roping and bouldering.

You will also learn about and from the Serrano, Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, and Mohave tribes whose historic territories overlap within the park. From a planned visit with a park ranger to your own exploration of petroglyph art, you will develop a deeper respect for this harsh and beautiful environment. There is no prior climbing experience necessary. This trip welcomes climbers of all abilities.

HIKING THE

TRANSCATALINA TRAIL Faculty: Brian Caldwell and Dr. Joe Martin Course Fee: $100 (5 days) Includes Overnights

Try this amazing backpacking experience that will take you on an unforgettable journey across Catalina Island. This challenging fiveday/four-night trip is on many hikers’ bucket list. Be prepared—this is no glamping trip!

You will hike an average of 10 miles each day.

The trail is mostly a single track with a few connecting dirt roads, all offering beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean along with pristine backcountry between Avalon and Two Harbors. Each evening, you will prepare your meals and sleep with a view of the ocean’s edge. Beyond strengthening your outdoor skills, you will learn about food preservation, island ecosystems, stargazing, and experience pristine California landscapes.

This course is intended for students who already have hiking and backpacking experience and are hoping to further develop those skills. Join us for Hiking the TransCatalina Trail.

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ROBOTICS, DRONES, AND SUBMARINES:

UNDERWATER ROBOTICS AND DATA SCIENCE IN THE FIELD Faculty: Maria Suarez, Andrew Hamilton, Dr. Mairin Balisi Course Fee: $50 (4 days) Includes Overnights

31 Unbounded Days

This four-day adventure at a lake in Southern California will take you on a robotics, data science, and fossil discovery experience.

You will have the opportunity to operate an underwater drone to explore a lakebed and its surrounding environment where you will do real scientific work. You will work as a team to design, build, calibrate, and drive a drone submarine and then collect and analyze those measurements. You will also explore the beautiful lakeside environment through hiking, photography, and stargazing. Join us in this exhilarating adventure, where you will not only gain valuable scientific and technical insights but also cultivate a deep appreciation for science, the outdoors, and Southern California. Do not miss this opportunity to become a pioneer in underwater research!

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1175 West Baseline Road Claremont, CA 91711–2199 909.482.5214 webb.org