High School Minimester Around the Corner
Next week is “Minimester”! While some faculty call it “Megamester” because it feels so big, Minimester, our three day immersion program, is a wonderful break from the every day, and something the community really enjoys. The 2008-2009 program offerings include:Bike Minimester! with Nick Sullivan and Susan Now
Students will be biking through NYC to several destinations near and far. They will learn about bike repair, and will also work with Transportation Alternatives, an organization that among many other things gives recommendations to the city about how to make biking in New York a safe and viable form of urban transportation and fun. Great eats will be found on their trips!
CSI: LREI with Preethi Thomas and Margaret Magee
“If you have ever wondered how forensic scientists use fingerprints, DNA and fibers to investigate crimes, then this minimester is for you. We will investigate a crime of our own to determine “whodunnit.” In order to thoroughly and accurately investigate a crime scene you must be extremely attentive to detail in order to determine what the evidence is telling you. Investigation of this crime scene will include amny of the following: Documenting the scene, dusting for fingerprints, fiber identification, blood spatter analysis, handwriting analysis, hair identification, DNA fingerprinting and bloodtyping.”
Chinese culture with Mark Bledstein and Guo-Qing Heaton
Students will learn how to write in Chinese characters. They will create Chinese ink and brush landscapes. Take a guided tour through Chinatown. Enjoy both the wonders of Chinese cinema and a slide show on contemporary Chinese art. Sample popular Chinese music and “dig into” authentic Chinese lunch.
Election 2008-History in the Making-You Can Make a Difference! with Bill Bailey, Meghan Farley Astrachan and Stephen MacGillivray
“Join us if you love politics. Join us if you think you know a lot or if you think you know “next to nothing” about the subject. We will spend the first day learning about the electoral process with both the White House and the U.S. Congress as subjects. Once we have some basic facts under our belts, we will look at the campaign in depth, examining the Republican and Democratic platforms, the debates, political ads and the issue of accuracy and of appeal, the battleground states, and whatever else might unfold. The class does not pretend to be uncommitted in the race, and Thursday, we will head to Pennsylvania (by bus) to campaign for Barack Obama. We’ll do some role playing to build our confidence before we meet with residents of Wilkes Barre or Scranton who are enthusiastic about Obama, skeptical or hostile. On Friday, we will debrief and look at polls. Bring your lunch on Thursday and enough cash to stop for fast food on the way home.”
Friday Afternoon Live-Sketch Comedy with Micah Dov Gottlieb and Vin Scialla
Live from EI . . . its Friday Afternoon!!!
“Do you like Saturday Night Live? We will recreate the SNL experience by writing and performing a twenty-minute sketch comedy show in two and a half days. From filming our own “parody” commercials, to the weekend update, let’s make EI Laugh! We will need writers, actors, musicians, and directors.”
Hidden New York with Nick O’Han
Put on your urban archeologist’s hat and go exploring in your own (or at least some new Yorker’s) backyard. New York is one big archeological dig. Visit places that tell New York’s story, see spaces inhabited by ghosts of the past, and peel back the layers of history all around you.
Kitchen Sink Printmaking with Karyn Silverman and Celine Kagan
“Have you ever used a potato to create a one-of-a-kind tee-shirt? Here’s your chance! Printmaking is often thought of as an expensive medium, requiring lots of special equipment and training. But basic print techniques and household tools can be used to transform vegetables, soap, sponges, erasers and other common items into fabulous monochrome printmaking materials. We will experiment and explore materials and surfaces and make a variety of textile and paper prints. We will spend some time searching for raw materials at grocery stores and in nature and then work on creating art from the unexpected.”
Mapping the Psyche with Antonio Valle and Ruth Jurgensen
Astrology is a form of imagination emerging from nature and having relevance for everyday life, which can take us into areas of self-reflection as no other system of symbols and images can do. This minimester will be an introductory course on the basic building blocks of astrological language. Participants will be taken on a fascinating journey through the solar system, the ancient planetary knowledge, and the energies represented by their astrological equivalents; and then through the signs of the zodiac, their elements and qualities, and the ways in which different planets express through them in the astrological chart.
Russian NY with Tom Murphy and Sergei Mihkelson
In this minimester students will explore Russian New York. A century ago millions of Russian immigrants poured into New York. Bringing their language and traditions, these immigrants transformed the Lower East Side. In the late 20th century further waves of Russian immigration left their mark on outer boroughs. For three days students will explore both the Jewish and Christian threads of Russian culture in New York. We will visit Brighton Beach and sample traditional cuisine.
Conceptu-what?? with Zoe Harris, ‘09, Vinay Chowdhry and Janet Atkinson
“Does hearing the term “conceptual art” make you bored, interested, angry, nauseated, frustrated, befuddled or perhaps all of the above? If your answer is yes to any of these, this is the minimester for you! Together, we will explore the curious world of contemporary conceptualism, in all of its forms, by visiting galleries and museums, attending a lecture, watching films, and learning about aesthetics and historical contexts the work different artists we see. We’ll discuss what we like, dislike, don’t understand, and just plain despise, what works and what doesn’t, representation, themes, and messages, and then on the last day create our own pieces in response to what we’ve seen.”
PASSION FOR FASHION with Adele deBiasi-Pelz
An exploration of women’s fashion and design influenced by French and American artists. Students will research and write about designers of their choice and keep a sketch book. We will visit museums and view art exhibits around the city . (A sketch book is required)
Rube Goldberg Machines with Stephen Volkmann
During this minimester, students will explore simple machines and energy transfer through a mechanical system. We will begin by researching Rube Goldberg cartoons/machines and look at some examples on the. Students will then explore how everyday materials can be transformed into machine elements. After reviewing simple machines and energy transfer students will work in groups to design and then construct a Rube Goldberg machine complete with a Rube style sketch.
Fall Produce Minimester with Thea Aquiar, ‘09, Jessica Wilson, ‘09, Jane Belton and Julia Heaton
“During this minimester we will be learning about and cooking with fall produce! We will visit the farmer’s market and an apple-picking orchard where we will learn about, see and use fall produce first hand. Then we will learn to cook using our knowledge and all of our fresh fall ingredients. Feel free to bring your own recipes to share.”
Architecture and Urbanism: Constructing the City with Peter Bonfanti and Sarah Barlow
What makes a city? What makes something a neighborhood? In this minimester, students will explore these questions through the lens of architecture. While New York City is much more than the sum of its buildings, the forms of those buildings play a profound role in shaping our experience of the city.
Each day will begin at school, with a combination of lecture, discussion, and research on that day’s central topics. These topics will then be illustrated and expanded upon through a visit to a different neighborhood each afternoon: the Upper West Side on the first day, Battery Park City on the second, and the East Village on the third. Students, be forewarned: we will be walking two to three miles each day, so come prepared!
Faculty, who work tirelessly all year, somehow find the time to plan and implement these exciting workshops, and I know students appreciate their efforts. Students are signing up for workshops this week with Micah Gottlieb, Dean of Students.