COURSE CATALOG - 2018
PRO VITA MISSION Designed around the motto: Make. Perform. Solve. Serve., Pro Vita explores the School’s mission and its commitment to Sustainability, Sense of Place, Philanthropy, Diversity, and For Life experiences. The Pro Vita program fosters growth in our core values of integrity, perseverance, curiosity, respect, resilience, and inclusion.
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A PERIOD Art & Design BERKSHIRE’S PITCH PERFECT Izzy Maher ’18 and Jean Maher The hit movie Pitch Perfect continues to grow its audience with each sequel, as the Barden Bellas and the Treble Makers ride the crest of fame. Come ride your own wave with Izzy Maher ’18 and Ms. Maher, and have a blast doing it! No prior singing experience is required. Sign up if you’ve always dreamed of singing with a group and performing live in front of your friends. The Berkshire community is counting on you to perform for some great throwbacks and covers at the Saturday morning assembly! EXPLORING THOREAU IN THE BERKSHIRES * Hilary Russell and Kelley Bogardus Students will venture to understand and apply the lessons of Henry David Thoreau to their daily lives. By walking out into the woods behind our classroom and considering our own relationship to nature, we will attempt to “live in the moment,” “seize the day,” and “suck the marrow out of life.” We will consider what Thoreau gained from his observations of nature as well as his reactions to the politics and values of mid 19th-century America and consider them in today’s context. Students will learn the art of journaling as they document their experiences with nature using words, photographs, drawings, or all three. At the end of the week, students will display one of their journal entries at the Saturday morning assembly. *Hilary Russell taught English at Berkshire from 1968-72 and 1985-2005. He also led the English Department for 19 years, advised “The Dome,” coached lacrosse, soccer, and club hockey, ran various outing groups, and began Berkshire's boat building program in 1997. He is the author of three books, including a collection of poetry.
AERIAL CIRCUS AND MINDFULNESS Annie Rosenberg and Tasia Wu Students will learn traditional circus aerial arts including aerial static trapeze, aerial hoop, Spanish web, and aerial fabric. Circus arts, like many performing arts, offer a unique way to express ideas and emotions as well as challenge fears and insecurities in a safe space, and often challenge students artistically, physically, and mentally. This year, the course will add more focus on using aerial yoga, mindfulness, and meditations around interpersonal growth. There will be daily trips to Berkcirque in Great Barrington where Ms. Rosenberg is the current advanced aerials instructor. THE ART OF CREATIVE JOURNALING Brandi Dahari What do Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Frida Kahlo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Charles Darwin all have in common? Each of these visionaries journalled their ideas, theories Page 3
and wild imaginings. In this class, students will learn the art of journaling by exploring creative journaling techniques such as how to collage, ink, stencil, doodle, and zentangle. We will also go beyond just technique, to look at the heART of journaling to discover the power it holds to help us process our messy thoughts and complicated experiences and emotions, and come to a greater understanding of ourselves in the process. ONCE UPON A TIME UNDER THE MOUNTAIN Callie Carew-Miller and Justine Lenter Have you ever been curious about children’s book publishing? Are you nostalgic about the picture books you read as a child? Do you love to tell stories, both through artwork and text? And most of all, do you love Berkshire? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, join this class and create your very own Berkshire-themed children’s book! Over the course of the week, students will learn about the publishing world from a professional and use their newfound knowledge to write, illustrate, and publish their own picture book. These stories will revolve around characters familiar to the Berkshire community (Oscie the dog? The infamous mama bear? The options are endless!) and be distributed to the vast community of young readers who live right here on campus. THINKING IN-SIDE THE BOX * David Hamilton of EXPLO Studio and Pieter Mulder Do you buy your t-shirts in five-packs or off a hanger? Why are chips sold in bags but cereal in a box? What shape would you use to package the Apple watch? Is there a more appropriate box that Amazon.com should use? In this class, we will examine how packaging controls our perception of value. We will give you a mundane object—something from a pack of three—and ask you to redesign its wrapping. Can you make a 30¢ toothbrush seem like it’s worth $10? Could you contain an orange and sell it for $4? How would you box a basketball? Grab an x-acto and some cardboard, and come investigate the engineering of package design and the art of product presentation. *EXPLO Studio is an innovation lab that develops engaging and creative STEAM courses for schools striving to incorporate more inquiry-based learning in their curriculum. It challenges students to think with their minds and their hands, and challenges instructors to rethink how they teach and their role in the classroom. Art and design are meaningful and intentional components of the course design, encouraging creativity and individuality as students sharpen their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
HOW THE DEAD SURVIVED Kevan Bowler and Stuart Miller ’97 From the 1960s until the 1995 death of guitarist and band founder Jerry Garcia, the Grateful Dead played roughly 2,300 concerts. Even Garcia’s death could not stop the band from touring and its legendary “Deadheads” from following their favorite music. This course will explore the history, music, and culture that surrounded the Grateful Dead. Special attention will be given to the effects that the band had on the cultural scene of the United States and how their music influenced and evolved rock and roll, country, blues, and folk music. The class will also study what has enabled the Dead to be such a lasting force even today.
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For Life 5 MONEY MISTAKES YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MAKE IN COLLEGE LeRhonda Greats and Jesse Howard Join this class to learn real-life, practical steps to keep yourself out of debt and build wealth, regardless of your family’s current socio-economic status. Whether you are managing a small allowance or plan to inherit the family business one day, this class is designed to help you avoid 5 key money pitfalls that you could face during your college years. You will learn how other people have gone to college without accruing student loan debt as well as the truth about credit cards and what can happen if you enter this next phase of your life with no plan and/or no money. This class is specifically designed for young people and will provide you with great tools that will keep you from making the financial mistakes that await so many of your peers. THE ART OF THE DEAL Clive Davis and R.G. Meade Card games have been around for centuries, and the social skills gained through card play are critical in school, in the workplace, in social settings, and in the communities in which we live. By examining games like Hwatu from Korea and considering the card cultures of homegrown games like Las Vegas, Bridge tournaments, The World Series of Poker, and Oh Hell which fascinated President Clinton, we will examine different card games and gain insight into the cultures they create. Through game play, participants will learn rules for dealing and table etiquette and develop the skills needed to compete as an individual and as a partner, all while honing their social and communication skills. USDA APPROVED: GRILLIN’ 101 BEAR STYLE Seve Calderini ’18 & Jeff Pzynski There is nothing quite like the sweet smells of a sizzling barbeque. The juicy burgers and tender flank steak you crave likely represent years of trials and tribulations over charcoal or gas grills. In this course, students will learn about different cuts and styles of meat and how to properly handle and prepare grillables. Your teachers have experience with Argentine and Texan cooking techniques and will share their knowledge with you for the benefit of all those in your grilling circle. One morning we’ll even get to fire up the barbeque at a local favorite eatery, Bash Bish BBQ! For life, for flavor! TINY SAMPLES, BIG SCIENCE * Devon O'Rourke ’02 and Tony Amolo ’13 Interested in the microbes on you or in your environment? Want to do the actual science to discover what kind of microbes are there? Get on your goggles, pick up your pipettes, and let’s start swabbing. No science prerequisites whatsoever -- but the tools and topics covered will benefit anyone interested in doing future research at Berkshire or beyond. *Devon O'Rourke keeps coming back to Berkshire; he was a student from 2000-02, and taught from 2007-09 and then again from 2011-14. He is currently completing his graduate work at the University of New Hampshire, and enjoys being a nerd on a daily basis. He misses teaching the Bears
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and is excited for a fourth (albeit brief) reunion. He randomly puts his thoughts down online too: devonorourke.github.io.
LEARN TO SKATE Holley Riva ’19 & Dan Driscoll Have you been left behind when a bunch of friends went skating but you didn’t know how? Have you ever just wanted to learn? If that is the case, then sign up and strap on the skates! In this class, you’ll end the week knowing all the basics of how to skate. You’ll be able to stand up, skate around, and maybe even stop! The class will be physically challenging, but extremely fun. What better way to relieve some stress then to go out on Berkshire’s beautiful rink and skate around having fun with your classmates? Skates can be provided if you don’t own a pair. INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE Paul MacKenzie Bring the words “college preparatory school” to life as you visit and evaluate area colleges. In this class, we will complete our own personality inventories as we consider the concept of “fit” as it applies to college. Students will visit three colleges, touring campuses and meeting with admissions officers to evaluate each school and consider what types of students would flourish on each campus. By the end of the week, students will have a better understanding of how to evaluate different colleges along with a better understanding of themselves. Fifth formers will be given priority for this class. SO YOU WANT TO BE A SPORTSCASTER? Michael Bjurlin and Michael Doyle Lots of sportscasters are well known by sports fans and many fans are as rabid about their favorite sportscaster as they are about their team. The same isn’t always the case for the anchors of the evening news. In this class, students will learn what it takes to be a sportscaster. They’ll explore the culture of this sought-after profession as well as the education and background needed to pursue a career in sports journalism. The class will end the week with a field trip to ESPN’s SportsCenter headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.
Global Studies & Diversity CREATOR’S GAME John West Students will explore the origins of the game of lacrosse. By looking at the rules of the game (ie: no boundaries), as well as the physical and spiritual reason for its development, students will gain a deeper understanding of Native American culture. We will string a traditional Native American lacrosse stick from scratch, gaining appreciation for the processes that have been used for generations. Students will be charged $110 each to purchase a wooden lacrosse stick to keep for their own. Page 6
CHANGING THE WORLD Andrea Dunchus and Kristina Splawn Want to be a world changer? According to Bryan Stevenson, a brilliant and influential lawyer, there are four things you need to know to make a difference on the world stage. Take this class to learn how these things—getting proximate, having hope, changing the narrative, and getting uncomfortable— can actually change the world. People in America suffer from racial injustices every day. We will look at the history of those injustices and how they contribute to the systems in place in our country that hold some back while allowing others to be successful. Between 1980 and 2015 the number of people incarcerated in America increased from 500,000 to over 2.2 million. Today the United States makes up about 5% of the world’s population yet has 21% of the world’s prisoners, and 1 out of 37 adults are under some form of correctional supervision. Through studying Stevenson's Equal Justice Initiative, using personal experiences, and learning more about the history of racial injustice in the United States, we will explore how it’s possible to make a difference in the world. INTRODUCTION TO ARABIC Hussien El Desouky ’19, Tarek Ammouri ’18 and Mohammed Hetraf In this class, students will learn about the Arab world through cooking, dancing, eating, playing board games, and class discussions. They will learn basic Arabic language skills, like writing their names and introducing themselves along with traditional Arabic dances and music. It will be a good opportunity for members of the community to break through the Berkshire bubble and learn more about the world that surrounds us. DISCOVER ASIAN FOOD: THE MYSTERIOUS LAND & ITS CUISINE Aichen Yao ’19 and David McCauley What is behind those bustling Chinatowns and Asian restaurants? Why is Asian food popular all over the world? In this class, we will delve into Asian cuisines and the history behind them. There will be opportunities for every member of the class to learn about the secrets of Asian cuisines by participating in cooking with the help of local chefs. At the end of this course, students will gain a better understanding of Asian cuisines and what it is that makes them so unique among other cuisines in the world.
Sense of Place REVOLUTIONARY TEA Jen Gaenzle Smith Food and drink are at the heart of any celebration, event, or gathering. Tea was a central factor to the start of the American Revolution, yet it has also brought people together to share ceremony, conversation, and community for centuries. This global adventure will take students closer to the origin of tea and its journey across the oceans to America. After traveling to two local tea companies, students will not only possess the knowledge to brew a fine cup of tea, but also will have gained new insight into the community that these companies have impacted. Page 7
THE GOLDEN RECORD P.K. Kearney This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Voyager spacecraft. Attached to each of these probes is a beautiful golden record containing a message for any extraterrestrial intelligence that might encounter it, perhaps billions of years from now. This enchanting artifact, officially called the Voyager Interstellar Record, may be the last vestige of our civilization after we are gone forever. In this Pro Vita course, we will learn to record audio and create a similar artifact that captures the Berkshire experience and share it with the world and beyond. Mr. Urmston has pledged to take this with him to space as a future astronaut. While waiting for Mr. Urmston, students will decide upon the most appropriate timing and form to share the class’s final product (time-capsule, podcast, radio broadcast, etc.). THE JOGO BONITO: FOOD, DIVERSITY, AND SKILLS Pedro Alvarenga ’18 and Jesus Ibanez Soccer is the most popular sport in the world; some fans follow it with religious fervor. In this class, we will examine the culture of soccer and how fans approach each game, whether at the stadium with thousands of fans or in the neighborhood bar while eating traditional food. We will investigate how soccer serves as a common denominator, bringing people together no matter their race, origins, or beliefs. We will also discover traditional foods from the countries where soccer reigns (sharing sample dishes at the Berkshire Taster’s Lunch) and teach some soccer skills during short matches in the gym. BERKSHIRE UNDER THE HOOD Skip Bowman and Dory Driscoll Discover the inner workings behind the beautiful buildings on Berkshire’s campus and meet the people who dedicate themselves to our community. You will learn about the technical operations, life skills, and knowledge it takes to run a 500-person family like the Berkshire community. Topics will include: ice preparation and maintenance in the Jack, technology, laundry, car and grounds maintenance, food preparation, and budgeting. You will share the insights you have gained through a video documentary that you will create. Look under the hood, try your hand at something new, and discover the community in which you live. LEARNING THROUGH PLAY Sylvia Gappa When you were little, did you like to play dress up, build with Legos or blocks, create art, or play board games? In this interactive class, students will engage in discussions around child development and the benefits of various types of play on the social, cognitive, and motor development of children. There will be daily trips to Undermountain Child Care, Berkshire’s daycare center, where students will have the chance to interact with infant through preschool-aged children. As a culminating experience, students will create lesson plans for the final day of class, designed specifically for the children at Undermountain.
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MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES Chris Perkins and Heidi Woodworth What is it about the Berkshires that has drawn artists, musicians, writers, thinkers, scientists, captains of industry, and YOU? This experience in the tri-state region will seek to answer this question. In daily field trips, we will get beyond the Berkshire bubble to better understand what it is about our sense of place that has drawn interest for centuries. We will spend a morning at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Mass. to understand their confluence of art and science, visit the Ashley House to learn about how Massachusetts was on the front line of the abolition movement, taste tea at Harney Tea in Millerton, NY, and explore the home of Herman Melville where Moby Dick was written. In these experiences students will learn how their sense of place molded these institutions and, ultimately, how their sense of places molds them. Students will be charged $20 each for admission and possible private guided tours to the museums and historical sites. THE FUNDAMENTALS OF RUNNING Andrea Bowler Have you ever wanted to run a 5K? 10K? Half-Marathon? Do you enjoy running for the peace of mind, sense of strength, and connection with the local area that it can provide? This class aims to help students become lifelong runners and explore the benefits of running. We will travel to the Berkshire Running Center in Pittsfield, Mass. where we will be guided by the expertise of Kent and Shiobbean Lemme who are local legends in the Berkshire County running community. The class will begin by discussing and learning form, technique, training, nutrition, and injury prevention. We will then participate in cross-training activities including spinning and a Run Fit Cardio Strength Class. The fourth day of class will be dedicated to learning basic self-defense moves to promote confidence in pursuing longer and rural runs. The last day will culminate in putting what we have learned into practice and exploring that great running routes Sheffield has to offer. EMPOWER YOURSELF: A SELF-AWARENESS AND PERSONAL REFLECTION WORKSHOP * Margo Montgomery P’10 and Martina Moodey This dynamic, interactive class is for students who want to engage in conversations that matter as we use modern psychology, spirituality and somatics (the body) to explore our authentic selves and what it means to be conscious. The class will kick off by defining what it means to be “present” and what it feels like to be able to “respond” to your life vs. “react,” which is drama-based. We then will do a deep dive into “you” learning about yourself and various ways you can connect more with yourself and others, grow, and transform. You already have everything you need; you just need to discover it! Juniors and seniors will be given priority for this class, but it is also open to underclassmen. *Margo Montgomery supports individuals and business leaders to define their wants and desires, how to create the life they want, and provides tools and coaching to achieve inner wellbeing. She has been a Life Coach for 6 years with prior experience in human resources in the corporate world as well as teaching on the university level. Margo graduated from Bucknell University and holds an MBA from New York University and a Masters of Education Degree in Student Personnel Services from the University of Vermont. She is certified with The Hendricks Institute, Enneagram Worldwide, The Sedona Method, and The Conscious Leadership Group. Page 9
B PERIOD Art & Design STATEMENT JEWELRY Nadine Lloyd and Olivia Wheeler In this class, students will learn the basics of jewelry-making including an introduction to wire, hammer, and laser cutting as tools for the craft. Students will be tasked with deriving a purpose or statement for their work that goes beyond what is just aesthetically pleasing. Wearable art has the potential to do what all art can do—express an idea, voice an opinion, and be publicly heard. Statement Jewelry will teach students the craft and the concept behind jewelry-making while pushing students to ask themselves what the potential of wearable art could be. ROLLER COASTER DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Kate Cerruti Do you like riding roller coasters? Do you close your eyes or raise your arms above your head? Why? Could it be the speed, the loops, or the drops? Roller coasters were probably developed because of the excitement of their speed, which later was joined by their ability to produce joyous moments of weightlessness. Have you ever wondered what goes into designing the “best” roller coaster? Put your engineering hat on, and come join this course for a week of designing, building, testing, and creating your own roller coaster. BEYOND BEAUTY: MAKEUP AND SKINCARE MASTERCLASS Lila Childs ’19 and Caitlin Cooper Do you know what you have exposed your skin to today? As the body's largest organ, the answer is important! Led by current student and experienced makeup artist Lila Childs '19, this unique experience will teach students about personalized skincare, the fundamentals of makeup, and simple techniques in utilizing beauty products. Students can expect to learn by doing: this includes practicing various trials of makeup application, creating moodboards, and developing and testing homemade skincare products. In addition, students will tour a globally successful makeup company, Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, headquartered in nearby Great Barrington. This class is open to everyone, no experience needed! DISCOVER THE MOUNTAIN WITH THE NATURAL HISTORY FIELD JOURNAL * Claire Emery The Field Journal is the ultimate naturalist's tool. It allows us to record observations, explore and study environments, document natural history events, and be present in the current moment. Discover the vitality of connecting art and science, writing and drawing, observing and reflecting on the living world beyond the walls of your dorm or classrooms. During this week, we will spend most of our time outdoors studying the Mountain, come cold, rain, or snow. We will have the opportunity to explore several different places on the mountain and methods of field journaling, as well as the work of scientists, artists, and naturalists from the past 500 years. By the end of the course, you will have a collage of different types of entries, Page 10
not to mention a hand-made book of personal observations, new insights, and information about the Mountain. *Claire Emery has spent the past 20+ years as an artist and scientific illustrator collaborating with scientists, writers, and working landscapes to convey the stories of nature through art. With an M.S in Environmental Studies, an MFA in Visual Art, and a graduate degree in Scientific Illustration, Claire’s mission is to support, encourage and sustain conservation initiatives and the creative spirit. Her latest clients include Glacier National Park, the Montana Osprey Project and Hank and John Green.
FOR ALL THE MARBLES! * David Hamilton of EXPLO Studio Imagine you are the Maintenance Foreman at For All the Marbles: Marbles and Spheres, the world’s #1 distributor of marbles and spherical objects. As soon as you pull onto the lot, you slam on the breaks. Coffee sloshes out of your cup and onto your pant legs and you wince. The conveyor system that connects the factory to the delivery trucks--It’s…It’s… it’s gone! Another victim of last night’s hurricane-force winds. Ok, ok. Don’t panic. Gather your team and rebuild that conveyor. In this course, you will investigate the basics of civil and mechanical engineering as you build a working marble run using only scissors, cardstock, and… well… all your marbles. *EXPLO Studio is an innovation lab that develops engaging and creative STEAM courses for schools striving to incorporate more inquiry-based learning in their curriculum. It challenges students to think with their minds and their hands, and challenges instructors to rethink how they teach and their role in the classroom. Art and design are meaningful and intentional components of the course design, encouraging creativity and individuality as students sharpen their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
ONE-MINUTE FILM FESTIVAL Kathryn Driscoll ’18 and David Olson As all Berkshire seniors learn during Hamlet Night, "brevity is the soul of wit," and in this class you will be challenged to channel your creativity into a BRIEF film. Students will learn techniques of filmmaking—cinematography, sound, and screenwriting—through studying the styles of distinct directors. You will also learn how to use advanced video editing software programs like Final Cut Pro. All of this will be part of the process of creating a one-minute film—a sub-genre of film that has the special constraint of only being one minute long—in the style of a director you’ve studied. Witty, profound, funny, or heartbreaking, the content is yours to choose. Films will be shared within the class at the end of the week, and all will leave with a greater understanding of the movies they see in theaters and the many things that go into making them. STONE FABRICATION 101 *Buddy Ontra ’81 and Su DelGuercio Ever wanted to spruce up Shawn’s Place? In this class, you will actually be able to make a tangible improvement. Working with a professional stone fabricator, you will select, template, cut, fabricate, and install a new countertop, using both manual and digital tools, to replace the existing laminate surface with natural stone. You will also learn basic OSHA safety procedures Page 11
for both a stone fabrication shop and on-the-job site. The materials used will be locally sourced at Rock Solid Marble and Granite right in Sheffield. Not only will you learn a new trade, you will leave behind something permanent to commemorate this exciting Pro Vita experience. Due to legalities in liability and risk management, students must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for this class. *Buddy Ontra is a 35-year veteran of the natural stone industry. Early on in his career, he worked on high rise projects in Houston, Dallas, Denver, and Bridgeport, Conn. For the last 30+ years, he has primarily been fabricating and installing marble, granite, and other natural stone for residential projects. He owns a MIA Accredited fabrication and installation business, OntraStone Concepts, in Bridgeport. He is an educational speaker at many trade shows, including the Xiamen Stone Fair in China. He also serves on the board of directors of the Natural Stone Institute.
For Life SPYING, HACKING, TERRORISM Maddie Devost ’19, * Matt Devost P’19, and Sandy Perot But what does it really mean to be a spy? Students will learn how geo-political intelligence is collected, analyzed, and shared with the President, and will develop their own Presidential Daily Brief. They will learn how spies maintain awareness and stay safe when traveling and how they get out of dangerous situations when they occur. Students will learn the basics of how locks are picked and websites are hacked, getting a taste for real-world espionage skills. The class will end the week with a real-world spy exercise similar to those used at the infamous “farm” CIA training center. *Matt Devost has nearly 20 years experience as a technologist, entrepreneur, and international security expert specializing in cybersecurity, counterterrorism, critical infrastructure protection, intelligence, and risk management issues. Previously, Matt was President and CEO of the Terrorism Research Center from 1996-2008 and has founded or served in key management positions in companies like FusionX, Total Intelligence Solutions, iSIGHT Partners, Terrorism Research Center, Technical Defense Associates, Security Design International, and iDEFENSE.
AN EXPLORATION OF THE ART, LITERATURE, AND SPORT OF FLY-FISHING Sawnie McGee ’18 and Bill Bullock This class will investigate the rich traditions of the sport of fly fishing in America and the world beyond. We will balance our classroom discussions of the art, history, literature, and film of this great sport with fly casting and fly-tying instruction. Our last class will feature a trip to either the Housatonic or Farmington Rivers to visit a fly shop, meet with local guides, and apply our newly acquired skills towards catching trout. We will explore Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It as well as immerse ourselves in the growing adventure fly fishing travel world that sees anglers of all ages chasing sport fish all over the globe and tempting them with flies. Trout bums and outdoor enthusiasts lured by our content will find this class to be quite a catch in both the classroom and on the river! Students will be charged $25 each for a fishing license. Page 12
GET ON THE BALL, AND GET TO THE POINT! * Claire Naylor-Pollart P ’14,’17 and Klayton Johnson ’09 Relieve stress, unwind knots, and loosen tight muscles with this self-massage trigger point program. Students will learn how to take care of their own aches and pains while improving strength and flexibility and enhancing performance in sports. The goal for this class is to teach students how to efficiently target painful and tight spots and effectively eliminate them with success. Basic human muscle anatomy will be taught so students can better understand how to map out pain patterns. Warm-ups and post-exercise stretching will also be taught for re-education and positive muscle memory. *Claire Naylor-Pollart has 35 years of experience working in Myofascial Release, Muscle Rehabilitation, and Exercise Consultation. She has conducted numerous workshops on the subject of muscular pain and dysfunction and currently teaches self-help workshops built around the three P's – Pain, Posture, and Performance. Her classes and workshops give her audiences the tools and confidence needed to eradicate pain, improve posture and enhance physical performance.
TO KNEAD OR NOT TO KNEAD: NO-TEARS, NO-KNEAD ARTISAN BREAD BAKING Nancy Florio From the Neolithic period starting over 23,000 years ago, to the twenty-first century today, bread has been an enduring staple of many cultures. Starting with the Egyptians who are credited with isolating yeast, to the Romans who formed the first Bakers Guild in 168 BC, to ancient towns in Greece that vied for the bragging rights to the best bread, the art of bread baking had been embraced by most cultures. In this course, as we bake a variety of artisan breads using the no-knead technique, we will explore the history of bread making. Using a range of flours and grains, we will explore tried-and-true recipes to bake no-fail, no-knead traditional artisan bread, bagels, pretzels, pizza and more. Students will not only learn how to bake a delicious loaf of bread, but will also discover the joy of combining three simple ingredients to make what has come to be known as “the staff of life.” Note: If your family has a special bread recipe, we will work to incorporate it into the class. CAMP BERKSHIRE Charlotte Childs ’18 and Britt Plante Friendship, sense-of-place, adventure, tradition, fun. At their core, all these themes go back to summer camp. This winter at Camp Berkshire, students who have never experienced sleepaway camp before will get to know why campers cherish it so deeply. For those who have been to camp, Camp Berkshire will allow them to recreate their camp experiences in a new way! Camp Berkshire will be an experience unlike any other in which students learn what it feels like to be their honest, true selves without the distractions of the outside world. Step into the shoes of campers and learn ongoing camp traditions while creating new ones under the Mountain. Students will be charged $10 each for a custom-made Camp Berkshire t-shirt for their daily uniform.
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THE ART OF SOLVING A CRIME: CSI AND FORENSIC SCIENCE * Lisa Ricci and Nina Bjurlin Do you have what it takes to be a forensic scientist? From DNA profiling to fingerprint analysis, this class will examine the basic principles of forensic science and the various methods used for solving crime. Through the lens of real-world case studies we will explore how forensic analysis can inform an investigation, and ultimately, the expert witness testimony. We’ll end the course by solving a “who dunnit?” scenario, collecting mock evidence and performing forensic analyses, while examining our own fingerprints and turning them into works of art. * Lisa Ricci is a forensic DNA subject matter expert with over 12 years of experience in the forensic DNA analysis field. She graduated from the George Washington University with a Master of Forensic Sciences degree in 2005 and lives in Washington, DC. Lisa has testified as an expert witness in several criminal cases, and has extensive experience with the examination of trace DNA evidence and compromised human remains.
VIRUS HUNTERS April Burch What if you could isolate your very own virus? Would you call it Miley Virus or Big Mama Llama or maybe something more creative? In this class, you will be able to isolate, purify, characterize, and see your very own virus, and then name it whatever you want. Designed to give you the experience of being a real-life virus hunter, this class will provide the opportunity to learn about the natural world and the enormous abundance of viruses of bacteria, and allow you the ability to discover your very own. Don’t let the next Corndog virus go undiscovered! (Yes, that is the name of an actual virus.) No prior experience necessary. CODE BEARSFEED: CREATING YOUR OWN IOS APP IN 5 DAYS Daniel Tian ’19 and Derek Murphy Yes, you heard it right – you can create your own iOS social media app in 5 days! In this course, we will explore what goes under the hood in popular apps such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and of course, BearsFeed. We will start out by learning the user interface of XCode, the basic format of Swift, and how to run your app on your own iPhone. Throughout the week, we will create many useful, everyday apps such as a Shawn’s Place Price Calculator, Reminder, and BearsFeed! This course will culminate in students creating and presenting their own apps in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch. No prior experiences in coding is required. RUBE GOLDBERG & GROUP DYNAMICS Jason Keefer and Jasper Turner What makes a dream team? After conducting over 200 interviews and reviewing the attributes of team members from over 150 different groups, Google analyst Julia Rozovsky was surprised to learn that simply finding the right mix of individuals based on set attributes, i.e. a rocket scientist, data engineer, sociologist, and Rhodes scholar, does not always lead to the best outcome. Using a contrived contraption, the Rube Goldberg Machine, students will explore their own personalities, test group dynamics theory, and use self and group reflection, to build the most outlandish apparatus possible to squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush. Come explore how the creation of the whole can be greater than the sum of its individual parts. Page 14
Global Studies & Diversity MUSIC AND POLITICS Mike McCabe Everyone listens to music in some way, shape, or form. In just the last 15-20 years, it has become so much more accessible for all of us, often being just a click away on our phones. This class will explore the deeper connection and influence between popular music and popular culture. Music tickles all of our emotions, and it is an outlet for many of us. Music will always be a staple of our society, and as it is so important, society will have an impact on music as well. The ultimate goal is to heighten each student’s love for music, showing them how music is impactful on our society and is an outlet to discuss our views on current issues. UNCHECKING THE BOX: GENDER IDENTITY IN AMERICAN BOARDING SCHOOLS Kim Cooper This class will explore gender identity development within same-gendered and multi-gendered spaces. These questions will guide the group’s exploration: What environment will allow people to feel empowered in their gender identity? Do same-gender groups find more success or more challenges in comparison to mixed-gender groups? How are people marginalized for their gender identity? How can we create space for education and empowerment in our community and in the world? We will research by traveling to two neighboring same-sex schools to spend time within their communities; by investigating the culture of gender identity at these schools, we hope to learn more about the power, or detriment, of same-gendered spaces. We will combine that research with our observations of our multi-gender space at Berkshire in hopes of generating a proposal for how we can improve awareness and inclusion in ourselves and our communities at Berkshire and beyond. PUERTO RICO: MUSIC, DANCE, FOOD, AND IDENTITY Mary Alindato and Charlie Bour Did you ever want to learn how to Latin dance? Come groove to Bachata, Merengue, and Salsa! These musical genres were created in the Americas as a result of the mixing of African, Native American, and European peoples. In addition to uncovering the history behind some of the most well-known Latin rhythms, you will learn the basic steps and a number of intermediate dance moves (individual and partner dancing) and ultimately prepare for a culminating dance performance at the conclusion of Pro Vita week. Do you want to eat something tasty and perhaps entirely new to your palate? We will also be preparing a couple of scrumptious latino-caribbean dishes such as tostones and empanadas. Come mash some plátanos, grab a pinch of queso and a slice of guayaba paste for your empanada, and stir up some coquito to sip on! Finally, explore some incredibly socially enriching questions of cultural and ethnic identity. BLACK LIVES MATTER Losseni Barry ’18 and Doug Davis In America, the feeling of being “the other” has been amplified in recent years, especially after the 2016 election. Black Lives Matter is a course designed to include difficult dialogue revolving Page 15
around the topic of whether America is a post-racial society. This course aims to equip students with the necessary skills to promote social activism and understanding of humanity beyond color. We will discuss culture, privilege, oppression, sexism, and police brutality on the national level. This course will also challenge us to look internally to discuss whether or not we are secluded from bigotry or prejudice at Berkshire. At the end of the week, students will draw their own conclusions of racial prejudice in America and perform a spoken word. SPORTS AND POLITICS Halle Chandler ’19, Dan Driscoll, and Cori Chambers Jack Johnson, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, and the Miracle on Ice: What do these major athletic figures and events teach us about the social and political climate of their time? In this course, we will examine various periods of history using major athletic events like the defeat of the Russians by the U.S. men’s hockey team at the height of the Cold War and Jackie Robinson’s contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. We will also discuss current issues like Colin Kaepernick and the inequality of women's sports. These events, and others, provide unique insight into our nation’s history and future.
Philanthropy UNDERSTANDING AND CELEBRATING SPECIALNESS Sherry Yang ’19 and Linda Bellizzi How can we support people with physical or mental challenges and make their lives better? In this class, students will learn about the daily life of area residents who live with different intellectual and developmental disabilities. Disability simulations in class will give students the chance to learn through multisensory experiences. Guest speakers—a parent of a Down syndrome kindergartner and some young adults who are active in the special needs community in Berkshire County—will talk about their experiences. Students will interact with special needs people in a Great Barrington business that was founded to offer vocational day programs and employment to “Extra Special Needs People.” Finally, students will film a short documentary to inspire more people to care about those with special needs. The goal of this class is for Berkshire students to learn the best ways to value and include everyone in our community. THE BLISS PROGRAM (Berkshire Leads to Integrate Students into Service) Erica Cohn P ’12 Helping others, giving of our time, and integrating ourselves into the community can create blissful moments of connection. We are tucked away in our protected safe lives under the Mountain, yet in our local community, some people are struggling and in need of help. How might we be more inclusive and reach out to help? Listening to people’s needs and understanding their stories will help us learn how to integrate ourselves further into the community, as well as develop a school-wide plan of service, integration, and volunteerism. This will not only expand our horizons, but may also lead to potential internships to investigate our professional passions. During Pro Vita week, we will explore the local community, listen to Page 16
their needs, create a daily plan of action, and brainstorm to develop a sustainable plan for the Berkshire community to support the needs of locals.
Sense of Place FLASH FICTION. MICRO NARRATIVES. THE SHORT-SHORT. * Lizzy Steiner ’10 What constitutes a “story?” Can a story be composed of a single paragraph? Or even a single sentence? What possibilities does the fragment hold? This class will consider short prose (two pages or fewer) through an in-depth exploration of craft and form. We will read work by Lydia Davis, Jayne Anne Phillips, Diane Williams and many more, and complete in-class writing exercises designed to generate our own creative work. The workshop component will give students the opportunity to read and discuss each other’s own short prose. By the end of the class, students will have produced a portfolio containing three pieces of their very own work. If you like to write and want to eventually teach it or making a living out of this age-old art, this class is for you! *Lizzy Steiner is a third-year student in the creative writing MFA program at Columbia University. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University, where she double majored in English and French. She teaches freshman composition at Hunter College and creative writing workshops at Columbia's Summer Program for High School Students. She is currently working on a collection of short stories.
YOUR SCHOOL, YOUR COMMUNITY POLICIES: BUILD A BETTER BERKSHIRE Lissa McGovern and Peter Quilty Have you ever wished you could help to design policies for students at Berkshire? This class and experience explores the needs of students in our community life at school and, using the Design Thinking Model, takes a need that you identify and answers the need by creating a policy or product that you will present to Berkshire administrators. Want to look at the ways we could examine dining choices? Change a part of the schedule? Rethink study hall? Join us as we identify needs in our community, develop ways to change, create the groundwork, make a change for a better Berkshire. ARCHERY THROUGH THE AGES Will Schultz ’19, Dan Cooper and * Kyle Bissell Have you ever wondered how Robin Hood split an arrow in two? Or how Katniss Everdeen hit the apple out of the pig’s mouth? Here’s your chance to experience it for yourself! In Archery through the Ages, students will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of shooting a bow and arrow safely and accurately. Three of the five days will be spent with a USA Archery Coach and devoted to learning the same technique used by US Olympic archers. Students will also devote time to learning three aspects of archery: modern culture, historical significance, and scientific perspective behind the sport. The culminating experience includes shooting in tournament-like conditions and comparing your score to those found on the USA Junior Olympic Archery Development scoring matrix. Are you ready to become a crack shot with a Page 17
bow? Students will be charged $110 each for professional level coaching from a Level IV USA Archery Coach and all of the equipment needed to participate. * Kyle Forbes Bissell, M.Ed. is a Level IV USA Archery Coach. Kyle certifies Level I and II USA Archery instructors around New England, and founded Amherst Archery Academy in 2011. In addition to having studied with the US Head Coach at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA, Bissell has a background in risk management and adventure education. Furthermore, Bissell taught Physical Education to elementary school children for 8 years and in 1997 was listed in Skiing Magazine as one of the 75 best ski instructors in the USA for children. These skills and experiences contribute to an exceptional archery program and are why many colleges and universities have hired Bissell to work with them to develop and run various programs. Experience as a firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician and Wilderness First Responder add to Bissell’s risk management experience. Bissell loves experiential, authentic education. He loves archery. More specifically, he loves the lessons of patience, breathing, focus, goal setting, posture, body awareness and quality of character that archery can help build.
MINDFULLY BUILDING COMMUNITY Tess Adams and Katherine Simmons Do you want to feel more relaxed and help Berkshire be a more mindful community? With daily practice and lessons in mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and Qigong, students in this class will be asked to explore both how they can better manage stress in their lives, and begin to build a skill set for teaching others to manage stress. What steps could be taken within the Berkshire community to better support students and adults with stress management? Students will be supported in envisioning and building a plan for Berkshire to grow into a place that continues to make space and time for stillness and reflection. The culminating project will be be two-fold: 1) A stress management and mindfulness resource library, created by the students using their own voices, accessible to everyone on campus; 2) A proposal for developing new ways of integrating mindfulness and stress management into the daily fabric of life of Berkshire.
Sustainability TRASH TALK Amanda Morgan and Clay Splawn In the United States, on average, each person produces 4.6 pounds of trash per day. We toss trash into the wastebasket and, like magic, it disappears. Or does it? Where does it really go? And how does it get there? What is our relationship to the trash we produce? And what is our moral responsibility relative to it? In this course, we’ll figure out where our trash goes, take a trip to see what happens to it, and learn how to trash talk.
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