The Unit
Spring 2015
For more than 40 years, the spring Unit has encouraged students to use, improve and extend the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the regular curriculum. Led by one or more teachers, students engage in project-based learning. Much of this learning is explicitly cooperative, with students organized into groups or teams and assigned specific research and reporting goals. This arrangement offers unparalleled opportunities for interdisciplinary study as well. Students are encouraged, in spring Unit courses, to discover the connections between their lives and the lives of others, and to explore the dynamic character of the social and natural environments that envelope all life. Frequent field trips provide opportunities to gather practical insight—from interaction with public officials, scientists, business entrepreneurs, university professionals and community leaders to visits to specific locations to learn through first-hand experiences. Students apply and enhance their skills and knowledge through such guided on-site and field activities. Whether studying local environmental or social issues—from scientific study to aesthetic exploration—students are continuously challenged to discover ways they can respond to social and environmental concerns, often collaborating on proposals and projects that inform and inspire others. The spring Unit is an important element of the Gill St. Bernard’s curriculum and educational philosophy. It crosses disciplinary boundaries. It challenges students to think critically and practically, to offer the best of themselves in the service of others, to cooperate with others in learning and doing, and to become conscious of themselves in the world around them. In myriad ways, the spring Unit celebrates the educated imagination, the capacity in each person to perceive the arresting beauty and endless possibilities of the shared world. Gill St. Bernard’s motto, The World is Our Classroom, takes on unique and exciting educational dimensions in the middle of May when the spring Unit begins.
Today’s spring Unit goes back to 1973, when the St. Bernard’s School for boys in Gladstone, N.J. merged with The Gill School for girls in Bernardsville. At that time, all classes were taught under the Unit Plan, one class at a time for six or seven weeks. Although this overall structure of learning ended in 1989, the present spring Unit remains its legacy.
Spring 2015 Unit Offerings An American Icon The Horse Throughout history, the horse has proven itself to be a worker, companion, and even an amusement. The horse has played a pivotal role in the development of our society and, today, serves as therapy for physically and mentally challenged children and adults. In this Unit, students will assist with therapy riding and help with the daily care of the animals at Manestream, Inc. In addition, they will delve into the roles that horses have played in the past, discuss their part in modernday society and talk about their potential roles in the future.
Ceramics Unit Wheel throwing, a range of hand-building techniques and glazing will be covered in this fun, intensive Unit. Students will visit area studios, museums, galleries and hands-on workshops at studio centers to learn the history of the ceramic arts, as well as the techniques necessary to throw cylinders, cups, bowls and more. By the end of this Unit, students will have created a variety of functional and sculptural clay forms and have gained a better understanding and appreciation of the ceramic medium.
Code U! Coding is an innovative and creative process that can result in new software, computer games, apps and even companies! It gives one the power to build something out of nothing and distribute it quickly all over the world. This Unit will expose students to a number of different, user-friendly, ways to design and build computer games and code with the online program, SCRATCH. Experts from Game U will also join the Unit for four days to teach participating students the basics of computer game design and help them begin their own coding journey.
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The Community Angler This Unit will explore the roots of American fly-fishing, the coldwater habitats of trout and other aquatic species, and current trends in river management. Students will study trout and flyfishing in all its phases and catch trout in nearby New Jersey streams including the Raritan, Musconetcong and Paulinskill, using flies they’ve created and tied themselves. Students will also participate in a community service project aimed at improving stream habitat and watershed management.
Shall We Dance? Trained professionals will provide students with an in-depth look at the various genres of dance, including hip hop, ballet, tap, modern and ballroom. Students participating in the Shall We Dance? Unit will explore how different styles of dance tell stories about the human experience. They will gain hands-on knowledge of ballet, modern, ballroom and hip hop dancing, and create and choreograph their own piece to tell a story.
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The Unit trips I took throughout high i school have igh expanded my horizons dramatically. y These y. are experiences I will never forget and a will take with me for the rest of my life.
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— Sam Weisman ’14
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The Unit program is nothing less than incredible! It reinforces the important idea that at Gill St. Bernard’s the world is truly our classroom and that there are valuable lessons to be learned on and off campus.
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— Katherine Giordano ’14
Dive Right In Students in this Unit will become certified scuba divers through the National Association of Underwater Instruction (NAUI), and enjoy a lifetime of exploring the ocean’s mountain ranges, volcanoes and beautiful coral reefs. Unit participants will learn the physics behind “scuba” (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) at a local indoor pool and take an overnight trip to Dutch Springs, Pa., where they will practice open water diving. Along with passing the NAUI course, a daily journal will be a required part of this study.
Freedom Ride Inspired by the civil rights activists who rode interstate buses into the southern United States in 1961, students participating in this Unit will complete an investigative, historical and contemporary journey through New Jersey, one of the most multicultural states of the Union. This local Unit will combine history lessons focused on the American civil rights movement with exploration of the diverse communities of New Jersey. Students will rely on print media, film, guest speakers and field trips to institutions such as the New Jersey Historical Society in Newark to study the interaction and relationship between communities, individuals and society at large. 3
GoPro Become your own stunt double! This Unit will rely on GoPro technology to observe nature and magnify human sight. Students will use personal GoPro cameras, along with harnesses and other equipment, to experience the natural world in a heightened sense. Afterward, they will edit, compile and develop a narrative structure from their footage.
Mind over Matter: The Arts of Reiki & Mindfulness Students in this Unit will explore the arts of Reiki, mindfulness and other holistic alternatives. The benefits of Reiki include reduced stress, increased energy, better sleep, improved focus, and the balance of mind, body and spirit. Over the course of this Unit, students will receive training and practice from Reiki Masters to become certified level-one Reiki practitioners. These holistic experts will teach strategies for living proactively, mindfully and with an open heart. Students will be asked to keep a daily journal to track their progress and reflect on their experiences.
Leadership Challenge Through time spent on campus participating in leadership games and on a low ropes course, students will challenge themselves and each other to become good spotters, positive team members, and people who take risks and find solutions to a problem. Students will also visit a local YMCA camp, where they will overcome a high ropes course and climbing wall, and explore a vertical playground.
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When the Lights Go Down Great cinema can teach us, move us, inspire us and transport us to places we’ve never been. This Unit will explore the magic of cinema through the decades and include a trip to Film Forum and the famous Museum of the Moving Image in New York City. One film from each decade, starting with the 1940s, will be shown. Students will hold discussions and short readings before and after each film, and learn from the expertise of teachers of film courses.
The Wonder of Dogs Each dog possesses capabilities that may truly surprise us. In this Unit, students will examine the unique relationship between human and dog. Local veterinarians and leading animal behaviorists from around New Jersey will discuss their careers and the special bonds they form with canine companions. Additionally, the founder of Merlin’s Kids, an organization that trains and supplies assistance dogs for special needs individuals, will shed light on the varied careers available to those interested in working with dogs. Two days of community service, one at a local shelter and another working at the ranch owned by Merlin’s Kids, will also take place.
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The Unit was one of my favorite parts of the school year—a time to find new adventures and discover new interests that I never knew existed.
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— Kimberly Lindquist ’13
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Spring 2015 Unit Travel Offerings Students have visited nearly two dozen countries on five continents and traveled to just as many destinations in the United States.
Acadia National Park Eco Tour Schoodic Point, Frenchman Bay, Mt. Desert Island and Bar Harbor Maine Students will spend nine exciting days and nights in Acadia National Park, in an effort to gain greater awareness, appreciation and respect for nature. Professionals from the National Park Service, the College of the Atlantic, the Audubon Society and the Mt. Desert Island Historical Society will teach participants about marine biology, tide pools, mud flats, coastal forest ecosystems, land and marine aviary, and geology. Conditions and weather permitting, outdoor activities will include a boat trip to Great Duck Island to learn more about the natural science research being conducted there, hikes with dramatic views from Mt. Desert Island, and an Eco boat tour of Frenchman Bay aboard the “Osprey,” where bald eagles, harbor seals and puffins are sure to steal the show! Students will also visit the Abbe Museum, which covers 10,000 years of Native American Wabanaki culture, including the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Micmac and Maliseet tribes.
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I’d always known I wanted to be an elementary school teacher, but had been strongly advised to find out what it was really like before committing to the career. Having the opportunity to student teach in the ‘Elementary Unit’ my sophomore year was a gift that has had a lasting impact on my future. — Carly Meyers ’14
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Mind, Body, Spirit in the Berkshires Students will have the opportunity to tone their bodies and spirits during this Unit, which will introduce techniques and methodologies for overcoming stress and improving wellness. Participants will travel to the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health—a nonprofit educational organization in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts that is dedicated to helping people recognize their utmost potential through the transformative wisdom and practice of yoga. Activities will include daily yoga classes tailored to adolescent practitioners, outdoor fitness (hiking and kayaking), creative art lessons and cooking classes. 6
Conservation and Sustainability Florida Keys With the world’s population growing at an alarming rate, the oceans are a vast resource that must be used wisely. Overfishing, water pollution and destruction along the shorelines present environmental concerns to this generation and the next. This Unit will pay special mind to the biodiversity of species, conservation and sustainability in the oceans of the world. Working with the Pigeon Key Foundation—a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history and environment of the Florida Keys through education and research—students will participate in seven days of snorkeling, mangrove kayaking, dolphin discovery, turtle hospital tours, reef fish identification and more.
On the Trail Living off what you can carry in your pack, moving only as fast as your feet will take you, sleeping beneath the stars…these are the true tenets of camping. Students participating in this Unit will backpack approximately 70 miles through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, relying strictly on a compass and map-reading to find their way. While there, they will work together to prepare meals, learn the principles of backcountry ethics and living as well as basic backcountry first-aid, and conduct trail maintenance including clearing trails in disrepair, building bridges over creeks and more.
Dynastic China This Unit will take students to dynastic China to explore the history and culture of Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. Students will visit the Imperial Palace and Tiananmen Square, experience a rickshaw tour of the Hutong area, and discover the Great Wall while in Beijing. Along their travels, students will also see the “Eighth Wonder of the World”—the life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors—in Xi’an and attend a Shanghai Acrobatic Show. In addition, they will have the opportunity to visit a local school and meet with American business people working in China.
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I am forever grateful for the experiences I had during the GSB Unit to Guatemala. I got a firsthand look at a culture completely different than that of my own, and learned a tremendous amount about myself in the process.
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— Dylan Polachi ’14
Dutch Delight Holland This Unit will expose students to the culture of the Netherlands, a country steeped in history and boasting a rich tapestry of arts and engineering, including the Delta Works— the largest storm barriers in the world. Participants will enjoy a cruise of the canals in Amsterdam, a visit to the hiding place of Anne Frank and her family, and more. In Den Hague (The Hague), students will encounter old Dutch master paintings as well as Mondrian and contemporary art at several famous museums, and visit Madurodam for a glimpse of Holland in miniature. A trip to Kinderdijk will also present students with a real-life glimpse of windmills from as early as the 15th century, and a visit to Leiden will allow students to explore the relationship between the Dutch and the Pilgrims.
Global Aware: Adventures in Service Cuzco, Peru Through the nonprofit organization, Global Aware, students will travel to the historical capital and World Heritage Site of Cuzco, Peru, where they will work in a home for impoverished children from rural households. During the visit, students will help make improvements to the children’s facility, including painting classrooms, creating a garden and constructing desks and beds. They will also work directly with the children during arts and crafts sessions, computer lessons and more. The eight-day excursion will also include tours of the charming pedestrian town and a trip to Machu Picchu, the iconic city of the Incan civilization. 8
Art and Architecture in Renaissance Italy The Renaissance is the true Golden Age of art. During their eight-day stay in Italy, students will experience the many architectural and artistic wonders of Florence and Rome. This Unit will include visits to the Pantheon, the Coliseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Duomo and the Vatican museum. Students will also visit the Academy of Fine Art and see Michelangelo’s “David.”
Independent Study The option for independent study is exclusively offered to senior students, except in rare cases when a junior may encounter a unique opportunity. Students who qualify for independent study may pursue intensive study in an academic or professional area of interest under the guidance of a teacher or, when appropriate, cooperating professional. To be considered for the independent study program, students must submit a one-page explanation of their intended -page exp an topic, internship or experiential ntial learning experience. Part of the final project should also include an annotated bibliography of at least 10 sources.
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The GSB Unit triggers a love for or life and inspires you to do more than you ou thought was possible.
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— Emily Western ’15
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Gill St. Bernard’s School P.O. Box 604 St. Bernard’s Road Gladstone, NJ 07934 908-234-1611 Office of Admission, ext. 245 www.gsbschool.org