News

Winterim 2019

Out-of-the-classroom experiences for all students began today.
As the second semester of our school year begins, we set aside a week to explore cultures and communities different from our own, experience the outdoors to learn about conservation and nature, meet people from all walks of life—musicians and mathematicians, chemists and astrophysicists, crafters and kayakers, ranchers and dog-sledders—and develop a deeper understanding of the world around us.

While some of our Upper School students began their travels earlier, the official start to Winterim 2019 was today, and each girl began her adventure that could likely be life-changing. Perhaps she will discover a new passion or learn skills to help her reach an ACT score that opens up opportunities for the future. Most likely, our Upper School students will form friendships that reach beyond their grade level as many options allow students to spend the week with classmates in all upper grades. And as they make memories for a lifetime—and become a safer driver or better hiker, diver, artist, conservationist, friend, and student—we can’t help but wonder what they will learn from their experiences that might change the women they will one day become.

Be sure to keep up will the latest Winterim adventures (and photos!) by following our social media accounts.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ADVENTURES

Sixth-Graders

Our sixth-grade students get to spend Winterim in town to engage their hearts, bodies, and minds with the local community and strengthen the bonds of sisterhood with their classmates. Their experiences expand upon their lessons this year and lay the groundwork for spring studies, with a focus on building empathy and learning from the lived experiences of others both in the local community and around the world.

They begin by expanding upon their studies in Global Cultures and English by connecting local stories to current books they are reading: Letters from Rifka, It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel, and A Long Walk to Water. Through interviewing area refugee families who have resettled in Chattanooga, they will learn from the lived experiences of others around the world. Then they gather to hone the balance and coordination skills we have been practicing in SHAPE while roller skating with classmates.

On Tuesday they will serve the local community and deepen existing partnerships (such as those with the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, Rescue Mission, and The Ronald McDonald House) with hands-on projects such as trail maintenance and meal preparation. On Tuesday afternoon, they will view the film Ruby Bridges and follow up with individual writing and small-group reflections to build upon the discussions of race and segregation that began in English during the reading of Crossing Jordan. This day promises to help them continue to understand the role they play in the lives of others.

As the week continues, they will spend a day at Rising Fawn Gardens, taking a yoga class and a guided hike exploring the farm’s flora and fauna as the launch of their new Life Science unit by learning more about the local environment. Native winter plants in the area will provide ingredients for making natural lip balms and herbal tea as well as mediums for print work in art class.

They will also visit the UTC Aquatic Center to practice their newfound swimming skills from their unit in SHAPE and participate in some competitive aquatic activities. Then they will visit to the Creative Discovery Museum and its new exhibit, Native Voice: New England Tribal Families. While at the museum, they will work with the artist-in-residence on cultural expression and the exploration of indigenous people and their craft. Additionally, the girls will get to experience the Culinary Corner and the food culture of Native Americans. These experiences will lay the groundwork for their continued discussions of global cultures and will be reflected in their visible thinking practices and activities this spring.

Seventh-Graders

The magic of Nashville is calling and our seventh-graders are answering with a resounding, “Here we come!” The week begins with on-campus preparations as the girls learn more about the history of musical instruments and participate in a Design Thinking Challenge based on the Science Olympiad Sound of Music contest. They will use their understanding of sound, tune, and pitch to build, test, and improve their own musical instruments.

On Tuesday, they will head to Nashville with their first stop being a tour of the replica of the Greek Parthenon, which complements their English class’ mythology studies. Then they will tour Vanderbilt University and meet up with a GPS alumna, a computer science professor who uses artificial intelligence to explore ways for students with disabilities to enter and succeed in STEM educational pathways. After their visit, the girls will have dinner and attend a show at the Grand Ole Opry.

The rest of the week, the students will have more arts and adventures with a trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame to experience songwriting firsthand alongside some of Nashville’s accomplished artists and record their original tracks in a studio. In the afternoon, they will visit the Frist Museum—best known for showcasing art from local, state, and regional artists along with relating art to everyday life and culture. While exploring the museum through guided tours, they will participate in interactive and inquiry-based activities, which will allow them to more fully grasp the artistic concepts, such as linear or perspective drawings and printmaking, studied in art at GPS. They will also view the Young Tennessee Artists exhibition, which displays artwork from high school students in AP Art around the state of Tennessee.

On the way back to Chattanooga on Thursday, they will stop at the State Capitol Building (modeled after ancient Greek architecture!) and the Tennessee State Museum to learn more about the history of Tennessee and the artifacts that represent the social, political, economic, and cultural history of their state. Following this visit, they will take a tour of the Tennessee State Capitol building and meet and see their politicians in action. What a great way to learn more about democracy and the application of the debate and dissent process they will be exploring and practicing in Ancient Civilizations this spring!

Eighth-Graders

GPS eighth-graders will take on the cities of the South with a four-day tour filled with experiences that will build upon the students’ current knowledge and understanding, challenge them to think in new ways, and allow them to learn and grow from the lived experiences of others. Beginning in the Scenic City, students will explore the diverse history of Chattanooga and the role the city played in the Civil Rights Movement with a walking tour of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and the African American Museum. This visit, along with afternoon discussion and reflection, allows the girls to build upon the Civil Rights’ topics studied thus far in CIA, learn more about the role of citizens in Chattanooga during this critical time period, and set the stage for their visit to Birmingham later in the week.

On Tuesday, it’s off to Atlanta for a day of connections to earth, life, and physical science. First stop: Zoo Atlanta to learn more about animal conservations and the current research projects taking place at the zoo. Then, in the afternoon, they will visit and explore the World of Coca-Cola as a complement to their eighth-grade chemistry studies. While at the World of Coca-Cola, they will learn more about the foundations of the Coca-Cola enterprise, how cultural flavors and preferences are reflected in the taste of Coke around the world, and the math behind the ingredients in the secret formula, including the “right” amount of carbon dioxide and its special bottling procedures. What a fun experience to kick off their chemical reactions unit in science!

On Wednesday, the day begins by exploring their creativity and honing their artistic skills as guest artists at the Center for Puppetry Arts, where they will learn how to create a puppet and bring it to life. Students will practice innovative design-thinking, collaborate during the process, and learn about a new way to tell a story to others. That afternoon, it’s off to Birmingham, Alabama, to continue learning more about the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. Through a visit to the 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum, they will discover more about the protests, the violence, and the actions that finally led to a turning point in the nation’s support of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These visits and experiences will lay the groundwork for both the reading of To Kill a Mockingbird in English and an inquiry-based project in CIA focused on civil rights and the crucial role of citizens in action in the country.

Capping off the week will be an overnight stay at the McWane Science Center and Museum in Birmingham, Alabama. Whether learning more about the Cahaba River and making connections to the GPS River Fellows Program, applying their understanding of forces and motion while tinkering with huge simple machines, or exploring digital technology in the Art and Tech gallery, the girls will be sure to have a blast. Lastly, they will get to participate in once-in-a-lifetime science activities late into the evening and, while sleeping in the museum, finally be able to answer the question: Do the dinosaurs really come to life at night?


*UPPER SCHOOL | STAY MOSTLY LOCAL

Haman’s Driving School
Mrs. McClelland

For students preparing to get their driver's permit (and for parents who want a discount on their insurance and a safer driver behind the wheel), Haman's Driving School brings the 30-hour classroom experience to campus during Winterim. Students will be equipped with all the information needed to pass their permit test at the DMV.

DNA, Diseases, and More
Mrs. Durham, Mr. Sanders, and Mr. Wells

How does genetic makeup affect medicines you may take? What are researchers looking at to improve treatments for animals? Can we control mosquitoes without harmful pesticides so that diseases like malaria and African River blindness can be eliminated? Now that we can edit DNA, should we? Students will explore these pressing questions in the world of DNA and diseases by visiting the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Museum in Atlanta, Georgia, the University of Georgia veterinary school and research labs, and more.

Yarn and Ewe: An Introduction to Fiber Arts
Mrs. Ingalls and Ms. White
 
In Yarn and Ewe, students will explore the flourishing world of fiber arts with hands-on projects in knitting and felting and an off-campus trip to a working fiber farm. They will eat lunch off campus and spend time working on their projects.

ACT/SAT/PSAT Test Prep
Mrs. Priest

Kimberly Carraway, the owner of the Carraway Center for Teaching and Learning, will lead students through a program designed to develop each student's ability to exceed their testing potential. The workshop will cover general and specific test-taking strategies that will increase familiarity with both the content and type of questions included in the tests. Ms. Carraway has been offering workshops and private tutoring over the past 10 years.

Art and Architecture
Ms. Kasch ’72

Students will learn how to think about art as they tour museums and galleries, including an architectural tour of downtown Chattanooga buildings. Then they are off to Nashville to explore the world's only replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, followed by a visit to the Frist Museum for an exquisite exhibit—Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, and Their Times: The Mellon Collection of French Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

All Things Chattanooga
Mrs. Steele, Dr. Harrison

It’s strange to think of a city as a product, but according to TripAdvisor the Chattanooga product has become an appealing option. As residents, we often forget what brings others to Chattanooga. This Winterim group will discuss, decide, budget, and plan being a tourist in their own city. Then they will ride the Incline, revisit the Aquarium, see an IMAX 3D movie, and tour Rock City.

Be My Neighbor
Mrs. Hamilton

For those interested in building a more just community, this Winterim will offer students the opportunity to break bread, learn, and offer service together. They will prepare and share a meal, visit the Civil Rights Museum and other significant sites in Birmingham, Alabama, meet with government officials and other community activists, and seek out local opportunities to honor diversity and promote human dignity. GPS students will be joined by students from Howard High School, as well!

The Bowdacious Challenge
Dr. Graves and Mrs. Leffew

Students interested in fashion, retail, marketing, and shopping, this challenge offers an inside look at owning or running a retail shop. Students will spend four days learning about the GPS school store, The Bow, touring other retailers in Chattanooga, and creating their own pop-up store. These stores will pop-up Alumnae Weekend, May Day and during summer camp. In a design team, girls will create a business plan informed by market research, product selection, pricing, and merchandising.

Film/TV Acting Intensive
Mr. Krawczyk

Lights! Camera! Action! Students can take a look at what it means to be an actor in front of the camera for film and television, as a character in a script, or a spokesperson for a product or company. They will take a look at the actor’s process in developing a sense of scale in performance for close-ups, medium, and long range shots. Then they’ll translate this into auditions for film and television projects, gaining an understanding of what casting directors look for, and becoming more comfortable in the process. They will work on improvisational projects and auditions, and develop their creativity to trust their instincts, take risks, overcome mental blocks, and learn to build strong characters through opening up the actor’s instrument, as well as the broad world of commercial and industrial film work with both free form and scripted teleprompter projects. They can learn how to immediately jump into character with an instructor who has worked on numerous television, commercial, and theatrical projects!

Telling Y(Our) Story: The Art of the Interview
Ms. Piper and Ms. Mann

Our girls are fantastic! Now, how do they learn to show it? In this Winterim, they will spend a few days learning how to show colleges their wonderful authentic self. This Winterim begins with the dissection and critique of celebrity interviews, interviewing others, and learning how to be a great storyteller. They will learn what to wear, the importance of body language, and practice specific techniques designed to ensure their answers are specific and make them stand out from the crowd. Great skills for upcoming college interviews! They will address how to anticipate the questions that will be asked, what to do when you veer off course from what you wanted to say, and how to provide a confident relevant answer to any question. Students will tape and critique their own mock interviews, and the experience will culminate in a live interview where a panel of professionals will offer kind but candid feedback about how effective they were in selling themselves.

Four-Day Film Camp
Mr. Wright, Dr. Montero, and Mrs. Cauley

Scorsese! Coppola! Hitchcock! Spielberg! Bigelow! And GPS girls! Girls will live out the dream of becoming a movie director, producer, writer, and/or star! In the Four-Day Film Camp, they will work with a small group to write, produce, shoot, edit, and premiere a film (actually two or more) in just four days! Now in its fourth year, the Four-Day Film Camp is an exciting and intense opportunity that costs nothing but develops teamwork and tests the limits of creativity. Day one: they write. Day two: they shoot. Day three: they edit. All films will be premiered in the Frierson Theatre on the fourth day! It's an action-packed week of fun! No prior filmmaking experience needed.

Beauty & History of the Appalachian Mountains
Mr. Haynes and Mr. Zeller

With over 50 trailheads within 30 minutes of downtown, it wouldn’t be totally unfair to label the hiking scene in Chattanooga as one of the best in the country.—website RootsRated, which connects users with the best outdoor experiences. In past years girls have been to the Fiery Gizzard Trail, the Savage Gulf, Sewanee's Perimeter Trail, sections of the Cumberland Trail, Prentice-Cooper. Participants are welcome to suggest other options, but the plan is to be outdoors hiking during the day, somewhere in the Appalachian or Cumberland Mountains, and participants plan to prepare appropriately for the weather. Each participant will pack her own lunch and drinking water for the day.

Mentor Me
Ms. Hayes ’02

Students receive a unique, hand-selected opportunity to partner with a mentor in the field of her choosing. This is a true weeklong mentorship opportunity with a business here in Chattanooga. Once partnered with her mentor, each student will see the benefit for not only the college acceptance process, but also for her future career.


*UPPER SCHOOL | HIT THE ROAD

Journey to the Land of the Rising Sun
Ms. Loveless ‘02, Katherine Dann Ogden ’02, Amy Vetter Hinds ’02

Students will immerse themselves in the beautiful culture and traditions of Japan. While in the Land of the Rising Sun, they will experience a wealth of sights, sounds, and tastes, using all five senses to learn about this truly unique country. Their eight nights away will begin in Tokyo, where they will visit the Seven Lucky Gods, behold breathtaking views of the World’s largest city, and visit the hub of Japan’s pop culture. Two day trips from Tokyo will introduce them to the charming cities of Kamakura and Yokohama (and possibly even Yokosuka). The adventure will continue as they travel via the Shenkansin (200 mph bullet train) to Kyoto. In the “Thousand Year Capital,” they will don kimonos and take part in a traditional tea ceremony. All along the way they will come to know, respect, and love the people of Japan and their mindfulness of others.

Costa Rica: Spanish Immersion and Biodiversity
Ms. Kerekes and Dr. Noel

Students will explore different parts of Costa Rica to learn more about their biodiversity while also experiencing an immersive Spanish language experience. The girls will have Spanish-language instruction for all levels (from beginner to advanced) in the morning on a daily theme that is based on AP Spanish standards. In the afternoon and evening, students will have hands-on opportunities to experience the culture and use the language. This experience will include visits to volcanoes and cloud forests, zip-lining through the rainforest, cultural experiences at local markets, potential research experience at field station, coffee plantation visits, and an overall emphasis on the Costa Rican ecosystems, culture, economy, and rich fauna.

Sunny California College Tour
Ms. Susan McCarter

February is the perfect time to visit colleges in sunny southern California. The tour will take students to the University of Southern California, UCLA, the Claremont Colleges, Occidental, Chapman, Loyola Marymount, and the University of Redlands.

Incredible India
Dr. Becksvoort and Stephanie Hays ’04

Incredible India: there’s no place like it! Students will travel to a fast-paced, complex nation with one of the world’s most fascinating cultures. This adventure in Mumbai, a dynamic city home to more than 20 million people, will serve as the perfect introduction to the extraordinary history and culture of India. Students will have plenty of time to see Mumbai’s most famous sites as well as experience local neighborhoods, foods, and traditions. They will also get to know Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest slums, and have the opportunity to engage with local teachers and students in the community. Finally, they will learn about how rural India differs from life in a bustling city through a visit to a local village.

Dude Ranch
Dr. Covino and Mrs. Walker

Time at an authentic dude ranch? A visit to a fine resort? Girls can experience both on Mrs. Walker and Dr. Covino’s once-in-a-lifetime Wild West Winterim bonanza. Girls are guaranteed to have more on-horse time than any other Winterim offering! They will intrepidly ride off into the unspoiled desert past Instagram-worthy rugged mountains and cactus (cacti even!), pen cattle, and generally cowpoke around Arizona’s famous White Stallion Ranch, an all-inclusive dude ranch that mixes Old West adventure with modern creature comforts. In addition to honing equestrian skills and getting closer to nature, students will be treated to traditional cowboy entertainment, exposed to unparalleled views of the stars during an astronomy lesson, learn about sustainable tourism and development in a setting so beautiful they may recognize it from Hollywood films, and so much more.

Math to the Moon: A NASA Adventure
Mrs. Wilkes and Ms. Berotti

Math to the Moon students will experience a five-day mathematics mission at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. They will walk in the footsteps of incredible mathematic heroes as they take a good look at math through the eyes of NASA. Students can create and launch a rocket, spend a day with robotics construction and coding, build a thermal heat shield, and more. Each day will be spent inspired by the elements of Space Center Houston. During this program they will also experience life just as a working NASA team does—operating within a NASA budget (lots of zeros); knowing that funds or supplies for projects may be decreased at any time due to budget cuts, safety regulations, or any other experience representative of the real NASA world. Includes a private tour of Johnson's Space Flight Center, a tour of astronaut training sessions, brunch with an astronaut, robotics, scuba, and water robotics. An awesome week dedicated to math, robotics, physics and STEM studies.

Chilean Kayak Adventure
Ms. Bas and Mrs. Couch

Girls will venture to the southern hemisphere for a truly interdisciplinary Winterim experience that is packed with culture, environmental science, and outdoor adventure! They will travel to Pucón, Chile, for an up-close view of how Chilean social movements have affected the nation's rivers. Students will interact with the Spanish language and local culture on a daily basis, including with the native Mapuche people. While there they will kayak and hike in one of Chile's most renowned adventure meccas.

Can You Belize We Are Going Scuba Diving?
Mrs. Linehart and Mrs. Blackwell

Students will dive into the second-largest reef system in the world! Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize, is rich with beautiful beaches, tropical rainforests, and an amazing coral reef system! While there, the girls will experience three days of diving and at least one day of exploring the amazing island. They will have the opportunity to see Maya ruins and temples and experience all the amazing animal and plant life the island has to offer.

Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge
Mrs. Outlaw and Ms. Emily Lester

On this unique adventure in the northwoods of Ely, Minnesota, at Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge, students will learn how to dog sled, snow shoe, and cross country ski while they stay in cozy cabins, care for the sled dogs, and maybe even see the Aurora Borealis! Ely is famous for its pristine Boundary Water Canoe Wilderness Area in the summer and turns into a winter wonderland in the colder months where winter activities are abundant. The Wintergreen Staff is keen to share hands-on engagement with winter ecology, wildlife signs and tracks, plus campfire northwoods stories, night sky snowshoe treks, wolf howling, and wilderness protection discussions.

Walt Disney World
Mrs. Jackson ’06 and Mrs. Pieritz ’97

What’s become a senior tradition, members of the 12th-grade class only are invited to the House of Mouse! Members of the Class of 2019 will spend Winterim walkin' right down the middle of Main Street, USA! They will experience three days of magic in the Walt Disney World theme park in Orlando, Florida. Each girl receives a 3-day park-hopper pass to enjoy the four theme parks on the property (Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios). They will stay in style at the Port Orleans Resort, and with a charter bus ride there and back, there will be plenty of time for Disney sing-a-longs. What a fun way to bond with your sisters!

 

* Sign-ups for Upper School Winterim opportunities were made available to the senior class first, then the junior class, etc., as most trips had limited capacities. The Disney trip was made available as an option only to seniors.
 
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