Immersives arrive for learning and maybe even some fun

By Britton Masback ‘20

Winterim is back once more, but the program returns with a new name, a new focus, and a new schedule. This year’s immersives pilot program will be twice as long, situated across the waning weeks of the academic year, and feature offerings never before seen on (or off) the grounds of Catlin Gabel School (CGS). 

Sign-ups hit the web on Friday, Sept. 27 and there are a few things to know before you commit to one of the many juicy entrees.  As Upper School head Aline Garcia-Rubio said, “We hope to offer a menu that interests the student body.”

Immersives are the new replacement for CG’s previous Winterim program, offering a slightly longer dose of concentrated experiential learning. They'll run from May 26 to June 9, serving as a de facto 10-day recovery period after finals, and preceding the community’s final end-of-year celebrations. 

This year’s lineup ranges from a case study of Italian language and culture, to a hike uncovering remains of the last ice age, to an intensive research and mathematics course. 

Garcia-Rubio shared what this year’s options have in common: the opportunity to “‘get lost’ in the flow of experiential learning.”

So what’s next? 

“The catalogue will come out at the end of this week,” Garcia-Rubio reported. “Students will rank their choices as we have for Winterim, and decisions will be finalized by the beginning of December.” 

All students will still have the option of taking part in a global trip instead, and seniors can mix a shorter senior project with an immersive. 

So go ahead and take in all the catalogue has to offer. But don’t feel overwhelmed. 

As Dean of Faculty Derek Kanerek said, “It’s going to be great.”

Solomon Olshin (‘19) prepares to be “interviewed” by Sophia Meneakis (‘21) and Maddie Gadbaw (‘21) during the 2019 Catlin Speak Winterim — Courtesy of George Zaninovich