JUNE 14, 2023
With support from grant funding, in June 2023 Nipmuc offered a wide range of Inspired Learning Day sessions focused on deeper learning and exploring the Portrait of a Learner. Take a look below to see the options available to our students!
From Blank Page to Acceptance Letter - Telling Your Story Through Your College Essay - Join us for a dynamic college essay writing workshop that will empower you to define your unique narrative and tell your story with confidence and authenticity. It’s more than just listing accomplishments and grades; it's about showcasing your true self and leaving a lasting impression on admissions officers. Throughout the day, we’ll guide you through the process of brainstorming, drafting, peer editing, and polishing your college essay. Walk out with one big task checked off of your list!
Tanks, Trenches, and Warfare - Travel with history teachers to the American Heritage Museum. There we will explore America’s conflicts, beginning with the Revolutionary War to today. You’ll discover, and interact with, your heritage through the history of the national effort developing new technologies of warfare, and the human impact of America’s fight to preserve the freedom we all hold dear.
Revolutionary Steps through Boston - See the sights of the Revolutionary War! We will start at Boston Common and visit the new Martin Luther King Monument and then walk a portion of the Freedom Trail to see some of the main sites of the Revolutionary War, including the Granary Burial Ground, King’s Chapel, the Old South Meeting House (site of the Boston Tea Party), the Old State House (site of the Boston Massacre) and Faneuil Hall. We will end at Quincy Market for some lunch with an optional side trip over to the Holocaust Memorial.
Latino Cooking - Are you an adventurous eater who likes to try new things? Do you love to cook? Are you willing to try your hand at a little international cuisine? Then you will love "Tamales,Gazpacho y Chocolate Caliente". We’ll use authentic ingredients, like dried corn husks and “maseca” to make our own cheese and green chile tamales. Next, we’ll spin up a healthy and refreshing cold soup with fresh tomatoes and garden vegetables. Finally, we’ll make some sweet and spicy Mexican hot chocolate. Grab your apron and let's get cooking!
Summer Fun, Italian Style! - What do Italians do for summer fun? Join us for a full-day session exploring Italian games, food and culture! First, we’ll learn a new outdoor lawn game (called bocce) and enjoy an authentic cold treat (called granita). Then, we’ll come inside, sing some summer-themed Italian songs and learn how Italians celebrate their summer (during Ferragosto). For lunch, we’ll create our own authentic Italian pizzas and learn about the history of this famous dish. Come kick off your summer Italian style with us!
Empanada Making - Want to learn about Argentine culture and experience the delicious flavors of some very traditional foods from Argentina? In this session, we will try the unique caffeinated beverage called "mate", and actually MAKE and COOK our own empanadas (Argentina's yummy version of a hot pocket) at Che Empanadas in Worcester.
Finding Artistic Inspiration at the Tower Hill Botanical Gardens - Want to spend the day photographing, drawing, and painting in a beautiful outdoor setting? Come spend the day observing nature and capturing the beautiful foliage and flowers at the Tower Hill Botanical Garden. You will have the opportunity to photograph, paint and draw the flowers and plant life. All drawing and painting materials will be supplied for you.
Wetlands Scientist - Spend a day exploring the aquatic worlds around Nipmuc’s campus. Traverse through a vernal pool and around rivers and streams, cataloging the life we see and catch. Get your hands wet testing the water quality of these areas and your hands dirty investigating the surrounding soil. Together we will make an assessment of the biodiversity, health, and stability of our wetlands, along with creating steps we can take to support them.
Going Places by Air and by Water! - Prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey of engineering marvels and awe-inspiring adventures. In this all-day session, you will unleash your inner innovator as you dive into the thrilling challenge of engineering a boat that not only floats but also races against time to claim the title of the fastest vessel. With your creative minds at work, you'll design, build, and refine your vessels, testing their limits in an epic aquatic showdown. But that's not all! Get ready to reach for the stars as you immerse yourself in the captivating realm of rocketry. Construct and launch model rockets, witnessing the majestic flight of your creations as they soar into the endless expanse of the sky. So, buckle up and get ready to ignite your ingenuity in this action-packed all-day session of engineering brilliance and astronomical wonders.
Artful Inquiries - Join this session to explore how science can inspire stunning works of art, and how art can be used to illustrate complex scientific concepts. This session is not just about painting or drawing; it's about using various art forms as a medium to understand and communicate scientific ideas. You'll participate in hands-on projects that will challenge you to use your artistic skills to depict scientific phenomena, from the microscopic world to the vast cosmos. This is your chance to see science from a new perspective and express your understanding through sculpture, painting, sketching, or mosaic art.
Beach Reads - Grab a towel, sunscreen, shades, and, of course… your favorite beach read. Join us for a mindful day in the outdoors getting a head start on your summer reading and engaging with a community of readers in literature circle-style discussions. We will start the day by checking out the new Upton Town Library before heading to Kiwanis for some “beach” reading. Please note swimming is not allowed as the beach is not officially open yet; therefore, no lifeguard will be on duty.
Booktalking 101! Do you love recommending books to your friends? Do you want to help develop the book collection here at Nipmuc? Do you already post book reviews to social media and want to sharpen your skills or is this something you are interested in trying but not sure where to start? Hop over to the Nipmuc Media Center for a chance to build our very own Reader’s Advisory platform(s) so you can effectively share and communicate what books you love (or didn’t!) with your peers!
Getting to Where You Want to Be via QCC - The path to your future will often involve some type of postsecondary education after high school. Traditional four-year colleges are excellent but there are alternative programs such as 2-year community college programs or trade schools. This program will feature a full campus tour of either a community college such as Quinsigamond Community College - Worcester or an innovative trade school such as New England Institute of Technology - Warwick, RI. Come learn about paths to getting to where you want to be.
Living Like Gatsby - Bring Gatsby and the Gilded Age to life with self-guided tours of the Newport mansions that were the summer homes of the rich. One film version of the acclaimed novel was even filmed in part at two of the mansions. Expand your global learning by educating yourself on the past attitudes about the newly rich by seeing the grandeur of their homes in person.
Creating a Safe Space for Everyone in the Classroom - Interested in learning, navigating, and growing through healthy conversation about inclusion for students and faculty at Nipmuc? Build your Global Citizen competency by learning how to build positive, inclusive relationships. Join us and Safe Schools Founder, Jeff Perrotti as they inspire attendees to learn how to support transgender students and faculty in schools. Jeff Perrotti comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience working closely with DESE and the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ+ Youth!
Become a Transcendentalist - Let’s explore nature through the eyes of Transcendentalist and writer, Henry David Thoreau, as we visit and explore Walden Pond, home of his famous work, Walden. Join us for a day of poetry and/or journal writing, communicating across platforms, as we gain inspiration from nature.
Geometric Threads - Become a skillful collaborator & create an “Inspired Learning Day 2023” quilt. In this all day session you will:
Math is Everywhere! - Build your POL problem-solving skills by going on a walking tour through Boston. We will connect math with several of the city's historic sites. Stops with a few of the math challenges include :
The entire tour is approximately three miles & mathematicians of all ages and levels are welcome!!
Sports Science - What has more elasticity, a tennis ball or a basketball? Why? What actually happens when an athlete tears their ACL? What is an ACL? How do you fix it? Why does it happen in some sports more than others? Then the Sports Science Inspired Learning Day is for you! We will explore the physics, anatomy, physiology, and sports medicine concepts as they apply to some of your favorite activities. You’ll never watch or play your favorite sports the same way again.
Living Beatz: Business Entrepreneurship - Do you want to be your own boss? Do you want to own your own business? Come check out Beatz in Grafton. Beatz is a dance studio that is owned by Cindey Libbey. Come learn about her journey as she talks about building a business from the ground up, and see the worlds of business and dance collide!
Sports Marketing with the Patriots! - Do you have a passion for business and sports and want to learn how you can combine both into a career? With this session you will have the opportunity to tour Gillette Stadium’s business offices and speak 1-on-1 with marketing professionals from the New England Patriots. You will learn how they pursued their careers in sports and gain valuable insight about how you can do so too. You will also be able to tour the Patriots Hall of Fame which is home to all 6 Super Bowl trophies
Explore AI & Become an Arctic Explorer Using Drones - Visit the Museum of Sciences latest exhibits to build your POL Solution Seeker Skills:
Careers in Sports - Interested in turning a passion for sports into a career? Take a trip to the Beach House in Natick, MA to learn how to make that dream a reality! The Beach House offers indoor beach volleyball, fitness training, and event opportunities. During the trip students will learn the details of sports/facility management, career options, and how the facility brought an outdoor sport inside!
Tanks, Trenches, and Warfare - Travel with history teachers to the American Heritage Museum. There we will explore America’s conflicts, beginning with the Revolutionary War to today. You’ll discover, and interact with, your heritage through the history of the national effort developing new technologies of warfare, and the human impact of America’s fight to preserve the freedom we all hold dear.
Revolutionary Steps through Boston - See the sights of the Revolutionary War! We will start at Boston Common and visit the new Martin Luther King Monument and then walk a portion of the Freedom Trail to see some of the main sites of the Revolutionary War, including the Granary Burial Ground, King’s Chapel, the Old South Meeting House (site of the Boston Tea Party), the Old State House (site of the Boston Massacre) and Faneuil Hall. We will end at Quincy Market for some lunch with an optional side trip over to the Holocaust Memorial.
Latino Cooking - Are you an adventurous eater who likes to try new things? Do you love to cook? Are you willing to try your hand at a little international cuisine? Then you will love "Tamales,Gazpacho y Chocolate Caliente". We’ll use authentic ingredients, like dried corn husks and “maseca” to make our own cheese and green chile tamales. Next, we’ll spin up a healthy and refreshing cold soup with fresh tomatoes and garden vegetables. Finally, we’ll make some sweet and spicy Mexican hot chocolate. Grab your apron and let's get cooking!
Summer Fun, Italian Style! - What do Italians do for summer fun? Join us for a full-day session exploring Italian games, food and culture! First, we’ll learn a new outdoor lawn game (called bocce) and enjoy an authentic cold treat (called granita). Then, we’ll come inside, sing some summer-themed Italian songs and learn how Italians celebrate their summer (during Ferragosto). For lunch, we’ll create our own authentic Italian pizzas and learn about the history of this famous dish. Come kick off your summer Italian style with us!
Empanada Making - Want to learn about Argentine culture and experience the delicious flavors of some very traditional foods from Argentina? In this session, we will try the unique caffeinated beverage called "mate", and actually MAKE and COOK our own empanadas (Argentina's yummy version of a hot pocket) at Che Empanadas in Worcester.
Finding Artistic Inspiration at the Tower Hill Botanical Gardens - Want to spend the day photographing, drawing, and painting in a beautiful outdoor setting? Come spend the day observing nature and capturing the beautiful foliage and flowers at the Tower Hill Botanical Garden. You will have the opportunity to photograph, paint and draw the flowers and plant life. All drawing and painting materials will be supplied for you.
Wetlands Scientist - Spend a day exploring the aquatic worlds around Nipmuc’s campus. Traverse through a vernal pool and around rivers and streams, cataloging the life we see and catch. Get your hands wet testing the water quality of these areas and your hands dirty investigating the surrounding soil. Together we will make an assessment of the biodiversity, health, and stability of our wetlands, along with creating steps we can take to support them.
Going Places by Air and by Water! - Prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey of engineering marvels and awe-inspiring adventures. In this all-day session, you will unleash your inner innovator as you dive into the thrilling challenge of engineering a boat that not only floats but also races against time to claim the title of the fastest vessel. With your creative minds at work, you'll design, build, and refine your vessels, testing their limits in an epic aquatic showdown. But that's not all! Get ready to reach for the stars as you immerse yourself in the captivating realm of rocketry. Construct and launch model rockets, witnessing the majestic flight of your creations as they soar into the endless expanse of the sky. So, buckle up and get ready to ignite your ingenuity in this action-packed all-day session of engineering brilliance and astronomical wonders.
Artful Inquiries - Join this session to explore how science can inspire stunning works of art, and how art can be used to illustrate complex scientific concepts. This session is not just about painting or drawing; it's about using various art forms as a medium to understand and communicate scientific ideas. You'll participate in hands-on projects that will challenge you to use your artistic skills to depict scientific phenomena, from the microscopic world to the vast cosmos. This is your chance to see science from a new perspective and express your understanding through sculpture, painting, sketching, or mosaic art.
Beach Reads - Grab a towel, sunscreen, shades, and, of course… your favorite beach read. Join us for a mindful day in the outdoors getting a head start on your summer reading and engaging with a community of readers in literature circle-style discussions. We will start the day by checking out the new Upton Town Library before heading to Kiwanis for some “beach” reading. Please note swimming is not allowed as the beach is not officially open yet; therefore, no lifeguard will be on duty.
Booktalking 101! Do you love recommending books to your friends? Do you want to help develop the book collection here at Nipmuc? Do you already post book reviews to social media and want to sharpen your skills or is this something you are interested in trying but not sure where to start? Hop over to the Nipmuc Media Center for a chance to build our very own Reader’s Advisory platform(s) so you can effectively share and communicate what books you love (or didn’t!) with your peers!
Getting to Where You Want to Be via QCC - The path to your future will often involve some type of postsecondary education after high school. Traditional four-year colleges are excellent but there are alternative programs such as 2-year community college programs or trade schools. This program will feature a full campus tour of either a community college such as Quinsigamond Community College - Worcester or an innovative trade school such as New England Institute of Technology - Warwick, RI. Come learn about paths to getting to where you want to be.
Living Like Gatsby - Bring Gatsby and the Gilded Age to life with self-guided tours of the Newport mansions that were the summer homes of the rich. One film version of the acclaimed novel was even filmed in part at two of the mansions. Expand your global learning by educating yourself on the past attitudes about the newly rich by seeing the grandeur of their homes in person.
Creating a Safe Space for Everyone in the Classroom - Interested in learning, navigating, and growing through healthy conversation about inclusion for students and faculty at Nipmuc? Build your Global Citizen competency by learning how to build positive, inclusive relationships. Join us and Safe Schools Founder, Jeff Perrotti as they inspire attendees to learn how to support transgender students and faculty in schools. Jeff Perrotti comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience working closely with DESE and the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ+ Youth!
Become a Transcendentalist - Let’s explore nature through the eyes of Transcendentalist and writer, Henry David Thoreau, as we visit and explore Walden Pond, home of his famous work, Walden. Join us for a day of poetry and/or journal writing, communicating across platforms, as we gain inspiration from nature.
Geometric Threads - Become a skillful collaborator & create an “Inspired Learning Day 2023” quilt. In this all day session you will:
- Design a quilt pattern based on Native American Designs
- Cut out the fabric needed for the design
- Learn how to sew by hand & machine
- Work together to assemble your quilt
- Give back to the community by donating the final product to the Mendon Senior Center.
Math is Everywhere! - Build your POL problem-solving skills by going on a walking tour through Boston. We will connect math with several of the city's historic sites. Stops with a few of the math challenges include :
- Children’s Museum (calculate the volume of the oversized milk bottle)
- Boston Tea Party (determine amount of tea thrown into the harbor)
- Big Dig (estimate distance covered if you were to line up all of the trucks used in the Big Dig)
- Greenway (estimate % of land that is green space)
- MBTA (find a sinusoidal graph to model the shape of the structure)
- Moakley Federal Courthouse (diameter of the circular lawn)
- Institute of Contemporary Art (determine the speed of a diver during the Cliff Diving World Series)
The entire tour is approximately three miles & mathematicians of all ages and levels are welcome!!
Sports Science - What has more elasticity, a tennis ball or a basketball? Why? What actually happens when an athlete tears their ACL? What is an ACL? How do you fix it? Why does it happen in some sports more than others? Then the Sports Science Inspired Learning Day is for you! We will explore the physics, anatomy, physiology, and sports medicine concepts as they apply to some of your favorite activities. You’ll never watch or play your favorite sports the same way again.
Living Beatz: Business Entrepreneurship - Do you want to be your own boss? Do you want to own your own business? Come check out Beatz in Grafton. Beatz is a dance studio that is owned by Cindey Libbey. Come learn about her journey as she talks about building a business from the ground up, and see the worlds of business and dance collide!
Sports Marketing with the Patriots! - Do you have a passion for business and sports and want to learn how you can combine both into a career? With this session you will have the opportunity to tour Gillette Stadium’s business offices and speak 1-on-1 with marketing professionals from the New England Patriots. You will learn how they pursued their careers in sports and gain valuable insight about how you can do so too. You will also be able to tour the Patriots Hall of Fame which is home to all 6 Super Bowl trophies
Explore AI & Become an Arctic Explorer Using Drones - Visit the Museum of Sciences latest exhibits to build your POL Solution Seeker Skills:
- Watch a robotic dog use AI, learn how AI is changing day-to-day life, and interact with an AI-generated artwork.
- Feel the Arctic - become a Virtual Arctic Researcher by controlling a Drone to find the Arctic Fox & see how Global Warming is Changing the Arctic
- Propel down a path of mind-bending illusions, 3-D puzzles & kinetic activities to reveal the fascinating capabilities of your brain
Careers in Sports - Interested in turning a passion for sports into a career? Take a trip to the Beach House in Natick, MA to learn how to make that dream a reality! The Beach House offers indoor beach volleyball, fitness training, and event opportunities. During the trip students will learn the details of sports/facility management, career options, and how the facility brought an outdoor sport inside!