Letter of Introduction

Projects

Caribbean Project: Fall 2025

Art, Resistance and Independence in the Caribbean 

Project Description:

In 2017, following the devasting Hurricane Maria, a poll found that only 54% of Americans know that Puerto Ricans are, in fact, American citizens (NYT 2017). This highlights a broader trend in a lack of attention to one of our neighboring regions to the south, the Caribbean. However, with the rise in popular Puerto Rican artists like Bad Bunny, more global attention has been paid to the PR, which is commonwealth territory of the United States. Using Puerto Rican artists as a jumping off point, we will explore the history of the archipelago's people, cultures, politics, resistance movements and colonial status. We will use it as an opportunity to explore the legacy of colonialism, diverse approaches to nation-building and the role of art as a tool of resistance. 

In addition to exploring Puerto Rico's rich history as a class, students will also be tasked with choosing and reading a Caribbean-based novel alongside their peers in literature circles and choosing another Caribbean nation to research. After completing their research, students will create explosion boxes that analyze a song, piece of writing or art piece and its role as a means of resistance. The boxes will highlight student art work and analytical writing. We may additionally create a museum style exhibit as a class to highlight our broader learning as a class. In addition to exploring all of these complex intellectual themes, this project also aims to deepen students' understandings of the world around us and view themselves as global citizens.

Enduring Understandings: 

1. The past shapes our present and understanding it more deeply can allow us to build the future we want to see in the world 

2. Art is a powerful tool that can be used to spark social change, resist oppression and to express the complexities of the human experience

Essential Questions:

1. What is the role of art, music and literature in sparking significant social change? 

2. What are the past and ongoing consequences of colonialism? 

3. How do communities define and fight for independence, freedom and nationhood? 

Model United Nations Project: Winter 2026

Project Description 

Since its creation after World War II, the United Nations has always been a lightning rod for criticism and for hope.  Criticized by many for being bureaucratic and ineffective, the fact remains that the UN is one of the only truly global institutions we have that is focused on trying to make the world a better place. In this project, you will take on the roles of individual nations to try to solve some of the world's most current and pressing issues through the United Nations.  You will be tasked with taking on the perspective of your nation and advocating for its interests, while also attempting to pass real and lasting resolutions that will lead to a more just and peaceful world.  This will require building solid research skills, public speaking and written communication skills, and negotiation skills.  The world is full of problems, and we want you to be the kind of people who seek to solve them.

Enduring Understanding:

Geopolitical dynamics hold intense complexity and, although the UN is a powerful force, it remains a challenge to solve major global issues in a diplomatic way.

Essential Questions:

1. What role does the United Nations play in the world?

2. How can we solve seemingly intractable international problems?

3. What skills are necessary to engage in successful international diplomacy?

Energy Project: Spring 2026

Project Description

 The climate crisis is the defining issue of our lifetimes. At the heart of this conversation around environmental devastation, global warming and human consumption is the energy we use to power our world. We are in the midst of a great energy transition, with the world agreeing to transition away from fossil fuels and “reduce global emissions by 43% by the end of 2030” (UN, 2023). However, all of our energy choices come with a cost, both to people and the environment. Additionally, the statistics tell us that the most marginalized communities in our world, who consume the least, often disproportionately bear the brunt of these impacts. 

For this project, we will exploring the rich topic of energy in all of your core classes. In Humanities we will be exploring the impacts of our energy choices and ideas to create a more just and sustainable energy future. Then, we will use this knowledge to create an interactive energy museum with the whole Sophomore class. This is a challenging, collaborative and fun way to end your tenth grade year by working with all of peers to tackle the most pressing issue of our time. 

Enduring Understanding  

An interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to learning and communication can offer insight into solutions to our most complex world problems 

Essential Questions: 

1. What are the social, economic and environmental impacts of our energy choices? 

2. How might we build a future that can power our world in a just and sustainable way?