Middle School ISW Programs
1. Interviewing and Writing D.C.
Available to grades: 5-6
Instructors: Mr. Hammond, Ms. Jensen
Fee: n/a
Each morning, we will take the metro to a place that is central to the way our city works. We will spend the morning at that place, observing people, interviewing them, and taking notes. We may spend a day at a day care center, at a museum on the mall, at the Eastern Market, at Farragut Square, or at Frederick Douglass’s home. Each day, we’ll come back to Maret for lunch, then write up what we saw and learned and compare our results. At the end of the week, we’ll have completed a guide to the people of DC.
2. Engineering Extravaganza
Available to grades: 5-6
Instructors: Ms. Sweigart
Fee: n/a
Explore the world of Robotics and other engineering feats. You will get a first-hand feel for being an engineer by competing in problem-solving engineering contests and games, paper airplane competitions, and building your own robot. If you like to tinker, have a good amount of patience and love seeing how things work in the minds of a ROBOT and machines, this ISW is for you! All eager scientists and engineer "wanna-bes" are welcome. We hope to visit the Navy Artificial Intelligence Lab which is truly amazing! Imagine testing SLINKYS, competing in the HEXAGONAL CHALLENGE and trying your own skills as a ROBOT! Come join the FUN!
3. Lend a Helping Hand
Available to grades: 5-6
Instructors: Ms. Lenane, Mr. Lyn
Fee: n/a
Spend a week lending a hand in our community. We will do a range of different activities, from organizing and hosting a Valentines Day party at a senior center, to creating lessons and teaching kids at a day care center, to creating books on tape for kids at Children’s Hospital to doing environmental awareness raising and clean-up. We also will see where our services are needed at Maret so that we might pitch in even closer to home. We will have a lot of fun doing a lot of good.
4. Amazing Buildings: From Stonehenge to the Sears Tower
Available to grades: 5-6
Instructor: Mr. Jones
Fee: n/a
What makes buildings strong? What makes buildings beautiful? We will construct models of buildings using various materials. We will have competitions, using triangles, arches, and columns to create the strongest bridges and tallest towers. We will also take a walking tour of buildings in Washington, DC, comparing styles of architecture, and visit the National Building Museum to learn about building “green”. Off-campus trips might also include a visit to the new Marine Corps Museum and the newly renovated National Portrait Gallery museum and courtyard. Weather permitting, we might also explore the attic and roof of our historic Woodley building.
5. Mosaic Mirrors
Available to grades: 5-6
Instructors: Ms. Brodsky, Ms. Hutnyan
Fee: n/a
Broken glass, colored paper, sea shells, and pasta are some items that can be pieced together to create mosaic designs. In this course, students use pieces of stained glass to create a beautiful, decorative mirror frame. Once finished, a mirror is mounted into the frame and is ready for display. Fun to make, the finished mirror makes a great gift and is a wonderful addition to any home.
6. The DC Experience
Available to grades: 5-6
Instructors: Mr. Gash, Mr. McAdams, Mr. Williams
Fee: n/a
In this ISW, students will have a chance to experience and enjoy the wonder of the
District of Columbia. We will visit a range of sites which make our city special, including its museums, historic landmarks, entertainment venues, and restaurants. Hopefully, by the end of our four days together, you will have an even greater appreciation of all D.C. has to offer.
7. Changing Snapshots Into Art
Available to grades: 5-8
Instructor: Mr. Rostron, Ms. Stefurak
Fee: $75
How do you see the world? What’s your perspective? Through digital photography, you will capture images at Baltimore’s zoo, aquarium, and the Inner Harbor. We will see history in Annapolis’ Banneker-Douglas museum, the Kunta Kinte sculpture and homes of four signers of the Declaration of Independence. We will practice our macro skills on our final shoot at Longwood Gardens. Using Photoshop, we will enhance and print 8.5 by 11’s on a photo printer. You will frame your best piece and mat many more.
8. Williamsburg
Available to grades: 7
Instructors: Mr. Koerner, Mr. Markoff, Ms. Rajan, Ms. Triggs
Fee: $175
This 4-day, 3-night trip to the Williamsburg (VA) area offers 7th graders an excellent opportunity to visit the historical Tidewater area. The days will be spent visiting Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg areas. The evenings will include a skit night, bowling, and a special candlelight tour of Colonial Williamsburg. The fee covers all expenses except for personal spending money.
9. Fun around Washington
Available to grades: 7-8
Instructors: Mr. Romain, Ms. Turpin
Fee: n/a
Experience the area where you live like you never have before! Each day, we will set out to explore different aspects of the Washington area. History, politics, sports, food and entertainment will all be part of the agenda. Adventures might include taking in a play or sporting event, speaking to political insiders, visiting a museum or two, getting a behind-the-scenes look at some Washington institution or visiting and eating in different parts of the city. Although we will barely scratch the surface in four days, we guarantee a varied and fun time for all.
10. Civil War Battlefields
Available to grades: 7-8
Instructor: Ms. Ryder, Mr. Volz
Fee: n/a
The years of the American Civil War (1861-1865) were tumultuous to say the least. It was a time in which the very essence of this nation was tried and perhaps found. We are very fortunate that many of the great battlefields of the Civil War are near us - both north and south. We will be visiting Bull Run (Manassas), Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Antietam, and of course, Gettysburg. This ISW will observe the terrain, follow the course of the battles and examine the strategies of many of the great generals. We will also discuss the social and political context of the battles to understand their importance in the overall course of the war. This ISW will take you on both an interesting and fun journey back into history.
11. Baltimore: The Inner Harbor and Beyond
Available to grades: 8
Instructor: Mr. Formica
Fee: n/a
Each day, we will travel to Baltimore to see what this interesting neighbor of Washington has to offer. We will visit a variety of sites including the Aquarium and Science Museum at the Inner Harbor, the African-American Museum of Maryland, the Visionary Art Museum, Sports Legends at Camden Yards and the Babe Ruth Museum. We will also be eating at a variety of restaurants that only Baltimore has to offer, in areas such as Little Italy and Fells Point. Come along and enjoy the fun!
12. Hanging with the Lower School
Available to grades: 8
Instructors: Ms. Hogue and others
Fee: n/a
Caring, committed, and creative counselors, with a sense of humor and great flexibility, are needed to help with the Lower School ISW experience. The theme this year is Sustainability. Enjoy four days of varied activities, including arts and crafts, theater, science, cooking, field trips, and more, with small groups of Lower Schoolers and faculty from all divisions. We will all share a daily sing-a-long and an afternoon "entertainment”. If you need further details, please talk to Ms. Hogue in the Lower School or Ms. Hurwitz.
13. The NY Art Scene
Available to grades: 8
Instructors: Ms. Hester, Ms. Pettengill
Fee: $550
Are you serious about your art? Expand your vision during four art-packed days in New York City. We will begin with a train journey to the city and check in at our hotel. Then, with sketchbooks and art supplies in hand, we will visits galleries, museums and city sights in neighborhoods including Chinatown, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Midtown and the Upper East Side. We will have mini-lessons on artistic techniques, and on our travels, will gather subject matter and artistic inspiration from old masters and contemporary works that will challenge our perceptions of what art can be. In the evenings, we will relax, draw, collage, ice skate at Rockefeller Center and take in a theater performance at one of New York's many performance venues. Your sketchbook will be a place to record your experiences, to gather memorabilia and ideas, to experiment with techniques, and to develop your own artistic style. You will enjoy our adventures more if you have a positive attitude and good physical stamina, as we will spend time outdoors walking to many destinations. This trip is for serious art students at any level of experience.
14. Honduras and the Exciting Experience of the Maya World!
Available to grades: 8 (Spanish Students only)
Instructors: Ms. Adamson, Ms. Diamond, Ms. Heatherman
Fee: $1200 (all included)
This ISW will be journeying to Copan to experience first hand Latin American culture and the magical Mayan world. Come and enjoy one of the most beautiful works of art that mankind has created on the face of the earth. The Maya Ruins in Copán is a designated World Heritage Site. Copán Valley offers a fantastic array of famous and undiscovered activities: tour the world famous Maya ruins, go horseback riding, study Spanish, learn local dances and cooking, visit museums and indigenous Maya communities, work with a local bilingual school and meet Honduran kids, soak in a thermal hot springs, visit beautiful and historic colonial towns in the mountains, tour a coffee farm, and bring home a sample. The trip runs from February 9 through February 16. Participants must be students of Spanish and demonstrate a commitment to improving their language skills by joining our trip. Food, transportation and hotel stay will be discussed during pre-departure meetings with students and their families. Please note that participants will also be expected to attend “workshops” prior to the trip to review vocabulary, Honduran culture as well as travel tips and chaperone expectations. Don’t miss this unique opportunity. Join us!
