unbounded days 2016 course catalog

sU N B O U N D E D D A Y S

immersecollaborateengage

2016

the purpose is clear


Unbounded Days draws upon The Webb Schools’ enduring purpose of

inspiring students to boldly reach for a greater sense of who they are and

what they can achieve. Through immersive, collaborative, relevant, and

deeply engaging journeys that connect the classroom and the broader

world, students expand their understanding of what it means to think,

create, and reflect. They learn that their possibilities and their minds are

truly unbounded.

When Robert A. Hefner III ’53 made his generous gift to the schools,

he made special provisions to enable us to learn directly from extraordinary

individuals. In this spirit, Unbounded Days has been created.

Unbounded Days has grown not only from Mr. Hefner’s personal thirst for

creativity and love of exploration, but also out of his deep admiration for

one of his former Webb teachers, Dr. Ray Alf, who first showed him how to

think beyond what he could see.

Unbounded Days is supported by the Robert A. Hefner III ’53 Endowment for Excellence in Science

2016

course lists

Unbounded Days will take place from Feb. 27 - Mar. 2, 2016.

All courses will meet Monday, February, 29 through Wednesday, March 2. Find listed

below under 4- or 5-Day Courses those that will utilize Saturday, February 27, and

Sunday, February 28, to create more extensive educational journeys.

Unless otherwise indicated in the course description, there is no additional fee.

3-Day Courses

Adventure & Art with the Elements

Amazing LA

Animatronics

Biology of Bigfoot

Catalina Island History, Science, & Culture

Coming to our Senses

Cultural History of Central CA

Exploring Careers

Learn Arabic

Learn to Sail

Mind in Motion

Notes from LA’s Cultural Underground

Passport to China & Beyond

San Diego: City on the Border

Space Exploration

Webb’s Vermeer

Writer’s Retreat

4- or 5-Day Courses

California Coast Bike Tour

Good for the Body & Soul

Life in California’s Rift Valley

Marine Biology & Ecotourism

Modern Orchestral Improvisation

Molecular Gastronomy

Psychoacoustic Art

Rock Climbing & Canyoneering

SoCal — So Fit

Walk Out the Back Door

Winter Surf Pilgrimage

U N B O U N D E D D A Y S2016

s

Cultures around the world have long been inspired by the power of the natural world. Explore this power through encounters with

each of the four elements: earth, wind, fire and water. Begin with a professional

paddle boarding lesson and experience the calm and serenity of paddle boarding

on the open ocean. Build and create a bonfire using simple tools. Stay overnight

in Joshua Tree National Park and hike the desert terrain while taking in the

natural wonder of rock formations. Tour an active windmill farm in Palm Springs,

learning how wind power is gaining in popularity and importance in providing

energy across Southern California. Use all four elements during a hands-on

glassblowing lesson. Create an artistic representation of your adventure with

the four elements by bringing this unique journey together through the delicate,

amazing art of glassblowing. Course fee: $100

U N B O U N D E D D A Y S

adventure & art with the elements

Melanie Bauman and Sarah Lantz


amazing LARick Duque and Don Lofgren

Spend three days of exploration in Los Angeles learning more about its attractions and history. Day one: Hike to the Hollywood sign

and visit the world famous Griffith Park Observatory, learn about the city’s

history while overlooking it and tour a world famous place often used as a set for

major motion pictures. Day two: Explore Hollywood by competing in a fantastic

race competition where students separate into groups and then “race” through

the city trying to solve puzzles quickly to finish in first place. You really have to

explore LA as you compete. Day 3: Visit two unique museums in west Los Angeles,

the Museum of Jurassic Technology and the Petersen Automotive Museum, each

with its own special charms that add to the culture of the city. Use public

transportation for all travel and dine at iconic Los Angeles bistros on days one

and two.


animatronicsTim Coates and Chris Paragamian

This course guarantees a perfect blend of technology and art. Design and re-create a famous movie scene with animatronic

characters, lighting, graphic design, and audio that is programmed and

synchronized to deliver a memorable performance. Take a day trip to meet

and learn from a legendary animatronics artist who has installations at

Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and countless other amusement parks around

the world. Do not be concerned if you have never built a robot or written code.

This workshop requires absolutely no experience, just a willingness to explore

robotics, technology, engineering, the arts, and most of all your creativity.

If you enjoy movies and tinkering, this is sure to be a wonderful experience.


biology of bigfoot Ben Farrell and Margareta Farrell

Across time and all over the world, whispers have reached us, whispers of a massive creature living in the forests and mountains around us—

always close but also just out of reach. Call it Sasquatch, Yeti, Skunk Ape or Bigfoot.

The search for this legendary creature transcends national boundaries, cultures

and unites us with our distant past. Explore the fossil record for support of its

existence. Study the evolution of our common ancestors, looking for possible links

to large ape species that have lived around the world. Explore its migration patterns,

the environment where a large primate could thrive and the characteristics that

would allow it to be elusive. Study artifacts, stories, pictures and videos of sightings

around the world. Learn to scientifically assess a sighting and how to take plaster

molds (for when we find footprints!). Camp overnight in a local area where sightings

have been reported. Our hands on research allows us to test the veracity of these

claims. Who knows? Will we be the ones to finally prove the existence of Bigfoot?


california coast bike tour

Brian Caldwell, Jim Dahler and Geoff Owers

This five-day adventure involves biking along the beautiful, ragged, inspiring California coast. Enjoy shorter rides on the first and last

transportation days. Longer rides during the middle three days vary between 20

to 50 miles per day depending on ability level and weather. Take in coastal sights

and historical landmarks available along the way. The bike tour has frequent stops

for sightseeing and photography, not to mention meals and rest. In a series of day

rides throughout the region, the trip passes by sea lion and seal habitats, pine and

redwood forests, cattle and sheep ranches, coastal farming communities, amazingly

beautiful beaches, Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Missions,

along with whale and big sea bird migrations. Come explore the history and

culture of the California coast from a most unique vantage point: the seat of

your bicycle. Cycling experience and a bicycle are required for this course.

Course fee: $150


catalina island history, science & culture

Michelle Gerken and John Lawrence

Twenty-two miles off the coast of California sits Catalina Island, a travel destination known for its rich history and beautiful natural environment. Adventure across the ocean channel to

Catalina looking for dolphins and whales, explore the underwater world off the

shoreline while snorkeling, investigate the amazing geology, and discover the

history and culture of the island. Be prepared for an unbounded adventure

including camping, scenic hiking, snorkeling, science and history… What a

combo! Oh yes, great tacos too! A good attitude for adventure and an interest in

the history and science of a local icon—Catalina Island, the Crown jewel of the

Channel Islands of Southern California—is all you need. Course fee: $150


coming to our senses

Jonathan Capone and Linda Silva

Do you know the value of “resting in awareness”? This involves

using your senses to be present. In this adventure, use the fundamentals of

T’ai Chi practice, along with both walking and seated meditation, to improve

concentration and performance. Explore mindfulness through a photography

activity and engage in meditation and T’ai Chi with a professional health and

wellness guru. Hike in the San Gabriel Mountains, experience the Turrell

Skyspace at Pomona College, and enjoy sushi preparation in the tradition of

slow food. Visit the grounds and galleries of the Getty Center in Los Angeles

to investigate mindfulness as a visual arts practice. Spend a day at the Mt. Baldy

Zen Center. Emerge from our course clearer in mind and equipped with invaluable

new skills to navigate the ups and downs, stresses and excitements of daily life.


cultural history of central ca

Claire Abisalih and Jessica Fisher

From endless fields of lettuce and strawberries to an ocean jutted with cliffs and redwoods, Central California’s landscape is vast

and varied, its history rich and complicated. Immerse yourself in the culture of

Central California, namely Salinas, Monterey, and Carmel. Move from the valley

to the sea, exploring John Steinbeck’s hometown of Salinas and visiting a farm in

the area called America’s “salad bowl.” Based for two nights in Monterey, we will

tide pool, kayak, visit Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Looking at

the region through a variety of lenses, including marine science and ecology,

labor history, literary studies and art, we will ask: Why did John Steinbeck see

this area as the “valley of the world”? How does this region compare to Southern

California? What stories emerge from a close study of the land? We will find

answers through visits to museums and major cultural sites, field study and a

fair amount of adventure! Course fee: $150


exploringcareers

Anne Stewart, Javier Valera and Laura Wensley

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? Try on a

potential career and see if it fits. Students have the opportunity to explore a

chosen career field by interacting with and volunteering for talented professionals.

Real-world experience helps students get a glimpse into what it means to be a

successful professional in a field of interest and some insight as to their affinity

with the job. Potential fields include artists, animators, judges, doctors, architects,

engineers, investment bankers, journalists, teachers, actors, veterinarians, etc.

Indicate your area of interest and choose from several different shadowing

opportunities. Alongside the opportunity to visit and learn from professionals

in a variety of environments, students also attend workshops on leadership and

presentation skills for the workplace and beyond.


good for the body & soul

Sonsoles Cardalliaguet

Would you like to learn how to energize your mind and body? Come develop some of the tools necessary to live a balanced and healthy

life. This course focuses on yoga, nutrition and the benefits of relaxation and

self care. Learn how to feed your mind and body through an immersion into

yoga, healthy eating and other forms of relaxation and mindfulness. Highlights

include hands on classes in yoga, cooking and essential oils, visits to local

restaurants and yoga studios and conversations with experts in these fields.

Develop a toolbox of healthy habits and practices that will serve you well after

the conclusion of our time together. Knowledge helps you lead a healthy life!


learnarabic

Bana Dahi

Arabic ranks sixth in the world’s league table of languages, with

an estimated 186 million native speakers. There are many different Arabic dialects

that Arabs use to communicate on a daily basis; however, Modern Standard

Arabic, a common language between all Arabs, is used in books, newspapers,

on television and radio, in mosques and churches and in conversation between

educated Arabs from different countries. Learn how to write and read simple,

survival words and sentences in Modern Standard Arabic, and compare local

dialects: Syrian, Lebanese and Egyptian. Visit the Los Angeles Museum of Art,

cook some traditional dishes from the Middle East and gain exposure to the

history and culture of that region of the world, including music, dances,

literature and movies.


learn to sail Brian Ogden, Will Walker and Una Walker

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats” - The Wind in the Willows. Head down to Dana Point Harbor for

three days of messing about in boats, to not only learn the basics of how to sail,

but also how important a part sailing has played in the history of California.

Instruction, both on shore and in 14’ Capri sailboats, takes you from complete

novice to skippering your own craft through the waters of Dana Point Harbor,

and potentially the Pacific Ocean. On the second day, an afternoon cruise on the

82 ft. schooner Curlew gives us a feeling for big boat sailing. As we sit around

our fire for two nights of camping on Doheny State Beach, we share experiences

from our days on the water as well as readings from Richard Henry Dana’s Two

Years Before the Mast, which gives you an insight into the days when sailing was

the key that unlocked the coast of California. Course fee: $150


life in california’s rift valley

Jessie Atterholt and Andy Farke

California is continually torn apart and reshaped by geological forces, creating some of the most unique landscapes and ecosystems on the planet. Explore the past, present, and future of the

Salton Trough in and around Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Late winter is the

best time of year to encounter this desert, home to numerous fossil remains,

modern bighorn sheep, palm oases, and gorgeous wildflowers. Collect fossils

for the park and learn how our region has changed during the past six million

years. Explore the geological history of the area through three nights of camping,

hikes and fossil-prospecting field trips. Encounter modern wildlife (including

lizards, bighorn sheep, and the desert pupfish, found only in the Anza-Borrego

area). Visit the Salton Sea, a rapidly vanishing body of saltwater created by

accident over 100 years ago, and explore how humans and wildlife alike impact

and engage with a changing environment.


marine biology & ecotourism

Kevin Quick and Andrés Roblero Villalobos

Calling all marine enthusiasts, environmentalists, lovers of Southern California and budding entrepreneurs! This course

explores the intersection of marine biology, conservation, tourism and business.

Travel from La Jolla to Santa Barbara snorkeling, tidepooling, going behind the

scenes of leading aquariums and exploring some of Southern California’s richest

marine locations. Visit Joshua Tree to participate in conservation efforts in the

desert and compare its landscape to the coastline. Through our explorations we

learn about ecotourism, a model of responsible travel that aims to conserve and

celebrate the environment. We put our business and environmentalist skills to

the test as we aim to view, survey and create an ecotourism project that pertains

to the marine life we encounter. Who knows, our “pitch” for an eco-friendly tourism

project might help launch a new business!


mind in motion

Stefanie Plumley and Michael Szanyi

In this three day immersion into the worlds of dance, mime, puppetry and motion of all sorts, students explore how movement can

convey an idea, theme, or story. Performers and choreographers from the Los

Angeles area teach master classes designed to expose students to the unique

ways that physical action can help one to learn and express a concept. Each

class is accompanied by a choreography session where students are expertly

guided on how to create their own composition. Ideally, students will recognize

that the various skills we are learning have all sorts of uses: they can serve

students in the theater and dance world as well as enhance their learning and

presentation skills. Students learn from professionals and each other, experience

dance and movement in a variety of forms, and finally create a collective movement

composition to share with the community.


modern orchestral

improvisationTom Jurczak

Dive into LA’s modern music scene by forging Webb’s own cutting edge performance group. This course aims to build a small

chamber group that develops one or more short compositions through the use of

themes and improvisation. The goal is to blend the instrumentation of the group

to create unique passages and sounds without creating a definite orchestral score

for the compositions. Attend concerts and work with professional musicians,

including bass player Ivan Johnson. The group relies on each member’s ability

as a musician to ensure that we incorporate all instruments into the pieces both

as harmony and in the melody and lead roles. Students should be proficient on

their instrument with a good sense of intonation and rhythm.


moleculargastronomy

Sally Mingarelli and Theresa Smith

Molecular Gastronomy is the trend in cooking that utilizes crazy chemical processes to prepare food. Examples include creating

fake caviar using a chemical reaction, 3-D printing to make intricate plating

designs for desserts, vacuum sealing meats and slow cooking them in water

baths for 24-48 hours, and using liquid nitrogen for rapid freezing. As we travel

from the lab to professional restaurant kitchens, you get a crash course in modern

cooking techniques, debate with professional chefs about the relationship

between traditional and modern cooking, and embrace the creativity and artistry

involved in preparing a fine meal. Our class culminates in our own multi-course

feast. Come explore the intersection of chemistry and cooking in the world of

fine dining.


notes from LA’s cultural underground

Jon Fidani and Wendy Maxon

Love all things oddball and offbeat? During three days of travels to

eccentric places in the Los Angeles area, explore a number of lesser known

subcultures and journey to where the unconventional meets the sublime. Travel

to the award winning gift shop WACKO and its adjacent La Luz de Jesus Art Gallery, as

well as the Barnsdall Art Park and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House. Drive up

to San Luis Obispo to stay overnight at the landmark Madonna Inn and spend

the evening imagining and working on reflective projects, addressing several of

the cultural (and counter-cultural) themes and approaches experienced thus far.

Visit the Thinkspace Gallery in Long Beach, the Steve Allen Theater and the Time

Travel Mart/826 LA in downtown LA along with other possible side trips. Get

ready to delve deep into LA’s Cultural Underground. Because your Unbounded

Days should be as unique as you are. Course fee: $100


passport to china & beyond

Yao Hong and Michael Kozden

Pack your bags for a trip to exotic lands beyond the borders of Webb! Participants experience and come to a greater understanding of

different cultures while engaging in a variety of activities and explorations

into L.A.’s ethnic communities. Embark on a day journey to the not too distant

kingdoms of Monterey Park, Rowland Heights, Chinatown, and even Little Tokyo

and Olvera Street. Visit temples, participate in a fun scavenger hunt in various

markets, express yourself musically with karoake, and enjoy a lot of awesome

food. Create calligraphy and learn Chinese painting with an expert, perform Tai

Chi Chuan, cook delicious dumplings, play traditional Chinese games, and watch

a martial arts movie on campus. The City of Angels offers a world of culinary

delights, cultural treasures, and fascinating diversity that can be found

nowhere else in the world. Join us on a voyage to China and beyond in our

very own backyard.


psychoacousticart

Mark Dzula and Ardina Greco

Artists intent on breaking down barriers often turn to sound installation in order to excite contexts and engage ears, minds, and hearts. This course takes art beyond the eyes by exploring

the psychoacoustic properties of sound. That is, how does sound move you?

We will travel to experience sound art in locations as distinct as deserts and

museums. We scavenge, experiment, and tinker to give voice to our artistic

impulses. Participants ultimately construct an art installation in Fawcett Library.

This course is ideal for poets, secret DJs, and inventors. No expertise is needed

beyond an unbounded curiosity.


rock climbing&

canyoneeringLisa Blomberg and Will Allan

Are you ready for a thrilling adventure? On this four-day, three-night

camping trip, we explore the topography of the Southwest through guided rock

climbing and canyoneering. Rock climbing is an outdoor sport that involves

climbing vertical rock walls with the aid of harnesses, ropes and belays.

Canyoneering is traveling in canyons using a variety of techniques including

rock scrambling, climbing, abseiling (rappelling on rope), and sometimes,

even swimming. You learn all of the skills you need from experts who guide

us through amazing rock formations and underground pools that were formed

millions of years ago! No experience necessary but all participants must be able

to swim. Course fee: $150


san diego: city on the border

Suzi Linsley and Stephanie Nicolard

San Diego is an incredibly rich city, unique in its position so close to the border between the United States and Mexico. Experience San Diego as a space of cultural and environmental exchange and

immerse yourself in the city’s dynamic border culture. Spend two nights in the city

touring galleries, monuments, and public spaces that celebrate and promote

Chicano art and history. Talk to scholars and experts developing solutions to

help the U.S. and Mexico collaborate on environmental policy and experience

first hand a crossing of borders as you observe the yearly migration of grey

whales from their feeding grounds in Alaska to their breeding grounds in Baja.

Eat great food, visit beaches and downtown areas, both new parts of the city and

old neighborhoods. Enjoy the opportunity to study and experience what it means

to be a city on the border. Course fee: $150


SoCal - so fitHowie Kalter and Ken Rosenfeld

Exercise and diet trends come and go but good health habits are here to stay. Learn how to take advantage of our amazing Southern

California surroundings to get and stay fit and healthy. Experience different

physical activities including yoga, Soul Cycle, and a double-boarding experience

which involves surfing and snowboarding in a single day. Also included are

discussions and educational exercises about the value of recovery and sleep,

injury awareness and prevention, nutrition, and distinguishing healthy trends

from harmful fads. With extensive explorations of urban, beach, and mountain

areas in Southern California, SoCal — So Fit encourages and inspires students

to take advantage of everything Southern California has to offer and to do so

in a manner that focuses on health, fitness, and understanding the nutrition

necessary to fuel a healthy and active lifestyle. Course fee: $100


space exploration

Christina Duron and Nina Gilbert

Cast your eyes and your mind upward as we see first hand the cutting-edge technologies of modern day space exploration. Scientists have already gotten to Mars and Pluto. Now we will develop our skills

and ingenuity for the next-generation journey. On our exclusive tour of NASA’s Jet

Propulsion Lab (JPL), we visit the Space Flight Operations and Spacecraft Assembly

Facilities. Tour SpaceX, a company that is revolutionizing space technology to

enable people to live on other planets, and see the Space Shuttle Endeavor at the

California Science Center. Look into space at Griffith Observatory and Webb’s own

Hefner Observatory. Finally, inspired by the innovative approaches of research

facilities and spaceship manufacturers, teams of students challenge themselves

to land their own “spaceship” safely.


walk out the back door

Andy Dahlstrom and Greg Gerken

It’s a simple, adventurous goal: walk from Webb to the top of Mt. Baldy, the biggest peak on the skyline behind campus. The

beauty and wildness of the San Gabriel Wilderness starts at the edge of Webb’s

campus. Walk through it—camping, cooking, mapping, and drawing. This outing

also provides a break from our regular technologies—cars and cell phones won’t

be joining us (until our pick-up on the last day). Instead, compass and map use

will be taught, and our legs will carry us—mostly uphill—to a 10,000’ summit.

This is a four-day, three-night camping trip. Gear is important for comfort and

safety, so there is a required pack check before departure. And then, our

imitation of John Muir exploring the Sierras will start.


Webb’s vermeer

Andrew Hamilton and Christina Mesiti

Have you ever visited an art gallery and wondered how artists produce such vivid and life-like paintings? Have you ever wanted

the chance to try to make one of your own? Many great artists have used lenses

and mirrors to guide their work, allowing for strikingly realistic detail. This

course combines artistic and scientific techniques to explore a recent proposal

that one master painter, Johannes Vermeer, used a camera lucida to produce his

most beautiful work. Students will build a camera lucida and learn to make and

use oil paints in order to create a wide spectrum of color combinations. We will

visit a local art museum for inspiration before arranging a scene and using our

cameras lucidas to guide us through the creation of a painting that even a Dutch

master could love. Come explore this fascinating intersection of art and science!


winter surf pilgrimage

Peter Bartlett and Amanda Valenzuela

Among the many images and icons that Hollywood circulates of Southern Californian culture, the surfer may be one of the least understood and most important. Far from “beach bums,” surfers

(and their intimate relationship with our fragile marine ecosystems) are fueling

conservation and climate change awareness efforts worldwide. In this 5-day

hands-on course, students suit up to explore the cultural and environmental

history of Southern California’s surfing culture, while confronting the ecological

issues that could threaten its future. Students spend 4 days surfing, including

two overnights in Malibu and Santa Barbara, film their journey as they surf

iconic beaches from Ventura to San Onofre, visit famous eateries, experience the

historic California Surf Museum, camp, and engage with a shaper at work. All

levels of surfing experience are welcome. Course fee: $150


writer’s retreatElizabeth Cantwell and Brian Rogers

Join us for this three-day creative writing intensive, where we’ll use the insides of our minds to explore the outer limits of our worlds. We’ll take our inspiration from day trips to locations in the greater

Los Angeles area (hiking trails, the Hollywood sign) and Joshua Tree (a sound bath

at the Integratron), where we’ll engage in writing exercises and conversations

about the making of poems and stories. We’ll also have a guest writer lead us in

workshops, be introduced to short fiction and film through daily readings and an

evening screening, and our experience will culminate with a community reading.

The course allows plenty of time to write, reflect and explore, and introduces us

to some incredible Los Angeles scenes to inspire our work.

unbounded days 2016 course catalog

Documents