Selections from the 20+ different courses include "History and Memory in the Built Environment: Understanding the Urban Landscape," which invited students to unravel the stories embedded in the city's architecture, parks, and public spaces. Another highlight of Intersession 2024 was the "Pop-Up Restaurant: Intersession Edition," where students utilized the teaching kitchen to explore culinary arts. Students conceptualized menus, tested recipes, and ultimately offered an in-house restaurant experience for our faculty and staff members. "Hopping through Harlem: A Cultural Walking Tour" and "Exploring Queens: The Most Vibrant Place On Earth" provided students with an immersive exploration of New York City's neighborhoods, delving into their rich history, cultural significance, and artistic legacy. Beyond these courses, we had students who learned to blow glass and build bee hives. Some of our high schoolers trekked over to First Program to co-create puppet shows with First Program students. Others dove into great works of fiction on the train up to Cold Spring, or birdwatched in Jamaica Bay. Without the constraints of schedules or assessments, students and faculty were able to follow their curiosity and immerse themselves in a week of something different.

Collectively, our students took over 1,200 subway rides while visiting sites that ranged from professional kitchens to houses of worship to libraries to coffee roasters to Shea Stadium. New friendships were formed, and many delicious meals were shared. As we look ahead, we are excited to continue harnessing the boundless potential of Intersession, cultivating a culture of exploration, innovation, and experiential learning for years to come.

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