This year’s Wintersession at Trinity-Pawling was an inspiring showcase of creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. This two-week student-centered experiential learning session gave students the opportunity to delve into projects that sparked their curiosity and passion. Through either a Winter Project, the Global Collaborative Challenge (GCC), or a Senior Independent Project (SIP), students engaged in hands-on learning experiences that fostered personal growth and an exploration of their gifts and talents.
Winter Projects are a hallmark of Wintersession, where faculty from different academic disciplines collaborate to create interdisciplinary topics. Students can choose from a variety of projects — or even design their own. This year’s Winter Projects included initiatives like “The Recharge Room,” where students explored sports science and athlete recovery by designing a fully functional sports recovery station for Trinity-Pawling School — a dedicated space for athletes to recuperate after training and competitions.
Another group embodied the spirit of giving through “To Whom Much is Given,” focusing on community service projects that made a tangible difference in the greater Pawling community. Their efforts included assisting at a local food bank, as well as reading books and playing games with children at a nearby nursery school.
The Global Collaborative Challenge (GCC) provided students with an opportunity to tackle real-world issues with innovative ideas and teamwork. Topics ranged from reducing plastic waste and its impact on marine life to discussing the responsibility of social media companies in monitoring platform content. These challenges required students to conduct in-depth research and propose actionable solutions in a presentation to faculty and their peers, all while gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding these global concerns.
The Senior Independent Projects (SIPs) highlighted the creativity, ingenuity, and dedication of Trinity-Pawling’s seniors. Here are just a few of their impressive endeavors: Gianni Fidanza ’24 explored the beverage industry by creating Pride Pop, a Trinity-Pawling-themed seltzer, with plans to debut it to a larger audience at Commencement. Jake Giarrizzo ’24 combined artistry and altruism with his Bowls for Joy project, crafting handmade bowls to sell, with proceeds donated to local animal shelters. Luc Bush ’24 took a personal approach to innovation, designing and constructing a rocking chair for the Learning Commons to support individuals with ADHD — a thoughtful project inspired by his own experiences with the benefits of movement while studying.
Wintersession highlights Trinity-Pawling’s commitment to empowering students as active participants in their education. Through hands-on projects, the program encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, preparing students to become creative life-long learners with a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. This year’s Wintersession inspired growth and equipped students with skills and experiences that will have a lasting impact in and beyond the classroom.
by Missy McCluskey