Dawson Winterim: At the Forefront of Experiential Education

In March, Dawson students K-12 embarked on the school's renowned Winterim program. Dawson School's Winterim is an experiential learning program that provides students an opportunity for a deep dive into a special topic, culture, or activity. Each year, over seven to 10 days, every Dawson student further cultivates a current passion or discovers a new one; Winterim is known as one of the key experiences that set a Dawson education apart from other schools.

Seventh through 12th grades explore a wide range of education options outside of the classroom, through local, domestic, and international experiences. This year, those included studying ethnography and ethnobotany in Kauai, the judicial system in Washington, D.C., avalanche and snow science near Ouray, the culture of Cuba, the history of the southeastern coastal region, learning the art of glassblowing and Raku ceramics, sports science, food chemistry, and much more. Over the course of the year, the Dawson faculty develops more than 30 programs; many students describe their experiences as life-changing and some of their most memorable at Dawson.

Students in kindergarten through fourth grades have special campus activities, guests, and field trips around a theme; this year, the students spotlighted Dawson's core virtues of Respect, Integrity, Compassion, and Courage through the lens of How to Train Your Dragon. Grades five and six travelled together to Keystone Science Center and Snow Mountain Ranch, respectively, for a myriad of team-building and science-based activities.

Winterim strengthens the regular classroom curriculum by drawing students and teachers into activities and places that help bridge the gap between theory and real life.