Making connections between academic subjects–and between knowledge and its real-life applications–is what Minimester is all about.

Students and faculty pack an amazing number of “aha moments” into the two-week term between second trimester and Spring Break, said Dean of Faculty George McDowell.

“Girls always learn something about themselves,” he said, “by getting out of the classroom and into the world.”

In the Southern Culture class, for example, girls participated in hands-on activities that included taking tea at a nearby plantation, hiking the Blue Ridge, dancing the “shag,” preparing traditional foods, and visiting an Indian reservation.

Aubrey Sozer ’07 said she was surprised to find that music had such an influence on regional identity.

“It was interesting to learn how music brought people together,” Aubrey said, “and how you can trace patterns of settlement using songs.”

A suburban DC resident with many northern relatives, Aubrey signed up for the class because attending school in rural Tappahannock made her curious about the South’s history and heritage.

“I definitely have more of an understanding and respect for Southerners now,” she said. “It was a great experience.”

In addition to Southern Culture, other Minimester courses included:

Next Steps, a college and SAT prep class for juniors that featured tours of seven Virginia colleges (public, private, large, small, etc.).

Fun and Games With Children, an early childhood activity class that culminated in an original puppet show.

It’s a Mystery, a super sleuth challenge featuring forensics, archaeology, detective novels and puzzles of all kinds.