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Student sign-up timeline:
  • Monday, November 18 @ 3:15 – 12th Grade
  • Tuesday, November 19 @ 3:15 – 11th Grade
  • Wednesday, November 20 @ 3:15 – 10th Grade
  • Thursday, November 21 @ 3:15 – 9th Grade
  • November 21-30 – Sign-ups/changes open to all. After December 1, schedules will be frozen.

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Tuesday, January 7
 

8:55am PST

Artisanal Pizza Making with Luca, Rowan, and Kevin
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Craving pizza? Come learn how to make Neopolitan-style pizza from scratch with your favorite Alumni cooks. In just a few short hours, you'll learn how to turn basic ingredients into a delicious dish—and impress your friends and family! We'll learn about the dough-making process and quickly transition into hands-on rolling, stretching, saucing, topping, cooking, and finally ENJOYING.
Facilitators
LR

Luca & Rowan & Kevin

Luca L., Rowan T., and Kevin H. are all Nueva Alumni from the Class of 2023. You may remember us from our taco stands, bacon stands, various cooking quest projects, and, yes, PIZZA MAKING. Come join us!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

Explore the Essence of Mongolian Dance!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
You won’t find a more authentic class dedicated to the beautiful art of Mongolian dance anywhere else in the Bay Area. Mongolian dance is renowned for its intricate and diverse movements, with a repertoire that engages the shoulders, arms, and wrists to create an exquisite display of grace and strength. 

In this session, you'll explore the basic body movements that form the foundation of Mongolian dance. Step by step, we’ll guide you toward completing a short dance combination set to music. To inspire your journey, our talented dance team will perform live, and we’ll also showcase highlights from last year’s studio performance through select video clips. Learn by doing! It’s the best way to appreciate Mongolian dance. 
Facilitators
BB

BaiGaLi BaiGaLi

BaiGaLi BaiGaLi
Your dance instructor, Baigali, is a member of the Urad tribe from Inner Mongolia, China, and has spent nearly two decades mastering and choreographing Mongolian dance. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Choreography and Dance Directing from the Mongolian University of Art and Culture... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Fading Connections: The Battle Against Neurodegeneration
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
We will discuss the genetic and environmental contribution of neurodegenerative diseases.

Having taken 1 biology class is recommended but not required.
Facilitators
avatar for Kang Shen

Kang Shen

I grew up in China, received my Ph. D from Duke University and became a Stanford faculty in 2003. I am currently the director of the Stanford WuTsai Neuroscience Institute. My laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms of developmental and degeneration of the nervous system.
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

MicroRNAs and the Evolution of Cannibalism
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Poison frogs are a fantastic model organism that you can use to study a variety of biological wonders -- including (but not limited to) aposematism, toxicity, parental behavior, and juvenile aggression. In Dr. Lauren O'Connell's lab, we study these problems from multiple angles. Today, I will discuss how you can study juvenile aggression through a molecular lens: studying the aspects of poison frog (epi)genetics that deal with sensing and responding to the social environment. A basic understanding of biology is recommended (do you know the central dogma: DNA > RNA > Protein? If not, I'll give a refresher at the start of class, but it would be good to brush up on the material before attending; I'll provide a link)
Facilitators
NK

Neil Khosla

Stanford University
I am a PhD student at Stanford University, where I use poison frogs to study ecology and neurobiology. Previously, I spent time as an undergraduate at UC Santa Cruz (studying ecology/evolutionary biology), a research assistant at Smithsonian Tropical (in Panama, studying plant-insect... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Scientific Illustration & Paper Microscopes
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
In this hands-on workshop, you'll step into the role of both artist and scientist. After an introduction to the field of scientific illustration, you’ll get a crash course in botanical art — working with graphite pencils to sketch a chosen plant specimen. To capture its most intricate details, you'll use a Foldscope, a paper microscope (that you can take home after the session), to explore your plant at the microscopic level. This tool will allow you to observe elements like pollen and stomata, which you can add to your botanical composition.

Scientific illustration bridges art and science, helping to communicate and document nature's beauty and complexity. From its roots in early natural history to modern uses in conservation and education, this field brings visibility to the unseen and often unnoticed details of our world.

Foldscope is the paper microscope that began as an idea to make science more accessible. Since its invention at Stanford nearly 10 years ago, Foldscopes have reached over 2 million people and found applications in a variety of settings. Foldscope’s accessible design reminds us that scientific observation isn’t limited to professionals; it’s a universal skill rooted in curiosity and the desire to understand our world.

Participants will be able to keep their Foldscope after the session. No prerequisite skills or knowledge required to participate.
Facilitators
RK

Rebecca Konte

Graphic Designer & Artist, Foldscope Instruments
Rebecca Konte is a graphic designer and illustrator, specializing in science communication and storytelling. She is currently the Artist in Residence for the Prakash Lab at Stanford University. There, she creates visual art to share discoveries made by the lab with the scientific... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Smashing Spider Myths Through Science!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Are daddy long legs the most venomous spider? Do we eat eight spiders per year in our sleep? Have you ever seen a blue spider? Orange? What about pink? Fear and disgust towards spiders is pervasive throughout the United States. However, spiders are important for the survival of our ecosystems as well as for controlling insect populations. This session will focus on addressing common misconceptions about spiders by looking at the results of science experiments over the last 50 years. We will also discuss how people perceive spiders in other countries. In addition, I will talk about my journey into being a spider scientist and how spiders have helped me reshape what being a scientist looks like. Lastly, we will discuss how spiders benefit the environment and end with some of the coolest spider facts that you can share with your peers. Yes there will be live spiders! Yes I will leave time for questions! Let’s chat about spiders!
Facilitators
TW

Trinity Walls

University of California, Berkeley
Trinity Walls is a PhD candidate at the University of California Berkeley studying animal behavior, behavioral ecology, and arachnology. She grew up in North Carolina but has slowly made her way westward across the United States over the last 10 years. She earned her B.A. in Biology... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

Advanced Chess Training - How To Learn Chess
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
I will give advice on improvement in chess: how to practice and how to choose out of the sea of content and players online to learn from. After this discussion we will apply the ideas with games and review in class.

Prerequisite: Familiarity with all rules of chess including checkmate, castling, and en passant. Familiarity with chess notation is helpful.
Facilitators
SZ

Steven Zierk

GM Steven Zierk is a chess professional and coach from San Jose, California. He won the World Youth Under 18 Championships in 2010 and after earning his degree from MIT in 2015, earned the Grandmaster title in 2018.
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

Hot Glass - Cool Designs
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Create your own hot glass experience in this hands-on hot glass class. Blow, shape, and color your project. Explore the technical and the artistic basics of glass working in this fast-paced beginner's class.
Facilitators
DB

Douglass Brown

Half Moon Bay Art Glass
Douglass Brown has had a 40+ year history of working with glass in many different types of glass. 13 years ago, he opened up Half Moon Bay Art Glass and started giving hot glass experiences to the public and corporate team building events. Now with the help of his team, they have... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

How To Sell a TV Show
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Have you ever had an idea for a TV show or app and wondered how you would even go about trying to create it? Well, the one thing TV shows, apps, sneaker companies, etc. all have in common is that their creators first had to pitch the idea to investors. If you have an idea that you’d like to sell, this workshop is for you.

Emmy-nominated TV writer Michael Kramer is going to teach you how he takes ideas for TV shows and turns them into compelling oral presentations in order to get Hollywood studios, networks and streamers to buy them. He’ll break down the whole pitch for you using actual pitches of his that have sold -- going from what inspired the idea to how to succinctly describe it to developing the characters to the importance of a theme. And whether your idea is for a TV show or something else, you’ll each get to present to the class the opening of your pitch: a short description of your idea and what inspired it. So whether your idea is for a TV show or another creative outlet, by the end of the workshop you’ll have an understanding of how to transform that idea into an actual presentation and tailor it to your unique talents so that your idea will have the best chance of selling. And hopefully have fun doing it.
Facilitators
MK

Michael Kramer

Michael Kramer is an Emmy-nominated writer who has sold multiple comedy pilots to CBS, Disney and Sony, as well as to Universal, USA Network, TBS, Warner Bros. and Freeform. He has written for multiple animated and live-action comedies and dramas, including the one-hour series SUITS... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Intro to Metalworking & Jewelry Making!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
In this 2.5 hour activity, you'll learn the basics of small-scale metalworking using a variety of tools! You'll get an introduction to the world of soldering, shaping, and polishing metal to create little pieces of wearable art!

No experience whatsoever is necessary, but come with some idea of what you want to make, closed-toed shoes, and no flowy sleeves! Or, if you DO have experience from a past Jewelry Intersession or a WoW Workshop, you'll have the freedom to explore techniques you already know, get instruction on anything more advanced, or ask for advice on anything you're working on!

Interested in a longer, more in-depth course where we'll get more practice and get to cover things more thoroughly? Check out the 5 hour In-depth version of this class!
Facilitators
avatar for Sophia Hoermann

Sophia Hoermann

Sophia Hoermann is a Nueva alumni from the class of 2022 and she is now a junior in college at the University of Utah. She started making jewelry in middle school and didn't realize until she took a jewelry making Intersession sophomore year that Nueva had all of the tools needed... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
In this class, I will share with students how, in the words of the scholar Ruth Benedict, anthropology can help "make the world safe for human difference." I will describe how and why I became an anthropologist, and I will discuss in detail my experiences living and researching in South Africa. The class will also include a brief overview of what anthropology is and how an anthropological perspective can speak to social justice, climate change, the pandemic, and other critical issues of our time. I will include plenty of time for questions and discussion!
Facilitators
SI

Sarah Ives

City College of San Francisco
I am an anthropologist, researcher, writer, and editor. I currently teach anthropology at City College of San Francisco. I previously taught anthropology and writing and rhetoric at Stanford University from 2013 to 2018. As a Fulbright and Mellon scholar, I earned my Ph.D. from Stanford... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Movie Makeup: Burns, Bruises, Scars! Special Effects Makeup
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Learn how to create realistic wounds for Film and Television. Join Makeup Artist Elizabeth Fox as we use professional grade products to make cuts, bruises and multiple other gore and wounds. Elizabeth will show you how to navigate using the correct product for the job. We will use silicone build ups for scaring and cuts, bruise wheels and tattoo palates to make burns and bruises and learn on set blood techniques, using multiple fake blood products. A small makeup FX kit will be provided.
Facilitators
avatar for Elizabeth Fox

Elizabeth Fox

Elizabeth Fox has been a professional working makeup artist since 2000, with over 50 feature films to her credit. She began her makeup artistry in the theater and started working in television and film while living in New York City. After moving to Hollywood, Elizabeth worked primarily... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Movie time in Spanish!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
In this session we’ll watch the Argentinian movie "El fútbol o yo"

Outrageous satire El Fútbol o Yo (My Love or My Passion) is a story about Pedro, a man whose passionate soccer fanaticism has reached extreme and alarming heights. His outrageous antics – which include watching matches at all hours of the day – begin to jeopardize his job and family, forcing his wife, Veronica, to give him an ultimatum: tone it down, or lose your family for good!

Set in Buenos Aires, this movie is filled with wild moments of irrational fervor. If you are an Argentinian, you probably know a hard core “hincha” whose fandom has bordered on the insanely inappropriate! (When we meet at Intersessions ask me why I know this !)

This movie depicts, in a fun yet ridiculous way what soccer means for Argentina and how it is at the heart and center of Argentina’s culture.

Prerequisites: 
- All Spanish Speakers are welcome!
- Best suited for students who have taken Spanish 401. The movie will be played in Spanish with Subtitles in English.
Facilitators
avatar for Gisella Castronovo

Gisella Castronovo

Gisella Castronovo is mom of a 10th grader at Nueva. She was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina and like most Argentinians, she grew up watching, listening, talking and breathing soccer! She is a lawyer and a bilingual court interpreter. She is passionate about teaching... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

Roman Thoughts On War: Caesar And Vergil
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
"He plundered and burnt the town, bestowed the booty on the troops, and then crossed the Loire with the army." Julius Caesar led a huge army that conquered much of modern day France, leaving death and destruction in its trail. He also wrote reports on that war, seven books known as the Gallic War (from which the first sentence is quoted). Slightly less than a generation later, the poet Vergil wrote the Aeneid, which Romans thought of as their national poem; it too deals with warfare and its costs, but from a very different perspective. Two Romans, two takes on war: where Caesar is cold and calculating and distant,Vergil is close and compassionate.
In this seminar we will read and discuss sections of Caesar's Gallic War and Vergil's Aeneid. We'll reflect on the representations of war by the two authors, what it means to be human(e) in times of war, the notion of the hero (then and now), and views of 'the other'; and, lastly, questions of destiny, the darkness and cost of empire, and loss. We will combine it with a modern reading on drone warfare.

Facilitators
avatar for Christopher Krebs

Christopher Krebs

Professor of Classics, Comparative Literature, German Language and Literature, Stanford University
Christopher Krebs studied Classics and philosophy in Berlin, Kiel, and Oxford and taught at Harvard before joining Stanford's Classics Department, where he regularly teaches a Freshman Seminar on Ancient Rhetoric and its Contemporary Relevance and an Humanities Core class on Great... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Singers: Healthy Belting Workshop
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
The infamous “belt” seems so easy for some and impossible for others. Why? Learn about how your body and vowel modifications can take your “meh-note” to a “money note”.

Come ready to sing, experiment, and laugh through hits and misses in a fun, caring, and safe environment.
Facilitators
avatar for Rocío Guitard

Rocío Guitard

Master Instructor, Rocío Guitard Vocal Studio
Rocío Guitard has been a professional singer for over 30 years, with three solo albums to her name and multiple guest appearances on other artists’ records, plus extensive performing experience in Europe and the US. Her work as a voice pedagogy expert has led her to present at... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

Testing (and Troubleshooting!) Electrical Systems
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
How often do things or new projects work the first time we turn them on? How often do we just throw stuff out when it breaks?

This session will cover what you need to know to successfully troubleshoot and solve problems commonly found with robotics, cars, appliances, or anything else with wires and controllers! With a few tips and tricks you'll be well on your way to be a troubleshooting expert.

- An introduction to test and integration engineering - how engineers get things working and test that they will stay working
- A conversation around common methods and electrical problem-solving tools like multimeters, oscilloscopes
- Hands-on activities - be prepared to work in groups to debug and test a few different types of systems
Facilitators
CF

Craig Fedor

Lightship RV
Craig is a mechanical engineer with 8+ years of experience developing electric cars, buses, and now campers! He currently leads a team that does testing and debugging of electromechanical systems at an electric RV startup, Lightship RV.He is passionate about problem solving and breaking... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Topics in Fractals & Chaos
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
If you enjoyed learning about fractals in 4th grade CTU or Steven's popular Fun With Fractals summer camp, or you just find fractals & chaos fascinating, this might be the session for you. In this two-and-a-half hour session, we'll explore the fascinating logistic function, a simple iterative function that is used to model population dynamics and contains cycles of every length along with true chaos (which we'll define). We'll also learn the simple but incredibly powerful L-systems (Lindenmayer systems) grammar for creating fractals of startling complexity and variety. Time permitting, we also also take a deep dive into the mathematics of the Mandelbrot set or other still-to-be-decided-but-guaranteed-to-be-cool topics.
Facilitators
SC

Steven Chanan

Nueva School
Steven Chanan is in his 16th year teaching at Nueva and was a Nueva student himself back in the 1970s. He is known for his passion for the subject and ability to bring together a wide variety of mathematical disciplines, such as fractals & chaos, contest math, recreational math, and... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

What is Fair Pay and How Do I Get It?
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
You have probably heard about the importance of fair pay - but what does that mean and who decides what is fair? In this class you'll learn about how companies get market information about pay rates, how they set a pay philosophy, and how they then apply these both to determining the right amount and type of pay to offer a candidate for a job. We'll start by understanding job descriptions, job titles, job levels, and some basic laws about pay. We'll then learn about salary, bonus, and equity compensation. We'll talk about negotiation approaches and how to determine what is most important for you, based on your personal priorities. Finally we'll practice all of these learnings with a few sample pay negotiations.
Facilitators
YH

Yuki Horiguchi

VP, Cruise
Yuki Horiguchi is currently a VP in the People function at Cruise, a self-driving car company, where she is responsible for compensation, benefits, people analytics, and workforce planning. She has spent over 20 years in life sciences and tech companies, designing and implementing... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Enter the World of Roekron! Live Action Battles and Role Play
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Live Action Role Playing (LARP), players pretend to be someone else, living in a different time or place, and acting out events that might happen in that world. Many of these games involve battles, and so LARPers use safe, padded props that look like weapons to act out the combat. Unlike in a play where everyone has certain lines to say and the story is set, in LARP, the players each act out a certain person and make their own decisions for that person as the game evolves. Live Action Role Playing is a tremendous teaching tool and capable of dynamic, physically driven learning that transcends the usual boundaries of standard education. Due to the interactive, dramatic, hands on methods used in LARP, teaching is often effortless and fun. This class begins with basic battle training and rules of combat, followed by character creation and entry into the game world of Roekron, a game world continuously run for over two decades in the Bay Area and which currently has leagues all across the region with weekly and monthly meetups. Students will have a character at the end of this class that can be taken and used in any of the other Roekron League events they choose and may continue their story at future events if they wish.

Topics Covered:
- First Five Battle Rules
- Equipment Sets and Weapons
- Armor System of AV
- Basic Spell and Skill Types
- Overview of the Classes
- Character Species
- Character Backstory
- Alignments
- Flow of Events
- Playing a Monster or NPC
- Quests and Role Playing
- Magical Items and Money Cards
- Completing a Mission
- Transfer of Characters to other leagues

Check out these videos to get a sense of what we'll be doing!
Intro (2min)
The Regulars LARPing (SF Chronicle)- 
https://youtu.be/YdnqN-TcBq4

Core Rules-(13min)
The First Five Rules- 
https://youtu.be/K7PVm6rw2H8
Armor Zones- (3min)
https://youtu.be/N67hPOenaHU
Color Tags- (5min)
https://youtu.be/XIbgvo-5nnA

-Bonus Material-
TEDx Talk on LARPing with Kids and Teens- (10min)
https://youtu.be/L6xl-qYRHco

Sebastopol Times Article 2024
(10min read)
Facilitators
avatar for Christopher Melville

Christopher Melville

Director, FANWAR LARP
Born and raised in California, Christopher Melville has deep roots in education. He grew up in Willits, CA attending an alternative Montessori school founded by his parents. He went on to attend Sonoma State University, as a double major in English (Creative Writing) and Theater Arts... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Fabric Screen Printing from Start to Finish
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Students will learn the techniques of screen printing including screen preparation, using a manual printing press, printing a single color. Students will take their completed T-shirts home as well as their screens. Students will need to have an image ready in advance of class; image specifications to be provided.
Facilitators
DL

Danae Lintz

Danae has been screen printing for 5 years and owns a small apparel business. She has developed her own methods for blending colors. She enjoys using ink in a non conventional way and designing and creating art that can be worn.
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Introduction to Stained Glass
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Students will learn the fundamentals of stained glass to create a small stained glass suncatcher. In this all-day intensive, students will learn how to:
- use glass cutting tools and glass grinders
- cut specific shapes out of art glass
- choose from a dozen design templates
- choose from a large assortment of colorful art glass
- cut each shape to the pattern
- copper foil each piece
- solder pieces together to complete pattern

Please note, students will be cutting glass and creating lots of shards. Also, they will be using hot soldering irons. Safety protocols will be addressed at the start of class. Safety goggles, bandaids and gloves will be provided. Please note: we will be using leaded solder (tin 60%, lead 40%) and chemicals such are flux and patina.

Students will take home their project at end of seminar.
Facilitators
JW

JaYing Wang

Alameda Art Lab
JaYing is the owner of Alameda Art Lab, a glass art studio in Alameda, CA. She teaches primarily stained glass, fused glass and mosaic classes.
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

MIG Welding
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
MIG (metal inert gas) Welding: Get a hands-on crash course in what welding is, how and when to use it, and what you can do with it. Students will learn to cut, prepare, and weld metal autonomously, and will work together to create shop infrastructure to improve the space.
Facilitators
PM

Peter McEvoy

Peter McEvoy is an artist, metal fabricator and product engineer based in Oakland, California. Peter has a wide range of industry experience, including; small metal casting for jewelry, sculptural bronze casting, architectural metal fabrication and welding, prototype engineering and... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Cu-Bop Latin Jazz Ensemble
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - Wednesday January 8, 2025 3:10pm PST
TBA
Legendary Cuban musicians Axel Tosca and Jesus Diaz will be leading Nueva musicians in an intense rehearsal format teaching Afro-Cuban jazz styles both contemporary and traditional. With Axel on keyboards and Jesus on percussion you will learn to groove in new styles and have a great time working with two of the best around. You’ll learn the Mambo, Cha Cha, Songo and more.

This will run as a Tuesday-Wednesday session and again on Thursday-Friday. YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR ONE OR BOTH SESSIONS! Both groups will culminate with a lunchtime performance on Friday.

All instruments welcome!
Facilitators
JM

Jim Munzenreider

The Nueva School
Axel’s Bio, check it out!https://www.axeltosca.com/bioRodney’s Bio, insane!https://www.discussionsinpercussion.com/home/2021/2/2/214-rodney-barreto-drummer-for-chucho-valdes-omara-portuondo-havana-de-primera-amp-more
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - Wednesday January 8, 2025 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2-Day intensive

8:55am PST

AI Scholars: Project-Based Artificial Intelligence Intensive by Stanford Alumni
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - Friday January 10, 2025 3:10pm PST
TBA
What do self-driving cars, Alexa, iPhone's face recognition technology, and ChatGPT have in common? They are driven by modern advances in artificial intelligence. Whether you’re interested in law, healthcare, art, or economics, AI is poised to transform every discipline and industry in the future. AI is already all around us today, and by the end of the program, students will understand the underlying concepts and motivations behind technology such as computer vision, natural language processing, and neural networks.
 
In this course, we will explore the foundations of machine learning and explore different applications of machine learning models. In the first half of the course, students learn AI’s core technologies including applications, foundational concepts, and programming tools through live lectures and coding labs. Students will not only learn about different types of machine learning models but also apply those models to real data sets. In the second half of the course, students will complete an instructor-led group project applying AI to the discipline of their choice (e.g., music, healthcare, astrophysics, finance, etc.), utilizing the programming skills they developed in the first half.

Please read more here!

Course Structure

Machine Learning Talks
Learn about machine learning algorithms and techniques in a uniquely interactive, engaging format, before you apply that knowledge in live coding labs.

Hands-On Python Coding
Develop valuable skills in Python, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in our hands-on coding labs, using cutting-edge research to solve real-world problems like breast cancer diagnosis, building self-driving cars, and more.

Project-Based Learning
In our AI for Social Good project, students will be able to apply their newly acquired talents in a collaborative, challenging environment, applying AI to a domain they’re passionate about (e.g., music, healthcare, astrophysics, finance, etc.). Students can use these projects in their résumés and college applications.
Facilitators
JG

Jared Greene

Inspirit AI
Inspirit AI offers an interdisciplinary, project-based artificial intelligence education taught by Stanford, MIT, and Ivy League alumni and graduate students. Founded at Stanford in 2018, Inspirit offers students with diverse interests early exposure to the technical and ethical challenges... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - Friday January 10, 2025 3:10pm PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Artisanal Pizza Making with Luca, Rowan, and Kevin
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Craving pizza? Come learn how to make Neopolitan-style pizza from scratch with your favorite Alumni cooks. In just a few short hours, you'll learn how to turn basic ingredients into a delicious dish—and impress your friends and family! We'll learn about the dough-making process and quickly transition into hands-on rolling, stretching, saucing, topping, cooking, and finally ENJOYING.
Facilitators
LR

Luca & Rowan & Kevin

Luca L., Rowan T., and Kevin H. are all Nueva Alumni from the Class of 2023. You may remember us from our taco stands, bacon stands, various cooking quest projects, and, yes, PIZZA MAKING. Come join us!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  1 Block

10:15am PST

Conservation Ambassadors: Vanished
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Students will be able to distinguish between what it means for an animal to be threatened, endangered, or extinct. They will meet species that are currently endangered as well as animals that have successfully come back from the brink of extinction
Facilitators
CA

Conservation Ambassadors

Conservation Ambassadors
34 years ago David established a non-profit rescue zoo in Paso Robles where he gives wildlife a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals. Sharing these animal ambassadors helps us educate learners of all ages about conservation... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Explore the Essence of Mongolian Dance!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
You won’t find a more authentic class dedicated to the beautiful art of Mongolian dance anywhere else in the Bay Area. Mongolian dance is renowned for its intricate and diverse movements, with a repertoire that engages the shoulders, arms, and wrists to create an exquisite display of grace and strength. 

In this session, you'll explore the basic body movements that form the foundation of Mongolian dance. Step by step, we’ll guide you toward completing a short dance combination set to music. To inspire your journey, our talented dance team will perform live, and we’ll also showcase highlights from last year’s studio performance through select video clips. Learn by doing! It’s the best way to appreciate Mongolian dance. 
Facilitators
BB

BaiGaLi BaiGaLi

BaiGaLi BaiGaLi
Your dance instructor, Baigali, is a member of the Urad tribe from Inner Mongolia, China, and has spent nearly two decades mastering and choreographing Mongolian dance. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Choreography and Dance Directing from the Mongolian University of Art and Culture... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

How are Baby (Startups) Born?
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Throw a rock in Silicon Valley and you’ll probably hit a few startups, and at least some of them will claim to be AI (including my own!). But where do startups sprout from? Is there a specific pattern they follow in their journey, or are they all unique flowers? How should you evaluate startups as you consider interning at them, joining them in a few years, or heck, starting your own?

This talk will focus on a specific stage in the life of startups – germination. We will talk about the different ways startups get seeded, grow green shoots (which might take many years!) and start showing signs of life. We will share some key observations from this stage that often correlate with startup success.
Facilitators
avatar for Amit Kumar

Amit Kumar

CEO, Dragonfruit AI
Amit is the founder/CEO of Dragonfruit AI, a Video AI startup that has welcomed 15 Nueva students as interns (so far!). He is a serial entrepreneur, with an interest and experience in a wide variety of sectors, from computer networking to social networking, and enterprise search to... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  1 Block

10:15am PST

Smashing Spider Myths Through Science!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Are daddy long legs the most venomous spider? Do we eat eight spiders per year in our sleep? Have you ever seen a blue spider? Orange? What about pink? Fear and disgust towards spiders is pervasive throughout the United States. However, spiders are important for the survival of our ecosystems as well as for controlling insect populations. This session will focus on addressing common misconceptions about spiders by looking at the results of science experiments over the last 50 years. We will also discuss how people perceive spiders in other countries. In addition, I will talk about my journey into being a spider scientist and how spiders have helped me reshape what being a scientist looks like. Lastly, we will discuss how spiders benefit the environment and end with some of the coolest spider facts that you can share with your peers. Yes there will be live spiders! Yes I will leave time for questions! Let’s chat about spiders!
Facilitators
TW

Trinity Walls

University of California, Berkeley
Trinity Walls is a PhD candidate at the University of California Berkeley studying animal behavior, behavioral ecology, and arachnology. She grew up in North Carolina but has slowly made her way westward across the United States over the last 10 years. She earned her B.A. in Biology... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  1 Block

10:15am PST

Weightlifting 101
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
This class will work as an introduction to strength and conditioning, as well as weightlifting as a whole.

Topics will include general ideas and highly specific topics like how a muscle actually works. Other topics for example are, why people should lift weights, what benefits come out of it, why it is not exclusive to athletes, and why it can help athletes excel?

In addition we will work to help set goals within the weight room and how you can use these to track your progress in different ways.
Facilitators
NH

Nicholas Hryekewicz

Nicholas is Nueva's Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. Originally from Sacramento, I moved to the East Bay for college where I attended Saint Mary's College of California earning my bachelor's and master's degrees in kinesiology with an emphasis in health and human performance... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

12:00pm PST

Mongolian Dance Performance
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:00pm - 12:30pm PST
TBA
Watch BaiGaLi BaiGaLi and her Mongolian dancers during this lunchtime show! Open to everyone.
Facilitators
BB

BaiGaLi BaiGaLi

BaiGaLi BaiGaLi
Your dance instructor, Baigali, is a member of the Urad tribe from Inner Mongolia, China, and has spent nearly two decades mastering and choreographing Mongolian dance. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Choreography and Dance Directing from the Mongolian University of Art and Culture... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:00pm - 12:30pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Build Your Own Radio! How Radio Engineering Shaped our Modern World
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, 5G, Radar, MRI... what do they all have in common? Radio engineering!

In this 75-minute class, you'll learn how vintage radio techniques from 1906 laid the groundwork for modern chip design. Explore the science behind classic radio communication, unraveling concepts like radio encoding, Fourier transforms, and modulation techniques. Discover how people use meteor tails to send messages over radio, and try your hand at building your own AM receiver!

What's covered: maths behind radio signals, physics E&M, soldering skills, basics of analog circuit design

Ideally, students will have prior had experience soldering.
Facilitators
avatar for Sage Wu

Sage Wu

Curious Cardinals
Sage is a sophomore in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, an engineering intern at SpaceX, and Co-Lead of the Stanford Student Space Initiative's Satellites Team. She loves radio-frequency (RF) technology and how it allows humans to manipulate physics and space for a variety... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Cosmetic Chemistry: Exploring the Chemical Makeup of Your Favorite Products
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Cosmetic Chemistry focuses on the intersection between chemistry and cosmetic marketing. We explore what chemical makeups work best for certain client profiles, and uncover all the inner workings that go into creating cosmetics. Although the course is focused on uncovering the chemical background of these products, we also bring attention to the biological properties of people that the chemistry must cater to. We explore products such as shampoo, conditioner, perfume, lip balm, and so much more. Any and all chemistry backgrounds are welcome!
Facilitators
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

12:35pm PST

Rocking Out with Heavy Metals - The Origins of the Heaviest Metals in Our Universe
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
The gold in jewelry, the uranium in a nuclear power plant, the iodine with table salt, the caesium in atomic clocks: what do these all have in common? It turns out they were likely forged in the fires of a cosmic explosion known as a kilonova! This course will dive into astronomer's journey to understand the origins of the heaviest elements of the periodic table.
Facilitators
DB

Daniel Brethauer

University of California, Berkeley
Daniel Brethauer is a 4th year graduate student at UC Berkeley in the Astronomy Department working with Raffaella Margutti and Dan Kasen. Daniel's research seeks to understand a rare astrophysical phenomena known as a kilonova, the result of the collision of a dead massive star with... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

12:35pm PST

Seeing and Hearing Double: Introduction to Sensation and Perception
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Have you ever wondered why we have two eyes? In this course, we'll cover some of the basics of sensation and perception including some of the benefits and drawbacks that humans experience in having double sensory organs. There will be lots of interactive demonstrations as well as a fun experiment/activity! This is the place for you if you're interested in science, biology, psychology, and how humans sense and perceive the world! No prior knowledge necessary.
Facilitators
SR

Stephanie Reeves

University of California, Berkeley
Stephanie Reeves is a PhD student at UC Berkeley in the Vision Science program! She is interested in how humans move their eyes, how they see and make sense of the world, and how the brain helps facilitate vision. In her free time, she likes to cook, play with her dog, and play p... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Tech Beyond Coding: Foundations in UI/UX Design
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
In this class, we will seek to de-mystify what UI/UX design is, teach students how to get started in the field, and explain the merits & interests of pursuing UI/UX. We will have interactive time to work in Figma, as well as develop experience in the iterative design process. I will also talk about my background and experiences in UI/UX –– including a design internship abroad in Singapore, college coursework, online certificate program, and extracurriculars. This is a career option that would appeal to many students interested in the tech industry, creative jobs, and more, but often is not learned about until college or even later in the professional field.

Prerequisites: no experience necessary! Some interest in the world of tech or the tech industry would be beneficial but is certainly not needed.
Facilitators
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Weightlifting Techniques, Practices, and Advanced Movements
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
This class will focus on all the "dark arts" of weightlifting. Different modalities to help you progress through plateaus, and take yourself to levels never achieved before.

This class will also work to teach more advanced movements, like olympic lifts, to help expand the knowledge of anyone interested.

We will cover different periodization protocols, which set/rep schemes will help achieve certain goals, how to execute more complicated lifts, introducing accommodating resistance. Ultimately this should help you map out a training regimen to reach your goals, as well as give you more tools to help to get you where you want to be.
Facilitators
NH

Nicholas Hryekewicz

Nicholas is Nueva's Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. Originally from Sacramento, I moved to the East Bay for college where I attended Saint Mary's College of California earning my bachelor's and master's degrees in kinesiology with an emphasis in health and human performance... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Artificial Intelligence in Chess
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
We will cover the history of AI in chess from the first simple algorithms to the best modern engines, covering both their progress in chess and the meaning for AI as a whole.

Students will have the chance to develop their own simple chess AI, and will be given guides on how to develop more elaborate ones.
Facilitators
SZ

Steven Zierk

GM Steven Zierk is a chess professional and coach from San Jose, California. He won the World Youth Under 18 Championships in 2010 and after earning his degree from MIT in 2015, earned the Grandmaster title in 2018.
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

Cartoonapalooza: A Hands-On Workshop Celebrating Comics, Graphic Novels, Cartoon Strips and Political Cartoons
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Cartoons are not just funny, they can be profound, disturbing, illuminating and always entertaining. David Horsey, who has won two Pulitzer Prizes for his editorial cartoons and has produced a nationally-syndicated cartoon strip, will lead a hands-on workshop looking at the many types of cartooning, from comics and graphic novels to animation and political cartoons. He will demonstrate how he creates his work and students will draw their own cartoons during the session. There will be a lively discussion of all things cartoonish. Students are encouraged to bring their own finished drawings for a critique or share examples of cartoons that they read and admire.
Facilitators
DH

David Horsey

The Seattle Times
David Horsey is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist for The Seattle Times.
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Conservation Ambassadors: Animal Behavior
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Do you want to learn how to train your teachers, your mom, and your dog? This seminar is all about learning how to understand and modify behavior. Animal behavior has fascinated humans throughout history. David and Lisa Jackson have trained everything from tigers to killer whales — and even their own parents — for over 35 years. Let them share their knowledge with you so you can create better relationships, happier pets, and less-annoying friends. This hands-on interactive experience will give you insight into how understanding behavior modification can positively change the world around you.
Facilitators
CA

Conservation Ambassadors

Conservation Ambassadors
34 years ago David established a non-profit rescue zoo in Paso Robles where he gives wildlife a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals. Sharing these animal ambassadors helps us educate learners of all ages about conservation... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Corporate Scandal: What Would You Do?
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
What do Theranos, WeWork, Uber, FTX, Boeing, and Wells Fargo all have in common?  All of these were high profile and high performing companies that became embroiled in scandal, after some previously hidden information became publicly known - and some of these companies survived and others did not.  How does a company that employs hundreds or thousands of well-intentioned people end up breaking laws or behaving unethically?  Can you picture yourself working at a company like this and if you came across something that looked potentially unethical, how would you respond?  

In this session we'll discuss a few case studies of companies that were viewed in high regard before they came undone.  We’ll seek to understand what elements of the company culture, leadership, and other factors led to the circumstances.  We will learn about which companies were able to recover and which could not.  We will then review some key principles and frameworks of business and leadership ethics, then put our thinking to the test with a simulation of an ethical dilemma.
Facilitators
YH

Yuki Horiguchi

VP, Cruise
Yuki Horiguchi is currently a VP in the People function at Cruise, a self-driving car company, where she is responsible for compensation, benefits, people analytics, and workforce planning. She has spent over 20 years in life sciences and tech companies, designing and implementing... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Dorm Snack Hacks!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Many of you are planning for college after graduation and many of you will live in campus dorms or other university or student housing. This course is designed to equip you to make some healthy (yet tasty) snacks for yourself with limited equipment and tools. This course will teach you to create a few simple snacks that are healthy and nourishing. At the end of this 2.5 hour course participants will be able to:

1. Demonstrate how to use the "foolproof" method for cooking chicken breast with only a stovetop, pan & lid.
2. Prepare a simple chicken salad
3. Prepare a healthy homemade granola using only an oven and simple ingredients
4. Prepare a parfait using the homemade granola
5. Demonstrate or Explain how to safely prepare a guacamole with no cooking utenils or machines needed
Facilitators
SM

San Mateo Supper Club

Hello everyone! As a passionate chef recently graduated from culinary school, I’m here to blend my love for clean, wholesome ingredients with a flair for diverse cuisines. I have lived on the Peninsula my whole life and grew up loving to cook. Over the years, I've cultivated a deep... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

Hot Glass - Cool Designs
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Create your own hot glass experience in this hands-on hot glass class. Blow, shape, and color your project. Explore the technical and the artistic basics of glass working in this fast-paced beginner's class.
Facilitators
DB

Douglass Brown

Half Moon Bay Art Glass
Douglass Brown has had a 40+ year history of working with glass in many different types of glass. 13 years ago, he opened up Half Moon Bay Art Glass and started giving hot glass experiences to the public and corporate team building events. Now with the help of his team, they have... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Intro to Metalworking & Jewelry Making!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In this 2.5 hour activity, you'll learn the basics of small-scale metalworking using a variety of tools! You'll get an introduction to the world of soldering, shaping, and polishing metal to create little pieces of wearable art!

No experience whatsoever is necessary, but come with some idea of what you want to make, closed-toed shoes, and no flowy sleeves! Or, if you DO have experience from a past Jewelry Intersession or a WoW Workshop, you'll have the freedom to explore techniques you already know, get instruction on anything more advanced, or ask for advice on anything you're working on!

Interested in a longer, more in-depth course where we'll get more practice and get to cover things more thoroughly? Check out the 5 hour In-depth version of this class!
Facilitators
avatar for Sophia Hoermann

Sophia Hoermann

Sophia Hoermann is a Nueva alumni from the class of 2022 and she is now a junior in college at the University of Utah. She started making jewelry in middle school and didn't realize until she took a jewelry making Intersession sophomore year that Nueva had all of the tools needed... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Knitting for Beginners and Beyond
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Learn how to knit or work on your stitches! This class is designed for both beginners, who want to be able to knit basic stitches to create projects of all types, and experienced knitters who want support as they work through a project. Students will learn how to cast on, knit, purl and cast off as well as important techniques of how to back out of your work to fix mistakes. In addition, knitting has a language all its own and some of this will be taught so the students can confidently buy their own yarn and read simple patterns. Useful handouts will be provided. Time will be given to practice and students will be able to take their work home for the evening and when the class is done. No experience necessary to take this class. Supplies will be included.

This class is offered twice; students are welcome to attend both if they want more knitting time.
Facilitators
DK

Debbie Kitani & Lisa Ma

I’m a wife, mother, entrepreneur, knitter. I sold my software and services company back in 2001 and worked for the new company for 7 years. After I sold my company, I decided to learn how to knit and have been passionate about it ever since. The process of knitting is what intrigues... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Makeup: Creative Self Expression for All
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
This Makeup class is open to EVERYONE who wants a chance to play with makeup and explore creative boundary breaking looks! Today, Makeup is all about artistic expression and changing the rules so come to learn new techniques and explore your artistry. This class will concentrate on colors and playing with the eyes and appliqués. This fully inclusive class (everyone is welcome) will show you looks from TV shows and campaigns that are proving that makeup is a form of art than anyone can do. Bring your makeup kit and brushes (or just your creative self).   A small makeup kit will be provided.
Facilitators
avatar for Elizabeth Fox

Elizabeth Fox

Elizabeth Fox has been a professional working makeup artist since 2000, with over 50 feature films to her credit. She began her makeup artistry in the theater and started working in television and film while living in New York City. After moving to Hollywood, Elizabeth worked primarily... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

The Crescent's Journey: Exploring Islamic History, 622-1258
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
An examination of the founding and expansion of Islam. We will explore a number of topics: the pre-Islamic environment in Arabia and the Near East; the biography of the Prophet Muhammad; the first Muslim community in Medina; the theological foundations of Islam; the era of the four rightly-guided caliphs; the Umayyad period and the Abbasid Empire. In addition, the course weighs in on key themes related to philosophy, culture, sectarianism, law, gender rights, and statecraft.
Facilitators
MH

Marwan Hanania

Marwan D. Hanania was born and raised in Amman, Jordan. He received his B.A. with Honors in Government from Cornell University, M.A. in Regional Studies: The Middle East from Harvard University, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in History from Stanford University. Marwan has taught at Stanford... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Topics in Fractals & Chaos
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
If you enjoyed learning about fractals in 4th grade CTU or Steven's popular Fun With Fractals summer camp, or you just find fractals & chaos fascinating, this might be the session for you. In this two-and-a-half hour session, we'll explore the fascinating logistic function, a simple iterative function that is used to model population dynamics and contains cycles of every length along with true chaos (which we'll define). We'll also learn the simple but incredibly powerful L-systems (Lindenmayer systems) grammar for creating fractals of startling complexity and variety. Time permitting, we also also take a deep dive into the mathematics of the Mandelbrot set or other still-to-be-decided-but-guaranteed-to-be-cool topics.
Facilitators
SC

Steven Chanan

Nueva School
Steven Chanan is in his 16th year teaching at Nueva and was a Nueva student himself back in the 1970s. He is known for his passion for the subject and ability to bring together a wide variety of mathematical disciplines, such as fractals & chaos, contest math, recreational math, and... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

Understanding Martial Arts and Self Defense
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
This workshop will help students understand and analyze the difference between a variety of different martial arts forms as well as a bit of their history as well. Students will learn basic self defense principles and good practices for self improvement. We will break down the differences between various martial arts forms and their pros/cons, so students can help find out which martial art might be best for them.

This will be an overview of many martial arts conceptually, with a focus on jiu jitsu and Muay Thai based self defense. A combination of analysis, history, technique study, and practical application.
Facilitators
CA

Cody Alan

Nueva School
Cody Alan is a high school teacher, musical artist, and an avid martial artist, currently a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a head coach at Skrap Pack in San Francisco under Gilbert Melendez.
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Build Your Own Radio! How Radio Engineering Shaped our Modern World
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, 5G, Radar, MRI... what do they all have in common? Radio engineering!

In this 75-minute class, you'll learn how vintage radio techniques from 1906 laid the groundwork for modern chip design. Explore the science behind classic radio communication, unraveling concepts like radio encoding, Fourier transforms, and modulation techniques. Discover how people use meteor tails to send messages over radio, and try your hand at building your own AM receiver!

What's covered: maths behind radio signals, physics E&M, soldering skills, basics of analog circuit design

Ideally, students will have prior had experience soldering.
Facilitators
avatar for Sage Wu

Sage Wu

Curious Cardinals
Sage is a sophomore in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, an engineering intern at SpaceX, and Co-Lead of the Stanford Student Space Initiative's Satellites Team. She loves radio-frequency (RF) technology and how it allows humans to manipulate physics and space for a variety... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Coalition Building: How Politics Can Shape and Change Public Perception
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
I will talk about why there is often a shift which states are "swing states" over time, as well as how politicians choose certain topics & themes to focus on in their campaigns based on what is politically viable. Example questions include: How did Barack Obama carry several states that are now considered strongly Republican? Aside from purely just changes in public opinion, why do political parties shift their political stances over time? This session will be taught in a non-partisan fashion and is intended to teach students about the salience of political issues and how campaigning works from a calculated standpoint.
Facilitators
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Cosmetic Chemistry: Exploring the Chemical Makeup of Your Favorite Products
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Cosmetic Chemistry focuses on the intersection between chemistry and cosmetic marketing. We explore what chemical makeups work best for certain client profiles, and uncover all the inner workings that go into creating cosmetics. Although the course is focused on uncovering the chemical background of these products, we also bring attention to the biological properties of people that the chemistry must cater to. We explore products such as shampoo, conditioner, perfume, lip balm, and so much more. Any and all chemistry backgrounds are welcome!
Facilitators
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

1:55pm PST

Denim Insider: From Fabric to Fashion to the Sales Floor
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Get ready to dive into the real story of denim! In Denim Insider: From Fabric to Fashion to the Sales Floor, you’ll explore how your favorite jeans make their way from raw fabric to the racks of every go-to store. From design sketches to manufacturing, and choosing the right silhouettes to the marketing secrets behind making you want to buy, this session reveals the hidden steps in denim’s journey to becoming a style staple.
Led by a former fashion merchant and buyer who’s been in the thick of it, you’ll learn how brands create what’s in style and discover the tricks of the trade that make denim a billion-dollar industry. By the end, you’ll see your jeans in a whole new way!
Facilitators
CT

Celine Teoh

As a former denim merchant at Gap, Celine knows what it takes to make denim iconic. She owned a $80 million fashion denim business across over 1,000 stores, shaping styles and trends for one of the world’s most recognized brands. With experience spanning not just merchandising but... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

1:55pm PST

Rocking Out with Heavy Metals - The Origins of the Heaviest Metals in Our Universe
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
The gold in jewelry, the uranium in a nuclear power plant, the iodine with table salt, the caesium in atomic clocks: what do these all have in common? It turns out they were likely forged in the fires of a cosmic explosion known as a kilonova! This course will dive into astronomer's journey to understand the origins of the heaviest elements of the periodic table.
Facilitators
DB

Daniel Brethauer

University of California, Berkeley
Daniel Brethauer is a 4th year graduate student at UC Berkeley in the Astronomy Department working with Raffaella Margutti and Dan Kasen. Daniel's research seeks to understand a rare astrophysical phenomena known as a kilonova, the result of the collision of a dead massive star with... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

1:55pm PST

Seeing and Hearing Double: Introduction to Sensation and Perception
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Have you ever wondered why we have two eyes? In this course, we'll cover some of the basics of sensation and perception including some of the benefits and drawbacks that humans experience in having double sensory organs. There will be lots of interactive demonstrations as well as a fun experiment/activity! This is the place for you if you're interested in science, biology, psychology, and how humans sense and perceive the world! No prior knowledge necessary.
Facilitators
SR

Stephanie Reeves

University of California, Berkeley
Stephanie Reeves is a PhD student at UC Berkeley in the Vision Science program! She is interested in how humans move their eyes, how they see and make sense of the world, and how the brain helps facilitate vision. In her free time, she likes to cook, play with her dog, and play p... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
 
Wednesday, January 8
 

8:55am PST

Artisanal Pizza Making with Luca, Rowan, and Kevin
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Craving pizza? Come learn how to make Neopolitan-style pizza from scratch with your favorite Alumni cooks. In just a few short hours, you'll learn how to turn basic ingredients into a delicious dish—and impress your friends and family! We'll learn about the dough-making process and quickly transition into hands-on rolling, stretching, saucing, topping, cooking, and finally ENJOYING.
Facilitators
LR

Luca & Rowan & Kevin

Luca L., Rowan T., and Kevin H. are all Nueva Alumni from the Class of 2023. You may remember us from our taco stands, bacon stands, various cooking quest projects, and, yes, PIZZA MAKING. Come join us!
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

Calling All Heartstopper Fans!
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Are you a Heartstopper fan (graphic novel and/or Netflix show)? This is the intersession for you. In our session, we are going to dissect representation (of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, ability, etc.), friendships and romantic relationships, family dynamics and influences, cultural and societal expectations, differences and similarities between the graphic novel vs. Netflix show, and any other themes you want to bring to this session. Come prepared to share and discuss!
Facilitators
avatar for Hannah Yanow

Hannah Yanow

Hannah Yanow, Ed.D. (she/they) specializes in queering spaces and cultivating inclusivity during conversations and through written communications. Hannah is currently an Inclusion and Belonging Consultant with the Stanford VMware Women's Leadership Innovation Lab, a facilitator for... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Did Baseball Save Us? The Negro Leagues, Japanese Incarceration, and Sports and Social Justice in America
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
You may have heard about Jackie Robinson and his breaking of the color barrier in baseball, but have you heard the history of the Negro Leagues and how baseball was segregated in the first place? Can you name some women baseball players who were also Negro League stars (yes, they could play baseball in the Negro Leagues even if not for Major League Baseball)? Did you know that baseball was one of the incarceration camp sports for Japanese Americans during World War II?

If these questions sound interesting and you'd like to learn more, please come join an interactive discussion about the history of baseball in America that you may not have heard before, focusing on the Negro Leagues and baseball in the wartime incarceration camps. We'll be using books that involve primary sources to build our knowledge of this part of our country's history, and think about how this impacts sports as we watch and understand them today. After we do our deep dive into baseball, we'll discuss more broadly how resistance and joy show up as social movements in other sports as well, and how those tools can be used in the future.
Facilitators
avatar for Misasha Suzuki Graham

Misasha Suzuki Graham

Co-Founder, Dear White Women
Misasha Suzuki Graham has spent her life attempting to bridge gaps, both professionally and personally, and foster understanding among groups of people.  A graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Law School, Misasha spent over fifteen years as an accomplished attorney, specializing... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Introduction to the Design of Economic Mechanisms
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Suppose you need to match one million students to one thousand colleges. Students have preferences over colleges, and colleges have preferences over their applicants. Is there a "good" way to reconcile all these preferences on both sides -- and what does "good" even mean in this context? We are going to discuss the basics of matching theory, a research area at the intersection of Economics and Computer Science that develops tools for answering such questions. We will also discuss applications of this theory: matching young doctors to hospitals, students to schools, and cadets to army branches.

Matching theory is one of the key parts of the broader discipline of the design of economic mechanisms, and if time permits, we will briefly touch on some other topics in this discipline.
Facilitators
MO

Michael Ostrovsky

Stanford University
Michael Ostrovsky is a Professor of Economics at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. His research is in the areas of game theory, marketplace design, auctions, and finance. In his research, he has studied the economics of carpooling and self-driving cars, the properties of internet... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Learn Archery!
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Have you ever wanted to know how to shoot using a bow and arrow? Learn archery for the very first time! All gear will be provided. You do not need any prior experience shooting to participate in this session.
Facilitators
avatar for Jordan Pituley

Jordan Pituley

Instructor, Palomo Archery
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Like to Love: Find Fulfillment in Your Career
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Adults are often drawn to careers with a distinguished title, comfortable salary, and variety of benefits in an established company. On the contrary, when kids are asked what they want to be when they grow up, they simply think about what they LIKE to do!

Whether following a career path or pivoting mid-career, choose a career based on what you LIKE to do – a career that’s a good fit for you! Discover careers that apply everything you LIKE to do into one job, leading to finding fulfillment in a career that you sometimes didn’t expect to pursue.

This session will include storytelling to illustrate key takeaways. There will also be activities that help the audience brainstorm their career path, skillsets, and projects that give them fulfillment, reminding them of what they LIKE to do.
Facilitators
avatar for Jen Fitzgerald

Jen Fitzgerald

Professional Speaker
Jen Fitzgerald is a former admissions counselor turned professional speaker who applies the insights gained from advising thousands of students during the college admissions process to networking and career exploration. Her roles with schools like Virginia Commonwealth University... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Precision and Performance: The Art of Convex Optimization
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Explore the world of convex optimization with a specific focus on linear programs. This session will delve into the core principles of convex optimization, emphasizing the role of linear programming as a powerful tool for solving structured problems across various fields. Through practical examples and theoretical insights, attendees will learn how linear programs are formulated, solved, and applied to optimize processes in areas such as operations research, economics, and data science. Whether you’re new to optimization or looking to deepen your expertise, this seminar offers valuable knowledge to help you leverage linear programming for impactful solutions.
Facilitators
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Advanced Chess Training - Making the Most of Each Piece
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
This class will cover each piece individually: cases where it is strong, cases where it is weak, and how to make your own pieces powerful and your opponent's pieces weak.

Prerequisite: Familiarity with all rules of chess including checkmate, castling, and en passant. Familiarity with chess notation is helpful.
Facilitators
SZ

Steven Zierk

GM Steven Zierk is a chess professional and coach from San Jose, California. He won the World Youth Under 18 Championships in 2010 and after earning his degree from MIT in 2015, earned the Grandmaster title in 2018.
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

Beeswax Collage on Canvas
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Create beautiful art on canvas, using melted beeswax, mulberry paper, tissue, sewing patterns, and found images.
You will complete one canvas with the option to do a second one, time allowing. Participants are encouraged to bring a photocopy of a personal drawing, photo, or quote which they can incorporate into the composition Fun process and accessible technique!
Facilitators
EG

Elaine G. Chu

Elaine G. Chu has taught workshops to people of all ages, including Nueva students for the past eight years. Her work has been published in "Greencraft" and "Somerset Studio" magazines as well as "1000 Artists‘ Books.” She co-authored "Wood Paper Scissors,” a how-to crafts book... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Bugs, Bots and Dark Patterns: Responsible Innovation in App and Website UX Design
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
App and website developers must consider a number of privacy, safety and security questions, in addition to building an engaging product experience. Are there any limits to the types of data I can collect in my app, or how I can use it? When do I need to ask permission, and how can I get it without creating friction that stops people from using my innovative product? How do I protect people who use my app from bots, hackers and other common online threats? An increasing number of laws in California, the US and around the globe require privacy and security by design - the idea that evaluating privacy and security risks and requirements, and designing solutions, must be a core part of the product development process.

We will discuss the basic privacy and security requirements and considerations when designing apps and websites and look at the design choices of popular apps and platforms -- including TikTok, Zoom, and Apple. We will then review several hypothetical app experiences and discuss the best choices for user privacy, safety and product experience.
Facilitators
AB

Ashlie Beringer

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Ashlie Beringer is an attorney and partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher and a Co-Chair of the firm's Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Innovation group. Ashlie previously was Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Facebook, where she advised Facebook's product managers and engineers... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Computing like it's the 80s!
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Check out how your parents played with computers from the late 1970's to the mid-'80s on original, working machines (IBM, Apple 2, Commodore 64, Osborne...), many of which were developed right here in Silicon Valley. They were heavy, noisy and clunky, but they spurred the personal computing revolution.

But not just video games - try your skills in programming, see if you can produce cool pictures using exotic pen plotters and dot matrix printers, and learn how these devices from the past worked, how to fix them, and how much people actually got done with them!
Facilitators
avatar for Giovanni Iachello

Giovanni Iachello

Meta
I've had a passion for tinkering and technology my entire life. I started using my parent's IBM PC in 7th grade. In high school, I wrote a 3d graphics engine. The last couple of years I worked on the Meta Quest VR headset and most lately, I've been working on AI.Before moving to the... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Hot Glass - Cool Designs
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Create your own hot glass experience in this hands-on hot glass class. Blow, shape, and color your project. Explore the technical and the artistic basics of glass working in this fast-paced beginner's class.
Facilitators
DB

Douglass Brown

Half Moon Bay Art Glass
Douglass Brown has had a 40+ year history of working with glass in many different types of glass. 13 years ago, he opened up Half Moon Bay Art Glass and started giving hot glass experiences to the public and corporate team building events. Now with the help of his team, they have... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Intro to Classic Card Games – Learn to Play Hearts, Spades, Euchre and Oh Hell!
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
You probably know how to play poker, but what about classic strategy card games like Hearts, Spades, Euchre and Oh Hell!? If you’ve never played or just want to refresh yourself on the gameplay and get some practice, come join us…

Most of these games date back hundreds of years and have survived the test of time because they’re so well designed and so fun. We’ll talk about the rules and mechanics of each game, how to bid and score, and some basic strategy considerations. We’ll play a few hands of each and you can decide for yourself which is/are your favorite(s).

This will be a really relaxing way to learn some new games that you can play with family and friends. No prior experience playing cards is needed but we’ll send around a few videos in advance for folks to have some context coming in. And if you have the competitive spirit, we’ll be hosting a second session later this day that offers the chance to play full rounds in a friendly tournament.

Feel free to email Dan Bomze (dbomze@gmail.com) if you have any questions in advance of signing up
Facilitators
avatar for Dan Bomze

Dan Bomze

Dan is a long time Nueva parent who loves learning new games and playing cards with friends and family.
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

Intro to Impact: Self-Defense Basics
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
From street safety and awareness to full-force self-defense techniques, this 2.5-hour class lays a foundation of skills including intuition, situational awareness, body language and voice proven effective at increasing safety and confidence. Participants practice de-escalating dangerous situations, and get the unique and powerful experience of practicing physical techniques at full force in safe and realistic scenarios against a padded mock assailant.

This class is led by a Whistle Instructor, who is the lead coach, and a Suited Instructor, who plays the role of mock assailant and wears a padded suit to allow students to hit full force. Physical techniques include defending against attacks from the front, being grabbed from behind, and an introduction to fighting from the ground. You'll leave this class feeling strong and maybe surprised by your own power and courage!
Facilitators
IB

IMPACT Bay Area

Program Coordinator, IMPACT Bay Area
IMPACT offers violence-prevention programs for people to embody their own power, set effective boundaries, defend their physical and emotional safety, and heal. We build safe spaces for people who experience and resist violence differently because of who they are or how they are perceived... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Introduction to Criminal Justice
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
There could not be a better time to study our criminal justice system. We are experiencing a time of significant change (much of it long in coming frankly). Each of you, as community members, can be a part of making those changes positive ones and I hope this seminar will help to inspire you to do just that. So... on to a few basic pieces of information about the seminar:

1. What are we going to be talking about?
The session will cover two primary areas: crime and criminal justice and our criminal justice system. We will be discussing things like: "why does crime exist?" and “is crime getting worse” and "why is there such a disconnect between communities and their police" and "do we really need police” and “do district attorneys and defense attorneys hate each other as much as they seem to on TV?" and, if time allows, "what on earth is going on with our prisons in the United States!? Why do we lock more people up than any other country?"...

Are you intrigued? Good!

We will be talking about current events and I recommend that you start plugging into news feeds from a variety of sources and perspectives. If you take the time to check out the news what we discuss will mean a whole lot more to you.

2. Will Professor Raffaelli just be a talking head?
I sure hope not! Bring on those questions and we will dig into them… I welcome and appreciate student participation and hope you save me (and yourself) from me just prattling on the whole time by myself. The criminal justice system is interesting (really!) and I look forward to hearing from you. I also hope that this class will result in more than a few of you looking further into a career in criminal justice. It is one of the places in this world that gives you an opportunity to make a difference in your community and society. Corny as it sounds there really is no better satisfaction than finding ways to help other people.
Facilitators
avatar for Elizabeth Raffaelli

Elizabeth Raffaelli

Retired Deputy District Attorney, San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office (retired)
I graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Social Psychology. I then attended Stanford Law School and graduated with my Juris Doctorate (JD). I passed the California State Bar and joined the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office where I served as a Deputy District Attorney... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Neuroscience Crash Course: How Brains Perceive and Interact with the World...and What Happens When Things Go Wrong
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Neuroscience is a relatively young field in biomedical research, but it has revolutionized our understanding of how humans and other organisms perceive and interact with the world. Additionally, neuroscience research has elucidated some of the mysteries of brain disease that have long since eluded the medical field. In this intersession course, students will take a survey of the world of neuroscience, with a focus on how the brain perceives and interacts with its environment.

The session will be divided into two parts: 1) a lecture-based survey of neuroscience that tracks the anatomy and physiology of how the brain processes visual stimuli and then plans and executes movements. The session will use the simple example of hitting a baseball to highlight the complex visual and motor computations that that the brain performs in less than a few tenths of a second. 2) The second half of the lesson will be a practical experiment where students will measure their own visual-motor reaction times and to use that data to estimate the speed at which information is processed in their brains and whether we can experimentally modulate information processing.
Facilitators
avatar for Ryan Jones

Ryan Jones

Head of Corporate Development & Partnering, Xilis
Ryan is a neuroscientist with over a decade of neuroscience research experience. Ryan received his doctoral degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine, at UCLA and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at UCSF. Ryan's research has focused primarily on how neurons process information... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

What the Body Knows: Experience and Arts and Body Oriented Psychotherapy Interventions Including EMDR
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
What if talking was just a small part of psychotherapy? What if your body held more wisdom than your mind? Or if a set of postcards could help you discover connections you never noticed before? In this session, you’ll explore various psychotherapeutic techniques that integrate somatic awareness and creative expression, tapping into the body’s innate wisdom as a powerful resource for deeper self-understanding.

In the final third of the session, you'll be introduced to the art and science of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), an evidence-based therapeutic approach that uses bilateral stimulation to help individuals process and heal.

This is an experiential session, so please come ready to move, engage, and be open. Participants will take part in both group and individual activities involving movement and art. Curiosity and kindness are encouraged!
Facilitators
TM

Tina Mizukami

Tina Mizukami, MA, LMFT, RYT-200, believes in the inherent ability of everyone to heal and move toward wholeness and resolution. With over 10 years of experience in private practice, Tina specializes in helping clients work through trauma, using approaches like EMDR to facilitate... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

When It All Goes Wrong! An Intro to Crisis Communication
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Pandemics! Geopolitics! Economics! Bad behavior! These are turbulent times and businesses and other organizations are encountering lots of new challenges and even full-fledged disasters. When it all goes wrong, how should organizations think about communicating? What are the rules of the road? The common mistakes? Which audiences matter? What do you do when the New York Times calls or social media explodes? We'll talk about all of this and explore some scenarios.
Facilitators
avatar for William Moss

William Moss

TSMC
William Moss, Head of Global Media Relations at TSMCWilliam is an experienced corporate communication professional who has worked in the US, China and Singapore. Currently, he leads global media relations for TSMC, the world's largest and most advanced semiconductor foundry. Previously... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Zombies, Zombies, Zombies
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Design, create and apply your own zombie makeup. Learn from Film FX Makeup Artist Elizabeth Fox how to make scary and gore heavy zombies. We’ll be using the same products used in feature films and television. You will learn the tips and techniques used by professionals. Not for the squeamish, this is Zombies like the pros make. We will be using non-latex prosthetics and build ups, fx makeup and work on zombie character creation. Up your halloween game, improve your short zombie films and scare the pants off your friends! A small makeup FX kit will be provided.
Facilitators
avatar for Elizabeth Fox

Elizabeth Fox

Elizabeth Fox has been a professional working makeup artist since 2000, with over 50 feature films to her credit. She began her makeup artistry in the theater and started working in television and film while living in New York City. After moving to Hollywood, Elizabeth worked primarily... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Fabric Screen Printing from Start to Finish
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Students will learn the techniques of screen printing including screen preparation, using a manual printing press, printing a single color. Students will take their completed T-shirts home as well as their screens. Students will need to have an image ready in advance of class; image specifications to be provided.
Facilitators
DL

Danae Lintz

Danae has been screen printing for 5 years and owns a small apparel business. She has developed her own methods for blending colors. She enjoys using ink in a non conventional way and designing and creating art that can be worn.
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

In-depth Metalworking & Jewelry Making!
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In this 5 hour intensive, you'll walk away with a solid grasp of the knowledge you need to make jewelry! You'll get lots of practice soldering, shaping, and polishing metal to create little pieces of wearable art!

No experience whatsoever is necessary, but come with some idea of what you want to make, closed-toed shoes, and no flowy sleeves! Or, if you DO have experience from a past Jewelry Intersession or a WoW Workshop, you'll have the freedom to explore techniques you already know, get instruction on anything more advanced, or ask for advice on anything you're working on!

Interested in a shorter, less in-depth course where we'll just cover some basics? Check out the 2.5 hour Intro version of this class!
Facilitators
avatar for Sophia Hoermann

Sophia Hoermann

Sophia Hoermann is a Nueva alumni from the class of 2022 and she is now a junior in college at the University of Utah. She started making jewelry in middle school and didn't realize until she took a jewelry making Intersession sophomore year that Nueva had all of the tools needed... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Introduction to Stained Glass
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Students will learn the fundamentals of stained glass to create a small stained glass suncatcher. In this all-day intensive, students will learn how to:
- use glass cutting tools and glass grinders
- cut specific shapes out of art glass
- choose from a dozen design templates
- choose from a large assortment of colorful art glass
- cut each shape to the pattern
- copper foil each piece
- solder pieces together to complete pattern

Please note, students will be cutting glass and creating lots of shards. Also, they will be using hot soldering irons. Safety protocols will be addressed at the start of class. Safety goggles, bandaids and gloves will be provided. Please note: we will be using leaded solder (tin 60%, lead 40%) and chemicals such are flux and patina.

Students will take home their project at end of seminar.
Facilitators
JW

JaYing Wang

Alameda Art Lab
JaYing is the owner of Alameda Art Lab, a glass art studio in Alameda, CA. She teaches primarily stained glass, fused glass and mosaic classes.
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

MIG Welding
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
MIG (metal inert gas) Welding: Get a hands-on crash course in what welding is, how and when to use it, and what you can do with it. Students will learn to cut, prepare, and weld metal autonomously, and will work together to create shop infrastructure to improve the space.
Facilitators
PM

Peter McEvoy

Peter McEvoy is an artist, metal fabricator and product engineer based in Oakland, California. Peter has a wide range of industry experience, including; small metal casting for jewelry, sculptural bronze casting, architectural metal fabrication and welding, prototype engineering and... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Artisanal Pizza Making with Luca, Rowan, and Kevin
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Craving pizza? Come learn how to make Neopolitan-style pizza from scratch with your favorite Alumni cooks. In just a few short hours, you'll learn how to turn basic ingredients into a delicious dish—and impress your friends and family! We'll learn about the dough-making process and quickly transition into hands-on rolling, stretching, saucing, topping, cooking, and finally ENJOYING.
Facilitators
LR

Luca & Rowan & Kevin

Luca L., Rowan T., and Kevin H. are all Nueva Alumni from the Class of 2023. You may remember us from our taco stands, bacon stands, various cooking quest projects, and, yes, PIZZA MAKING. Come join us!
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  1 Block

10:15am PST

Conservation Ambassadors: Wild America
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Some of the most amazing animals in the world are found right here in our own backyard. Meet animals found throughout in the USA from sea to shining sea. Learn about their significance to Native Americans and the impact they still have on all of us.
Facilitators
CA

Conservation Ambassadors

Conservation Ambassadors
34 years ago David established a non-profit rescue zoo in Paso Robles where he gives wildlife a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals. Sharing these animal ambassadors helps us educate learners of all ages about conservation... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Learn Archery!
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Have you ever wanted to know how to shoot using a bow and arrow? Learn archery for the very first time! All gear will be provided. You do not need any prior experience shooting to participate in this session.
Facilitators
avatar for Jordan Pituley

Jordan Pituley

Instructor, Palomo Archery
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Precision and Performance: The Art of Convex Optimization
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Explore the world of convex optimization with a specific focus on linear programs. This session will delve into the core principles of convex optimization, emphasizing the role of linear programming as a powerful tool for solving structured problems across various fields. Through practical examples and theoretical insights, attendees will learn how linear programs are formulated, solved, and applied to optimize processes in areas such as operations research, economics, and data science. Whether you’re new to optimization or looking to deepen your expertise, this seminar offers valuable knowledge to help you leverage linear programming for impactful solutions.
Facilitators
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Science & Biology of Rabbits
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Hands-on sessions covering the skeletal structure, digestive system, respiratory system, and other physiological aspects of rabbits. We will also discuss the natural habitats of rabbits, their role in ecosystems, and the importance of biodiversity.
Facilitators
BG

Bunny Gurus

Our bunnies undergo hundreds of hours of dedicated training to excel in providing emotional therapeutic support. They are thoughtfully chosen representing a variety of breeds, ensuring a diverse and customized experience for those seeking fun, love, peace, happiness and emotional... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Suturing
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
This lab will teach you the basics of surgery and how to suture a wound. Get the opportunity to learn valuable medical skills related to surgical professions. This class will also guide you through the steps nurses, doctors, and surgeons follow to clean, disinfect and anesthetize wounds prior to surgery and suturing.
Facilitators
KT

Kimble Torres

Pathways to Medicine
Kimble Torres is a veteran biologist specializing in the human body and athletics. During his tenure in the biotech industry, Kimble worked for Nektar Therapeutics, Genentech, and Tycho Healthcare investigating product feasibility and managing lab operations. In 2014, his passion... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Weightlifting 101
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
This class will work as an introduction to strength and conditioning, as well as weightlifting as a whole.

Topics will include general ideas and highly specific topics like how a muscle actually works. Other topics for example are, why people should lift weights, what benefits come out of it, why it is not exclusive to athletes, and why it can help athletes excel?

In addition we will work to help set goals within the weight room and how you can use these to track your progress in different ways.
Facilitators
NH

Nicholas Hryekewicz

Nicholas is Nueva's Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. Originally from Sacramento, I moved to the East Bay for college where I attended Saint Mary's College of California earning my bachelor's and master's degrees in kinesiology with an emphasis in health and human performance... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

11:30am PST

Bunny Petting Zoo
Wednesday January 8, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PST
TBA
Need some pet therapy? Swing on by the bunny enclosures for some one-on-one time with these friendly creatures. Small groups will rotate through every 15 minutes.
Facilitators
BG

Bunny Gurus

Our bunnies undergo hundreds of hours of dedicated training to excel in providing emotional therapeutic support. They are thoughtfully chosen representing a variety of breeds, ensuring a diverse and customized experience for those seeking fun, love, peace, happiness and emotional... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Advanced Math And Game Theory In The Old Testament
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
During this session, we will learn how a mathematical problem from game theory, whose solution was found by ancient Israelites over 2000 years ago but never recorded, was found anew by modern day mathematicians. Brace yourself for a wild ride.

P.S. I'll share the solution, promise!
Facilitators
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

12:35pm PST

How Humans Sense the World Around Them: Neuroscience Basics
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
How does the brain influence the way that we perceive the world? My research seeks to understand this question! Come by for a crash course on some basic neuroscience and fun experiments to get a taste of what it means to be a human with a brain and sensing organs.

No previous skills required! If you're interested in psychology, biology or human feeling/sensing/experience, this is definitely the place for you. I might ask for some participants in some experiments, if you’re willing!
Facilitators
AB

Alisa Braun

University of California, Berkeley
Hi! I'm Alisa Braun. I work at NASA Ames research center. I'm excited about all things neuroscience and how that influences our everyday lives.
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Science & Biology of Rabbits
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Hands-on sessions covering the skeletal structure, digestive system, respiratory system, and other physiological aspects of rabbits. We will also discuss the natural habitats of rabbits, their role in ecosystems, and the importance of biodiversity.
Facilitators
BG

Bunny Gurus

Our bunnies undergo hundreds of hours of dedicated training to excel in providing emotional therapeutic support. They are thoughtfully chosen representing a variety of breeds, ensuring a diverse and customized experience for those seeking fun, love, peace, happiness and emotional... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Suturing
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
This lab will teach you the basics of surgery and how to suture a wound. Get the opportunity to learn valuable medical skills related to surgical professions. This class will also guide you through the steps nurses, doctors, and surgeons follow to clean, disinfect and anesthetize wounds prior to surgery and suturing.
Facilitators
KT

Kimble Torres

Pathways to Medicine
Kimble Torres is a veteran biologist specializing in the human body and athletics. During his tenure in the biotech industry, Kimble worked for Nektar Therapeutics, Genentech, and Tycho Healthcare investigating product feasibility and managing lab operations. In 2014, his passion... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Tech Beyond Coding: Foundations in UI/UX Design
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
In this class, we will seek to de-mystify what UI/UX design is, teach students how to get started in the field, and explain the merits & interests of pursuing UI/UX. We will have interactive time to work in Figma, as well as develop experience in the iterative design process. I will also talk about my background and experiences in UI/UX –– including a design internship abroad in Singapore, college coursework, online certificate program, and extracurriculars. This is a career option that would appeal to many students interested in the tech industry, creative jobs, and more, but often is not learned about until college or even later in the professional field.

Prerequisites: no experience necessary! Some interest in the world of tech or the tech industry would be beneficial but is certainly not needed.
Facilitators
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Weightlifting Techniques, Practices, and Advanced Movements
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
This class will focus on all the "dark arts" of weightlifting. Different modalities to help you progress through plateaus, and take yourself to levels never achieved before.

This class will also work to teach more advanced movements, like olympic lifts, to help expand the knowledge of anyone interested.

We will cover different periodization protocols, which set/rep schemes will help achieve certain goals, how to execute more complicated lifts, introducing accommodating resistance. Ultimately this should help you map out a training regimen to reach your goals, as well as give you more tools to help to get you where you want to be.
Facilitators
NH

Nicholas Hryekewicz

Nicholas is Nueva's Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. Originally from Sacramento, I moved to the East Bay for college where I attended Saint Mary's College of California earning my bachelor's and master's degrees in kinesiology with an emphasis in health and human performance... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

1AMsf, Freedom of Speech and Public Art in Action
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Guests will learn to spray paint and exercise their freedom of speech by designing and painting a group mural. Students will also create an individual artwork using custom stencils and spray paint. A presentation of the process of making a mural and QnA will accompany the hand on art activities.
Facilitators
1

1AMsf

Founder, 1AMsf
1AM, short for First Amendment, represents the freedom of speech through urban art exhibitions, workshops, murals, and community events. Our mission is to progress the FREEDOM OF SPEECH THROUGH THE ARTS by cultivating a space and community of artists, art enthusiasts, and like-minded... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Classic Card Game Tournament – Hearts, Spades, Euchre and Oh Hell!
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
If you know how to play any (or all) of the classic card games Hearts, Spades, Euchre and/or Oh Hell!, come join us to test your skills against other Nuevans. We’ll be hosting a friendly tournament that promises to be a fun time and there will be prizes! 

We’ll take a poll of everyone who joins the session and can mix and match different games to create one or more tournaments that appeal to everyone.

Everyone is welcome, from beginner to advanced. And encourage your favorite faculty and staff members to join the action. If you have never played or are a bit rusty, please join the earlier session in the day where we’re teaching folks to play all these games. And we’ll also have some video refreshers available (and live “coaching”) if you have questions as you go.

Feel free to email Dan Bomze (dbomze@gmail.com) if you have any questions in advance of signing up
Facilitators
avatar for Dan Bomze

Dan Bomze

Dan is a long time Nueva parent who loves learning new games and playing cards with friends and family.
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

Computing like it's the 80s!
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Check out how your parents played with computers from the late 1970's to the mid-'80s on original, working machines (IBM, Apple 2, Commodore 64, Osborne...), many of which were developed right here in Silicon Valley. They were heavy, noisy and clunky, but they spurred the personal computing revolution.

But not just video games - try your skills in programming, see if you can produce cool pictures using exotic pen plotters and dot matrix printers, and learn how these devices from the past worked, how to fix them, and how much people actually got done with them!
Facilitators
avatar for Giovanni Iachello

Giovanni Iachello

Meta
I've had a passion for tinkering and technology my entire life. I started using my parent's IBM PC in 7th grade. In high school, I wrote a 3d graphics engine. The last couple of years I worked on the Meta Quest VR headset and most lately, I've been working on AI.Before moving to the... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Conservation Ambassadors: Animal Behavior
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Do you want to learn how to train your teachers, your mom, and your dog? This seminar is all about learning how to understand and modify behavior. Animal behavior has fascinated humans throughout history. David and Lisa Jackson have trained everything from tigers to killer whales — and even their own parents — for over 35 years. Let them share their knowledge with you so you can create better relationships, happier pets, and less-annoying friends. This hands-on interactive experience will give you insight into how understanding behavior modification can positively change the world around you.
Facilitators
CA

Conservation Ambassadors

Conservation Ambassadors
34 years ago David established a non-profit rescue zoo in Paso Robles where he gives wildlife a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals. Sharing these animal ambassadors helps us educate learners of all ages about conservation... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Culinary Explorations: Insights into the World of Restaurant Hospitality and Fine Dining
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Where did the concept of a restaurant come from? When did fine dining become available to those outside of the aristocracy? You’ll get a short history of the modern restaurant, its origins, some of the milestones in modern cooking and construct your own high-end dessert from an assortment of provided ingredients.
 
We’ll cover:
·       The origins of restaurants: taverns, inns, cafes, boarding houses.
·       The rise of fine dining in the late 19th century.
·       The impact of California, farm-to-table and nouvelle cuisine.
·       How technology is impacting modern dining.
 
Short topics will also be:
·       Formal dining settings.
·       When to eat with your fingers.
·       You’d be crazy to be a part of this industry.
 
No prerequisite, just an interest in the restaurant and dining out culture.
Facilitators
avatar for Russell Jong

Russell Jong

I learned to cook because I enjoy eating. I am a Nueva alumnus, having attended Nueva a long time ago. I enrolled in cooking school after I earned my degree from Stanford University. After a few years of working in kitchens as a cook and having my own catering company, I took a break... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Designing Die Cut Stickers: Digital Illustration
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Just like in college-level art school, we will spend our part of the day screen-free. We will start by learning about sticker culture, looking a great sticker art, talking about the importance of art in public spaces, and discovering what happens when we democratize our art for all to see. We will then start the design process by sketching multiple ideas, talking through our process, doing a real live art school critique, and choosing one idea to develop.

Then we jump off the paper. We will take an idea from part one, and bring it into the digital space. We will start by going over the basics of Adobe Illustrator software on your laptops. Then students will have the remaining time to work freely on their own projects. At the end of the class finished art will be "submitting to the printer" aka Christina. Finalized work will be printed by a professional printer and returned to the school when completed. Processing usually takes up to 2 weeks but ultimately students will have 25 die-cut vinyl stickers to give away, trade, or just have fun with.
Facilitators
avatar for Christina Krzaszczak

Christina Krzaszczak

Christina Jewels Design
My name is Christina and I am a graphic designer from the San Francisco Bay Area. I graduated from the Art Institute in San Francisco, CA in 2009 and since then I have worked with corporate clients, non-profits, and recently launched my own line of die-cut stickers. I draw my influence... Read More →

Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Designing Storytelling Games
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In this session you'll learn how to design in-person storytelling games (including tabletop roleplaying games and larp). We'll play a few short games together and talk about processes and principles for game design. Then you'll design your own games and playtest them.

No prior play or design experience required.
Facilitators
avatar for Randy Lubin

Randy Lubin

Founder, Leveraged Play
Randy Lubin is an award winning game designer and entrepreneur. He makes beginner friendly roleplaying games and larps through his studio Diegetic Games. His consulting firm Leveraged Play designs serious games that help organizations explore the future and explain complex topics... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

From Hostage to Healer: Sarah Shourd's Journey to Rejecting Mass Incarceration
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Sarah Shourd is a lifelong social justice activist, somatic practitioner and a leader in the movement to create safer communities through Reimagining Justice outside prisons and jails. She is an award-winning investigative journalist, acclaimed Pulitzer-presented playwright, author, producer and filmmaker. In 2009, Sarah was living in Syria when she was captured near the unmarked Iran-Iraq border and imprisoned by the Iranian government incommunicado in solitary confinement for 410 days. Learn how this horrific experience became a springboard for Sarah’s work for healing, justice and collective liberation for the last 15 years, delving into the deeper implications of mass incarceration and the widespread use of solitary confinement in prisons across our country. How can we think outside of the harsh and brutal paradigm of punishment and control? How can we heal our communities and ourselves? See http://www.sarahshourd.com for more information.
Facilitators
SS

Sarah Shourd

Founder, End of Isolation
I'm an award-winning author, trauma-informed journalist, playwright and Stanford John S. Knight Fellow based in Oakland, CA. Over the last decade the majority of my work has centered around exposing the inhumanity of solitary confinement and how it enables mass incarceration in U.S... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Hot Glass - Cool Designs
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Create your own hot glass experience in this hands-on hot glass class. Blow, shape, and color your project. Explore the technical and the artistic basics of glass working in this fast-paced beginner's class.
Facilitators
DB

Douglass Brown

Half Moon Bay Art Glass
Douglass Brown has had a 40+ year history of working with glass in many different types of glass. 13 years ago, he opened up Half Moon Bay Art Glass and started giving hot glass experiences to the public and corporate team building events. Now with the help of his team, they have... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Learn to Make Cheese
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Do you love cheese? Under the guidance of Gillian Chao, founding member of the San Francisco League of Urban Cheesemakers, you will experience the entire cheesemaking process, starting from milk and ending with your very own batch of fromage frais, a delightfully creamy cow’s milk fresh cheese. Don't forget to bring your appetite! You'll also do some "learn by eating" as you sample a curated selection of several different kinds of cheeses, including some of Gillian's personal favorites.
Facilitators
avatar for Gillian Chao

Gillian Chao

Gillian Chao can usually be found stationed by the cheeseboard at parties. She fell in with a maker crowd as she took cheesemaking classes and somehow became a founding member of the San Francisco League of Urban Cheesemakers. When she’s not making cheese, she is usually feeding... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

Movie Makeup: Burns, Bruises, Scars! Special Effects Makeup
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Learn how to create realistic wounds for Film and Television. Join Makeup Artist Elizabeth Fox as we use professional grade products to make cuts, bruises and multiple other gore and wounds. Elizabeth will show you how to navigate using the correct product for the job. We will use silicone build ups for scaring and cuts, bruise wheels and tattoo palates to make burns and bruises and learn on set blood techniques, using multiple fake blood products. A small makeup FX kit will be provided.
Facilitators
avatar for Elizabeth Fox

Elizabeth Fox

Elizabeth Fox has been a professional working makeup artist since 2000, with over 50 feature films to her credit. She began her makeup artistry in the theater and started working in television and film while living in New York City. After moving to Hollywood, Elizabeth worked primarily... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Advanced Math And Game Theory In The Old Testament
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
During this session, we will learn how a mathematical problem from game theory, whose solution was found by ancient Israelites over 2000 years ago but never recorded, was found anew by modern day mathematicians. Brace yourself for a wild ride.

P.S. I'll share the solution, promise!
Facilitators
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

1:55pm PST

Coalition Building: How Politics Can Shape and Change Public Perception
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
I will talk about why there is often a shift which states are "swing states" over time, as well as how politicians choose certain topics & themes to focus on in their campaigns based on what is politically viable. Example questions include: How did Barack Obama carry several states that are now considered strongly Republican? Aside from purely just changes in public opinion, why do political parties shift their political stances over time? This session will be taught in a non-partisan fashion and is intended to teach students about the salience of political issues and how campaigning works from a calculated standpoint.
Facilitators
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

College Art Portfolio Prep
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
This session is perfect for students of any grade who are looking to build an art portfolio, especially for applications to college or art school. If you want to study fine art/studio art as your major and become an artist, having a solid portfolio is an essential. However, regardless of whether art is what you want to study in college, an art portfolio can be a great supplement to applications. I’ll be talking about how to approach building a portfolio and the process of it. I’ll also cover practical skills like documentation of art work and writing about your art.
Facilitators
AL

Ada Liv

Ada Liv is an artist from the Bay Area currently working in Los Angeles. With a love for organic materials, she creates paintings, sculptural installations, and textile work inspired by natural forms and biology. Prior to graduating from USC in 2024 with a BA in Art, she studied at... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Freshman Year of College for Dummies
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
This is an interactive boot camp for everyone who has questions about going to college! It's a crash course on everything you need to know to have a successful freshman year at college. I'll cover everything from making new friends to doing your laundry to choosing which courses to take/how to actually study for a midterm/final. It will be lighthearted and fun, so get ready to relieve your stress about college and get active!!! We'll also have food and drinks.

Open to all grades, but generally for Juniors and Seniors.
Facilitators
MT

Mia Tavares

I'm a Nueva Alumni (class of 2023!) and a sophomore at Harvard College studying Chemistry. I write for the Harvard Undergraduate Law Review and the Harvard Independent. I also hold positions on the Harvard College Honor Council and Lowell House Housing Committee.
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

How Humans Sense the World Around Them: Neuroscience Basics
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
How does the brain influence the way that we perceive the world? My research seeks to understand this question! Come by for a crash course on some basic neuroscience and fun experiments to get a taste of what it means to be a human with a brain and sensing organs.

No previous skills required! If you're interested in psychology, biology or human feeling/sensing/experience, this is definitely the place for you. I might ask for some participants in some experiments, if you’re willing!
Facilitators
AB

Alisa Braun

University of California, Berkeley
Hi! I'm Alisa Braun. I work at NASA Ames research center. I'm excited about all things neuroscience and how that influences our everyday lives.
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Privacy, Free Speech, and the Internet: An ACLU Lawyer's Perspective
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In this interactive session, participants will discuss some of the legal and policy issues underlying free speech and privacy rights, and the potential conflicts between the two with the rise of new technologies like the Internet.  Real-life cases brought by the ACLU will be used to illustrate how public interest litigation cases are developed to create and change laws, and the potential clashes that can occur between competing civil rights and policy goals.
Facilitators
avatar for Aden Fine

Aden Fine

General Counsel
Aden is a veteran General Counsel who has been working on cutting-edge technology and privacy issues for over twenty-five years. He is currently the General Counsel of Wheel, a leading telehealth company.  He previously led Datavant, a health data technology company, through a... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
 
Thursday, January 9
 

8:55am PST

Ancient Legends, Modern Myths
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
A lot of our current beliefs about the past are not based in science. For instance, a lot of people think that aliens built the pyramids, or that people practiced human sacrifice at Stonehenge. Both of these are popular myths because they make a much more exciting story than the truth! How can archaeologists help people understand more about the ancient world so that we can figure out what’s true?
Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

Diagnostic Odysseys: The Diagnosis and Discovery of Rare Genetic Conditions
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Join a discussion of the genomic technologies and collaboration platforms facilitating the discovery of 100s of new diseases each and what it's like to be among the first patients to be recognized to have a new disease.
Facilitators
avatar for Jon Bernstein

Jon Bernstein

Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine
Jon Bernstein is a Professor of Pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine. His work is focused on the care of children with rare and ultra-rare conditions. He co-leads two research programs focused on discovering new genetic diseases - the Stanford site of the NIH Undiagnosed... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

How Friendships Can Support Developing Organizational Skills, Planning Abilities, and Community
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Friendships have so many benefits, and being aware of being a true, loyal, and good friend to people is its own reward. Practicing things that can make friendships stronger and allow people to mutually support each other in fun and natural ways could be something that is useful to be aware of. For instance, if you were great at something and your friend(s) wanted to learn that skill, wouldn't it be a compliment to be able to help them learn it, along with you being open to learning things that they may be skilled in? What if that superpower was related to easy and useful organizational skills?

Organizational skills might sound a bit boring but organically developing them can help people in all sorts of ways: making times for getting together and showing dependability and following through on the plans; people have confidence and personal control of their "time diet" for academic needs, social priorities, family needs, recreational/sports commitments and various other extra-curricular activities; calming down the sometimes anxious thoughts about "too much to do!" that many of us can have from time to time; and generally spending a little bit of effort ahead of time in order to have a more relaxed and enjoyable life over the long run. Being aware that you and they both probably have organizational skills that can be displayed and influence each other positively is a terrific expression the kind of mutually supportive relationship that deepens your connections!
Facilitators
MG

Mark Goodenough

Moving Forward Towards Independence
Hello, I'm Mark Goodenough, Nueva '79, and I had my first known exposure to neuro-diversity in the Upper Elementary at The Mansion and have made this topic my life's work. Nueva was by far the most impactful educational and personal experience of my life, far eclipsing later exploits... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

I'm Like'n Lichens!
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
There is an entire world of biodiversity that is hidden in all types of environments, including at The Nueva School! This is the world of lichens, which are frequently overlooked due to their small size. Lichens are unique composite organisms that appear and function as one organism, but are actually made up of multiple species of fungi, algae, and bacteria. Lichens play important roles in their ecosystems, including support for wildlife. Scientists study lichens for many reasons, including that they are bioindicators of air pollution and have antibacterial/antifungal properties.

We will take a hands-on approach to learning about lichens. The goals of this intersession are to:
- Learn what a lichen is
- Recognize lichens in the wild
- Identify some locally occurring lichens

This intersession will take place outside and in the lab. We will closely observe lichens in their natural environments on The Nueva School property. We will also work in a lab in order to catalyze chemical reactions using lichens, which is an important component of lichen identification. We will learn basic use of dichotomous keys for lichens so that when students leave the intersession, they have foundational tools and knowledge to continue identifying lichens they encounter.
Facilitators
DA

Danielle Alexandra Ward

Danielle is a PhD student in Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. As someone who has always been interested in spending as much time as possible outside, she was drawn to take field based classes in college. She majored in English and ecology at a small liberal... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

Let's Dance (West Coast Swing)!
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
California's official state dance, West Coast Swing, is a fun social dance that emphasizes improvisation (check out examples of competitive WCS here, here, and here). Originally a form of Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing has evolved into a modern partner dance which can be danced to almost any kind of music and is also degendered (anyone can lead or follow). It's increasingly popular thanks to social media: Learn how to "speak" WCS, and you'll have a community of Westie friends on college campuses and in cities all around the world.
No dance experience necessary. Wear pants and comfortable sneakers/flat shoes.
Facilitators
LL

Lydia Lee & James Kao

Lydia Lee and James Kao have been dancing West Coast Swing for many years on the social dance floor. We also compete occasionally and dance both lead and follow. We're excited to share our love of WCS with you!
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Non-Profit and For-Profit Approaches to Social Entrepreneurship
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Jeremiah and Jacquie Robison will lead students through their experiences as 9th grader, Sofia Robison's parents. Sofia received a diagnosis of cerebral palsy when she was just over one year old.

Jacquie saw the inequity/gaps that exist with disability inclusion, and launched the multi-national nonprofit, WAWOS (We're All Working On Something). Their mission is to disrupt the narrative around physical disability in kids + teens, promote access to adventure for all abilities, and advocate inclusion. Her engagement will empower students to consider the social change they want to see, and lead them through steps to either partner with existing orgs or build mission statements, draft bylaws, apply for nonprofit status etc to build community for strong impact

Jeremiah, as a serial entrepreneur and technologist, was frustrated by the lack of tools to address mobility impairments (why have we not moved beyond walkers and wheelchairs?), and launched VC-backed CIONIC, to build bionic clothing. They have built an FDA-cleared Neural Sleeve (lower limb) that combines motor learning with functional electrical stimulation to activate the necessary muscles precisely coordinated in the gait cycle. Jeremiah will guide students through approaches to apply technology/innovation to solve a problem.
Facilitators
avatar for Jacquie Robison & Jeremiah Robison

Jacquie Robison & Jeremiah Robison

Founder/Executive Director, WAWOS
JEREMIAH ROBISON is a serial entrepreneur and technologist building the future of human augmentation. He spent his career at the intersection of consumer health and machine learning/engineering. He began his journey at Apple building neural networks for handwriting recognition and... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

The Art & Science of Pinball
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Join us for a look at the art, science, and technology behind pinball. In this session we’ll look at the evolution of pinball, from the early mechanical games to today’s technological marvels. Learn how artists, designers, and engineers collaborate to create a game, and what pinball can tell us about history and culture.

We’ll spend half of this session examining a pinball machine and its components, discussing why pinball was illegal in many states, and how changes in technology and culture can be observed in the design of a pinball machine. In the other half of the session, we’ll be playing pinball machines from different eras to see how the game has changed over time. We’ll also cover some basic pinball strategies you can use to improve your skills!
Facilitators
avatar for Pacific Pinball Museum

Pacific Pinball Museum

Located in Alameda, California, Pacific Pinball Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring an interest in science, art, and history through pinball. Visitors to our museum can experience the fascinating stories behind this classic pastime, learn about the... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

The Art of Cooking Breakfast: Crepes, Pancakes, and Omelettes
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Let’s cook breakfast together! In this class, students will create sweet and savory crepes, pancakes, made-to-order omelettes, and hot cocoa. No prior cooking experience required. Eat your culinary creations!
Facilitators
avatar for Michelle Greenebaum

Michelle Greenebaum

Together In The Kitchen
Michelle Greenebaum of Together In The Kitchen (and mom of an 8th grader at Nueva!) teaches the Art and Science of Cooking and Baking to kids, teenagers, and adults in the Bay Area. This is her 4th year teaching Intersession at Nueva. Her classes are hands-on, fun, and support all... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

American Sign Language
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Of the more than 380 languages used in the United States, only one of these consists of hand gestures, body movements and facial expressions, rather than the spoken word. Get a 'feel' for American Sign Language and Deaf culture as we learn the ASL alphabet, play games, sing and sign our way through this exciting hands-on workshop! You will learn enough signs to chat with your friends from across the room ...without making a sound!
Facilitators
avatar for Bill White

Bill White

Owner, Happy Baby Signs
Bill White is the founder of the Happy Baby Signs and co-author with Kathleen Harper of the internationally best selling book, Signs of a Happy Baby. He has facilitated baby sign language programs at Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, Sutter Health, Harmony Birth and Family, Blossom... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

Beginning Guitar
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Students will learn the fundamental chord shapes on the guitar, as well as basic strumming, scales, and rhythmic concepts. We will also cover how songs are created and analyzed through the lens of contemporary rock/pop music. No experience required.
Facilitators
GV

Greg Vaughan

Greg Vaughan has taught guitar and ukulele at Gryphon Strings for over two decades. He specializes in contemporary music including alternative, punk, rock (modern and classic), acoustic (especially classic and new rock), and electric blues guitar. He also has taught group guitar and... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

Biomimicry: Learn From Nature’s 3.8 Billion Years Of Experience In Good Design
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Biomimicry is the conscious emulation of Life’s genius. It is a design and innovation discipline that brings together science, engineering, design and business. Organizations and change agents around the world learn from nature at multiple scales: products, packaging and materials, processes, and systems like cities. Join this session to learn about biomimicry and "Life’s Principles" — nature’s overarching strategies for good design — and start using them. The session will include a presentation and a team exercise. Teams will apply Life’s Principles to address specific challenges.
Facilitators
avatar for Zeynep Arhon

Zeynep Arhon

Certified Biomimicry Professional, Biomimicry 3.8
Zeynep Arhon is a Certified Biomimicry Professional with a background in business, specializing in account management and thought leadership at Biomimicry 3.8. She also teaches biomimicry and business courses in the Master of Science in Biomimicry program at Arizona State University... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Crocheted Granny Squares
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Expand your crocheting skills including following written patterns and stitch diagrams. You’ll make up to three different granny squares, two of which can be continued indefinitely to make any size including one large square as a modern and graphic blanket. We'll also discuss how to attach squares together for patchwork projects. Ideally students will already know chain stitch and double crochet. More advanced crocheters can bring in granny square patterns or projects for individual help.
Facilitators
avatar for Kira Dulaney

Kira Dulaney

Kira K Designs
Kira Dulaney has been teaching fiber arts classes and hosting crafty events in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond since 2002. As a teacher, her focus is on providing valuable information in a stress-free environment, and supporting students through the learning process. She is... Read More →

Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

From Cover to Cover: A Book Arts Workshop
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

From Cover to Cover: A Book Arts Workshop is an exploration into the world of handmade books and the artistry of bookbinding. In this workshop, students will discover various bookmaking techniques, from folding and stitching to creating unique covers and personalized pages. Through guided instruction, participants will learn the basics of bookbinding, explore different materials and tools, and design their own one-of-a-kind books that tell a story or express a theme.

This workshop encourages students to think beyond traditional books, blending elements of art, design, and storytelling to craft an expressive final piece. Whether they’re interested in journaling, illustrating, or simply creating a personal keepsake, students will leave with a deeper appreciation of the book as an art form—along with a finished book that’s uniquely theirs from cover to cover.

Facilitators
NO

Nina Osborne

Nina Osborne is a multimedia artist, printmaker, and art educator with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an MA in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. As a mother of three boys aged 7, 9, and 10, she values nurturing creativity in young minds. Nina combines her... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Gel Plate Printing Inspired by Nature
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Create stunning monoprints with leaves from the yard. Learn experimental techniques with this fun medium such as inking with masked objects and making ghost impressions which show incredible detail. You will print a set of unique cards and afterwards construct a sewn booklet, using one of the cards as the cover.
Facilitators
EG

Elaine G. Chu

Elaine G. Chu has taught workshops to people of all ages, including Nueva students for the past eight years. Her work has been published in "Greencraft" and "Somerset Studio" magazines as well as "1000 Artists‘ Books.” She co-authored "Wood Paper Scissors,” a how-to crafts book... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Hot Glass - Cool Designs
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Create your own hot glass experience in this hands-on hot glass class. Blow, shape, and color your project. Explore the technical and the artistic basics of glass working in this fast-paced beginner's class.
Facilitators
DB

Douglass Brown

Half Moon Bay Art Glass
Douglass Brown has had a 40+ year history of working with glass in many different types of glass. 13 years ago, he opened up Half Moon Bay Art Glass and started giving hot glass experiences to the public and corporate team building events. Now with the help of his team, they have... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Insect Innovations: How Insect Adaptations Inspire Human Ingenuity
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Insect evolution offers a wealth of inspiration for human innovations. Learn how the remarkable adaptations of insects and other arthropods are influencing people in fields like medicine, engineering, and architecture. Led by Beetlelady, Dr. Stephanie Dole, this class will be an engaging tour of the amazing solutions nature has come up with and how humans can learn from them. This class will also include hands-on time with live bugs.
Facilitators
avatar for Stephanie Dole

Stephanie Dole

Beetlelady
Stephanie Dole, PhD, known as the Beetlelady, is an entomologist who captivates audiences of all ages with her enthusiasm and knowledge of insects. She brings the world of bugs to life through engaging, hands-on educational class and experiences, such as her Pop-Up Bug Museum... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Intro to Metalworking & Jewelry Making!
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
In this 2.5 hour activity, you'll learn the basics of small-scale metalworking using a variety of tools! You'll get an introduction to the world of soldering, shaping, and polishing metal to create little pieces of wearable art!

No experience whatsoever is necessary, but come with some idea of what you want to make, closed-toed shoes, and no flowy sleeves! Or, if you DO have experience from a past Jewelry Intersession or a WoW Workshop, you'll have the freedom to explore techniques you already know, get instruction on anything more advanced, or ask for advice on anything you're working on!

Interested in a longer, more in-depth course where we'll get more practice and get to cover things more thoroughly? Check out the 5 hour In-depth version of this class!
Facilitators
avatar for Sophia Hoermann

Sophia Hoermann

Sophia Hoermann is a Nueva alumni from the class of 2022 and she is now a junior in college at the University of Utah. She started making jewelry in middle school and didn't realize until she took a jewelry making Intersession sophomore year that Nueva had all of the tools needed... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Making Change: Counting Finite Things using Infinite Ideas
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
How many ways can you make $0.97 from quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies?
How can you derive a closed-form formula for the sum of the first n squares or cubes? Or for the n-th Fibonacci number?

These all sound like inherently discrete counting problems--yet there are ideas from the realm of continuous functions, which have an essentially non-discrete, infinite character, that can be used to solve them. We'll explore generating functions, which encode solutions in polynomials, and touch on finite calculus, which extends ideas of calculus to the discrete realm.

Prerequisites: most of the class will just use ideas through precalculus, but familiarity with basic derivatives and integrals will be helpful for the last part of the class.
Facilitators
MC

Michael Callahan

Michael Callahan had a first career as a mathematician, working on differential geometry, symplectic topology, and gauge theory, including as a Rhodes Scholar and Junior Research Fellow in Mathematics at Oxford University.  After that he became a software entrepreneur and investor... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

Song Decoder: Unlocking the Secrets Behind the Music You Love
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
In this workshop, we’ll break down some of our favorite songs to uncover what makes them truly work. What elevates a song from good to great? How can your musical taste shape your creative process? Using cutting-edge signal processing tools when needed, we’ll dive into the heart of the music, drawing on principles of auditory perception to reveal how physical sound transforms into an emotional experience. From detailed part-by-part analysis to whole-song critiques, this workshop will change the way you listen, and inspire how you create. "Song Decoder" is geared towards everyone, while Max’s other session, "Song Creator" is designed for musicians and songwriters. Led by songwriter/producer/keyboardist/educator Max Cowan.
Facilitators
avatar for Max Cowan

Max Cowan

Composer/Educator/Creator, Max Cowan Music
I studied Music, Linguistics, Cognitive Science and Philosophy at UC Berkeley and have been a professional musician since graduating in 2005. My studies focused on understanding how living beings perceive and interact with sound, and I remain as excited about such interaction to this... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

Stand-Up and Deliver: Comedy Writing
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
In this half-day stand-up comedy writing workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of crafting and delivering their own original comedic material. Through interactive exercises, group collaboration, and solo writing time, students will explore the art of joke construction, comedic timing, and finding their unique voice. The workshop will also emphasize the importance of storytelling and personal experience in comedy, helping students turn real-life observations into relatable, funny material. By the end of the session, participants will have developed a short stand-up set and gain the confidence to share their work with the group.
Facilitators
CR

Corey Rosen

My name is Corey Rosen.  My wife, Jenny, teaches drama and improv at Nueva. I am a writer, actor, producer and author of “Your Story, Well Told.”  I host The Moth StorySlam and have been featured on The Sarah and Vinnie Show and The Moth Radio Hour. My teaching specialty is... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Startup Pitch Workshop: From Idea to Winning Presentation
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
In this dynamic workshop, participants will explore the art of startup pitching. Students will discuss what makes a great pitch, brainstorm innovative ideas, and learn to structure compelling presentations in small teams. The session culminates in a pitch competition where 3-4 teams present to expert judges, including Wayee and her associates. Teams will receive valuable feedback, refining their pitching skills and understanding key investor considerations. The workshop concludes with the selection of a winning team, celebrating creativity, teamwork, and effective communication. This hands-on experience provides students with practical skills in startup ideation, collaboration, and presentation – essential for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators.
Facilitators
WC

Wayee Chu

General Partner, Reach Capital
Wayee Chu is a General Partner at Reach Capital, a venture fund investing in founders who empower people to thrive across learning, health, and work. Prior to Reach, Wayee was the co-founder of the NewSchools Seed Fund; a fund focused on early stage education technology companies... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Short Film In A Day
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
You will make a (very) short film in one day. You will come into the session with an idea for a (very) short film. You will learn about the type of shots and framing to tell your story. You will storyboard your film, including thinking about camera placement. You will cover the basics of directing actors. Then, you will shoot your film and come back in the afternoon to edit your film into the final form - including using music and sound to make your film more impactful.
Facilitators
avatar for Shripriya Mahesh Ramanan

Shripriya Mahesh Ramanan

Shripriya Mahesh is a filmmaker based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She wrote and directed “Waking Jed“, a short film featuring Academy Award® Nominees James Franco and Jessica Chastain. In addition, she has written, directed, and edited several award-winning short films that... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

TIG Welding
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas): So you've melted some metal. Now learn the process that took us to outer space! TIG is welding on exotic metals and specialized applications: bicycles, rockets, and racecars — oh my! Get your intro to TIG, with hands-on practice and applied knowledge to begin your own journey into the science of metal. Safety equipment and course materials will be provided.
Facilitators
PM

Peter McEvoy

Peter McEvoy is an artist, metal fabricator and product engineer based in Oakland, California. Peter has a wide range of industry experience, including; small metal casting for jewelry, sculptural bronze casting, architectural metal fabrication and welding, prototype engineering and... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Cu-Bop Latin Jazz Ensemble
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - Friday January 10, 2025 3:10pm PST
TBA
Legendary Cuban musicians Axel Tosca and Jesus Diaz will be leading Nueva musicians in an intense rehearsal format teaching Afro-Cuban jazz styles both contemporary and traditional. With Axel on keyboards and Jesus on percussion you will learn to groove in new styles and have a great time working with two of the best around. You’ll learn the Mambo, Cha Cha, Songo and more.

This will run as a Tuesday-Wednesday session and again on Thursday-Friday. YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR ONE OR BOTH SESSIONS! Both groups will culminate with a lunchtime performance on Friday.

All instruments welcome!
Facilitators
JM

Jim Munzenreider

The Nueva School
Axel’s Bio, check it out!https://www.axeltosca.com/bioRodney’s Bio, insane!https://www.discussionsinpercussion.com/home/2021/2/2/214-rodney-barreto-drummer-for-chucho-valdes-omara-portuondo-havana-de-primera-amp-more
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - Friday January 10, 2025 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2-Day intensive

8:55am PST

Playing Politics: A Political Role Playing Game
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - Friday January 10, 2025 3:10pm PST
TBA
Prepare to practice the art of politics in the Civic Mirror® political role-playing game. You will inhabit a country modeled after the U.S. and will have an opportunity to manage a business, run for office, and serve on a jury. If someone sues you or charges you with a crime, you will be put on trial. You will need to find a way to keep the members of your family alive (provide them with food, shelter, medical care, etc.) while pursuing your "hidden agenda" (secret goals). You will work through the real-life challenges and trade-offs necessary to enact legislation in a country where people's goals are often in conflict.
Facilitators
LM

Lee Miller

College of San Mateo
Lee has been a professor of political science at College of San Mateo since 2008 and has been teaching in the Nueva summer program since 2012. Lee earned a Ph.D. in political science at UCLA and also has studied at Brandeis University (Massachusetts), Oxford University (England) and... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - Friday January 10, 2025 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Woodworking: Build A Bandsaw Box
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - Friday January 10, 2025 3:10pm PST
TBA
With designer/woodworker Katie Kilanowski, you will build your very own bandsaw box. Bandsaw boxes are boxes made out of wood using only a bandsaw for cutting them out. The wood may be a solid block, a laminated block, or a log from the woodpile. Whereas most boxes have straight sides and square corners, bandsaw boxes have virtually no shape restrictions.
Facilitators
KK

Katie Kilanowski

Kila Co.
Katie Kilanowski is a full-time woodworker who specializes in custom furniture fabrication and sculptural lighting fixtures. The artist attempts to bridge the gap between fine art and furniture, paying homage to the studio furniture movement. Curved lines and smooth contours reference... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - Friday January 10, 2025 3:10pm PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Bioarchaeology: Exploring Human Remains in History
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Why are humans remains important in archaeology? How can we use the bodies of ancient people to tell us more about their lives - and how can looking at living people today help us understand the way we used to live before technologies like computers and plastic?
Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  1 Block

10:15am PST

Cat & Mouse: Exploiting & Protecting Online Systems
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Let's go on a journey into the motivations and methods employed by individuals and organizations who exploit online systems. Through real-world examples and group discussion, you will gain insights into how hackers think and operate. Using these insights, we then will explore the current tools and technologies that engineers build to protect online systems. Where we end up on this journey is up to you. We can either go deep into a particular type of attack and design the systems to combat it or do a broader survey of the current state of the art.

Having a knowledge of how http requests work and experience with scripting language is a plus but not necessary for this session.
Facilitators
avatar for Pedram Keyani

Pedram Keyani

Head of Platform Integrity, OpenAI
Pedram Keyani is responsible for the Integrity team at OpenAI. Previously he was a software engineer at Google and director at Facebook focusing on Site Integrity and Uber focusing on Growth.
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Conservation Ambassadors: Amazing Animal Adaptations
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
From camouflage to prehensile tails, adaptations are essential for animals and humans to survive. The physical and behavioral characteristics of these amazing animal ambassadors are highlighted in this engaging program.
Facilitators
CA

Conservation Ambassadors

Conservation Ambassadors
34 years ago David established a non-profit rescue zoo in Paso Robles where he gives wildlife a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals. Sharing these animal ambassadors helps us educate learners of all ages about conservation... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

I'm Like'n Lichens!
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
There is an entire world of biodiversity that is hidden in all types of environments, including at The Nueva School! This is the world of lichens, which are frequently overlooked due to their small size. Lichens are unique composite organisms that appear and function as one organism, but are actually made up of multiple species of fungi, algae, and bacteria. Lichens play important roles in their ecosystems, including support for wildlife. Scientists study lichens for many reasons, including that they are bioindicators of air pollution and have antibacterial/antifungal properties.

We will take a hands-on approach to learning about lichens. The goals of this intersession are to:
- Learn what a lichen is
- Recognize lichens in the wild
- Identify some locally occurring lichens

This intersession will take place outside and in the lab. We will closely observe lichens in their natural environments on The Nueva School property. We will also work in a lab in order to catalyze chemical reactions using lichens, which is an important component of lichen identification. We will learn basic use of dichotomous keys for lichens so that when students leave the intersession, they have foundational tools and knowledge to continue identifying lichens they encounter.
Facilitators
DA

Danielle Alexandra Ward

Danielle is a PhD student in Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. As someone who has always been interested in spending as much time as possible outside, she was drawn to take field based classes in college. She majored in English and ecology at a small liberal... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  1 Block

10:15am PST

IVs, Injections, and Blood Draw
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
This workshop is truly a one-of-a-kind medical experience that will teach each participant the basics of inserting and starting an IV, administering injections, collecting venous blood samples, and much more!

Whether you are interested in nursing and dermatology or anesthesia and surgery as possible career paths, this lab will allow you to practice and perfect the skills these professions use every day!

You will learn firsthand how healthcare professionals deliver life-saving medicine in hospitals and clinics using IVs and injections.
Facilitators
KT

Kimble Torres

Pathways to Medicine
Kimble Torres is a veteran biologist specializing in the human body and athletics. During his tenure in the biotech industry, Kimble worked for Nektar Therapeutics, Genentech, and Tycho Healthcare investigating product feasibility and managing lab operations. In 2014, his passion... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

The Art & Science of Pinball
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Join us for a look at the art, science, and technology behind pinball. In this session we’ll look at the evolution of pinball, from the early mechanical games to today’s technological marvels. Learn how artists, designers, and engineers collaborate to create a game, and what pinball can tell us about history and culture.

We’ll spend half of this session examining a pinball machine and its components, discussing why pinball was illegal in many states, and how changes in technology and culture can be observed in the design of a pinball machine. In the other half of the session, we’ll be playing pinball machines from different eras to see how the game has changed over time. We’ll also cover some basic pinball strategies you can use to improve your skills!
Facilitators
avatar for Pacific Pinball Museum

Pacific Pinball Museum

Located in Alameda, California, Pacific Pinball Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring an interest in science, art, and history through pinball. Visitors to our museum can experience the fascinating stories behind this classic pastime, learn about the... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

The Art of Cooking Breakfast: Crepes, Pancakes, and Omelettes
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Let’s cook breakfast together! In this class, students will create sweet and savory crepes, pancakes, made-to-order omelettes, and hot cocoa. No prior cooking experience required. Eat your culinary creations!
Facilitators
avatar for Michelle Greenebaum

Michelle Greenebaum

Together In The Kitchen
Michelle Greenebaum of Together In The Kitchen (and mom of an 8th grader at Nueva!) teaches the Art and Science of Cooking and Baking to kids, teenagers, and adults in the Bay Area. This is her 4th year teaching Intersession at Nueva. Her classes are hands-on, fun, and support all... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  1 Block

11:30am PST

Pinball Open Play
Thursday January 9, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PST
TBA
Come find out if you're a pinball wizard in this open hour of play. First come first serve to use the machines.
Facilitators
avatar for Pacific Pinball Museum

Pacific Pinball Museum

Located in Alameda, California, Pacific Pinball Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring an interest in science, art, and history through pinball. Visitors to our museum can experience the fascinating stories behind this classic pastime, learn about the... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Black Holes: Discovering the Invisible
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Black holes are some of the most extreme objects in the universe. They push the boundaries of our knowledge and hold many unsolved mysteries. Come learn about black holes from "small" to enormous, how we detect them, and explore the frontiers of astrophysics!
Facilitators
NA

Natasha Abrams

Graduate Student, University of California, Berkeley
Natasha Abrams is a 4th year astrophysics PhD student at UC Berkeley, searching for black holes via gravitational microlensing. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Astrophysics and Physics from Harvard University in 2021. At Berkeley, she works on photometric microlensing with large... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

12:35pm PST

IVs, Injections, and Blood Draw
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
This workshop is truly a one-of-a-kind medical experience that will teach each participant the basics of inserting and starting an IV, administering injections, collecting venous blood samples, and much more!

Whether you are interested in nursing and dermatology or anesthesia and surgery as possible career paths, this lab will allow you to practice and perfect the skills these professions use every day!

You will learn firsthand how healthcare professionals deliver life-saving medicine in hospitals and clinics using IVs and injections.
Facilitators
KT

Kimble Torres

Pathways to Medicine
Kimble Torres is a veteran biologist specializing in the human body and athletics. During his tenure in the biotech industry, Kimble worked for Nektar Therapeutics, Genentech, and Tycho Healthcare investigating product feasibility and managing lab operations. In 2014, his passion... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Learn to Play Go
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
This class will cover the basic fundamentals of the game of Go and hopefully start you on a path towards learning a strategy game that's captivated millions of minds around the world for thousands of years. Students who already know how to play are welcome to join and will be paired up with other experienced players.

Go (also known as Weiqi, Baduk and Igo) is an ancient Chinese strategy board game that has been around for at least 2000 years. It's often considered the oldest strategy game on the planet that's still being played in its original form (although Chess has also existed for thousands of years, the rules have changed over time).

Once upon a time, it was considered one of the four essential arts of a Chinese scholar and although it's not very well known in the Western world, it is still widely played in China, Japan and Korea today, with major tournaments often being broadcast on the news and online.

Go players often joke that you can learn the game in a few minutes but it may take you the rest of your life to master. Come to this class if you like deep strategy games and puzzles! I'd love to help you start on your Go journey!

Students who attend this session are invited to the open Go play sessions.
Facilitators
CD

Casey Dahlin

Casey has been playing Go for over fifteen years and is the vice president of the San Francisco Go Club.
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

12:35pm PST

Push & Pull: Structural Factors that Influence the Health Needs of Migrants to the US
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Structural inequities and racism create significan health impacts on migrants in the United States, including asylum seekers, short-term authorized workers like farmworkers, and unauthorized residents. In this session, we will evaluate some of the social structures that have produced and maintain modern social inequities as well as health disparities. Students will learn to assess the structural processes that are at play for migrant populations, how these processes affect their health, and efforts in the US to reduce these health barriers.
Facilitators
CS

Claire Seda

Migrant Clinicians Network
Claire Hutkins Seda is Director of Communications at Migrant Clinicians Network, a national nonprofit that is building practical solutions at the intersection of migration, vulnerability, and health. Claire is a writer and editor primarily focused on environmental degradation and... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

The Art & Science of Pinball
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Join us for a look at the art, science, and technology behind pinball. In this session we’ll look at the evolution of pinball, from the early mechanical games to today’s technological marvels. Learn how artists, designers, and engineers collaborate to create a game, and what pinball can tell us about history and culture.

We’ll spend half of this session examining a pinball machine and its components, discussing why pinball was illegal in many states, and how changes in technology and culture can be observed in the design of a pinball machine. In the other half of the session, we’ll be playing pinball machines from different eras to see how the game has changed over time. We’ll also cover some basic pinball strategies you can use to improve your skills!
Facilitators
avatar for Pacific Pinball Museum

Pacific Pinball Museum

Located in Alameda, California, Pacific Pinball Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring an interest in science, art, and history through pinball. Visitors to our museum can experience the fascinating stories behind this classic pastime, learn about the... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

The Science of Baking: The Great Chocolate Chip Cookie Experiment
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Join us in the food lab for “The Great Chocolate Chip Cookie Experiment''. First, we’ll examine the role of flour, leavening agents, sugar, eggs, fats, time, and temperature and how they work together to create delicious baked goods. After baking the control recipe, students will break into teams where they will change ingredients, proportions, and ratios in the recipe to see how it affects the cookie’s flavor, texture, spread and color. Be prepared for a lot of taste testing – and homemade hot cocoa to accompany the cookies!
Facilitators
avatar for Michelle Greenebaum

Michelle Greenebaum

Together In The Kitchen
Michelle Greenebaum of Together In The Kitchen (and mom of an 8th grader at Nueva!) teaches the Art and Science of Cooking and Baking to kids, teenagers, and adults in the Bay Area. This is her 4th year teaching Intersession at Nueva. Her classes are hands-on, fun, and support all... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

12:35pm PST

Unleashing the Surreal: An Exploration of Surrealism in Art
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Step into the world of Surrealism, where dreams and imagination run wild, and reality takes a backseat. In this workshop, students will dive into the history and philosophy of the Surrealist art movement, uncovering how artists like Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, and Max Ernst used dreamlike imagery, unexpected juxtapositions, and elements of the subconscious to create captivating, thought-provoking works. After a brief discussion on the movement’s roots and iconic techniques, students will have the chance to experiment with surrealist methods to create their own piece, blending the bizarre, the beautiful, and the unexpected.
Facilitators
NO

Nina Osborne

Nina Osborne is a multimedia artist, printmaker, and art educator with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an MA in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. As a mother of three boys aged 7, 9, and 10, she values nurturing creativity in young minds. Nina combines her... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

American Sign Language
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Of the more than 380 languages used in the United States, only one of these consists of hand gestures, body movements and facial expressions, rather than the spoken word. Get a 'feel' for American Sign Language and Deaf culture as we learn the ASL alphabet, play games, sing and sign our way through this exciting hands-on workshop! You will learn enough signs to chat with your friends from across the room ...without making a sound!
Facilitators
avatar for Bill White

Bill White

Owner, Happy Baby Signs
Bill White is the founder of the Happy Baby Signs and co-author with Kathleen Harper of the internationally best selling book, Signs of a Happy Baby. He has facilitated baby sign language programs at Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, Sutter Health, Harmony Birth and Family, Blossom... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

Art and Identity
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In this session, you will learn about the work of artist Julie W Chang, who uses the language of patterns to explore the personal and political forces that shape and misshape our lives: narratives, cultures, myths, institutions, and expectations.

You will have the opportunity to explore the images and icons, that represent the unique aspects of who you are, to create your own "pattern identities" that will be layered and woven into an individual or collaborative work of art. A variety of tools and materials may be incorporated including, hand-cut paper, block printing and Adobe Illustrator.
Facilitators
avatar for Julie Chang

Julie Chang

Julie W Chang is a San Francisco-based contemporary artist, whose paintings and large-scale public installations investigate how identities are constructed and how (mis)understandings of both self and other might be resisted, subverted, and reimagined. Her work has been exhibited... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Beginning Ukulele
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
George Harrison wrote, “Everyone should have and play a ‘UKE.’ It’s so simple to carry with you and it is one instrument you can’t play and not laugh!” He carried his uke with him and gave away ukes to friends whenever he could. “Everyone I know who is into the ukulele is ‘crackers,’ so get yourself a few and enjoy yourselves,” he said. Good advice from a Beatle. This course offers an introduction to playing the ukulele. Geared toward both complete neophytes and experienced beginners, the course will teach students the basics of uke chords and strumming. A dozen or so chords will be covered as well as a few strum patterns and basic fingerpicking. Basic chart reading and rhythm studies will also be discussed. No experience required.
Facilitators
GV

Greg Vaughan

Greg Vaughan has taught guitar and ukulele at Gryphon Strings for over two decades. He specializes in contemporary music including alternative, punk, rock (modern and classic), acoustic (especially classic and new rock), and electric blues guitar. He also has taught group guitar and... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

Children's Book Writing & Publishing 101
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a children's book writer? Then this session is for you. Sabrina Moyle, author of over 20 children's books including nine Amazon Editor's Picks, will walk you through the business and process of writing and publishing a children's book. What makes a great children's book? What are the different children's book types and formats? Why do people purchase children's books? Why are some books successful, and others are not? What are the key elements of a children's book? What does a finished children's book manuscript look like? How does a book go from manuscript to publication? How do you get a children's book published? We'll start by discussing some beloved children's books, such as Where the Wild Things Are, Goodnight Moon and The Rabbit Listened, investigate what makes them work, and discuss how books like these are made and published.  Students will then have a chance to brainstorm some ideas of their own.
Facilitators
avatar for Sabrina Moyle

Sabrina Moyle

Writer, Hello!Lucky
Sabrina is a writer and co-founder of Hello!Lucky, a creative studio based in San Francisco known for its letterpress greeting cards, and children's books, with her sister, illustrator Eunice Moyle. She has written over 25 books for children and adults selling over 1.5 million copies... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Consent and Treatment of the Dead in Museums
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Museums curate and display human remains in order to research the past and to educate the public. But it has come to light that many of the individuals on display might not have considered the museum to be their ideal final resting place. Adding in individual and indigenous voices problematises the concept of curation of human remains, but many archaeologists see us on a path we can’t retreat from without radically changing the field. Museum visitors also expect to see skeletons, and most find it part of their education - and often inspires them to go into research of medicine. Additionally, ancient cultures and modern society have radically different views of the afterlife, consent, and burial practices that are often at odds with each other. In this session we’ll learn about and debate these differing views.

Key questions: How can we as curators and archaeologists balance these different value systems? Do the dead have a voice, and what would they argue for? What are some of the arguments for and against keeping human remains on a case-by-case basis? How can we develop more complex arguments than "I wouldn't want that to happen to my body" when all of our ideas of our bodies are different?

Part of a series: “Ethical issues in archaeology." Students are invited to attend one or more sessions in this series by Stacy.

In this session, we will be viewing images of ancient human remains and will be discussing death.
Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Conservation Ambassadors: Animal Behavior
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Do you want to learn how to train your teachers, your mom, and your dog? This seminar is all about learning how to understand and modify behavior. Animal behavior has fascinated humans throughout history. David and Lisa Jackson have trained everything from tigers to killer whales — and even their own parents — for over 35 years. Let them share their knowledge with you so you can create better relationships, happier pets, and less-annoying friends. This hands-on interactive experience will give you insight into how understanding behavior modification can positively change the world around you.
Facilitators
CA

Conservation Ambassadors

Conservation Ambassadors
34 years ago David established a non-profit rescue zoo in Paso Robles where he gives wildlife a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals. Sharing these animal ambassadors helps us educate learners of all ages about conservation... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Get Your Hands Dirty: Learning How to Fix and Tune Up Your Bicycle
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Do you like to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty? Do you have a bicycle? Would you like to know how to maintain your bike? This Intersession class will teach you how to change a flat tire, repair a flat tire, clean/change/oil/wax your bicycle chain,re-tape your bar, and change your brake pads. No prequisitie skills required.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes! If they don't own a bike but want to learn these skills in preparation for future bike ownership, we will provide a few teacher-owned bikes to fix up.
Facilitators
avatar for Joe To

Joe To

Joe lives with his family in San Francisco and is the parent to Wyatt '25. During his free time he likes to train and participate in triathlons.
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Hot Glass - Cool Designs
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Create your own hot glass experience in this hands-on hot glass class. Blow, shape, and color your project. Explore the technical and the artistic basics of glass working in this fast-paced beginner's class.
Facilitators
DB

Douglass Brown

Half Moon Bay Art Glass
Douglass Brown has had a 40+ year history of working with glass in many different types of glass. 13 years ago, he opened up Half Moon Bay Art Glass and started giving hot glass experiences to the public and corporate team building events. Now with the help of his team, they have... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Intro to Metalworking & Jewelry Making!
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In this 2.5 hour activity, you'll learn the basics of small-scale metalworking using a variety of tools! You'll get an introduction to the world of soldering, shaping, and polishing metal to create little pieces of wearable art!

No experience whatsoever is necessary, but come with some idea of what you want to make, closed-toed shoes, and no flowy sleeves! Or, if you DO have experience from a past Jewelry Intersession or a WoW Workshop, you'll have the freedom to explore techniques you already know, get instruction on anything more advanced, or ask for advice on anything you're working on!

Interested in a longer, more in-depth course where we'll get more practice and get to cover things more thoroughly? Check out the 5 hour In-depth version of this class!
Facilitators
avatar for Sophia Hoermann

Sophia Hoermann

Sophia Hoermann is a Nueva alumni from the class of 2022 and she is now a junior in college at the University of Utah. She started making jewelry in middle school and didn't realize until she took a jewelry making Intersession sophomore year that Nueva had all of the tools needed... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Introduction to Arabic Language, Culture and Music
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
This class teaches students the Arabic alphabet, daily expressions and basic grammar while employing Arabic music and video clips to expose students to the diverse culture(s) of the Arab world. No previous knowledge necessary.
Facilitators
avatar for Ramzi Salti

Ramzi Salti

Advanced Lecturer, Stanford University
Dr. Ramzi Salti is an Advanced Lecturer of Arabic at Stanford. He received his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature (Arabic, French, English) in 1997 and is a published author and essayist. Dr. Salti is also the host of Arabology--a podcast and YouTube Program that focuses on Arabic music... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Song Creator: Crafting Musical Magic
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In this workshop, we will focus on the art and science of songwriting. We’ll delve into the craft of creating melodies that resonate and lyrics that linger. We’ll explore various song structures and learn how to mold them to suit your artistic vision. You’ll learn techniques to enhance your lyrical depth, experiment with harmonic progressions, and effectively employ rhythm to enhance emotional impact. We'll also cover the essentials of demo production, giving you the tools to bring your songs to life. Whether you’re a budding songwriter or looking to refine your skills, "Song Creator" will equip you with the knowledge to express your unique musical identity. Led by songwriter/producer/keyboardist/educator Max Cowan, this workshop is an invaluable resource for anyone eager to take their songwriting to the next level.

Non-musicians are encouraged to enroll in Max’s other session, “Song Decoder.”
Facilitators
avatar for Max Cowan

Max Cowan

Composer/Educator/Creator, Max Cowan Music
I studied Music, Linguistics, Cognitive Science and Philosophy at UC Berkeley and have been a professional musician since graduating in 2005. My studies focused on understanding how living beings perceive and interact with sound, and I remain as excited about such interaction to this... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

Tapestry Weaving
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Weaving is an ancient art that is easy to learn yet has endless possibilities. We will use a simple frame loom to make an artistic wall hanging while exploring plain weave as well as rya fringe, soumak, and clasped weft weaving techniques. No experience necessary.
Facilitators
avatar for Kira Dulaney

Kira Dulaney

Kira K Designs
Kira Dulaney has been teaching fiber arts classes and hosting crafty events in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond since 2002. As a teacher, her focus is on providing valuable information in a stress-free environment, and supporting students through the learning process. She is... Read More →

Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

[AI Programming]
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Facilitators
avatar for Carlos Guestrin

Carlos Guestrin

Professor, Stanford University
Carlos Guestrin is a Professor in the Computer Science Department at Stanford University. His previous positions include the Amazon Professor of Machine Learning at the Computer Science & Engineering Department of the University of Washington, the Finmeccanica Associate Professor... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Black Holes: Discovering the Invisible
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Black holes are some of the most extreme objects in the universe. They push the boundaries of our knowledge and hold many unsolved mysteries. Come learn about black holes from "small" to enormous, how we detect them, and explore the frontiers of astrophysics!
Facilitators
NA

Natasha Abrams

Graduate Student, University of California, Berkeley
Natasha Abrams is a 4th year astrophysics PhD student at UC Berkeley, searching for black holes via gravitational microlensing. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Astrophysics and Physics from Harvard University in 2021. At Berkeley, she works on photometric microlensing with large... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

1:55pm PST

Go Play
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Now that you know some of the basics of Go playing, this is your chance to practice and play with an instructor available to advise you.

This session is open to students who attend the introduction "Learn to Play" class or anyone who knows the basics of how to play.
Facilitators
CD

Casey Dahlin

Casey has been playing Go for over fifteen years and is the vice president of the San Francisco Go Club.
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

1:55pm PST

Introduction to Low Latency Trading
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
This session is an introduction to low latency trading. It covers varies of technologies we can leverage to trade financial products at single digit microsecond level.

No prerequisite financial market knowledge required.
Facilitators
YH

Ying Huang

I am an engineer in Two Sigma, a quantitative hedge fund that use a variety of technological methods for its trading strategies. My specialty is low latency trading. Prior to Two Sigma, I worked at Goldman Sachs, an investment bank and financial services company. I ran the Asia system... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Introduction to Philanthropy
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In this session, students will be able to explore the basics of thoughtful charitable giving and the impact of philanthropy on social issues. Through interactive discussion and a case study, participants will learn how to identify key social challenges, evaluate nonprofit organizations through due diligence, and consider how individual giving can make a meaningful difference. By the end of this session, students will gain an understanding of strategic philanthropy and practical insights into making a positive impact in their communities.
Facilitators
AC

April Chou

Jasper Ridge Partners
April Chou is a Managing Director at Jasper Ridge Partners, where she leads the firm's philanthropy and impact work with families. She also serves on as a trustee of the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation. April's professional career has included leading education philanthropy at... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Let's make AI Art!
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Come share your favorite tools, prompts or artwork and learn how to make amazing art with the AI.
Facilitators
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Restorative Yoga
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Restorative Yoga is designed to relax, restore and rejuvenate the body with mindful movements, precise alignment and establishing mind, body and breath connection. The class starts with gentle movements and then will move on to holding yoga asanas using props. The intention is to activate the parasympathetic nervous system with a series of asanas to bring calm and relaxation to the body and mind using breath.
Facilitators
RM

Ruchi Murlidhar

Iyengar Yoga with Ruchi
Ruchi Murlidhar (she/her) is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (Level 2) and a certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT). She is graduate of the Advanced Studies/Teacher Training program of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco. Ruchi began learning yoga in elementary school in India... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

The Art & Science of Pinball
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Join us for a look at the art, science, and technology behind pinball. In this session we’ll look at the evolution of pinball, from the early mechanical games to today’s technological marvels. Learn how artists, designers, and engineers collaborate to create a game, and what pinball can tell us about history and culture.

We’ll spend half of this session examining a pinball machine and its components, discussing why pinball was illegal in many states, and how changes in technology and culture can be observed in the design of a pinball machine. In the other half of the session, we’ll be playing pinball machines from different eras to see how the game has changed over time. We’ll also cover some basic pinball strategies you can use to improve your skills!
Facilitators
avatar for Pacific Pinball Museum

Pacific Pinball Museum

Located in Alameda, California, Pacific Pinball Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring an interest in science, art, and history through pinball. Visitors to our museum can experience the fascinating stories behind this classic pastime, learn about the... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
 
Friday, January 10
 

8:55am PST

Chip Design: How Does Your Program Run On Silicon?
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
When you write a Java program or use PyTorch to train a ML model, do you wonder how a tiny piece of silicon runs it? Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak once said he pictured transistors toggling when writing code. This session describes how billions of transistors on a chip are designed so you too can picture your code toggling transistors.

Only interest in computer science and engineering is required.
Facilitators
avatar for Yi-Fan Hsu

Yi-Fan Hsu

Director, Research Scientist, KLA
Yi-Fan is a director and research scientist at KLA. After receiving his BS and MS in ECE from UIUC, Yi-Fan moved to the Silicon Valley to design chips. Since then he has worked for big, medium, and startup companies designing chips ranging from CPU, GPU, network processors, and digital... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy: Medical Science and Clinical Care
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
What is gender affirming care? What are hormones and how do they work? How do doctors customize medical care for transgender and nonbinary patients to achieve their individual gender transition goals and optimize safe health outcomes?

This session will introduce hormonal pathways of the endocrine system, hormone medications commonly prescribed for gender affirming care and their effects on the human body. We will discuss how gender affirming hormone therapy induces physical and emotional changes that help transgender and gender diverse people feel more aligned with their identities. We will review current guidelines and best practices regarding informed consent, medical monitoring, and the importance of multidisciplinary health care.

No prerequisite skills or knowledge are required. We will review definitions and terminology at the beginning of the session to ensure we are using consistent, inclusive and respectful language.
Facilitators
EM

Erica Metz

Dr. Erica Metz is a primary care physician with 15 years' experience caring for and prescribing hormone therapy for transgender and gender diverse adults. In 2013, she co-founded Gender Pathways at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, a multidisciplinary clinic providing mental health... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

History of Scientific Racism & Eugenics
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
The way we view science and the past has been strongly informed by scientific research that did not have good intentions, and did not view humans across the globe as equals. In the past 15 years, archaeologists and museum researchers have been trying to identify how ideas of inequality and superiority have affected our understanding of the past, using archaeology as a tool of empire and European supremacy. This session covers how European researchers used their colonial view of their own high intelligence to build up a scientific practice that reinforced their role as “objective”, and how that view permeates science today, including AI and data science. The session aims to deconstruct some of the myths of science as fully objective, identify ways to break down these concepts, and figure out how science can move forward with inclusive research. We will discuss archaeological theories and developments that led to our current understanding of non-objectivity and decolonising praxis.

Key questions: What role did scientists’ belief in their objectivity influence the kinds of research they practiced? How can we practice science today without falling into the same traps?

Part of a series: “Ethical issues in archaeology." Students are invited to attend one or more sessions in this series by Stacy.

In this session, we will be discussing facets of science that can be uncomfortable in the interest of learning and understanding.
Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Picture Perfect Politics: Assessing Political Competence Through Headshots
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Can you pick the next president via looks alone? This course will explore whether voters can accurately predict politician competence and performance in office based on facial appearance alone. Research indicates that quick judgments about candidate appearance often predict election outcomes. Voters' response to facial appeal fits into broader concerns that citizens do not base their decisions on things that matter —policy and talent—but what appeals to their basic instincts.

You will investigate this facial phenomenon by examining recent studies and engaging in an in-class facial appearance study. We will ultimately review our own study and examine what it means for the future of democracy and what it tells us about our own concepts of fairness, prejudice, and leadership.

Some basic knowledge of the U.S. electoral process is helpful but not required.
Facilitators
avatar for Ned Fluet

Ned Fluet

Former Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Town of Woodside
Ned Fluet is a humanities and writing teacher. Prior to teaching, Ned was a trial attorney for 15 years during which time he practiced at major law firms, served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and as a Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice. As the... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Singers: Songwriting / Lyrics Edition
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
What makes a song lyric great? Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve already written tons of songs, learn about structure, hook, rhyming, meter, prosody, song arc, and more to help you create memorable songs.
Facilitators
avatar for Rocío Guitard

Rocío Guitard

Master Instructor, Rocío Guitard Vocal Studio
Rocío Guitard has been a professional singer for over 30 years, with three solo albums to her name and multiple guest appearances on other artists’ records, plus extensive performing experience in Europe and the US. Her work as a voice pedagogy expert has led her to present at... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

Smile & Sculpt: Dental Discovery Workshop
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
In this session, the first 15-20 minutes will focus on explaining the journey from high school to college, including how I discovered my passion for healthcare, the classes that sparked my interest, and the ways I explored those interests further. I’ll then discuss the college application process and the path of a pre-dental student, covering topics like relevant coursework, shadowing experiences, and preparing for and taking the DAT.

I’ll also outline a traditional timeline for high school students interested in pursuing a healthcare career. Afterward, we’ll engage in a manual dexterity project, a skill valuable not only for future dentists but also for surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, physician assistants, and more. No prerequisites are required for this session.
Facilitators
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

The Art of Cooking Breakfast: Crepes, Pancakes, and Omelettes
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Let’s cook breakfast together! In this class, students will create sweet and savory crepes, pancakes, made-to-order omelettes, and hot cocoa. No prior cooking experience required. Eat your culinary creations!
Facilitators
avatar for Michelle Greenebaum

Michelle Greenebaum

Together In The Kitchen
Michelle Greenebaum of Together In The Kitchen (and mom of an 8th grader at Nueva!) teaches the Art and Science of Cooking and Baking to kids, teenagers, and adults in the Bay Area. This is her 4th year teaching Intersession at Nueva. Her classes are hands-on, fun, and support all... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

The Economics and Ethics of Shein
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Shein seemingly came out of nowhere during COVID, becoming the #1 most downloaded shopping app in 61 countries (including the U.S.) and growing from less than $1B to over $20B in sales in the U.S. in only a few years.   

- How did Shein achieve such a meteoric rise? 
- How can Shein get you such fashionable looks for so cheap? How do they make money?
- Can they sustain this success even with regulatory and ethical pressure?

Through the lens of Shein, learn about how different types of fashion retailers design and source products and get them from overseas to your closet - and how they make money! We will also discuss regulatory and ethical issues in fashion, including labor and environmental practices. 

If you own anything from Shein bring it to class so we can use some real-life examples!
Facilitators
DS

Delaney Steele

Delaney Steele is an Executive Vice President at Ross Stores, which sells apparel, footwear and homegoods in about 2,000 stores. Delaney oversees various functions at Ross including Product Development and Sourcing, with sourcing offices in India and China.  She is also an adjust... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

When The BIG One Hits
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
What happens when a large enough earthquake hits? Very likely you and your family may have to care for yourselves for a few days.  This session gets you started thinking and considering your individual and family preparedness.
Facilitators
EV

Ed Vail

Ed's an engineer who is running out of disaster preparedness tasks and family patience in his own household. He likes the feeling of calm that comes from being prepared for any situation. It's possible that one of the reasons he is into disaster preparation is he has lingering doubts... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

American Sign Language
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Of the more than 380 languages used in the United States, only one of these consists of hand gestures, body movements and facial expressions, rather than the spoken word. Get a 'feel' for American Sign Language and Deaf culture as we learn the ASL alphabet, play games, sing and sign our way through this exciting hands-on workshop! You will learn enough signs to chat with your friends from across the room ...without making a sound!
Facilitators
avatar for Bill White

Bill White

Owner, Happy Baby Signs
Bill White is the founder of the Happy Baby Signs and co-author with Kathleen Harper of the internationally best selling book, Signs of a Happy Baby. He has facilitated baby sign language programs at Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, Sutter Health, Harmony Birth and Family, Blossom... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

Anxiety Society: A History of Nervousness from Railway Madness to Coca-Cola
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Why were grown men once absolutely terrified to ride trains? What would compel well-to-do women to swear off all physical activity and eat nothing but heavy cream soups? Why were doctors so worried about wristwatches? How did Coca-Cola – with traces of cocaine – become America’s favorite headache remedy?

In a word: anxiety. 

In this session, we’ll explore the history of modern America through its wild, amusing, and sometimes disturbing responses to big changes that included the rise of cities, new technologies, lightning-fast transportation, access to drugs, and shifting gender roles and identities. To do this we'll examine medical literature, fairytales, Victorian fiction, and a bit of 19th century pseudoscience.

For students interested in history, medical mysteries, gender studies, source analysis, and storytelling.
Facilitators
avatar for Felicia Angeja Viator

Felicia Angeja Viator

San Francisco State University; TIME Magazine
Felicia Angeja Viator is an associate professor of history, a pop culture writer, and a bonafide horror nerd. She's also a history editor for TIME magazine and a curator for the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Felicia is the author of To Live and Defy in LA (Harvard University Press... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Beginning Guitar
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Students will learn the fundamental chord shapes on the guitar, as well as basic strumming, scales, and rhythmic concepts. We will also cover how songs are created and analyzed through the lens of contemporary rock/pop music. No experience required.
Facilitators
GV

Greg Vaughan

Greg Vaughan has taught guitar and ukulele at Gryphon Strings for over two decades. He specializes in contemporary music including alternative, punk, rock (modern and classic), acoustic (especially classic and new rock), and electric blues guitar. He also has taught group guitar and... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

Chinese Brush Painting
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Chinese Brush Painting is considered as one of the oldest living arts in the world. It has existed for more than 6,000 years and is quite a fascinating and unusual art form. Each brush stroke is a defining move that is very hard to correct. The simplicity of a Chinese painting belies the complex and demanding process that the artist went through to produce it. This workshop is designed for course is designed to provide students with an awareness of Chinese Brush Painting and what makes it unique. Students will learn how to hold a Chinese brush, use it to execute basic strokes, and create artworks.
Facilitators
FL

Felix Lim & Bobbi Makani

Felix Chan Lim, Ph.D. has participated in more than 180 art exhibits and has conducted more than 150 lectures and painting workshops on Chinese brush painting over the past nearly four decades. He was an associate professorial lecturer in painting for more than ten years, and his... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

FMRI, Virtual Reality, and the Brain
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
How does the brain, a three-pound organ, give rise to all of the thoughts and feelings we experience everyday? How can new technologies such as virtual reality contribute to our understanding of the brain and human behavior?

This course will be an introduction to novel methods that scientists are using to learn about human cognition, emotion, and motivation. We begin the session by examining the the structure and function of the brain, and how scientists use neuroimaging to gain insight into the biological basis of behavior. We will then explore current methods like immersive virtual reality (VR), psychophysiological methods, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI). We will conclude with a discussion about how to apply these new methods to open questions in psychology and neuroscience, as well as some crucial ethical considerations that arise when utilizing such approaches.
Facilitators
TS

Tara Srirangarajan

Stanford University
Tara Srirangarajan is a Psychology PhD candidate and NSF graduate research fellow at Stanford University. Before coming to Stanford, she completed her B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University. Tara's research interests lie at the intersection of affective neuroscience... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Handcarved Blockprints on Paper and Fabric
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Design and sketch a custom blockprint. Using a clever transfer technique and linocutting tools, learn how to carve a rubber slab.
Print a set of cards, a drawstring bag, and a cloth napkin. Time-allowing use your blockprint to make a mini animated flip-book. You will complete the class with knowledge and skills to create more designs of your own!
No previous experience needed. All levels welcome.
Facilitators
EG

Elaine G. Chu

Elaine G. Chu has taught workshops to people of all ages, including Nueva students for the past eight years. Her work has been published in "Greencraft" and "Somerset Studio" magazines as well as "1000 Artists‘ Books.” She co-authored "Wood Paper Scissors,” a how-to crafts book... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Hot Glass - Cool Designs
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Create your own hot glass experience in this hands-on hot glass class. Blow, shape, and color your project. Explore the technical and the artistic basics of glass working in this fast-paced beginner's class.
Facilitators
DB

Douglass Brown

Half Moon Bay Art Glass
Douglass Brown has had a 40+ year history of working with glass in many different types of glass. 13 years ago, he opened up Half Moon Bay Art Glass and started giving hot glass experiences to the public and corporate team building events. Now with the help of his team, they have... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Knitted Cables
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Cables are fun to knit and can add texture and detail to any project. Learn how to work cables and traveling stitches both with and without a cable needle, as well as how to read cable stitch patterns and charts. If you’re ready to move beyond simple knit/purl patterns in your knitting, this is the class for you!
Facilitators
avatar for Kira Dulaney

Kira Dulaney

Kira K Designs
Kira Dulaney has been teaching fiber arts classes and hosting crafty events in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond since 2002. As a teacher, her focus is on providing valuable information in a stress-free environment, and supporting students through the learning process. She is... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Learn to Play Bridge: Competitive Card Play
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Do you like card games, puzzles, or problem-solving? Are you interested in the logical thinking and people-reading skills used in games like chess or poker? Do you want to try something different and fun? Bridge is a game you can play all your life. No experience necessary. Learn what you need to know to get started for a lifetime of fun at the bridge table.

Students who attend this session are invited to the open Bridge play session in the afternoon.
Facilitators
JK

Jennifer Kuhn

Jennifer Kuhn is an ACBL bridge teacher and tournament director. She won the 2022 Red Ribbon National Pairs and can teach the game from the very beginning.
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

8:55am PST

Polaroid Emulsion Lifts: Make Photographs that Look like a Memory Feels
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to turn your favorite image into a Polaroid print, then carefully transfer the delicate, tissue-like emulsion onto watercolor paper. I'll teach you how to "lift" the emulsion layer, creating an image that flows, wrinkles, and even looks like it's floating—a cool, dreamy effect that actually looks the way a memory feels. No experience is necessary; just bring your favorite digital photos and get ready to dive into the world of handmade, experimental image making.

You'll work with paintbrushes and warm water to stretch, wrinkle, and blend your images. By the end of the class, you’ll leave with your own handmade emulsion lifts and all the know-how to keep experimenting at home. So, grab your favorite photos and join us for a workshop filled with creativity, experimentation, and the magic of Polaroids!

Examples: https://kathrynian.com/polaroid-emulsion-lifts
Facilitators
avatar for Kathryn Gentzke

Kathryn Gentzke

Founder, The CCC Project
With a background in interdisciplinary arts and years of experience mentoring youth across the globe, artist founder Kathryn Ian Gentzke created a unique space where young writers and photographers can bring their visions to life.After graduating with an MFA in Interdisciplinary Studio... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Rewiring Reality: Magic, Witchcraft, & the Radical Imagination
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
This workshop explores magic and witchcraft as tools of the radical imagination—experimental and empowering methods for challenging the dominant narratives and systems of control in our lives and “rewiring” reality itself. Together, we’ll examine these multifaceted concepts, tracing their evolution, cultural significance, and philosophical relevance to our world today. Students will explore the intersections of magic with politics, art, and psychology, and have a chance to craft their own “spells” to confront and transform the limiting structures they encounter in their lives. No previous knowledge of the subject matter will be expected. All are welcome.
Facilitators
JG

Joshua Gentzke

Joshua is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Monmouth College with a Ph.D. in religious studies from Stanford University. His research delves into the intersections of religion, culture, and environmental humanities, with a special interest in countercultural and alternative... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Architectural Drawing: Learn and Apply Different Ways to Describe the Built Environment Through Drawing
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Students are introduced to the principles of architectural drawing through studio and on-location sessions as we focus on buildings as subjects and their relationship to environmental features. Our emphasis is technical drawing, including floor plans, elevations, sections, site plans, and details. We will also cover 3D Renderings, such as paraline and traditional perspective drawings as we set up in the park and draw subjects from life.
 
Upon completion, students will be able to represent buildings through drawing in a variety of ways. No prior drawing experience is required. All materials will be provided.
Facilitators
MA

Michael Azgour

Michael Azgour Studio
Michael Azgour is a contemporary artist whose paintings explore the dynamic interplay between perception and reality, skillfully blending expressive figuration with geometric abstraction. His work has been showcased in galleries and museums across the United States, Europe, and Asia... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Comedy Writing Intensive
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In this full-day stand-up comedy writing workshop, high school students will dive deeper into the art of crafting and performing original comedic material. Throughout the day, students will explore advanced techniques in joke writing, comedic timing, and personal storytelling, while developing their unique comedic voice. The morning will focus on brainstorming ideas, understanding different comedy styles, and learning how to turn personal experiences into relatable humor. In the afternoon, students will refine their material through peer feedback, revision, and performance practice. By the end of the day, each participant will have the basis of a stand-up set or comedy sketch ready to perform and the skills to confidently deliver their work in front of an audience.
Facilitators
CR

Corey Rosen

My name is Corey Rosen.  My wife, Jenny, teaches drama and improv at Nueva. I am a writer, actor, producer and author of “Your Story, Well Told.”  I host The Moth StorySlam and have been featured on The Sarah and Vinnie Show and The Moth Radio Hour. My teaching specialty is... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

In-depth Metalworking & Jewelry Making!
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In this 5 hour intensive, you'll walk away with a solid grasp of the knowledge you need to make jewelry! You'll get lots of practice soldering, shaping, and polishing metal to create little pieces of wearable art!

No experience whatsoever is necessary, but come with some idea of what you want to make, closed-toed shoes, and no flowy sleeves! Or, if you DO have experience from a past Jewelry Intersession or a WoW Workshop, you'll have the freedom to explore techniques you already know, get instruction on anything more advanced, or ask for advice on anything you're working on!

Interested in a shorter, less in-depth course where we'll just cover some basics? Check out the 2.5 hour Intro version of this class!
Facilitators
avatar for Sophia Hoermann

Sophia Hoermann

Sophia Hoermann is a Nueva alumni from the class of 2022 and she is now a junior in college at the University of Utah. She started making jewelry in middle school and didn't realize until she took a jewelry making Intersession sophomore year that Nueva had all of the tools needed... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Printmaking Palooza: A Survey of Printmaking Techniques
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

Dive into the vibrant world of mixed-media printmaking in this immersive full-day workshop. Students will explore the techniques of monoprinting and relief printing, releasing their creativity through hands-on art making.

The class begins with an introduction to monoprinting with gel plates, where students will create unique, one-of-a-kind prints. They'll experiment with layering, texturing, and incorporating natural elements like botanicals, discovering how to develop their own artistic styles.

Next, students will delve into block printing, learning how to carve designs into rubber blocks and produce multiple prints. From carving techniques to ink application and printing methods, students will bring their designs to life on both paper and fabric.

Throughout the day, we'll also explore historical and contemporary examples of printmaking, deepening students’ understanding of the art form’s cultural significance. With demonstrations, creative discussions, and a supportive learning environment, this workshop offers the perfect opportunity for students to explore their creativity and express their unique artistic voices.

Facilitators
NO

Nina Osborne

Nina Osborne is a multimedia artist, printmaker, and art educator with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an MA in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. As a mother of three boys aged 7, 9, and 10, she values nurturing creativity in young minds. Nina combines her... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

8:55am PST

TIG Welding
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA
TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas): So you've melted some metal. Now learn the process that took us to outer space! TIG is welding on exotic metals and specialized applications: bicycles, rockets, and racecars — oh my! Get your intro to TIG, with hands-on practice and applied knowledge to begin your own journey into the science of metal. Safety equipment and course materials will be provided.
Facilitators
PM

Peter McEvoy

Peter McEvoy is an artist, metal fabricator and product engineer based in Oakland, California. Peter has a wide range of industry experience, including; small metal casting for jewelry, sculptural bronze casting, architectural metal fabrication and welding, prototype engineering and... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 3:10pm PST
TBA

10:15am PST

911!
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
It’s best if the first time you use a fire extinguisher is not also the first time you are fighting a fire. More likely than not, you will be involved in a 911 situation sometime in your life. You don’t need to be a hero, but practicing now can make you seem like one. We’ll practice using fire extinguishers and acting out 911 scenarios.
Facilitators
EV

Ed Vail

Ed's an engineer who is running out of disaster preparedness tasks and family patience in his own household. He likes the feeling of calm that comes from being prepared for any situation. It's possible that one of the reasons he is into disaster preparation is he has lingering doubts... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Bioarchaeology of Sex & Gender
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
We now know that sex and gender are an interrelated spectrum. These are reflected in the way archaeologists view skeletons, and helps to problematise our view of sex and gender concepts and roles in ancient societies. This session will teach methods used to perform scientific sex assessments and the ways we use that and other archaeological indicators to suggest gender. From there, we will discuss and problematise the ways that sex and gender have been discussed in archaeology, and how that has impacted the public understanding of ancient societies.

Key questions: Were women always confined to domestic spaces? Were men always hunters? Is there archaeological evidence for trans, non-binary, and other gender identities across the ancient world? How have researchers misidentified sex and gender of archaeological individuals, and how does this change our understanding of their identities and societies?

Part of a series: “Ethical issues in archaeology." Students are invited to attend one or more sessions in this series by Stacy.
In this session, we will be viewing images of ancient human remains.
Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Conservation Ambassadors: Under the Canopy
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
From camouflage to prehensile tails, adaptations are essential for animals and humans to survive. The physical and behavioral characteristics of these amazing animal ambassadors are highlighted in this engaging program.
Facilitators
CA

Conservation Ambassadors

Conservation Ambassadors
34 years ago David established a non-profit rescue zoo in Paso Robles where he gives wildlife a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals. Sharing these animal ambassadors helps us educate learners of all ages about conservation... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Forensics
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Join us for a hands-on exploration of forensic science. In this lab, you will learn the ins and outs of crime scene investigation, collecting and analyzing physical evidence, examining wound patterns, and psychological profiling. This class will give you the opportunity to practice and perfect the most important techniques coroners, pathologists, forensic technicians and forensic psychologists use in the lab and field to solve crimes.
Facilitators
KT

Kimble Torres

Pathways to Medicine
Kimble Torres is a veteran biologist specializing in the human body and athletics. During his tenure in the biotech industry, Kimble worked for Nektar Therapeutics, Genentech, and Tycho Healthcare investigating product feasibility and managing lab operations. In 2014, his passion... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Panel: Nueva Alumni
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Join Nueva upper school alumni as they discuss life at Nueva. Topics to be covered include: advice on getting the most of your Nueva experience; classes or co-curriculars alumni wish they had taken/participated in; reflections on navigating senior year, transitioning to college and building a new network; and more. This is an interactive session—questions and audience participation encouraged!
Moderators
avatar for Diana Chamorro

Diana Chamorro

Director of Alumni & Community Engagement, Nueva School
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Panel: Women In Tech
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Women represent only 25% of the workforce of major technology companies. Women were also disproportionately affected by pandemic-driven spikes in global unemployment and reductions in labor force participation. What does this mean for young women trying to enter the tech industry? What struggles do women face and how can leaders in the field make change to these inequities? This is a special opportunity to hear from three women who have spent their careers in tech. Topics to be covered include tips for getting started in the tech industry, obstacles that women may face, career advice; and more. Don't miss out on hearing from these industry leaders. Questions and audience participation encouraged!

Panelists:
  • Monica Ea Chander – Senior Director of Product Marketing at Meta
  • Deepa Diwakar – Director of Engineering at Meta
  • Erica Lockheimer – Founder, Investor, Podcaster. Formerly: VP of Engineering of LinkedIn
Moderators
avatar for Giovanni Iachello

Giovanni Iachello

Meta
I've had a passion for tinkering and technology my entire life. I started using my parent's IBM PC in 7th grade. In high school, I wrote a 3d graphics engine. The last couple of years I worked on the Meta Quest VR headset and most lately, I've been working on AI.Before moving to the... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Restorative Yoga
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Restorative Yoga is designed to relax, restore and rejuvenate the body with mindful movements, precise alignment and establishing mind, body and breath connection. The class starts with gentle movements and then will move on to holding yoga asanas using props. The intention is to activate the parasympathetic nervous system with a series of asanas to bring calm and relaxation to the body and mind using breath.
Facilitators
RM

Ruchi Murlidhar

Iyengar Yoga with Ruchi
Ruchi Murlidhar (she/her) is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (Level 2) and a certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT). She is graduate of the Advanced Studies/Teacher Training program of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco. Ruchi began learning yoga in elementary school in India... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Singers: Elevate Your Stage Presence
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Not sure what to do with yourself while singing a song in front of an audience? Learn tips and techniques from a professional vocalist to help you “own” your performance from top to bottom.

Come prepared to sing to a backing track on your phone and be willing to experiment in a fun, caring, and safe environment.
Facilitators
avatar for Rocío Guitard

Rocío Guitard

Master Instructor, Rocío Guitard Vocal Studio
Rocío Guitard has been a professional singer for over 30 years, with three solo albums to her name and multiple guest appearances on other artists’ records, plus extensive performing experience in Europe and the US. Her work as a voice pedagogy expert has led her to present at... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  1 Block

10:15am PST

The Art of Cooking Breakfast: Crepes, Pancakes, and Omelettes
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Let’s cook breakfast together! In this class, students will create sweet and savory crepes, pancakes, made-to-order omelettes, and hot cocoa. No prior cooking experience required. Eat your culinary creations!
Facilitators
avatar for Michelle Greenebaum

Michelle Greenebaum

Together In The Kitchen
Michelle Greenebaum of Together In The Kitchen (and mom of an 8th grader at Nueva!) teaches the Art and Science of Cooking and Baking to kids, teenagers, and adults in the Bay Area. This is her 4th year teaching Intersession at Nueva. Her classes are hands-on, fun, and support all... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  1 Block

11:30am PST

Cu-Bop Latin Jazz Ensemble Concert
Friday January 10, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PST
TBA
Enjoy the Mambo, Cha Cha, Songo and more with a performance by our Intersession musicians-in-residence!
Facilitators
JM

Jim Munzenreider

The Nueva School
Axel’s Bio, check it out!https://www.axeltosca.com/bioRodney’s Bio, insane!https://www.discussionsinpercussion.com/home/2021/2/2/214-rodney-barreto-drummer-for-chucho-valdes-omara-portuondo-havana-de-primera-amp-more
Friday January 10, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Animal Behavior for Conservationists
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Understanding animal behavior is a fascinating challenge. Wild animals migrate vast distances, maintain complex social relationships, and solve novel problems in their environment. These behaviors aren't just scientifically interesting - they might have important consequences for environmental conservation. If we want to save endangered species and preserve the world's biodiversity, we need to understand things like: how do primates change their behavior in response to deforestation? How does noise pollution affect the social relationships of whales? How are bird migrations adjusting to climate change, and how can we mitigate the effects?

This presentation starts by looking at the science of animal behavior and its relevance to conservation. We then discuss one scientist's work on primate behavior in a threatened region of Amazon rainforest, and its implications for rainforest regeneration.
Facilitators
avatar for Gustav Steinhardt

Gustav Steinhardt

Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley
Dr. R. Gustav Steinhardt is a Lecturer UC-Berkeley and an Associate Research Scientist with Field Projects International. He has worked at a biological field station in the Peruvian Amazon since 2017, studying how wild primates behave and how we can use that information to assist... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Bridge Play
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Now that you know some of the basics of bridge playing, have some fun at the bridge tables. Here's your chance to practice the basics of bidding and play while you have an instructor available to help you.

This session is open to students who attended the introduction "Learn to Play" class or anyone who knows the basics of how to play.
Facilitators
JK

Jennifer Kuhn

Jennifer Kuhn is an ACBL bridge teacher and tournament director. She won the 2022 Red Ribbon National Pairs and can teach the game from the very beginning.
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

12:35pm PST

Conservation Ambassadors: Under the Canopy (Fac/Staff)
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
From camouflage to prehensile tails, adaptations are essential for animals and humans to survive. The physical and behavioral characteristics of these amazing animal ambassadors are highlighted in this engaging program.
Facilitators
CA

Conservation Ambassadors

Conservation Ambassadors
34 years ago David established a non-profit rescue zoo in Paso Robles where he gives wildlife a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals. Sharing these animal ambassadors helps us educate learners of all ages about conservation... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Forensics
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Join us for a hands-on exploration of forensic science. In this lab, you will learn the ins and outs of crime scene investigation, collecting and analyzing physical evidence, examining wound patterns, and psychological profiling. This class will give you the opportunity to practice and perfect the most important techniques coroners, pathologists, forensic technicians and forensic psychologists use in the lab and field to solve crimes.
Facilitators
KT

Kimble Torres

Pathways to Medicine
Kimble Torres is a veteran biologist specializing in the human body and athletics. During his tenure in the biotech industry, Kimble worked for Nektar Therapeutics, Genentech, and Tycho Healthcare investigating product feasibility and managing lab operations. In 2014, his passion... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Future Healers: Building Your Journey to Med School
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Calling premeds (or prospective premeds)! Join this interactive workshop on navigating the premed journey, and explore critical topics such as course selection, extracurricular planning, study strategies, and application tips for college and beyond. Led by an experienced mentor who has just finished applying to and gaining admission to medical school, this course empowers future medical professionals to confidently navigate each stage of their premed path with a clear roadmap, preparing them to stand out as competitive, compassionate candidates.
Facilitators
avatar for Lexy Tran

Lexy Tran

Curious Cardinals
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

History of Scientific Racism & Eugenics
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
The way we view science and the past has been strongly informed by scientific research that did not have good intentions, and did not view humans across the globe as equals. In the past 15 years, archaeologists and museum researchers have been trying to identify how ideas of inequality and superiority have affected our understanding of the past, using archaeology as a tool of empire and European supremacy. This session covers how European researchers used their colonial view of their own high intelligence to build up a scientific practice that reinforced their role as “objective”, and how that view permeates science today, including AI and data science. The session aims to deconstruct some of the myths of science as fully objective, identify ways to break down these concepts, and figure out how science can move forward with inclusive research. We will discuss archaeological theories and developments that led to our current understanding of non-objectivity and decolonising praxis.

Key questions: What role did scientists’ belief in their objectivity influence the kinds of research they practiced? How can we practice science today without falling into the same traps?

Part of a series: “Ethical issues in archaeology." Students are invited to attend one or more sessions in this series by Stacy.

In this session, we will be discussing facets of science that can be uncomfortable in the interest of learning and understanding.



Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Poems, Song, and Prose: A Global Exploration of Literary Expression
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
In this course, students will learn about poems, songs, and literary texts from across Spain and Latin America. No prerequisites are necessary as the course will be 1/2 lecture and 1/2 discussion based
Facilitators
RS

Ronak Shetty

Curious Cardinals
Ronak Shetty is a student at Stanford University with a background in Iberian and Latin American studies, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian language and culture, South Asian studies, education, technology, business strategy, marketing, politics, psychology, and public service. Ronak's... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Pots and Parthenons in the Polis: Exploring the Ancient Athenian Agora
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Do you know your kylixes from your kraters? Have any idea what the boule is? Want to know where we get the word ceramic? In this session, Nueva alum Callisto and her dad, an Oxford-trained archaeologist, will take you on a whirlwind tour of the ancient Athenian agora, or town square: we'll cover all the different civic and market buildings, and through it learn about what day-to-day life was like for the people of the largest city-state in the ancient Greek world. This talk was previously presented at the Nueva Humanities Fair, where it enjoyed the seal of approval from none other than legendary Nueva humanities teacher, Cynthia Kosut! Come on down and discover just how exciting archaeology can be!
Facilitators
CL

Callisto Lodwick

Dr Marcus Lodwick received his PhD from the University of Oxford, where he wrote on the architecture of ancient temples and stoa in the Cyclades. He taught extensively in Greece and Rome, worked for the National Trust, and is the author of The Gallery Companion (Thames and Hudson... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

12:35pm PST

Uh oh, the Car is Broken
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
We'll practice changing a tire, putting on snow chains, jumping a car and what to do if stuck in snow or sand. It's great to do this for the first time in the sunny parking lot of Nueva rather than, say, on the side of I-80 at night in snowstorm on your parent's transitional object. We'll learn how to avoid problems by checking the fluids and tire pressure and which lights mean you have to stop right away and which ones can be ignored for a little bit. No prerequisites.
Facilitators
EV

Ed Vail

Ed's an engineer who is running out of disaster preparedness tasks and family patience in his own household. He likes the feeling of calm that comes from being prepared for any situation. It's possible that one of the reasons he is into disaster preparation is he has lingering doubts... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

A History of Haunted Houses
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
The witch’s hat, towers and turrets, gingerbread latticework, and the attic. In the Victorian era, houses with these architectural details represented all the comforts associated with the American Dream. But by the 20th century, ornate Victorian homes began to warn us: something’s not right in there; something nefarious is lurking inside.
Why? 
In this session, we’ll take a ghost tour through the cultural history of Victorian architecture in America. With a little help from the Brothers Grimm, Shirley Jackson, Tim Burton, Alfred Hitchcock, and Sarah Winchester, we’ll explore what made these structures so iconically creepy.
Facilitators
avatar for Felicia Angeja Viator

Felicia Angeja Viator

San Francisco State University; TIME Magazine
Felicia Angeja Viator is an associate professor of history, a pop culture writer, and a bonafide horror nerd. She's also a history editor for TIME magazine and a curator for the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Felicia is the author of To Live and Defy in LA (Harvard University Press... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

American Sign Language
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Of the more than 380 languages used in the United States, only one of these consists of hand gestures, body movements and facial expressions, rather than the spoken word. Get a 'feel' for American Sign Language and Deaf culture as we learn the ASL alphabet, play games, sing and sign our way through this exciting hands-on workshop! You will learn enough signs to chat with your friends from across the room ...without making a sound!
Facilitators
avatar for Bill White

Bill White

Owner, Happy Baby Signs
Bill White is the founder of the Happy Baby Signs and co-author with Kathleen Harper of the internationally best selling book, Signs of a Happy Baby. He has facilitated baby sign language programs at Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, Sutter Health, Harmony Birth and Family, Blossom... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

Atomically Thin Crystals: A New Twist on Quantum Materials
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In recent years, methods have been developed to peel atomically thin layers from bulk crystals simply using Scotch tape. By restacking them on top of each other, sometimes with an interlayer twist, it is possible to engineer new quantum materials that would not otherwise occur in nature. In many such systems, the electrons act collectively, leading to superconductivity, magnetism, and other exotic behavior which may have technological applications. In this session, we will present an overview of the broader field of these “two-dimensional” materials. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in related hands-on activities, including making their own two-dimensional flakes and seeing them in a microscope.
Facilitators
BF

Ben Feldman

Stanford University
Ben Feldman is an Assistant Professor at Stanford University. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Haverford College, his PhD from Harvard University, and spent time as a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University. His research interests include study of electronic properties... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

Chinese Brush Painting
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Chinese Brush Painting is considered as one of the oldest living arts in the world. It has existed for more than 6,000 years and is quite a fascinating and unusual art form. Each brush stroke is a defining move that is very hard to correct. The simplicity of a Chinese painting belies the complex and demanding process that the artist went through to produce it. This workshop is designed for course is designed to provide students with an awareness of Chinese Brush Painting and what makes it unique. Students will learn how to hold a Chinese brush, use it to execute basic strokes, and create artworks.
Facilitators
FL

Felix Lim & Bobbi Makani

Felix Chan Lim, Ph.D. has participated in more than 180 art exhibits and has conducted more than 150 lectures and painting workshops on Chinese brush painting over the past nearly four decades. He was an associate professorial lecturer in painting for more than ten years, and his... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Fun Viral Foods Cooking
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Tik Tok and Instagram has brought us visibility into so many different foods it is staggering, and many of them go viral. In this class you will learn how to make some fantastical viral foods that are sweeping the nation. You'll have the benefit of tested recipes and techniques from a local chef who offers many of these "viral" foods to local customers. In this class you'll learn how to make these viral sensations:
1. Spaghetti Donuts: Spaghetti that you can eat with your hands in the shape of a donut!
2. Tortillas Wraps: The quad method with a coupld of special cuts and folds that allows you to make a delicious snack or meal with just a tortilla and a few simple ingredients
3. Lemon Possets: An easy dessert with minimal ingredients, lemon possets blew up this spring and summer. Students will learn to make a basic fun & easy custard in aesthetically pleasing hollowed out lemon shells with just lemon juice, cream, sugar, zest & vanilla.
Facilitators
SM

San Mateo Supper Club

Hello everyone! As a passionate chef recently graduated from culinary school, I’m here to blend my love for clean, wholesome ingredients with a flair for diverse cuisines. I have lived on the Peninsula my whole life and grew up loving to cook. Over the years, I've cultivated a deep... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

Hot Glass - Cool Designs
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Create your own hot glass experience in this hands-on hot glass class. Blow, shape, and color your project. Explore the technical and the artistic basics of glass working in this fast-paced beginner's class.
Facilitators
DB

Douglass Brown

Half Moon Bay Art Glass
Douglass Brown has had a 40+ year history of working with glass in many different types of glass. 13 years ago, he opened up Half Moon Bay Art Glass and started giving hot glass experiences to the public and corporate team building events. Now with the help of his team, they have... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Jam Session
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
This will be a fun and relaxed session for intermediate/advanced players to enjoy playing together in a group. Greg will facilitate with suggested tunes and sheet music. Feel free to reach out in advance with requests or suggestions!
Facilitators
GV

Greg Vaughan

Greg Vaughan has taught guitar and ukulele at Gryphon Strings for over two decades. He specializes in contemporary music including alternative, punk, rock (modern and classic), acoustic (especially classic and new rock), and electric blues guitar. He also has taught group guitar and... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

12:35pm PST

Knitting for Beginners and Beyond
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Learn how to knit or work on your stitches! This class is designed for both beginners, who want to be able to knit basic stitches to create projects of all types, and experienced knitters who want support as they work through a project. Students will learn how to cast on, knit, purl and cast off as well as important techniques of how to back out of your work to fix mistakes. In addition, knitting has a language all its own and some of this will be taught so the students can confidently buy their own yarn and read simple patterns. Useful handouts will be provided. Time will be given to practice and students will be able to take their work home for the evening and when the class is done. No experience necessary to take this class. Supplies will be included.

This class is offered twice; students are welcome to attend both if they want more knitting time.
Facilitators
DK

Debbie Kitani & Lisa Ma

I’m a wife, mother, entrepreneur, knitter. I sold my software and services company back in 2001 and worked for the new company for 7 years. After I sold my company, I decided to learn how to knit and have been passionate about it ever since. The process of knitting is what intrigues... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Needle Felting Soft Sculptures
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Needle felting is a fun way to create fuzzy soft sculptures using wool and special felting tools. We'll start with flat images that can be turned into pins or patches, then move into 3-D projects. You can felt your favorite food, animals, or abstract art - the sky's the limit!
Facilitators
avatar for Kira Dulaney

Kira Dulaney

Kira K Designs
Kira Dulaney has been teaching fiber arts classes and hosting crafty events in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond since 2002. As a teacher, her focus is on providing valuable information in a stress-free environment, and supporting students through the learning process. She is... Read More →

Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Personal Writing: Finding and Publishing Your Story
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In this session we will use tools to to figure out what aspects of your experience could lend itself to memoir, whether in a short form or a book and as well as how to structure your material and potentially publish it. There are no prerequisites: just the desire to explore your experiences.
Facilitators
MT

Melanie Thernstrom

Melanie Thernstrom is a New York Times bestselling author of three works of non-fiction and former writer for The New York Times Magazine. She wrote her first book, The Dead Girl, a memoir, while in college, based on diaries from high school and college. It was recently selected to... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Singers: Get your Riffing On!
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
We’ll learn and experiment with proven vocal exercises and scales designed to help you understand how those epic riffs are constructed, and how to get there.

Bring your favorite song as a backing track on your phone and come ready to play, sing, and laugh through hits and misses in a fun, caring, and safe environment.
Facilitators
avatar for Rocío Guitard

Rocío Guitard

Master Instructor, Rocío Guitard Vocal Studio
Rocío Guitard has been a professional singer for over 30 years, with three solo albums to her name and multiple guest appearances on other artists’ records, plus extensive performing experience in Europe and the US. Her work as a voice pedagogy expert has led her to present at... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

1:55pm PST

Animal Behavior for Conservationists
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Understanding animal behavior is a fascinating challenge. Wild animals migrate vast distances, maintain complex social relationships, and solve novel problems in their environment. These behaviors aren't just scientifically interesting - they might have important consequences for environmental conservation. If we want to save endangered species and preserve the world's biodiversity, we need to understand things like: how do primates change their behavior in response to deforestation? How does noise pollution affect the social relationships of whales? How are bird migrations adjusting to climate change, and how can we mitigate the effects?

This presentation starts by looking at the science of animal behavior and its relevance to conservation. We then discuss one scientist's work on primate behavior in a threatened region of Amazon rainforest, and its implications for rainforest regeneration.
Facilitators
avatar for Gustav Steinhardt

Gustav Steinhardt

Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley
Dr. R. Gustav Steinhardt is a Lecturer UC-Berkeley and an Associate Research Scientist with Field Projects International. He has worked at a biological field station in the Peruvian Amazon since 2017, studying how wild primates behave and how we can use that information to assist... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Bioarchaeology of Sex & Gender
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
We now know that sex and gender are an interrelated spectrum. These are reflected in the way archaeologists view skeletons, and helps to problematise our view of sex and gender concepts and roles in ancient societies. This session will teach methods used to perform scientific sex assessments and the ways we use that and other archaeological indicators to suggest gender. From there, we will discuss and problematise the ways that sex and gender have been discussed in archaeology, and how that has impacted the public understanding of ancient societies.

Key questions: Were women always confined to domestic spaces? Were men always hunters? Is there archaeological evidence for trans, non-binary, and other gender identities across the ancient world? How have researchers misidentified sex and gender of archaeological individuals, and how does this change our understanding of their identities and societies?

Part of a series: “Ethical issues in archaeology." Students are invited to attend one or more sessions in this series by Stacy.

In this session, we will be viewing images of ancient human remains.
Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Conservation Ambassadors: Under the Canopy (Alumni Only)
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
From camouflage to prehensile tails, adaptations are essential for animals and humans to survive. The physical and behavioral characteristics of these amazing animal ambassadors are highlighted in this engaging program.
Facilitators
CA

Conservation Ambassadors

Conservation Ambassadors
34 years ago David established a non-profit rescue zoo in Paso Robles where he gives wildlife a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals. Sharing these animal ambassadors helps us educate learners of all ages about conservation... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Get To Know The Peace Corps
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Through this session, you will:
- Hear why the Peace Corps is often described as “the toughest job you’ll ever love,” along with the challenges and unique experiences associated with this role.
- Discover the power of community empowerment and entrepreneurship through the firsthand experiences of a former Peace Corps Volunteer.
- Learn about microfinance programs and initiatives that support small businesses in Panama.
- Explore the significance of Panamanian indigenous crafts in preserving cultural heritage. Beautiful crafts created by artisans from the Ngobe-Bugle, Kuna Yala, and Embera communities will be showcased, and Anne will discuss how these crafts reflect the country’s rich culture and creativity.
- Understand the impact of learning a foreign language on building connections, fostering trust and becoming a unique candidate for work. 

This session is for anyone interested in global citizenship, cultural exchange, unique crafts and community-based entrepreneurship. Let’s explore how we can empower communities and celebrate diversity together!
Facilitators
AF

Anne Fazioli-Khiari

Anne Fazioli-Khiari served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panama from 1999 to 2002. While in Panama, she worked as a Small Business Development Volunteer for two years and extended her service to become a Regional Volunteer Coordinator. Her experience in Panama altered the trajectory... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Let’s Go Flying - How to Fly from San Carlos to Truckee!
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
You’ve probably been on an airplane, but have you thought of what it takes to fly one?  In this Intersession, we’ll follow along on a flight from the San Carlos Airport to Truckee, and learn about all aspects of how to get a small (6-seater) airplane safely between two airports.

Coming out of the session, you should be able to answer questions such as “How do you plan for a flight between two airports?”,  “How does an airplane actually work and how do you control it?”, “What are  communications with Air Traffic Control like?”, “What do airplane avionics and navigation systems like?”.  And hopefully you’ll be interested in the answer to “How do I learn to actually fly an airplane?”!
Facilitators
AK

Andres Kohn

I have been a Private Pilot since 1995, and have flown to over 60 airports in California alone.  I fly for fun, but also for numerous volunteer organizations including Angel Flight West, Flying Samaritans, Pilots & Paws and Amelia Air.  You’ll normally find me behind the wheel... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

More Than a Habit: The Science of BFRBs
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) can impact up to 5% of the population, but they can often be dismissed as bad habits. However, BFRBs are actual disorders and much harder to treat due to changes in brain anatomy and external stressors. These disorders, in which a person uncontrollably fidgets with his or her body, can be both physically and emotionally damaging. In this activity, the physiology, development, and consequences of BFRBs are discussed as well as ways to cope and support yourself and loved ones.
Facilitators
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Poems, Song, and Prose: A Global Exploration of Literary Expression
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In this course, students will learn about poems, songs, and literary texts from across Spain and Latin America. No prerequisites are necessary as the course will be 1/2 lecture and 1/2 discussion based
Facilitators
RS

Ronak Shetty

Curious Cardinals
Ronak Shetty is a student at Stanford University with a background in Iberian and Latin American studies, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian language and culture, South Asian studies, education, technology, business strategy, marketing, politics, psychology, and public service. Ronak's... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Uh oh, the Car is Broken
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
We'll practice changing a tire, putting on snow chains, jumping a car and what to do if stuck in snow or sand. It's great to do this for the first time in the sunny parking lot of Nueva rather than, say, on the side of I-80 at night in snowstorm on your parent's transitional object. We'll learn how to avoid problems by checking the fluids and tire pressure and which lights mean you have to stop right away and which ones can be ignored for a little bit. No prerequisites.
Facilitators
EV

Ed Vail

Ed's an engineer who is running out of disaster preparedness tasks and family patience in his own household. He likes the feeling of calm that comes from being prepared for any situation. It's possible that one of the reasons he is into disaster preparation is he has lingering doubts... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Understanding The World Through Maps
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
This session will modestly attempt to explain some of the forces that shape today's world through the study of maps. We will likely focus on 20th century and recent conflicts and look into their geography for answers to why these conflicts took place.
Facilitators
WK

Walid Khiari

I am an Africa-born, Paris-educated, Japan- and US-trained global investment banker/finance executive with a passion for international relations and geopolitics. And while "follow the money" is often a valid way to understand the world, I also like to "read the maps"...
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
 
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