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Project Manager: Andrea Zampitella
School: WHS
Type of Grant: Education
Target Grade: 9-12
Curriculum: Multidisciplinary
Start Date: Fall 2026
In addition to student projects, we have hosted a monthly lecture and workshop series featuring guests at the cutting edge of their fields—artists, scholars, and creators who have invented new interdisciplinary practices and successfully shared their work with broad audiences. These speakers provide an important opportunity for students to learn about interdisciplinary careers and how seemingly different fields can be connected. This grant would support continued speakers to expose WHS students to new ideas and career opportunities.
The library serves as the hub of the school—a space that connects and intersects with all disciplines. This makes the Learning Commons uniquely situated to host speakers on different topics and who can help students make connections across disciplines. A speaker series and related student experiences align with Common Core standards in ELA and Literacy, as students produce analytical, reflective, and creative writing connected to lectures andd workshops (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.2–8), and build skills in discussion, presentation, collaboration, and communicating ideas to diverse audiences through lecture series, Q&A sessions, workshops, and showcases (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1–6).
Short-Term Goals
1. Revitalize the CTC and Learning Commons as active, student-centered creative spaces. Host several interdisciplinary workshops, lectures, or hands-on events during the school year. Increase student use of the CTC and Learning Commons during the school day and WIN blocks.
Measurable Outcomes:
– Attendance data shows participation from multiple grade levels and departments
– Increased scheduling and informal use of the space by students and teachers
– Student feedback surveys indicate increased engagement and sense of ownership
2. Provide students with exposure to interdisciplinary careers and creative pathways. Invite professionals, artists, authors, scientists, and technologists whose work bridges disciplines. Ensure programming connects classroom learning to real-world applications.
Measurable Outcomes:
– Students participate in Q&A, discussions, or workshops with visiting speakers
– Teachers report stronger connections between guest programming and curriculum
Long-Term Goals
3. Establish the library as the interdisciplinary hub of WHS. Position the Learning Commons as a space where disciplines intersect and collaboration is expected. Strengthen cross-department partnerships through shared programming.
Measurable Outcomes:
– Increased number of co-sponsored events across departments.
– Teachers regularly integrate the CTC and library into coursework. – The library becomes a go-to space for interdisciplinary learning
4. Build a sustainable lecture and workshop series. Create a repeatable, scalable model for visiting speakers and artist-in-residence-style programming. Maintain long-term relationships with returning speakers and alumni.
Measurable Outcomes:
– Increased participation from a diverse range of students
– Positive student and teacher testimonials about the impact of the space
– Long-term growth in interdisciplinary projects and independent student initiatives
This project will be implemented through close collaboration with faculty across departments—including Art, Culinary, English, Science, Music, Engineering, and World Language—to identify curricular connections and align programming with student interests. A calendar of workshops, lectures, and hands-on events will be developed and distributed throughout the school year, including WIN block sessions, with careful coordination of scheduling, technical setup, and classroom integration for both virtual and in-person visiting professionals.
Artists, authors, scientists, technologists, alumni, and industry leaders whose work bridges disciplines will be invited to lead presentations, Q&A sessions, and interactive experiences, with teachers preparing students in advance and incorporating reflection or applied follow-up projects.
The CTC and Learning Commons provide a flexible, student-centered environment where art intersects with engineering, music connects to physics, storytelling merges with technology, and academic concepts are applied in authentic, real-world contexts. By bringing industry professionals into the school, the project expands learning beyond textbooks and classrooms, exposing students to emerging careers and new interdisciplinary pathways.
The project is deeply collaborative in both design and execution. Programming is developed in partnership with faculty across departments including Art, English, Science, Math, Music, World Language, and Engineering. Teachers coordinate class visits, co-design workshop experiences, and help students extend learning beyond the initial event. Alumni, professional artists, authors, scientists, and industry leaders contribute their expertise through lectures and hands-on workshops.
$3,000
