Interim Term
IINTERIM TERM 2025 COURSE offerings
1. Advanced Baseball Statistics: The Game within the Game/Matt Fox
We will take a non-traditional approach to evaluating a player’s overall worth as a baseball player. Using Major League Baseball, this class will discuss the development of modern theories, various data sets, publications, and research methods commonly used in the sabermetric industry. Topics include game strategy, park factors, DIPS theory, MLB’s economic system, clutch hitting, and the MLB Draft. Students will draft their own team and learn to most accurately assess the most valuable players to ever play the game.
2. Blogging and Vlogging/Stephanie Colson
Students will learn how to express themselves through writing and videography. They will analyze other people's work and use their own creativity to discover their personal brand. This brand will be the basis of the portfolio they will build throughout the class. Blogging and vlogging is all about establishing voice and using that voice to attract an audience to convey a point. They will have full creative autonomy to make a blog or vlog that showcases things they are passionate about and things they want to explore. This is where writing, creativity, social media, and personality collide!
3. Build Your Own Electric Guitar/Garmon Ashby
In this class, we will each make a fully functioning electric guitar capable of playing real music. We will design our own personalized guitar body, then prepare it with layers of lacquer or paint as per plan. After decorating, we will assemble the instruments, installing the electronics and other hardware, and the strings. We will regulate and fine-tune the guitars before spending some time learning to play or developing existing guitar playing skills. We will also briefly explore the electric guitar’s evolution and some of its legendary players.
4. Card Sharks! Classic and Contemporary Card Games/Avis Yen
Stuck in an airport for a long layover and want to save phone battery? What about a rainy day disrupting your vacation plans? A simple solution would be card games, but if your repertoire is small, it can get old fast. Join Mrs. Yen to expand your card game catalog for games that can be played solo, with one other person, two others, or more! We’ll learn card etiquette and advanced shuffling techniques and a variety of games that can all be played with your average deck of cards.
5. Combat for the Stage: Knights Fight!/Paul Revaz
Dive into the world of unarmed and armed choreographed stage combat! Work on basic fitness, learn the moves, and choreograph your own battle for the stage. Your choreographed battle will be shared with any available spectators and even filmed for a wider audience!
6. Creative Projects with AI in Art/Pejman Milani
The world is changing. A.I. and no-code tools are going to be vital to leverage as you enter into college and the workforce. In this course, you'll explore using A.I. and other technologies as tools to amplify your creative potential as an artist.
7. Crochet a Friend!/Robin Bowman
Have you ever wanted to learn to crochet? We will cover basic crochet techniques and stitches, and then apply the skills we have learned to the art of Amigurumi - the creation of small stuffed animals and dolls! This class is open to all skill levels but is designed with beginners in mind.
8. Cycling 101: Thrills on Two Wheels/Alex Bruton
There is a whole world of discovery and entertainment as you self-propel yourself on two wheels. In this course, we will explore all things bikes: we will watch iconic road, mountain, and track races; discuss cycling safety; take apart, fix and rebuild bikes; learn about touring and long-distance travel; and consider what is next in the world of cycling.
9. Disc Golf 101/Roy Herpin
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned player looking to refine your skills, Disc Golf 101 is for you! Learn the essentials—driving, putting, approach shots—and learn the rules like foot faults, scoring, and Circle 1 putting. Explore how disc flight numbers and shot selection influence your throws as you develop your game. The course wraps up with an exciting tournament to put your skills to the test with awards and prizes for top performers. Perfect for all skill levels!
10. Don't Believe Your Eyes (or Your Ears or Your Mouth or Your Nose)!/Toshla Guthrie
Welcome to the mind-bending adventure known as the "Psychology of Sensation and Perception!" If you've ever wondered how your brain transforms ordinary sensory input into a mesmerizing symphony of colors, sounds, and feelings, then you're in for a treat. In this class, we'll dive headfirst into the captivating world of sensory illusions, optical tricks, and the incredible ways your mind interprets the world around you. Be prepared to challenge your senses, question your reality, and uncover the secrets of why you see, hear, taste, and feel the way you do!
11. Dream It, Design It, Build It/Kyle Sumrow
We will think up novel design projects, either alone or in groups, to complete over the two-weekcourse. There are limited resources, so the designs can involve technology or not, but they must have a purpose: the thing you build must solve a problem of some sort.
12. Exploring Interior Design/Alexis Blake
Want to become more familiar with how to design a space? Sign up to learn more about the artistic world of interior design! In this course you will learn how to design mood boards, use 3D model software, and collaborate as a class to design a space on the EHS Campus! The fun isn’t over yet… Classes will go head-to-head with their two designs as the final product……Let the best room win!
13. Exploring Music in Movies – The Things You Don’t Always Hear/Joe Beam
Dun, Dun, Dun!!!! Have you ever paid attention to the music played in movies? There are some soundtracks that go unnoticed but can deeply impact the movie-watching experience. In this class, we will explore the significance of music in movies and shed light on some of the unnoticed yet impactful soundtracks. We will explore some of Hollywood's greatest movies and their soundtrack composers. We will listen to soundtracks and watch clips from movies focusing on composers such as John Williams (Star Wars), Lin Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), Hans Zimmer (The Dark Knight), James Horner (Titantic), and many more!
14. Foodways: Food Meets Culture and History/Tom Bove
Though we all come from different backgrounds and cultures, we share a common love of a great meal with family and friends. "Foodways" refers to the intersection of food and culture, traditions, and history. In this course we will examine how food impacts our culture, society, and history and discover the way that one tasty meal can tell an expansive story about who we are, where we are from, and where we are going. We will watch docuseries, have class discussions, write, explore local and international cuisine, produce our own foodways publications project, and most importantly, eat delicious food!
15. Graphic Novels: Unveiling the World of Visual Storytelling/Johnny Kwok
Graphic novels remain a somewhat underappreciated medium within the United States. While they have gained mainstream recognition partly due to Hollywood adaptations, it's important to acknowledge that stories like "I Am Legend," "The Road to Perdition," and "The Addams Family" all originated in the world of illustrated narratives. In contrast to the U.S., many other countries have normalized this medium and even leveraged it as a tool to enhance youth literacy. Notably, numerous modern authors, be it in books, television, or film, kindled their love for reading within the colorful panels and word bubbles of graphic novels. In this class, readers of all proficiency levels will be introduced to this unique medium, providing an opportunity to explore and enjoy the art of storytelling through a different lens.
16. History of Fashion/Karen Pfeifer
From the time of Ancient Egypt to the Modern Era, fashion has played a pivotal role in shaping the world. Clothes express the personality, culture, and rank of the individual, creating an instantaneous and lasting impression. History of Fashion will introduce students to the earliest examples of fashion, the development of the couture houses that influence trends, and garments that are worn today.
17. Hollywood in the 20th Century/Justin Hickey
Do you love movies? Have you always wanted to know more about classic films but didn’t know where to start? Join us for two weeks of cinema bliss where we will be analyzing some of the most important films of the 20th century. We will explore key eras of American filmmaking such as the Golden Age of the 30s/40s, New Hollywood of the 60s/70s, and the Blockbuster era of the 80s/90s. If you have a passion for movies or just want to learn more about the art form, this course is for you!
18. How to Be a Chinese Dragon/Kate Liang
This class will introduce aspects of Chinese culture. We will learn a little speaking and writing and some traditional art and music, will eat some snacks, drink some tea, play some games, watch some films, and learn about some famous people and ethnic groups.
19. How to Build Your Own Computer/Alan Duncan
Do you want to build a computer? Do you ever wonder: how does my computer actually work? What is inside of the metal box? How much does it cost to build my own custom computer? If you have asked yourself any of these questions or if you just enjoy working with technology, then you will enjoy this adventure in assembly and problem solving.
20. Independent Study (SEPARATE APPLICATION ONLY)/Alan Bradshaw
The EHS Department of Independent Study would love to welcome 20 motivated students to complete a Mini-Independent Study project during this year’s Interim Term. Candidates should be interested in exploring a topic and creating a fantastic project during their two-week experience. There are many benefits to completing this course, including getting to design your own course of study and completing a resume-worthy project. If you are planning on pursuing a full semester or full-year Independent Study Project at EHS, this can also be an excellent springboard into that endeavor.
21. LEGO Robotics/Robert Barham
Interested in robotics or think you might be? Why not take this course to explore the possibilities? You’ll have fun unlocking your imagination, practicing creative problem-solving, and exploring the world of building and programming robots. You’ll construct robots out of LEGO and teach them to meet a variety of physical challenges.
22. Love is Hilarious: Studying the Romantic Comedy/Bob Matthews
Ice cream? A blanket? Tears at a predictable ending? If this setting feels familiar, come examine the romantic comedy through an intelligent and critical lens. We will identify the traditional structure of the modern romantic comedy, look back at some of Hollywood’s most memorable offerings in the genre, identify the modern classics, and find out exactly how Greek and Elizabethan Theater birthed the movies that people love to cuddle up to today. Using this new knowledge, each student will write an outline and do a fantasy casting of their very own romantic comedy.
23. Moot Court/Richard May
Students will learn about how a courtroom works and participate in courtroom role-play activities, including criminal and civil cases, the appellate process, and the Supreme Court process.
24. Mosaic Madness!/Lauren Cunningham
In this hands-on, studio art course, you’ll create a mosaic from first draft to final design. “What’s a mosaic?” A mosaic is a two-dimensional image or design made of small pieces of stone, glass, or ceramic, held in place by plaster or mortar. In addition to making your own personalized mosaic, you’ll learn about the history of mosaics as well as contemporary mosaic artists. We’ll also take a field trip to see some local mosaics in person!
25. Multi-Media Master Class: Let’s Hype Up Interim!/Peter Hutcheson
This exciting course will focus on capturing photo and video in order to document and promote Interim Term on EHS social media and the EHS website. Students will also collaborate to create a multi-media capstone presentation for the entire school at the end of Interim Term. Throughout the two-week term, students will develop strategies and skills for taking the best photographs, creating the most hype videos, and building the most engaging social media content possible. The source material? Interim Term. Class participants will actively follow all of the happenings of interim —its electives, its grade level learning sessions, and everything in between — in order to show our community what all the hype is about. No previous media arts experience required, and auxiliary equipment will be provided to all students. We hope you’ll join us for this fun adventure!
26. Olympics: The Politics of the Games/Travis Smith
Terrorism, racism, nationalism, boycotts, corruption, women’s rights, and a host of other global issues have colored, tainted, and helped shape the Modern Olympic games. Students will explore how sport serves as a backdrop to global issues and how these battles were not waged in a court room or on a battle field, but on the field of play.
27. One Ring to Rule Them All – Exploring the Hero’s Journey/Tabish Virani
Who can resist the call to adventure? Dive into the heart of adventure as we explore the Hero's Journey through Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings films. Unpack the timeless archetypes, the transformative trials, and the ultimate quest for identity and courage. Join us for an epic analysis of how Frodo, Aragorn, and their companions navigate challenges that define not just a hero, but the essence of heroism itself!
28. Playwriting/Tennessee Sipe
Calling all young writers! We will read and watch contemporary plays and work on writing our own, looking closely at plot, character, and dialogue. The goal of the course is that students end with a polished first act of a play that they had fun writing and feel confident about. We will watch movie clips, read snippets of plays, conduct small and large group workshops, and debate plots and characters in popular culture.
29. Pseudosciences and Media Bias: Conspiracy or Fact?/David Framel
In the world of Cryptozoology, UFOlogy, and the Paranormal, photographic and video evidence of the existence of unknown creatures, lights in the sky, and ghostly images is compelling, and certain media outlets will take advantage of the conspiratorial nature of this “evidence,” but is it all a complete hoax? Students will discuss the characteristics of pseudoscientific claims and how to critically examine them, free of media influence. Through critical thinking and cultural context, students will recreate famous scientific and historical happenings through film to ultimately create believable “Mockumentary” forgeries that rival what is out there, using props, computer graphics, Adobe Photoshop software, and Final Cut Pro.
30. Punk Rock Appreciation/Dan Gannon
This course will look at the origin of this musical genre. We will listen to music and work on a holistic definition of "punk rock." This includes music, fashion, design, ethos/ideology, various regional scenes, and lots of stories. You do not need to know anything about punk rock music or even like it to take the class. Mr. Gannon is passionate about this topic; he's waited most of his life to teach a class like this, and you will make his dream come true. (No pressure)
31. Rise and Shine/Leigh Anne Raymond
Our class will focus on how to start your day off relaxed and focused through guided Christian meditation, stretching, walking, and foam rolling. We discuss strategies to find balance in life between work, exercise, spiritual life, and social life.
32. SEW much Fun: Basic Skills for Crafting and Gifting/Katheryn Ray
Have you ever spotted your mother’s sewing machine in the back of a closet and wondered how it worked? Do you think you’d like to make fun and easy gifts for friends and family for special occasions? Is redecorating your bedroom on a budget all you can dream about? If SEW, we have the IT course for you. Learn the basics or put in some practice time if you are beyond novice. Come ready to think conceptually and spatially as we explore the art of sewing. By the end of this course, you will have quite a few finished projects to show off to friends and family and some new skills for life.
33. Starch Madness!/Mariana Alarcon and Sole Toriello
You love pasta. You enjoy cooking. Have you lost friends and alienated family over that most divisive of questions: Should a proper alfredo sauce have cream? Now you can settle that question and practice your cacio e pepe skills with like-minded pasta nerds by joining us in Starch Madness!, a pasta-making class for noodle enthusiasts. We will make pasta, compare recipes, discuss the importance of technique, learn how to choose a good-quality dry pasta, and more. Be advised that we will be working with animal products and with ingredients that include gluten and nuts.
34. Stich by Stich/Jenn Fuller
Ready to turn your creativity into something you can hold in your hands? Embroidery is the perfect way to express yourself through colorful threads and unique designs. In this hands-on course, you’ll learn the basics of stitching, from simple patterns to creating your own custom artwork. Whether you're into fashion, art, or just want to try something new, embroidery lets you bring your imagination to life—one stitch at a time!
35. Surprise!/John Drexel
Mr. Drexel will surprise you with a new skill or game each day. You may play his favorite games, watch his favorite movie, learn his favorite dance, explore his favorite albums, study his favorite Bible characters, and enjoy many more surprises!
36. Polaroid & Instax Instant Film: The ORIGINAL Instagram!/Japheth Storlie
Long before Instagram and well before Snapchat, people shared photos shot and printed instantly! Students will learn about the history of the instant photo and how the process works. A local field trip will provide an exciting and colorful backdrop for taking photos. As a hands-on workshop - we will make our own instant pictures, scan our images to create printable digital files, create Instax print frames, reclaim negatives from the film and even transfer images to different surfaces!
37. Tennis Appreciation/Ryan Hay
In this course, we will study tennis history, watch classic matches and explore epic rivalries, learn how to effectively practice and play the sport, explore fundamentals and various tactics, and take a field trip to a tennis facility to play/practice. We will also look into how technology has evolved the game over time and study current and future trends while learning about other racket sports tennis has spawned and the business side of the racket sports industry.
38. The Eras Tour/Ellen Devaney
Relive the magic of The Eras Tour. We will spend Interim Term exploring the musical and cultural impact of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. In this elective, we will journey through each of Taylor's distinct musical eras and analyze her evolution as an artist.
39. The Fourth Annual EHS Academic Olympics/Scotty Johnson
This interim course will host four fun and high-energy activities every day: Quiz Bowl, Number Sense, Current Events, and Vocabulary. These four areas will form a quadriplex of knowledge and skills to be assessed throughout the term. Students will research and explore various subjects and engage in competitive, academic challenges each day to show off what they have learned. On the final day, we will have an event called the Voc-a-Quiz-a-News-a-Math-a-Thon, combining our four academic activities with a special physical challenge.
40. Things that Go Bump in the Night/George Brock
An exploration of the horror genre in fiction and film. Learn what scares you and why, get scared by watching a terrifying Stephen King film adaptation of his sequal to the Shining, and then create your own short horror film, bringing chills and thrills to your fellow classmates.
41. Villains, Myths, and Mystery/Tori Gilliland
How do our modern-day superhero (and villain) stories show us what we truly value? How does that agree or disagree with what Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God? This class will combine TV shows, movies, and comic books, and other modern-day myths to explore what it means to truly "be good."
42. Visions of the Future/John Flanagan
Visions of the Future explores humanity’s attempt to predict the future. In class, we will examine science fiction portrayals of the future in addition to the hard science and facts on technology, medicine, and possible cataclysms. The primary goal will be for student groups to develop their own vision of the near future. Daily programs will include discussions, movies/shows, future vision project work, and futuristic activities including a Virtual Reality field trip.