Summer Courses
August 18 - 22, 2025
This summer, we will be offering free classes taught by BUA teachers as a way for new ninth-grade students to get to know their teachers and classmates. Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We will do our best to ensure that students are signed up for at least ONE of their top choices. Please use this form to indicate which courses you are interested in registering for.
Please complete the form by April 21, and we will follow up after that time to confirm selections.
Boston Becoming Boston
Mrs. Brown and Dr. Larash
August 18 - 22, 2025 | 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., with some days ending later (TBD)
When your family has friends visiting Boston, do you take them to sites along the Freedom Trail? Although these historical sites of the Revolution era are fascinating, they provide an incomplete understanding of our city. Many of the most important sections of Boston were developed in the 19th century. In this class, we will explore the changes to the Charles River and the Back Bay that caused Boston to grow into the city we see today. Expect to take the T most days and wear walking shoes as we investigate how Boston Became Boston!
Human vs. Machine: The Ethics of Innovation in the 21st Century
Mr. O'Rourke and Dr. White
August 18 - 21, 2025 | 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. (Please note that course will not run on Friday, August 22.)
Is there an ethical limit to the use of genetic engineering? Can autonomous vehicles behave ethically? Rapid advances in modern technology often present us with thorny ethical questions. In this course, we will dive into these and other case studies, introducing students to the major ethical frameworks that help us think about the complicated questions we face in the technology age.
Mystery, Mischief, and Northanger Abbey: The Novel Unlocked
Dr. Alvarez
August 18 - 22, 2025 | 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
An engaging week-long exploration of the novel as a literary form, with a focus on Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey awaits you! We will examine the novel’s evolution, narrative techniques, and its role in shaping literary culture, while diving deep into Austen’s fun, playful critique of Gothic fiction. Whether you're an Austen aficionado or new to her work, this course promises lively discussion and fresh insights into the art of storytelling.
Writing Nature
Dr. Karnaukh and Dr. Schantz
August 18 - 22 | 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., with an afternoon outing Wednesday, August 20
In this interdisciplinary course, we will ask how scientists and writers understand nature. How are their approaches different? How do their tools and tactics complement each other? Students will read, journal, write, and explore multiple ways of representing and interpreting scientific data. Our classroom will extend to the paths along the Charles River, the Public Garden, Walden Pond, and more! Students should expect to be outside for the majority of class time.