Project Weeks

Project Weeks epitomizes the Putney ideal: students working for the love of learning.

During the end of each academic semester, students have the opportunity to complete two projects that employ skills they have acquired in their academic and non-academic program during the semester. We encourage students to engage in an independent process of inquiry and exploration and to choose a topic that is meaningful to them.

Students develop the framework, the timeline for and the goals for the projects. One of the projects must be academic in nature. 

Sacred Geometry in a Mural of Platonic Solids

Bianca '18 during December 2016 Project Weeks

Students work independently or in groups under the guidance of an advisor.  We set aside intensive rehearsal for major performances of drama and musical groups.

Projects represent a significant culmination of a semester’s work since the time devoted (nine to 10 days at the end of each semester—a total of 20 days) is the equivalent of an academic month. The Educational Program Committee approves each project. Project-based learning has been part of our educational model for more than 80 years. 

Here’s a sampling of student projects conducted during the 2018-2019 Project Weeks:

  • Local Clay: Deep Ecology
  • Wilderness First Responder Course
  • The Financial State of Baseball
  • Illustrated Horrors in American History
  • Building an Escape Room
  • Composing a Quartet of One Movement
  • Black Culture: Significance of Hair
  • Ethical Implications of Fashion and Production
  • Study of Aquaponics: Science and Notation