WinterSession workshops is a space for learning, collaboration, and hands-on experimental discovery. In a couple days at the start of C Term, students, staff, faculty and alumni explore new ideas, are introduced to new skills, or ways of seeing. In this space, students are free to explore, try, fail, and discover without the risks associated with grades and graduation requirements. This is a space for fun, learning, for learnings sake.
This student imagined space, shifts and changes from year to year offering new workshops, opportunities, and options and yet the heart of the project remains the same. Create a space where non-academic learning is valued and celebrated, where learning moves beyond the classroom and into the community, and where we can explore and experiment with new ideas and new skills in a collaborative and supportive environment.
Explore the wonder of WinterSession...
1. Ballroom Dancing: Dance with Confidence at Social Events
Instructor: Tristen Davis- WPI Ballroom Dance Team
Dance Studios- Rec Center
Sunday, Jan 14, 2:00-3:00 PM
When was the last time you danced? We will offer a ballroom dancing session for one hour. This class will teach the basics of American Waltz with no previous dance experience required nor expected, just comfortable clothing and socks or shoes. Swing into the classes solo or with a partner and have fun dancing!
2. Building Your Digital Brand: LinkedIn Profiles, Portfolios, and Resumes
Innovation Studio
Instructor: Jonathan Whooley- WPI Student, BS Mechanical Engineering, MS Management, Minor in History
Saturday, Jan 13, 4:00-5:00 PM (Workshop is full)
Sunday, Jan 14, 12:00-1:00 PM
Are you applying for an internship or a full-time position? Do you need help with your LinkedIn profile and resume? As students, these can be extremely stressful times as we apply for jobs and wonder if we are the right fit. The most important thing to remember is how to distinguish ourselves from other job applicants. Join us for this workshop where you can receive tips, advice, and help from a fellow student's perspective as we understand how to build our digital brand.
3. Learn MVP-Thinking by Playing “Climate-Aware Lifestyles”
Innovation Studio
Instructor: Marc Trudeau '81, Team Dynamics Coach, Likebreathin.com
Sunday, Jan 14, 11:00-12:30 PM
Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a low-cost/effort approach to implementing just enough of a product or service to secure early, enlightening end-user feedback, and validate business and technical assumptions underpinning your BIG idea.
Become skilled at MVP-thinking, by joining a fun game with timely focus: Accelerating climate change portends a novel future, and affluent cultures are likely to be most profoundly affected. Explore your and others’ priorities for life in decades to come, while learning to facilitate the game for your own product.
All will receive physical and Miro downloads of “Puck’s Pub - MVPiaBox.”
4. Discovering Your Purpose: How to BECOME a Changemaker
Instructor: Kristin Asadoorian- Social Worker, Professional Development Coach, Founder Living Become, LLC
Innovation Studio
Sunday, Jan 14, 12:30-1:30 PM
Come discover more about who you are, what is important to you and how you can create change. You will be taught how to find purpose in your work and education and discover your ability to create change within your communities. Your voice and energy are important, come learn how to use them to better yourself and others.
- Build self-awareness and self-confidence
- Become more empowered
- Learn how to lead with compassion
5. Eggciting Innovation Challenge
Innovation Studio
Instructor: Curtis Abel, Executive Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Sunday, Jan 14, 12:00-1:00 PM
Come join a very special KEEN Innovation Challenge designed especially for WinterSession! This eggsilerating eggsperience will take you to new heights as your team competes for bragging rights and more! You don’t want to miss this unique challenge so spread the word and sign up today!
6. Enameling on Copper
Worcester Center for Crafts
25 Sagamore Road
Instructor: Tomoko Sakai
Sunday, Jan 14, 12:00-1:30 PM
Enameling is an ancient process in which vitreous glass, enamel, is fused, and bonded onto metal by kiln firing. The Worcester Center for Crafts is one of the few centers teaching this craft today. The types of metals preferred for enameling are copper, steel for large-scale work, and fine gold or silver for precious jewelry. This workshop will cover a variety of techniques to help you make your own keychain!
*Please note this workshop is off-campus. Please arrive fifteen minutes early with your own mode of transportation. The craft center is about a 10-minute walk from WPI.
Workshop is full
7. Eyes Alive: Animate Your Vision
Innovation Studio Makerspace
Instructor: Matthew Winchell
Sunday, Jan 14, 3:30-4:30 PM
Unleash your creativity and delve into the fascinating world of robotics with our Eyes Alive workshop! In this hands-on experience, participants will assemble their own animatronic eye set, combining engineering finesse with artistic ingenuity. No prior experience in electronics or programming is required; this workshop is open to beginners and enthusiasts alike. Join us for an exciting journey where technology meets art, and bring your creations to life in ways you never thought possible.
Workshop is full
8. Feel Good Foods!
Instructor: Shavaun Cloran- Registered Dietitian, Chartwells
Center for Well-Being, Daniels Hall, Room 102E (Programming Room)
Saturday, Jan 13, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM; 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Join Shavaun Cloran, RD, in learning about the science and art of nutrition in a way that creates connection and peace with your mind and body. Learn how to approach food and nutrition in a way that cultivates positivity and leaves room for the things in life that matter most. This is an interactive workshop that provides a tasty snack!!
9. Design Thinking with a Twist!
Innovation Studio
Instructor: Milosh Puchovsky, Professor of Practice, Fire Protection Engineering
Albert Simeoni, Professor and Dept Head, Fire Protection Engineering
Saturday, Jan 13, 11:00 AM -12:30 PM
CALLING ALL STUDENTS! Fire, with its mesmerizing beauty and potential for devastation, captivates us all.
Embark on a journey with esteemed industry experts who will discuss AI and other tools at to explore the FPE grand challenges and identify the most pressing concerns that resonate with your passion for problem-solving.
This design thinking workshop serves as the first step towards undergraduate and graduate students from all majors to participate in the FPE Value Creation Jam in the Spring. It's an exclusive opportunity to learn how to leverage your diverse skills and knowledge across disciplines to craft innovative solutions for many existing problems and evolving concerns in FPE.
Don't miss this chance to closely collaborate with industry professionals to shape the future of fire safety!
This workshop is sponsored by The Duane D. Pearsall Fire Protection Engineering (FPE) Value Creation Jam. This workshop is open to all students and majors.
10. Fireside Chat with Scott Harris '82- Co-Founder of Onshape and Solidworks
Innovation Studio- Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center
Sunday, Jan 14, 2:00 -3:00 PM
Meet Scott Harris ‘82, entrepreneur, mentor, investor, teacher, and advisor. Scott Harris is an influential figure in computer-aided design (CAD) software, renowned for his pivotal role in co-founding both Onshape and SolidWorks.With a passion for innovative technology, Harris has dedicated his career to revolutionizing the way engineers and designers approach product development. His expertise in CAD software has not only shaped the engineering industry but has also empowered countless professionals with powerful tools for design and collaboration.
Scott will share his personal journey of success and failure to help you gain insight into the exciting path toward startups and entrepreneurship. Q&A session to follow. All are welcome!
11. Impress Your Date by Making Sushi
Instructor: Soul Bounnaphol- Chef & Director of The Halal Shack, Chartwells
Morgan Hall- Halal Shack
Saturday, Jan 13, 10:30 AM -12:00 PM ; 2:00-3:30 PM
Roll up your sleeves and learn how to make sushi. This class touches upon the basics of sushi making which includes a brief discussion about the methods, the ingredients, the tools, and different techniques. The rest of our time we will be hands-on rolling the perfect sushi. Happiness follows!
Workshop is full
12. Introduction to Acrylic Painting
Innovation Studio
Instructor: Sofia Xie, President, Art and Design Club
Saturday, Jan 13, 1:00 -2:00 PM (Workshop is Full)
Sunday, Jan 14, 1:30-2:30 PM
Give your inner artist a chance to grow! In this workshop, you will learn some basic painting techniques. We will take you step by step as you create a scene using the medium of acrylic paint.
13. Knitting 101
Innovation Studio
Instructor: Chelsea Dill- Artist, Writer and Avid Knitter
Saturday, Jan 13, 2:30-4:00 PM
Sunday, Jan 14, 2:30-4:00 PM (Workshop is Full)
Beat winter boredom and blues by escaping into the cozy, creative world of knitting! In this workshop, you will learn basic skills so you can knit your own scarf. You’ll get a brief overview of knitting techniques, reading a pattern, knitting from around the world, and how to choose the best yarn, needles, and tools for your projects. Participants will start the scarf project and keep materials to finish on their own. No experience required, all levels welcome!
Skills taught: casting on, knit stitch, purl stitch, basic stitch patterns (garter, stockinette, seed stitch), binding off, and pattern reading.
14. Pitch2Match
Innovation Studio
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center and Enactus Club Partnership
Saturday, Jan 13, 12:00-1:00 PM
Have a new Idea or want to connect with student entrepreneurs?
Come to WinterSession's Pitch 2 Match matchmaking event to learn about innovative student startups and how you can get involved!
Network, connect, and create your next opportunity or build your team with one slide & a 60 second pitch!
Startup teams will be pitching to students interested in joining a startup team or simply engaging with like-minded students. Graduate students are welcome to learn about GQP project opportunities with our industry partner, Honeywell and as well as with other innovative student startup projects. If you have an entrepreneurial passion, you don't want to miss this event!
Here are some startup teams ready to pitch with more to come!
• Universal Education Initiative (UEI)
• Flying Car Project
• Project CHULO
• Serene AI
You do not need to pitch to attend Pitch2Match. Student startup teams who would like to pitch, please email Shiivek Agarwal, suagarwal@wpi.edu. All students are welcome!
15. Prompt Engineering for Generative AI: Image and Text Synthesis
Innovation Studio
Instructor: Gillian Smith, Director of WPI Interactive Media and Game Development Program, Associate Professor of Computer Science
Instructor: Yunus Telliel, Assistand Professor of Anthropology and Rhetoric, Humanities and Arts
Sunday, Jan 14, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM; 12:30- 1:30 PM
Learn about how to use current generative AI software effectively in your design and creative process! This is a hands-on workshop where we'll experiment with current tools, learn about prompt design, imagine creative projects that incorporate generative imagery, and discuss AI's ramifications for art, technology, and society. No programming experience is required! Please bring a laptop. *Please bring a laptop.
Cancelled
16. Self-Defense
Dance Studio- Rec Center
Instructor: Koksal Mus, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Assistant Professor of Teaching
Saturday, Jan 13, 11:00 AM -12:30 PM
This workshop is a safe, fun and exciting experience that combines self-defense education, tips on incident avoidance and how to defend yourself as well as hands-on practice in simulated common street attacks. You will practice easy methods that can rapidly disable an attacker and give yourself the opportunity to escape. Participants can stay for the open mat session from 12:30 to 2 pm if you are interested in martial arts.
Workshop is full
17. Using Negotiations to Create Wins
Innovation Studio
Instructor: Hemant Abjani '15, MBA, P.E.
Saturday, Jan 13, 2:00-3:00 PM
Sunday, Jan 14, 2:00-3:00 PM
Negotiations come in many forms! Whether it’s to advance an idea with your startup team, acquire a customer, or reach an agreement on job salary, we all negotiate several times per day. Join us in fun, hands-on exercises to learn negotiation concepts and strategies and be more confident and influential.
ALL WORKSHOPS ARE OPEN TO THE WPI COMMUNITY
Please check in at the registration desk located on the first floor of the Innovation Studio for your room location.
In consideration of other students, please do not over-commit by signing up for workshops you cannot attend. Spaces are limited. Please register for the workshops you plan to attend and do not time overlap.
**Please make sure you sign up for workshops that do not overlap.
**Snacks will be provided in the Innovation Studio
For WinterSession questions, please email Lusine Baghsarian, lbaghsarian@wpi.edu