Participation is selective. Students are invited based on academic achievement and an application that highlights their intellectual curiosity. Seminars are either semester-long or yearlong, with students dedicating an hour each week to bi-weekly meetings and independent study. Formats vary by topic, creating a dynamic and engaging experience.
True to Porter-Gaud’s mission to inspire lives of purpose, learning, and service, these non-credit seminars celebrate the joy of discovery over grades or graduation credits. Students have the freedom to explore academic passions purely for the love of learning.
Select Interdisciplinary Seminars
Interdisciplinary seminars offer students the opportunity to engage deeply with complex topics across disciplines. Below are just a few of the seminars available:
+ Engineering Solutions
This hands-on seminar immerses students in problem-based engineering experiences that emphasize collaboration and real-world problem-solving. In the fall, students develop a foundation in engineering fundamentals, CAD design, 3D printing, and microcontrollers for sensing and control. In the spring, they pair up to identify real-world challenges and engineer innovative solutions, culminating in an open house to share their process and results.
+ Global Health & Ethics
The Global Health and Ethics seminar explores biotechnology, human health, philosophy, and ethics through discussions, debates, and student-led sessions. Using the World Health Organization’s One Health approach that balances human, animal, and environmental health, students analyze topics such as equity in medicine, population growth, genetic engineering, de-extinction, environmental stewardship, the neuroscience of bias, and the psychological influence of social media.
+ Mock Trial
The Mock Trial seminar offers hands-on experience in due process, teaching students about the basis of our American judicial system and the mechanics of litigation. Participants develop skills in listening, speaking, writing, reading, critical thinking, and problem analysis. The program encourages students to understand the meaning of good citizenship through participation in our system of law and justice. The program culminates in a competition at the regional and state levels.
+ Pump Up the Volume: Exploring Radical Movements of the 50s-80s in History & Literature
What is a “radical” movement, and how does the promotion of change impact culture? How does culture evoke change? When does radicalism become a convention? This seminar investigates radical movements in the second half of the 20th century through an analysis of history, literature, and culture. Students explore the historical context that framed some of the most turbulent decades and examine key ideas, figures, and actions that shaped protests, politics, and counterculture.
+ Entrepreneurship in Action: Cultivating Innovators and Leaders for the Future
Entrepreneurship in Action is a full-year seminar that equips 11th and 12th graders with the skills to become entrepreneurial leaders capable of tackling real-world problems. Through design thinking, business strategy, and ethical leadership, students develop and pitch impactful business models. Collaborative discussions, guest speakers, and outside research deepen their insights. This course is ideal for those interested in venture capitalism, startups, or launching their own business.
