Journeying Europe
Claire-Marie Brisson
Have you ever wondered what histories and myths exist behind the stories you learn in history class? Look no further than to the quest we'll take together in this course! From battlefields to bakeries, secret tunnels and monuments, you'll be able to choose your own adventure with stories ranging from the Renaissance to the present. You will be masters of your own adventure as we travel through Europe, directing the journey along the way. Pack your bags for adventure!
5-6 Classes
Disease Detectives
Megan Spalding
Understanding how diseases are transmitted, lead to illness, and how they can be cured is the cornerstone of medical science. We will explore a variety of pathogenic organisms by examining their life cycle, transmission from host to host, and why some pathogens result in epidemics. Students will discover topics such as vaccine development, epidemic and pandemic pathogens (influenza, HIV/AIDS, Black Plague, smallpox, and more), as well as an introduction to basic microbiology. Grab your detective hat and dive into the exciting microscopic world of infectious diseases!
Evolution: The History of an Idea
Lauren Tabor
In this course, we will take a closer look at the discoveries, ideas, and scientists that led to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection in chronological order, starting with Aristotle and including topics such as geology and economic theory that are often glossed over in science class discussions of evolution. Charles Darwin's voyage, life, and famous theory will be the framework for the class, providing context and a goal. For each theory that contributed to Darwin's evolution theory, students will first be placed in the historical context, learning about the leading beliefs of the time, sociopolitical elements, controversies that arose, and the relationships between key scientists through readings, videos, and instruction. Students will then be provided the historical information and evidence used to develop the theory and challenged to develop their own conclusions, which they will then compare and contrast to the actual theory. Students will interact with original documents, statements, and drawings by the scientist(s) who developed the theory at this stage. The course will conclude with a discussion of how many theories over hundreds of years were needed and combined to produce Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and a request for students to answer the question: Can Charles Darwin rightfully be called "The Father of Evolution?"
A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Government
Megan Andrews
Ever wonder what it would be like to run for President? Be a judge on the Supreme Court? Write laws that will change the country? Then come on a political road trip!This class will provide a hands-on, interactive look at our nation’s government.Before we leave, we will explore the U.S.Government’s three branches(executive, legislative, and judicial) and discusswhat makes them different and how they interact with each other. Our executive stop involvesrunning a presidential campaign and creating a campaign ad. Our legislative stop contains explorations of existing laws and opportunities to write new legislation. Our judicial stop includes looking at famous court cases and participating in mock trials to understand what it is like to be on the Supreme Court.At least, this is where we plan to stop. Just like a real road trip, we might find a better path along the way!
7-8 Classes
Do You Live Inside a Computer?
Manuel Barrantes
What if, in the future, computers are so powerful that they can run computer games that replicate exactly the way our world is? What if these computer games were so sophisticated that they include actual reproductions of human minds? And what if they actually exist, now, as you read this? How do you know you are not actually inside one of such computer games? In this class, we will discuss this and other striking questions. We will learn different theories about the relationship between the mind and the brain, and whether Artificial Intelligence is a real possibility. With all this background we will address the following question: Is it possible that we are currently living inside a computer simulation? The class includes screening of short videos from the movies The Matrix, Blade Runner, The Thirteenth Floor, etc.; chapters of the show Jeopardy (where Watson the super computer defeats two humans); and some instructional videos. We will also "talk" with some Turing Machines like Cleverbot.
So You Say You Want a Revolution?
Catherine Green
Do you feel strongly about making change? Do you appreciate historical movements and transformations? In this class, we will explore what it takes to be considered “revolutionary,” and enter the minds of individuals from past revolutions. What were they thinking at the time? Did they know the impact of the changes being made? How inevitable were the results? We will also delve into more modern movements and revolutionary events outside of war including social, political, economic, technological, financial, musical, etc. The class will culminate with campers thinking about a change they want to make in their own lives and the society in which they live to develop creative, revolutionary solutions.
Greatness through Game Theory
Simonas Cepenas
Math is an important part of our everyday lives. For example, game theory, which involves mathematical models of conflict and cooperation, can be discussed in the subjects of economics, political science, psychology, and biology. In this course, you will learn how to use game theory for everything from finding winning strategies for popular games to predicting future events. We will do a number of experiments to discover when it is better to cooperate and when it is better to compete with your colleagues in order to win. In this class, active participation and group work will drive our learning as you gain problem-solving skills, learn how to think strategically, and study how to mathematically depict strategies.
Exploring the Properties of Gases
Michael Farabaugh
Although gases are all around us, we tend to ignore them because they are invisible. In this hands-on course, we will explore the physical and chemical properties of gases. This includes the relationships between variables such as pressure, volume, temperature, and amount of gas (moles). We will see how the kinetic-molecular theory of gases helps to explain and predict gas behavior. Reactions involving hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases will be examined. Intermolecular forces will be discussed as they relate to the process of a gas changing into a liquid or a solid.
Sci-Fi Philosophy
Lily Greenway
Science fiction explores some of the most interesting and important questions about human life. When the survival of the human race is at stake, do the ends justify the means? Is it ever right to interfere in the affairs of a different civilization? What would society look like if there weren't two genders? Is technological progress always good for society? What happens when we can't tell who is right about important issues? What is "intelligent life"? What would space travel mean for mankind? In this class, we will consider questions like these by connecting with popular science fiction works. This will include works from popular franchises like Marvel, Doctor Who, Star Trek, and Star Wars as well as excerpts from sci-fi novels both modern and classic like The Left Hand of Darkness and The Diamond Age and short stories like "The Veldt" and "Harrison Bergeron.” Students will not only engage in discussion, close reading and analysis of the texts, but creative activities that will help students develop their writing skills. Finally, students will have the opportunity to explore a philosophical question by writing their own sci-fi story or comic or bringing a text to life through performance.
The Sonnet through the Ages
Rachel Newman
In this class, we will look at the development of the sonnet from Petrarch and Shakespeare until the modernist sonneteers of the early to mid-20th century. We will spend time reading and discussing sonnets and their different variations and themes over the last 5 centuries, while also looking at their accompanying social and historical moments. We will also explore the complications of the poetry-writing endeavor, and students will have an opportunity to write and revise their own original sonnets and present them to the class. How does the “little song” of the sonnet poetic form manage to convey so much meaning within only 14 lines, and how does the sonneteer use such a small space to make grandiose cultural and socio-political statements? These are some of the questions my class will seek to answer as students explore the sonnet through the ages and try their hand at writing their own sonnets of different forms.
Exploration Earth
Alexa Dosart
From the stars in the night sky to the tiny invertebrates living in our local streams, geoscience (a.k.a. Earth science) is everywhere. The focus of this class is exploring the ecosystems hidden in plain sight. In this class we'll learn about the ancient geology of the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains and the trees that call them home, as well as aquatic ecosystems, green energy systems (solar, wind, water, and gas) and much more. All you need to bring is a sense of curiosity and adventure!
What's In Your Skull?
Cat Gamboa
The answer to the question “what’s in your skull?” might seem simple—it’s the brain, the most important organ in your body. But what makes it so important? Can you survive without it? How does cancer affect the brain? We'll answer questions like these and explore other ideas that your brains create! In this class, you'll take on a variety of expert perspectives to understand different aspects of the brain. Potential options include being a scientist to learn what the different parts of the brain do; an engineer to find the best solution to a brain's problem; and a doctor to save a patient from a brain tumor.