CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Building a World Class Roller Coaster

With Anthony Smith

(Session 3 only)

This course explores the physics and engineering of roller coaster design. In this class, students will explore the engineering and physics of roller coasters. Student teams will harness potential and kinetic energy to build paper roller coasters, competing to see who can build the longest ride with the most twists and turns by applying the physics principles explored. 

​

Electric and Autonomous Vehicles

With Tom Dietz

(Sessions 1 and 2 only)

This course will help you understand the design and implications of electric and Autonomous Vehicles. With these understandings, you will be able to see how these technologies will change the world, as well as the financial, environmental, and technological opportunities that may result from these changes.

​

Engineering Hogwarts: Design Thinking in Fantasy Worlds

With Nirali Jantrania

Have you ever imagined yourself designing a better Quidditch broom? Or creating a spacecraft that could rival the Death Star? How about building a wall that could defend Helm’s Deep from Saruman’s armies? In this class, we will explore engineering and design thinking principles through the lens of fantasy and science fiction. You will be a designer, builder, problem-solver, scientist, and so much more as we learn all about how to become better engineers and better thinkers. We will do several projects throughout the class that will involve applying the ideas we talk about in magical ways, like building a catapult to defend against the Death Eaters’ invasion. So grab your wand, lightsaber, or one ring to rule them all, and climb aboard the Hogwarts Express. It’s time to engineer.

​

How to Make a Podcast

With Nicole Story

How does one read stories through listening? How can one write with their voice? With podcasts and audiobooks becoming increasingly popular forms of storytelling, we must reconsider reading and writing beyond the visual page. In this course, students will analyze aspects of digital storytelling to consider modern ways of constructing narratives through technology. We will examine podcasts, “read” audiobooks and participate in sound walks in an effort to explore the approaches and significance of telling audio stories. You will then create your own piece of digital writing by scripting, editing, and producing a short podcast episode. This course does not require previous experience in recording or even technical savviness—what is desired is an interest in learning how to broaden your abilities as a reader and writer with audio culture and tools.

​

Math, Statistics, and Game Theory

With Simonas Cepenas

Welcome to the world of science! Are you interested in what scientists do? What tools do they use to discover relationships and certain patterns? If you answered yes to these questions, this course is for you! In this course, you will learn how to use mathematics, statistics, and game theory to make and evaluate scientific arguments! We will play games, conduct experiments and use mathematical tools to answer scientific questions! Why richer countries tend to be democratic? Why democratic countries don’t fight each other? Why people vote? We will use math, statistics, and game theory to analyze these and other questions. We will also play games, and use mathematical reasoning to win them! In this class, you will learn that math is fun and useful in real life! You will gain problem-solving skills and learn how to think strategically. Active participation and group work will drive our learning.

​

Parsing Primary Sources: Learning to Read Like a Historian

With Allison Kelley (Cobb)

History is much more than a series of names, dates, and events. A prevalent overemphasis on content mastery means students rarely have the opportunity to think like an actual historian. In this class, students will have the opportunity to form their own opinions and explore historical topics that interest them. Historical events will come alive as they touch, see, and listen to sources. Students will see that history can be fun when they get to actively engage with the evidence and form their own thoughts and opinions about historical events. Not only will history come alive, but you will become better prepared for AP exams!

​

The Gender Game: An Exploration of Social Norms

With Zoe Pettler

How do we decide what counts as masculine or feminine? It seems obvious in our day-to-day life, but the definitions are actually harder to pin down than you might think. This class will explore difference within gender categories, and break down the gendered structures that we often assume are naturally in place. Stereotypes shape a lot of our language about gender, and by breaking down these assumptions we can better understand what’s really going on here. Do you think about your gender when you consider your options for the future? Or do other factors like your race or your religion seem more important to you? Gender categories aren’t one-size-fits-all, and intersecting identities can have a huge impact on how we view ourselves. Gender is so much more than the body parts you have- it’s a social experience! Together we will explore this experience by looking at ideas from biology, psychology, philosophy, and more. Gender studies is an interdisciplinary field, so students from any area of interest will have valuable contributions to our conversation.