SEP Session 1, Day 1 (5-8)

Many teachers began the first day of class by playing ice breaker games to help students learn more about their classmates. After learning more about each other, teachers introduced students to the foundation of their course.

Each day, we will feature several courses. Throughout the session, we will feature as many courses as possible.

In "So You Want to Change the World" students worked individually to write down as many problems in the world that they could think of. Students then worked in groups to sort their concerns into categories of their choosing. Reflecting on the activity students remarked that we must be more considerate about our actions "pretty much everything we are talking about is caused by people". Finally, students each shared the problem that they are most concerned about. Students primary concerns included global warming, natural disasters, pollution, too much technology, child abuse, endangered animals and world hunger. As students progress in the class, they will move from discussing problems to generating creative solutions.

"Blueprint to You" is a class based on genetics. By the end of the session, students should understand that "genetics is a vastly complex field that holds a variety of social implications, both positive and negative." After a few activities where students got to know each other, Ms. Gamboa informed her students of some of the exciting tasks they would be completing in upcoming days like working with Mr. Potato Head's genetics, studying fingerprints, solving a crime scene, and engaging in a debate. One of the students responded, "I knew this class was going to be fun!" First things first, students learned about the differences in dominant and recessive traits by playing BINGO.

Best,

Nicole, Olivia, and Abby