SEP Session 1, Day 4 (5-8)

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

Today in "(Super) Human Physics", Our 7-8 SEP scientists participated in an experiment in which they worked in small groups using rulers and yardsticks to collect reaction time data for the whole class. As a class, they worked on comparing and contrasting to the average human reaction time speed and the average superhuman reaction time (example Quicksilver).  

Grim-Trigger is a trigger game theory strategy used for repeated games. In "Math, Statistics, Game Theory," students learned and applied Grim-Trigger Strategy. After learning the principles and concepts of the strategy, students used the strategy to determine when they would cooperate in a game or cheat to yield the most reward. They considered things like opponents' personalities, discount factors, stable and unstable currencies, and a lot more.

Today in "Blueprint to You", SEP students worked together on a case study where they got to step into the shoes of an Oncologist. Students were asked to decide on a diagnosis for fictitious patients possible type of cancer, based on their group's research. Groups of students then made decisions about what diagnostics tests to order while working within the restraints of a budget. Students then prepared a pamphlet in which they were asked to their patient the decisions they made for diagnostic testing and why. 

Today in "Religion, Rulers, and Riots", students began the class with a brief discussion of religion in the Roman Empire in the third and fourth century. Students learned about the Valerian Persecution (a persecution of Christians) and the tension between Pagans and Christians. Peter Morris pushed the students to answer critical thinking questions like, "what arguments might pagans have lodged against Christians? What defense were Christians mustering?"

Students then began a very interesting game! In this game, students were given perspectives (Sossianus, Porphyry, Eusebius, and Lactantius). They were then given the task of presenting their case to the empire Diocletian (Peter Morris). In order to "win", students needed to be consistent with the perspective of their role and use what they learned about Diocletian's vision and goals to convince him. In the first round, students argued if Christianity should be legal or illegal. In the second round, they debated what measures or regulations should be implemented. And in the third round, the final decision was made.

Today in "Periodic Explorations", students continued studying single replacement reactions. They watched reactions of hydrochloric acid and magnesium, as well as hydrochloric acid and zinc. Then, students worked on writing and balancing chemical reactions. They are certainly on their way to being real chemists!

Best,

Nicole, Olivia, and Abby