SEP Session 1, Day 6 (5-8)

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

Do you understand the importance of a balanced bank account? Students in "Financing Your Future" began class today by comparing salary wages and hourly wages. Then, they discussed the careers they would like to have and their associated average salaries. Some careers included were teachers, aerospace engineers, realtors, among others. Once students knew their average salary, they were told to fill out a mock interview application. The importance of neat and tidy applications was stressed too. Class proceeded with investigating health care options and housing. In the coming days, students will work with paying mock bills and living on their net pay. 

"Solar Circuits - Solar Homes," is one of the courses we hadn't had a chance to visit until today. I (Nicole) was so excited to finally be able to visit this class and learn a little about what the students have been doing. Students have been learning about renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy. In a previous class, students created their own cards with light bulbs and learned about circuits. Students will be transferring this skill to using a solar panel to power a lightbulb for their final project. For their final project, students will work in groups to design and build a solar powered home.

Today, students had a guest speaker, Tom Dietz from "Electric and Autonomous Vehicles." Dr. Dietz shared how he designed his own home to be as energy efficient as possible. Students were encouraged to apply what they learned as they think through designing their own solar powered home for their final project! Tomorrow, students in "Solar Circuits - Solar Homes" will go on a field trip, check back tomorrow for an update.

Dr. Dietz explains the cost of his energy upgrades

Students used what they learned about circuits to create a card with a light

Teacher Margaret Lambert-Migas explains the final project to students and shows them a solar panel

Today in "How to Make a Podcast," students worked on recording their final podcasts. Group topics include, a podcast on how to make a podcast, a fictional conspiracy theory show, a review of the video game Avengers Endgame, a show about ghost experiences, and finally a debate over single player vs multiplayer video games.

Today in "Engineers Can Change the World," students used design thinking to improve the SEP experience. Groups worked to solve the problems of homesickness, communication and long walks to a from classes. Students also thought about potential stakeholders to interview and brainstormed interview questions.

Today in "So You Want to Change the World," students used logic models to spell out components of a program designed to solve a real world problem.

Today in "Blueprint to You," students used what they have been learning about genetics to investigate a crime scene. Students investigated the the DNA sequence of the criminal, the (artificial) blood type, the marker used (via chromatography), and the fingerprints. Students then compared what they learned about the suspects to the lab results to determine which of their counselors commited the crime.

Students dust for fingerprints

Students test (artificial) blood samples to determine blood type of suspect

Students determine nucleotide sequence based on physical characteristics of suspects

Students use chromatology to determine marker used on note left at crime scene

Best,

Nicole, Olivia, and Abby