SEP Session 2, Day 4 (5-8)

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

Today in "How to Make a Podcast," students worked on outlining their podcasts.

This afternoon in "Periodic Explorations," SEP 7-8 Chemists watched a video which talked about the history of chemistry and when it began to transition from Alchemy to Chemistry. After the video, the students watched an experiment demonstration which resulted in a small hydrogen explosion. 

Today in "Financing Your Future," students began class by doing a timed practice of calculating percentages. They earned $20.00 for each correct answer and had $30.00 deducted for each incorrect answer. Students could earn up to $560.00. After that activity, the class paid pills on their check register using mock checks. And finally, the morning capped off with each student purchasing a car.

Today in "Engineers Can Change the World," students began learning about and practicing systems-level thinking. One of the many activities they completed was drawing the process of making toast. They were to assume that the audience of their drawing had never made toast before. No words were allowed in their drawings. This activity stressed the importance of clear communication, following directions, and details. Engineers also talked about what "criteria" and "constraints" mean in engineering. Students worked to identify examples of both within the projects they have worked on so far in the class. After discussing and coming to an understanding about these terms, the class watched a TED TALK by the Author of "How I Harnessed the Wind" and related these concepts to his story. 

Watch the video: https://www.ted.com/talks/william_kamkwamba_how_i_harnessed_the_wind?language=en#t-288936

Today in "From Hamlet to Black Panther," students began class by reading act IV of Hamlet. Students took turns reading as various characters. Teacher, Maayan Ornath, did a wonderful job stopping students every few lines and asking students to clarify what was happening in the scene. Reading Hamlet in this way allowed students to gain a deeper understanding of the text and allowed them to interact with and respond to the text.

Today in "So You Want to Change the World," SEP students watched a video called The Brainstorming King, which introduced the topic of second right answers to students. Students worked in groups to brainstorm alternative uses for common everyday objects such as pipe cleaners and paper towel rolls. 

Today in "On the Brink...Innovations in Warfare in WWII," 7-8 SEP Historians worked in small groups to create timelines that included everything they have learned in class so far. Students worked together to recall and organize information into an eye-catching timeline of notable events of WWII. 

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This afternoon in "Math, Statistics, and Game Theory," students learned about extensive form game theory. After talking through and practicing more simple examples of this strategy's use, students worked on applying the strategy to a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Then, after watching a clip of "Noah's Ark," students constructed a tree form diagram using extensive form game theory to the creation story. This tree diagram helped students determine the rationality of both Adam and Eve, as well as God in the Garden with the forbidden fruit. This example was adapted by Brahm, professor at NYU. More unconventional applications of game theory to Old Testament stories followed.

The Controversy of Bacchanalia is one game that students played today in "Religion, Rulers, and Riots." In this game, students were senators conducting investigations and determining legislation following a murder suspected to be the actions of the cult of Bacchanalia. Teacher, Peter Morris, played the role of the a chief and the game master. Students seemed to really enjoy the role-play of such a challenging scenario.

Happy Fourth of July!

Best,

Nicole, Olivia and Abby