Course Title |
Description |
Forensic Science
(CANCELED)
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This week-long class will focus on the integration of science and the practice of law, the necessity of forensic evidence versus the pitfalls of eyewitness accounts, investigating a typical crime lab, understanding evidence collection and protection, and the analysis of fingerprints, bloodstains, and other biological and chemical evidence. We will also study famous cases that were significant breakthroughs in forensic science. |
Fun With Electronics
(Weeks
1,2,4)
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In typical consumer electronics, microcontrollers are used to control many different functions. This course is designed to give students a deeper look and explores how to program and control a Picaxe microcontroller. Students in this class will receive lessons about simple electronic circuitry and will be introduced to computer programming using the BASIC computer language. We will look at LED circuits, digital sensors, and various analog sensors. Ultimately students will produce a working robot using a microcontroller to navigate through a set maze. |
Introduction to Game Design and Systems Thinking (Week 2)
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This course will explore the craft of game design. It will examine and analyze current games (video games and board games), discuss designing rule structures and game balance, begin light programming/algorithmic thinking, blend game mechanics with storytelling, and design game prototypes. Students will analyze current games and practice rapid-prototyping their own games. They will work corroboratively and learn how to provide and listen to constrictive critiques. Students will perform a full design cycle on one board game and one video game. The course will blend logic, art, and analytic thinking and communication skills. |
Rocket Man (Week 1,2)
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The class will study the process of designing a rocket to build and launch while exploring the history and heroes of the space program. Each day students will engage in the design-build process as they read, watch film clips and discuss the wonders of space exploration. Students will spend ½ the day engaged in activities using multimedia materials and ½ the day designing and building a rocket. The culminating event will be the launching of rockets on campus. |
How to Write a Competitive Science Essay (Week 1,2,3)
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Using the DuPont Challenge Essay model, students will learn to research, write, and reference a competitive science essay. Students will be given the option of continuing to work with me to bring the essay to entry in the 2012 DuPont contest.
Activities: Students will use laptops to research their topics. If students have their own laptop, please bring them to class. |
Photoshop Bootcamp (Week 1,4)
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This one week training course will get students started on learning the basics of Adobe Photoshop and how to utilize it as an art tool. The tools and techniques learned in this class will engage beginners and challenge higher level Photoshop users to think critically and explore new ideas. Topics include; Introduction to Photoshop Tools, Creating Textures, Photo Editing, and Digital Photography. Fun projects (Changing Perception, Abstract Self Portrait, Second Chance Game and Action Figure) will also be included. |
Infectious Biological Outbreak (Weeks 3,4)
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Viruses are one billionth the size of a human being, but have caused havoc and altered human history. Students in this course will have the opportunity to work as epidemiologists and be introduced to many real historic epidemics. They will trace outbreak victims back to their sources, and develop techniques to control the outbreak. Students will learn about modern public health threats such as Ebola virus and what it is like to work as a researcher in a biolevel four containment suit. |
Dissection Connection (Weeks 1,2,3,4)
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What would happen if one part of a body system was removed? How would your day-to-day activities be affected if you had gills instead of lungs? What would you eat if your stomach had four compartments? What happens when you follow the circulatory system and your heart? What if you really were strong as an ox? Students will be encouraged to compare and contrast their body systems with those of vertebrates and invertebrates. Students will dissect several organs and organisms throughout this course. |
Bootstrap: Algebraic Video Game Programming (Week 3)
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With the increased demands of multicore processors and provably secure code, Functional Programming has become a hot topic in the tech economy. This course will introduce Functional Programming, having students use it to build a fully-playable video game. The course will cover the foundations of a functional programming language, and blend concepts from computer science with those from math classes you already know: functions, variables, domain and range, function composition, inequality, data structures, event-based programming and more. Students will work in small teams, working together to build a fully-playable game in a short amount of time. In one week, students will cover nearly a month of college-level computer science, and are free to follow a college textbook after the class to continue the course. NO prior programming experience is required, but familiar with algebra is strongly recommended. |
Digital Photography (Week 2,3)
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Digital Photography is a completely paperless course in which students will learn the basics of photography. This course requires students to bring their own digital camera and cord (needed on the very first day of class) to transfer photos to the computer. Students will learn the basics of photo composition and digital darkroom. Students will be required to shoot photos and post them to an online blog for critique. Students will also be given a variety of "hands-on" assignments and will take "photo field trips" around the school to accomplish their tasks. Students will also produce a variety of short projects over the course of the week that will enhance their understanding of photography.
NOTE: Students must bring their own digital camera, cord, and battery supplies each day to class. |
An Animated 3D World
(Weeks 1,2,3,4)
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Students will design and create 3D environments including objects simple and complex, interior and exterior spaces, and realistic and fantasy environments. |
Exploring the Night Sky
(Week 3)
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Participants will learn how to find their way around the night sky, how to recognize objects, how to use a telescope, and how to improve their observation techniques. We will also explore current events in astronomy in terms of discoveries and updates. |
Web Page Design
(Weeks 1,2)
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Students will create a company website! They will start by creating a logo in Photoshop CS5 and then create the site using HTML coding and Dreamweaver CS5. Students will study the thought process behind the design, marketing and creation of the business site. They will then create a short infomercial for their company in PowerPoint or Flash CS5 to incorporate into their website. |
Cool Chemistry (Week 1)
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This week long course will provide students with advanced Chemistry knowledge and skills through problem solving, laboratory investigations, and scientific readings. This is a challenging, upper-level program with an academic focus designed for highly motivated students who desire to be actively engaged in an advanced Chemistry Laboratory, to learn about topics that rely upon strong mathematical skills and scientific curiosity, and to explore hands-on activities related to Chemistry. The class will include readings, problems, research projects relating to chemistry, and lab experimentation. Prior completion of Geometry (after Algebra 1) is required for taking this course. Copy of transcript showing completion must be submitted on Day 1 of class.
NOTE: Prior completion of Geometry is required for taking this course. Bring copy of transcript to first day of class. |
Busted, Confirmed, or Plausible (Week 2,3,4)
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Working in teams, participants in this one-week course will have the opportunity to emulate some of the classic (and safe) investigations shown on the popular television show “MythBusters”. Teams can also choose to investigate “myths” of their own (with instructor approval) as they learn the fundamentals of experimental design in a fun and engaging way. The ideas initiated during this summer program can potentially be used for science fair requirements during the school year. |
Who's Eating Who? Predators and Prey (Week 4)
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Students will learn about ecosystems and food webs, and Research local ecosystems and determine the main plants and animals in the food web. Students will explore environmental and biological agents to better understand biodiversity and population stability. Other topics include; the interrelated nature of ecosystems, basic use of NetLogo agent based computer modeling, aspects of human control to animal stability and environmental stability of animal populations. They will construct an agent based model of their chosen ecosystem that includes human influenced variables. |
Oceanography: Aquatic Science Exploration (Week 3) (Program Fee: $350)
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This is a fun filled week of exploring what is in, on, and under the sea. The first two days will be spent in our TJ lab investigating how Scientist explore this watery realm and discovering what makes the Chesapeake Bay so unique. In our lab, we will observe the planktonic world of drifters. From microscopic algae to jellyfish and larvae, these are the foundation for life in the Bay. On the third day, we will head to the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History to see “off limit” marine specimens and talk to scientists. The next morning we do an inquiry driven field study on the Potomac with George Mason University. The final day of the class we will do additional investigations related to mollusks, crabs, and fish important to our commercial fisheries. We will explore possible research projects and resources related to continuing investigations in the future. Fees for the week-long program include field trip buses and lab materials. This is hands-on- feet wet-learning. Students should be in good physical condition, and not mind getting hot, muddy or wet. |
