Becoming a Botanist

You’ve just discovered a professor’s old journal, and his notes are very intriguing. They suggest that plants can be used as an alternative fuel source. Could he be right? If he is correct, what does this mean for you and me? Get your lab coat ready as we investigate this curious case! In this course, you will take on the role of a botanist to investigate this professor’s ideas about the important role that plants currently play in our lives and how they may impact our future. Before we can determine if plants can be used as a fuel source, we will need to learn as much as we can about the life cycle and structure of plants by conducting experiments and field investigations. Come ready to unearth knowledge about plants. Your discoveries may impact how we all think about those weeds in your backyard! 

*Some components of this course adapted from an evidence-based curriculum, Budding Botanist, from the College of William and Mary. 

Plants and Pollen: Exploring Agricultural Engineering 

We have a problem: a beautiful plant that grew delicious berries is not looking so healthy. Even more troubling is the fact that the plant has stopped producing berries! In this course, you will become agricultural engineers to determine what has happened to this beautiful plant, and you will use the engineering design process to design a solution to make the plant healthy again. As you investigate, you will learn about integrated pest management (IPM), butterfly metamorphosis, hand pollination, and much more. This course will forever change how you think about plants, insects, and agricultural engineering! 

*Some components of this course adapted from an evidence-based curriculum, The Best of Bugs: Designing Hand Pollinators, from Engineering is Elementary (EiE) and the Museum of Science. 

Creative Contraptions: A Study of Inventions 

Did you know that every great invention starts with an idea? Perhaps you want to become the world’s next inventor. How do you come up with good ideas? Maybe you have heard the phrase, “Necessity is the mother of invention?” What exactly does that mean? In this course, you will explore famous inventors, their lives, and how they came up with ideas for their creations. We will conduct investigations to learn more about simple and compound machines and how these machines can make work easier. Then, it’s your turn! You will apply what you have learned to design, create, and test your own invention that solves a problem or makes your life or work easier. Who knows—you may be the next Shark Tank sensation! 

*Some components of this course adapted from an evidence-based curriculum, Invitation to Invent, from the College of William and Mary.

Secrets of the MoLi Stone 

A stone tablet has just been unearthed. What an exciting discovery! The only problem is that the information on it is written in a secret code. The tablet is covered with unusual symbols and interesting mathematical markings. What do these symbols and markings mean? What information are they trying to tell us? How do we interpret meaning in symbols that aren’t words or in numbers that seem unfamiliar?  In this course, you will take on the role of a mathematician to unravel the secrets of the MoLi Stone. To solve the mystery, we will begin with an exploration of our number system as we explore the concepts of place value and base systems. We will compare our knowledge with different systems and investigate how cultures and groups of people use number systems. No stone will be left unturned in this mysterious mathematical adventure that will reveal new number understanding!  

*Some components of this course adapted from an inter-disciplinary curriculum, Unraveling the Mystery of the Moli Stone, from Project M3. 

Industrial Engineering: Machines at Work 

How are new machines developed to do important work? Whether or not you realize it, machines are important to our lives. From the clothes you wear to the food you eat to the place you call home, machines are involved in some way in making or assembling most things we use on a daily basis. Industrial engineers to the rescue! In this course, you will take on the role of an industrial engineer as you conduct investigations to learn more about simple and compound machines and how these machines can make work easier. Come ready to apply what you learn to design, create, and test your own machine creations as you and your fellow industrial engineers create an assembly line sub-system for a factory in need of some help with their potato chip production problem. Think your job is over after the design? It has only just begun! You will need to debate the pros and cons of your machine creations and assembly line work as we investigate the use of machines from the perspective of multiple stakeholders including factory managers, workers, and consumers. We will really put our machines and minds to work in this hands-on engineering class! 

*Some components of this course adapted from an evidence-based curriculum, Marvelous Machines: Making Work Easier, from Engineering is Elementary (EiE) and the Museum of Science, Boston. 

Coding and Robotics 

Robotic engineers are learners, dreamers, strategists, and creative thinkers. Robots are cool to play with, but how are robots used in the real world? Can robots really help make our lives easier? How do robots turn lines of computer coding into action? What are the thinking processes needed to successfully code a robot to complete a task? Come learn the answers to these questions and more as you challenge your mind and test your creativity by building and programming your own robotic creations using LEGO Spike Prime!  

In this course, you will learn effective ways to collaborate, communicate, and make decisions as part of a team. You will explore the steps in the engineering design process to identify problems and brainstorm ideas with your peers, then work together to create and program prototypes using LEGO Spike Prime. You will learn how to troubleshoot issues, test your creations, and improve your designs through iterations. After taking this course, you will have new strategies for teamwork and leadership, as well as ideas about how you can use coding and robotics to solve big problems in our world today! 

Harry Potter and Psychology  

The story of a boy wizard and his journeys throughout a new and magical world is one that has inspired countless children and adults throughout the past few decades. Whether it is books, movies, plays, or theme parks, Harry Potter has become a staple of our current culture, and it seems it will continue to do so over the next generations. However, this story also has many important lessons when it comes to how children develop. Yes, it is quite easy to find central concepts of personality development, morality, and power dynamics within various stories that involve Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the wider wizarding world.  

In this course, we will explore the various concepts and themes that permeate the Harry Potter series when it comes to developmental psychology, as well as psychology at large. By the end of this course, you will not only have a new appreciation for this magical world but also be able to think critically as you read, re-read, watch, and experience this fantastic and bewitching series.  **This course is not endorsed by Pottermore Publishing, Warner Bros., or Bloomsbury.

Engineering the Human Body: Exploring the Roots of Health and Disease  

Have you ever wondered how the human body works? Or how scientists use different models and technology to study it and the diseases that impact it? This course offers an in-depth exploration of how human physiological processes maintain health and how their disruption can lead to disease. Through lectures, demonstrations, and interactive content, you’ll examine the intricate balance between normal function and pathology across various body systems, such as your heart, lungs, and brain. We will delve into cutting-edge research on conditions that challenge this balance, from genetic disorders to chronic ailments.  

This course is ideal for those eager to uncover the foundations of human health, the complexities of disease, and how innovative technologies are driving advancements in medicine. 

Evidence on Trial: The Art and Strategies of Persuasion and Debate 

Have you ever watched a heated debate and thought, “I would make a great persuader”? Do you enjoy researching, constructing compelling arguments, and convincing others to see things your way? In this course, we will explore the real-life art of persuasion and evidence-based debate, going beyond the drama of the courtroom to focus on the techniques and strategies that make arguments effective. You will learn how to gather and analyze evidence, construct persuasive arguments, and present your case with confidence. 

We will study the fundamentals of logical reasoning, the role of evidence in supporting your arguments, and the historical evolution of debate and persuasive techniques. Most excitingly, we will practice conducting our own research, crafting persuasive speeches, and engaging in mock debates on a variety of topics. Just like any skill, building an effective argument requires research, contextual knowledge, evidence, and persuasive skills—plus a bit of flair to captivate your audience! Each day, we will challenge ourselves by taking on different roles in debate scenarios and mock trials critically evaluating the arguments presented. What will the outcome be? That’s up to your persuasive abilities to decide. 

This class is specially designed for those interested in exploring a career in negotiation, debate, politics, or executive leadership.