Rising 2nd and 3rd Grades

Bioengineering

Think engineering is all about machines? Not true! Come and learn how the world of biology and engineering combine to answer some of our most complex biological questions! In this class you will become a biological engineer as you study how the body works and design new technologies for it through hands-on experiments and activities. We will start by exploring the role of DNA and genetics in the body and learn how engineers and scientists use this knowledge to understand and treat different diseases. By using both the scientific method and the engineering design process, you will employ problem-solving skills and creativity to make observations, formulate hypotheses, and investigate real life problems that doctors, scientists, and biomedical engineers encounter everyday.

The Mirror of Mythology

Καλώς ορίσατε στον Όλυμπος*! Here you will begin your journey into the fascinating world of mythology! Together we will travel back in time as we delve into the legends and beliefs of ancient Greece. We will read the original stories of heroes such as Hercules and Achilles, study fearsome mythological creatures such as the Minotaur and the Hydra, and discuss the significance of famous gods and goddesses. We will also learn how mythological stories shaped the culture of the ancient world and examine how classic myths are reflected through some of our favorite modern-day books, movies, and buildings. After this course, you may never look at the Parthenon or the Tennessee Titans the same way again!

*Welcome to Mount Olympus!

Robotic Programming

Computer programming! Robot mazes! Controlling robots remotely! Problem solving! This course has everything you need to challenge your mind and test your creativity. Using Sphero interactive robots, you will brainstorm hands-on solutions to real-world problems through computer programming. As you take on the role of an engineer, programmer, and scientist, you will learn how to test your robot knowledge, manipulate variables, and refine your coding to improve on your design. Your instructions control the robot and can transform it into a dancer or fortune teller, make it maneuver obstacle courses, or instruct it to perform specific tasks. In this course you will go on an exciting journey into the world of robotic programming where you will experience first hand how robots can help us perform mundane tasks that we may not want to do and difficult tasks that are extremely challenging to do. Come ready to explore how robotic programming works as you imagine how you can use coding to better our lives in the future!

Data Discoverers

Do you like to ask questions and then seek out possible answers? Have you ever wanted to develop your own survey for people to complete? Are you an aspiring researcher with a desire to understand why and how data can be used to answer your most intriguing questions? If so, this course is for you! In this course you will learn how to conduct experimental research by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data using a variety of graphs, charts, and plots. You will experience firsthand the steps of the research process, including how to formulate great research questions, design investigations, create quality surveys, collect data through questionnaires, analyze results, and present findings to a real audience. Come along for a hands-on, practical mathematical journey where you will be encouraged to ask great questions and use data to discover possible explanations. You will leave this course discovering opportunities for data collection everywhere!

Science of the Sea

In this course we will take a deep dive into marine biology as we investigate everything from tiny, invisible plankton all the way up to the giant whales that live in the oceans! Are you curious about how fish live and interact with each other in the ocean and in lakes? Have you wondered how humans impact the lives of creatures in the sea? Have you ever pondered how bodies of water can influence life on land? In this course we will explore these questions and many more! We will learn how to identify common organisms in all types of aquatic communities, examine food sources, and discuss things that can impact the health of oceanic organisms. Come ready to take on the role of a real marine biologist as we explore aquatic-related topics using the scientific method. If you are a fan of Nemo and Dory and you want learn all about their home environment, then this is the course for you!

Telling Tales: Traveling with The Canterbury Tales

What do old tales tell us about the time period in which they were written– the struggles faced by society at the time, the ways of life of the people in the period, and the common themes that have existed across centuries? While many times we read tales for enjoyment, tales are informative too! They contribute to our understanding of people and history. In this course we explore the ways that tales can reveal truths by studying The Canterbury Tales, originally written in the late 1300s by Geoffrey Chaucer. This collection of 24 short stories follows 29 humorous travelers who meet on a pilgrimage. On their journey they compete to tell the best tale. To understand the significance of their tales, we will explore major events of this day, read and enact adaptations from children’s versions of The Canterbury Tales, and learn about the concept of pilgrimage. To bring this concept to life, we will even make our own pilgrimage on campus while telling tales of our own creation. Telling tales may be fun, but tales can be telling too!

Measuring Matters

Who is the tallest person in your class? How much floor space do you have in your room to play? What is the distance around your neighborhood? You may not realize it, but you think about measurement everyday! In this course, you will investigate the many ways that we measure through hands-on, engaging mathematical challenges. We will explore a variety of standard units of measure, investigate the importance of selecting appropriate measurement units based on the situation, determine different ways that we measure, and combine our understanding of mathematical skills, including geometry, to solve mathematical mysteries! Get ready to measure up, down, and all around as you learn how to quantify space through measuring length, perimeter, area, and volume. After this course you will not only realize that measurement matters, you will know how to measure whatever you encounter!

Archaeological Adventures: Uncovering Tennessee’s Past

We have all heard of the pyramids of Egypt and historical structures built by the Romans and Greeks, but did you know that there are tons of archaeological sites right here in Tennessee? People have been living in Tennessee for close to 15,000 years, and it is the job of archaeologists to uncover their stories to help piece together history! In this course, you will be transported back in time as we immerse ourselves in Tennessee’s archaic past. Come ready to learn from a real-life archaeologist how archaeologists test hypotheses and develop conclusions about events and people long ago! As you take on the role of an aspiring archaeologist, you will learn about the tools and techniques that professionals use to excavate artifacts and draw meaningful conclusions about Tennessee’s past. If you love puzzles and history, and don’t mind getting a little dirty, then this class is for you! Are you ready for an adventure in archaeology?

Neuroscience Navigators

Come join a neuroscience team on a journey to understand the human body’s most complex organ, the brain! In this course you will explore what scientists know about this organ and investigate how scientists unlock mysteries of how the brain works. Have you ever wondered how your foot communicates with your head? Did you know that light is involved in how we see color? Do you know why? In this class we will apply our own personal experiences as we explore brain related questions that puzzle us. You will also learn about the role neurons play in how the brain functions as you investigate how these cells talk to each other using electricity and chemistry. Through inquiry-based, hands-on activities in Vanderbilt science labs, you will use problem-solving skills and creativity to answer big brain questions as you hypothesize, observe, and investigate. Get ready to collaborate and learn about one of the fastest-growing scientific fields– neuroscience!

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 in a secret code. The tablet is covered with unusual symbols and interesting mathematical markings! What do these symbols and markings mean? In this class 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 10. We will then compare and contrast the use of place value and bases in number systems that are different from our own and also investigate how cultures and groups of people use particular number systems. No stone will be left unturned in this mysterious mathematical adventure!

Environmental Hydrology: Working with Water

We use it every day– to drink, to cook, to brush our teeth. Water is everywhere!  Did you know that approximately 71% of the Earth is covered in water? But where does fresh water come from? How do we make sure that we don’t run out of this precious resource? How do we provide water that is safe for people to use? The study of hydrology involves investigating water-related questions like these. In this course, we will take on the role of a hydrologist to explore many topics including the hydrologic cycle, water conservation, and rising sea levels, as well as engineer solutions to hydrologic problems. Using field and laboratory techniques, we will identify characteristics of streams, explore the physical processes controlling water and landscape interactions, and learn from a real hydrologist how to analyze water quality. We will also learn about the challenges in water management. You may even have a chance to use your knowledge of the world of water to model healthy watersheds and design your very own water treatment plant!

Rising 4th and 5th Grades

Industrial Microbiology

Bacteria are often believed to be something negative for people, but not all bacteria are harmful. From the new energy production methods to the food we consume everyday, bacteria are actually a vital part of life! In this course, we will investigate how researchers utilize the prokaryotic world to help solve some of Earth’s biggest issues, like pollution and hunger. Through an exploration of basic microbiology, bio-ethanol production, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and the use of bacteria in technical applications, you will start to discover the benefits of bacteria. Taking on the role of microbiologists, we will conduct hands on investigations– collecting environmental samples, performing genetic manipulations, and observing the power bacteria has to transform food into fuel– to tackle questions that scientists explore daily. The field of industrial microbiology is a hot topic and is only getting bigger, blazing the path of new opportunities for a budding microbiologist like you!

Puzzles and Problem Solving

How does a group of logical pirates agree to distribute their loot? If a car changes its speed according to its distance from its final destination, how long does it take the car to reach its goal? How many ways can people sit in a full airplane when the first passenger to board ignores his or her assigned seat and instead takes a seat at random? You will learn to answer these questions and many more in this course as you learn the principles of probability, logic, and game theory. In this hands-on math class, you will explore mathematical problem-solving methods by wrapping your mind around counterintuitive solutions and teasing your brain with apparent contradictions. As the class develops, you may even begin to pose your own questions for the class to solve. Get ready to get stumped and stump others in a class that is sure to make you think critically and strategize with precision.

Digging for the Past: Tennessee Archaeology

How do we know about the past? Sure, written documents and oral histories are important, but artifacts are too! Artifacts are especially important in telling us about people who lived a very long time ago. Did you know that people have lived in Tennessee for close to 15,000 years? We can imagine what life was like for these people through archaeology. Tennessee’s archaeologists are tasked with unearthing mysteries through the excavation of sites, where they often uncover tools, architecture, and clothing that belonged to people long ago. In this course, you will learn about how to develop hypotheses, use the tools and technology of professional archaeologists, excavate your own mock archaeological site, analyze artifacts, and draw conclusions about ancient Tennesseans. Gain a new understanding of Tennessee’s history and where information about the past might be hiding. Dig for answers as you unearth clues to the past– who knows what knowledge you might uncover right in your own backyard!

Food Chemistry

Why do apple slices turn brown when we leave them on our plate too long? What compounds make our food taste sour or salty? How are certain foods used in the body and why are particular foods good to eat before exercise?  In this course, we will learn how science contributes to something we do everyday,­­ eat! We will investigate the chemical structures of food components such as carbohydrates, lipids, and vitamins, and learn how these structures make foods look and taste different. We will then analyze the content of these components in a variety of foods, and uncover why some snacks are better for our body than others. Using scientific modeling kits, we will examine how important chemical structures in food change under certain conditions (making cooked food taste different), as well as the role enzymes and microorganisms play in some everyday food processes. Come learn how science and eating intertwine in the world of food chemistry.

Note to Parents: Heating mechanisms, such as hot plates, may be used in this course.

Big Money, Big Decisions: The Government and You

Do you know someone in the military? Do you or your friends attend a public school? Do you like the park? Have you ever wondered who provides funds for these luxuries? — The government does! But, how does the government afford to provide these resources? Why does it get involved in providing services and supports, and how does the government make spending decisions? Why do local and state governments fund certain programs while the federal government funds others? We will address these questions and more as we investigate the U.S. governmental structure and a topic that is important to everyone–MONEY! After an introduction to the levels of government and spending, we will take on the role of policy consultants to investigate our federal budget, examine and create proposals for how to spend government funds, and then debate the fairness and impact of each proposal. Get ready to grapple with issues government leaders face as we tackle the topic of money!

Chemical Spill!

A truck carrying an unidentified liquid has crashed on a busy highway and has started to leak its liquid into a nearby creek. The city is counting on you to make sure there are no negative repercussions from this spill! In this class you will take on the role of an environmental scientist. How are you going to isolate the spill? What experiments will you need to conduct to determine if the liquid is dangerous? How will you keep people and animals in the surrounding environment safe? Through a series of role-play examples, scientific experimentation, and the study of complex systems, you will learn about acid and base chemistry as you solve key problems related to the spill. We will examine the damaging effects that such an event can have on the ecosystem, economy, and human transportation. Are you ready for the challenge of coming up with an appropriate solution? The city needs your help!

Looking into Language

English, German, Spanish, Chinese–we may speak different languages, but we all use some form of expression to communicate complex ideas and share our stories. We often try to learn different languages, but we rarely learn about language itself. For example, where do words come from? How do we make the sounds we use in speech? Why do people talk differently today than in the past? What is the difference between accent and dialect? In this class, we will study Linguistics, the science of language, to help us answer these questions and more. We will even learn how to transcribe speech like a linguist–using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). We will then investigate the intersections of language, culture, and social relationships to help us understand how relatively small variations in how people speak are connected to larger issues in society. After this class you will never think about language, and how you talk, in the same way again!

Business Basics: Welcome to Wall Street

You have probably heard someone mention Wall Street on the news. Perhaps your parents have talked to you about it or you have seen Wall Street on a trip to New York City. But, do you know what happens there? In this course, you will learn the type of thinking and work that happens on Wall Street, as you take on the role of a financial advisor. A financial advisor helps people and companies decide what to do with their money. Before you can serve as a financial advisor you will need to learn about economics, investments, the stock market, and how these things relate. After an exploration of important money-related concepts, you and your business colleagues (aka, your classmates) will use your new understanding of economics and the stock market to propose an investment plan for your company. Will the president of the company (aka your instructor) think your plan is a good one? Get ready to justify your decisions as you show off your business skills and prove that you might be the next business star on Wall Street!

Programming 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 programming Sphero interactive robots! In this course, you will take on the role of a robotics engineer as you brainstorm hands-on solutions to real-world problems through computer programming. You will program how your robot moves, looks, and interacts with apps, including augmented reality games, as you try to solve robotic challenges. After taking this course you will have new ideas about how to use coding and robotics to solve big problems in our world today!

Poetry in Practice

Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, and E. E. Cummings. Influential poets such as these have the ability to create written pieces that transcend time. Powerful poems can impact your emotions and thoughts, and remain etched in your mind for days, months, and even years. But what characteristics make a poem memorable? How do we tell a meaningful story using so few words? In this course, we will closely examine how famous poets create compelling poetry, and we will discover how to apply similar skills and ideas in our own work. By using examples from both historical and current-day collections, we will examine the different forms that poetry can take and discuss the elements of craft employed in preparing poetic creations. After exploring the work of famous poets, we will write our own unique pieces to share. Develop your own powerful poetic voice in this in-depth look into the complex world of poetry in practice.

Mystery and History: The Age of Exploration

The study of history is more than memorizing names and dates– it is a series of many mysteries that must be unraveled! Bring your best investigation skills as we take a trip back in time to the exciting world of early America. With primary sources as our guide, including diaries, letters, and journals of historical figures, we will uncover facts about the earliest cross-cultural encounters between Native Americans, Africans, and Europeans in what is now known as North America. We will focus on several mysteries that date as far back as the 15th century, including the loss of Henry Hudson’s ship, the fabled Seven Cities of Gold, and the lost colony of Roanoke. Using different types of evidence, you will make your way through each historical mystery and then present arguments about what you think may have really occurred. Get ready to take on the role of a historian as we work to decipher the unknown secrets of the Age of Exploration!

Rising 6th and 7th Grades

Introduction to Law

Have you ever wondered what knowledge and skills are necessary to become a successful attorney? Do you know why not all cases are decided by a jury? Do you ever wonder what it means when lawyers on TV shows make objections? If you find these questions interesting, then this course is for you! In this class we will explore landmark legal cases and analyze important legal issues within them as you begin to learn how to think like a lawyer. Moot court and mock trial activities will allow you the opportunity to debate important legal issues like a real attorney while learning the techniques of proper legal research and legal analysis. Our exploration in the legal world does not end there though! We will also learn about lawsuits and all of the steps of the civil lawsuit process by exploring the world of torts. By the time you have completed this course, you will have a good idea of what is involved in the legal profession and of the importance of laws in our society. No one can object to the value of this knowledge!

Rebels and Revolutionaries

History is full of people who defied rules and traditions in order to make a statement or follow a belief. Such rebels have come from all classes, ethnicities, and walks of life. But what inspired these people to revolt? How did groups organize movements without advanced technology? In this course, we will take on the role of historians to explore upheavals during the American Revolution and Early Republic. The American Revolution was not as simple as some books make it out to be, and this course will reveal the chaos and complexity of history. Through the study of written and visual sources, including documents actually penned by revolutionaries, we will put ourselves in the shoes of different rebel groups and bring their fascinating interactions to life. By studying the rebellion of an intercultural group in urban New York, the rebellions among Native American populations, and slave uprisings, this course is sure to make you reconsider the American Revolution you thought you knew. We may not be able to rewrite history, but we can make sure that more complete versions are told. Maybe that just makes you a rebel or revolutionary too.

Biology of the Brain

Your brain is the most powerful organ in your body. It helps control your breathing, your feelings, and even your body temperature. Have you ever wondered how this giant bundle of nerves works? How are we able to remember some things but not remember others? What microscopic events happen in your brain when you see something familiar or hear your favorite song? In this course we will take an in-depth look at the biology of your brain and discuss how your brain influences other systems in your body. We will learn about the important neurotransmitters in your brain and how they contribute to your emotions, learning, and overall health. We will also  investigate the role that genetics and biochemical compounds play in your well-being and how neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, begin and develop in the brain. If you’ve ever wondered about how and why you are able to wonder at all, then you are ready to join us as we explore the biology of the brain!

Policies and Politics: How Money Matters in Government

The federal budget for 2016 was $3,340,000,000,000. If this budget was divided equally among the 324 million Americans each individual would receive just over $10,000. But, where does this money come from and who decides how this money is spent? What happens when local, state, or federal budgets aren’t balanced? How do funding policies developed by politicians impact our lives and communities on a daily basis? After we study how the government works and how the different branches interact to make change, we will study in depth how money and policy influence one another and examine the short and long term implications that government funding can have on us. We will explore how funds at all levels of government are raised and allocated, identify the difficulties that come with balancing a budget, and investigate the roles and responsibilities of the people who decide how this money is spent, including politicians, policy experts, and informed citizens. With our new knowledge we will then examine mock political candidate proposals for how to spend government funds and debate the fairness and impact of each proposal. After this course you will not only know the important questions to ask about candidate spending plans in the next election but may even be inspired to create your own plan and someday run for office yourself!

Me, Myself and the Monomyth: Defining a Hero’s Journey

Who would you define as a hero from your favorite book or story?—Is Luke Skywalker a hero? What about Alice of Wonderland? Harry Potter? Dorothy from Kansas or the Cowardly Lion of Oz?—Can you prove it? What makes a hero different from the other characters in the same story? Do they have to be the main character? Do they have to save lives? Are they consistently brave and free from error? In this course we will study how critical theorists like Joseph Campbell have answered these questions by identifying common themes that link together many of our favorite heroic characters. Labeling these ideas The Hero’s Journeyor the monomyth, Campbell and others have helped us define what it means to be a hero. In this course we will closely examine selections of famous fantasy texts, from authors like Ursula K. Le Guin, J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, China Mieville, and others, as you learn to identify the universal patterns among seemingly very different heroes. After a thorough exploration of the themes that chart heroes’ journeys in literature, you will have a chance to craft your own tale as you weave together your personal life experiences and your new understandings into a unique work of fantasy. In exploring themes surrounding heroes, you may realize that you can cast yourself as the hero of your story!

Genetic Epidemiology and Beyond

A genome is defined as an organism’s complete set of DNA and contains the information needed for an organism to live and successfully function. One key question that scientists are currently asking is—how does an individual’s genome influence his/her risk for developing disease? This is such an important question that the President got involved! In 2015 President Obama announced the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI). This initiative involved obtaining genetic data from over one million people in order to study the biological and environmental factors that influence disease. Through the data collected by the PMI, scientists hope to use their understanding of factors to develop better treatments and cures for health concerns. In this course, you will take on the role of a human geneticist to tackle some of the same questions that researchers confront daily using data from PMI. As a budding geneticist, you will learn the basic molecular techniques common across all genetics labs, begin analyzing large genetic datasets using statistical methods, and investigate ethical decisions that continually impact scientists’ research decisions. This course will provide you with an understanding of the role of genetics in disease, teach you how to design and analyze your own genetic study, and will allow you to use molecular lab techniques to expand your results.

Anthropological Approaches: Exploration through Ethnography

In this course you will take an in-depth look at how the diversity of humankind is studied as you learn to think like an anthropologist. You may ask– What exactly do anthropologists do? How do anthropologists conduct research? What role does anthropology play in our everyday lives and why is it important? These are all questions that will be addressed in this hands-on, exploratory course. In this class you will be introduced to the discipline as we practice the approaches that anthropologists use to answer intriguing questions in the field. We will use ethnography, which is the scientific study of people and their culture, and learn techniques for conducting ethnographic research. Did you know that many anthropologists practice “participant observation” in which they learn about new cultures through active participation? We will practice this form of research first-hand, explore how anthropologists conduct and analyze interviews, and investigate anthropological models that explain societal structures and govern the world around us. Through our exploration of how anthropologists determine differences and commonalities in cultures around the world, your eyes may be opened to recognizing, exploring, and appreciating the many unique cultures around you!

Truth vs. Perception: In the Mind’s Eye

What is reality? Just because we perceive something to be real, does it actually exist? How do we know if something is real or just a figment of our own beliefs and imagination? Join us in this philosophical exploration of the relationship between truth and perception. In this course, you will  discover how reality is presented and interpreted in fiction, nonfiction, art, and media by studying famous works by Plato, Shirley Jackson, M.C. Escher, and Vincent van Gogh. By engaging in reflective activities such as Socratic seminars, literary analysis techniques, skits, art, and creative writing, we will begin to apply our understanding of the difference between truth and our perception of it. We will conclude with a critical evaluation of how modern media presents reality to us and how we can train ourselves to be smart consumers of media. Test yourself – in reading or media do you see the truth or one’s perception of it?

Computational Astrophysics: Coding the Universe

Astronomers spend their days studying stars and galaxies in space, but these celestial bodies sometimes exist for billions of years, much longer than the average lifespan of a scientist. How, then, is it possible to study these objects? What techniques can astronomers use to make scientific predictions and conduct experiments? Over the last several centuries, scientists have been carefully unravelling the laws of physics and quantum mechanics– laws that can be applied to almost all objects. In this course we will uncover how astronomers combine computer simulations and real-life observations to make scientific discoveries and predictions about the future of our universe! We will begin our studies with hands-on learning of some computer programming basics and exploring important laws in astronomy. We will demystify computer code, translating it into physical models and representations that will help us better understand objects in space. We will even work together to develop our own simulations of astrophysical objects and compare them to real observed objects in the sky. Get ready for an academic experience that is out of this world as you learn how coding, physics, and astronomy can be used together to investigate the universe!

Introduction to Programming and Computer Science

What do cognitive psychologists, video game designers, biologists, and robotic engineers have in common? They all use programming to do their work! Computer programming is considered an art, a craft, and a discipline of engineering. Computer programming can be used both as a way to creatively express ideas and as a tool for solving problems. Computer scientists work on problems in education, engineering, health care, science, design, digital media, and so many other fields! In this class, you will be introduced to two of the major roles of computer scientists: identifying what is needed to solve a problem and designing a solution through programming. You will learn to think like a computer scientist by learning about variables, control structures, and algorithms as you tackle daily challenges and design programming solutions. Throughout the week, you will put together an overarching project that highlights your new programming techniques and that allows you to show off your skills to your family and friends.

Theory, Criticism, and The Force: Philosophy and the Star Wars Saga

Artists often use their work to represent viewpoints about the everyday world around us, embedding their cultural, social, and political ideas into their stories, films, paintings, or songs. How do we decipher the themes hidden in their work? Why do we even want to identify these themes? How can uncovering the creator’s viewpoint help us understand both the work itself and the world around us better? In this class, we will use the 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope as a base to learn how to unpack a work through multiple lenses of critical theory and thought. Formalism, structuralism, political criticism, and mythology are some of lenses we will learn to look through as we explore one of the most popular series of our time. Through our analysis of the Star Wars movie that started it all, we will learn how to apply critical theory to other portions of the Star Wars saga. Because critical thought can and should be used when interpreting all artistic works, we will also practice our newly developed skills on our favorite short stories, classical artwork, and contemporary music. A new powerful force will be with you after this course – the ability to see your favorite works in different ways!

Commodore Investment Fund: Economics and the Stock Market

Business school may be several years away, but that doesn’t mean you can’t understand important business concepts now! In this course you will take on the role of a financial analyst as you learn how math intersects with economics, how the stock market functions, and how to discern between a multitude of investment options. After gaining an understanding of the basics of investing, including investigating market efficiency and historical stock market trends, you will experience firsthand the power of the stock market. You will work with a small group of your classmates, now your business colleagues, to propose investment decisions for the Commodore Investment Fund, a fund set up by the SAVY Company. Your instructor will serve as president of the board for the company and will listen to your investment proposals in a real boardroom. Don’t let the fancy boardroom intimidate you. You and your business colleagues will be ready to show the president that you understand economics, the stock market, and have a plan for quality investments for the Commodore Fund. Get ready to debate money decisions, develop economic strategies, and provide justification in a class that will engage you whether the market is bull or bear!

Wildlife Ecology: Oh Deer!

Congratulations! You have been asked to serve as the assistant to the mayor in a small town in Tennessee, and the mayor has just informed you of your first assignment. Your task is to work with a variety of stakeholders to determine how best to control a deer population that is growing exponentially and is negatively impacting the city. The deer are eating citizens’ landscaping and increasing citizens’ exposure to the dangerous bacteria that cause Lyme Disease. In this course you will combine math and science to develop a solution to solve the growing deer problem. You will be challenged with developing your understanding of biology and linear modeling in order to develop this solution. To complicate matters as you work towards an acceptable result, you will have to consider the problem and solution through multiple lenses, including environmentalists and animal activists. Can you develop a solution that appeases everyone and is justifiable based on research? Oh deer, you have quite a challenge!

Planetary Astronomy

The history of the universe is written in the sky! In this course you will take on the role of an astronomer to investigate our wide universe. Did you know that NASA has identified over 2,300 planets outside our solar system and has determined that as many as 21 may be habitable? In this course you will use astrophysics, publicly available data, and the power of statistics to better understand our planet-filled universe. You will learn how to identify and characterize different types of celestial objects and how the study of light is essential to astronomy. We will also take what we know about our own solar system to generate models for studying extrasolar planets. In this way, you will gain firsthand experience in how scientists pose research questions, design studies, and present their findings to their peers. Get ready to contribute your own voice to our global, astronomical dialogue! This course will help you ask and answer questions as wide and diverse as the universe itself.