Beyond the Pyramids 

Did you know that the Ancient Egyptian civilization lasted over 3,000 years? What did we learn from the Egyptians, and how has it impacted our current way of life? Are there other ideas that we can borrow from the Egyptians to better our society? When we think of Ancient Egypt we often think about pyramids, mummies, and hieroglyphics, but the culture has even more to offer. In this course, you will investigate these questions and more as you critically analyze the systems within this society. You will take on the role of an anthropologist to investigate how the Egyptians’ systems of language, leadership, economics, architecture, and geography created a strong civilization that lasted for thousands of years. Don’t worry — we will talk about mummies and pyramids too. Plus, you’ll even get to try your hand at writing Egyptian hieroglyphics! 

*Some components of this course adapted from an evidence-based curriculum, Ancient Egypt: Gift of the Nile, from the College of William and Mary.

Animal Adaptations 

Have you ever wondered how animals can sense when danger is near? Are you curious about why groups of birds sometimes fly in formation? Do you ponder how some animals can survive in the blistering heat of the desert or in the coldest months of winter? If so, you are already thinking like a zoologist, a scientist who studies animals! In this course, you will investigate the ways that animals survive and thrive on our planet by learning about the characteristics that make animal species different and examining the unique habitats that they call home. You will also study characteristics of living things, learn about animal life cycles through observations of your very own pet mealworm, and determine what type of habitats are best for different creatures. By the session’s end, you’ll take on the role of scientist and animal advocate as you tackle serious questions related to environmental preservation and animal protection. If you love animals and enjoy science, then you will certainly thrive in this class! 

*Some components of this course adapted from an evidence-based curriculum, Survive and Thrive, from the College of William and Mary

Matter Mysteries 

Strange things are happening: a mysterious, unidentified substance has been found, the principal’s water is disappearing, and even more mysteries abound. Never fear, you are on the case! In this course, you will become a detective and use scientific skills to solve mysteries. After learning about the investigative processes of a scientist, you will gather your own information about solids, liquids, and gases by making scientific predictions, designing experiments, conducting tests, carefully recording your observations, collecting data, and analyzing results. You will then use the information and discoveries you uncover to solve some very puzzling mysteries about matter! 

*Some components of this course adapted from an evidence-based curriculum, What’s the Matter?, from the College of William and Mary. 

Cryptology  

How can we use patterns and structures to solve codes? Cryptology is the study of secret codes and ciphers that involve encoding and decoding information. The mathematics behind encoding and decoding information is one of technology’s hottest careers, and encryption plays a huge role in our society, protecting our electronic information.

In this exciting interdisciplinary unit that uses the children’s book, “The Eleventh Hour” by Graeme Base as its guide, you will become code breakers who can solve not only the mystery of who stole the feast but also other puzzles that come your way! You will be exposed to basic cryptology ciphers and the universal code of place value and mathematics to communicate your thinking. You will study ancient number systems, such as Egyptian and Roman Numerals, to unlock secret messages and discover how mathematicians must universally understand the language of numbers to communicate effectively. 

Space Academy: Exploring the Work of Astronauts 

Astronauts are scientists, problem solvers, critical thinkers, and explorers. Have you ever wondered what it takes for an astronaut to prepare for their journey? What are the forces of flight that help a shuttle get to space? What are the planets like, and whatever happened to Pluto? Prepare for an exploration through the stars and problem solve new challenges at each planetary stop along the solar system. In this course, we will simulate the phases of the moon, navigate the challenges of microgravity, discover the mythology used to explain interstellar mysteries, and much more. Come learn, discover and explore at the space academy! 

*Some components of this course adapted from an inter-disciplinary curriculum, Astronaut Academy, by Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D.

Percy Jackson & Greek Mythology  

Zeus. Aphrodite. Artemis. Achilles. Perseus. Poseidon. You may have heard of these most famous names of Greek mythology, but do you know the real stories? In this course, you will not only examine a variety of Greek myths but also explore the ways in which those myths have shifted over time to form the modern books and shows that have captured our attention throughout the years! You will work on the analytical writing and critical thinking skills needed for middle school, high school, and beyond using stories that are interesting and relatable, even though they’re thousands of years old! 

Our time together will begin with understanding the purpose of myths and why scholars continue to study them to this day. Next, we will dive into individual myths, comparing their original form with how they are portrayed in modern stories like Percy Jackson. Finally, we will wrap up the course by creating, analyzing, and sharing our own versions of Greek myths in modern-day settings to critically consider the role that these tales continue to play in our daily lives. **This course is not endorsed by Disney. 

Biology of the Body 

Have you ever wondered what role cells play in the larger systems of our human body? Are you curious about how diseases spread and how they affect our bodies? Have you ever wondered how the various systems in the human body interact to keep us healthy? If so, then you are ready to join the investigative team in this course as we tackle medical mysteries, such as tuberculosis and cancer.   

Through the mindset of a physician, you will explore the complex systems of the body and their connections to one another as we uncover the biology behind diseases. Together with your peers, you will discover how cells, tissues, and organs break down during illness and what can be done to bring them back into a healthy balance. Get ready for a hands-on experience where you will grapple with big problems of the body that do not have quick fixes—the problems that real scientists and doctors ponder every day! 

*Some components of this course adapted from an evidence-based curriculum, No Quick Fix, from the College of William and Mary. 

Powering the Future: The Wonders of Batteries and Electrochemistry 

Eleven US States have adopted programs requiring automobile manufactures to fully transition sales to 100% electric vehicles by 2035. In a world that is becoming increasingly dependent on batteries, there is no better time to learn the science behind this dynamic energy source. During this course, you will learn a variety of battery basics: the underlying electrochemistry, how batteries have evolved over time, and the renowned scientists that carved the foundation of battery chemistry. After we understand how batteries work, we will dive headfirst into the limitations that they face. Why don’t we have phone batteries that can last a week? What is the lithium-ion battery crisis and how can we solve it? We will discuss what leading experts in the field are suggesting, while working together to devise our own strategies. Finally, we will research electric vehicle manufacturers and careers in electrochemistry fields. By the end of this course, you will have an in-depth understanding of how batteries work, the world’s battery crisis and potential solutions, battery applications, and be able to present to the class like a chemist!  

This class is specially designed for those interested in exploring a career in electrochemistry, chemical and electrical engineering, or material science and engineering. 

Neuroscience at Work: Investigating Brain and Behavior Connections 

As we all know, the brain is one of the most crucial parts of the way we function as human beings. The brain allows us to think, feel, behave, and interact with the greater world around us.  In this class, we will investigate how our brain plays a role in the ways we interact and behave by becoming “neuroscientists”. We will evaluate how our brains are built and how changes and development impact how we behave. You will engage in various activities designed to make important neuroscience concepts fun and accessible and will take part in important discussions that will spark creativity, foster problem-solving skills, and inspire interest in the way that neuroscience and psychology interact. We will touch on relevant issues such as the neurological foundations of emotions and neurological/psychiatric disorders. By the end of the course, students will get to independently evaluate information about how a part of the brain is critical in a specific behavior, and present findings to one another like real neuroscience researchers. 

This class is specially designed for those interested in exploring a career in psychology, behavioral science, biology, or neuroscience.