Splash Fall 2015
Course Catalog
Under construction
The class list below may change up until the weekend of the program
Biological and Medical Science
B4457: How to Distinguish Medical Knowledge from Hoaxes?
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kun-Hsing Yu
There are lots of newspaper articles talking about the "recent advances in health sciences". Some suggest "beer helps to prevent cancer", others assert "beer increased risks of getting cancer". Which one should we believe?
How do doctors decide what to do when coming across contrary scientific evidences? And what doctors don't know about the surgery they perform or the drugs they prescribe?
We will do some hands-on experiments on drawing conclusions in the world of uncertainty, and take a quick survey of current methodologies in medical sciences.
Prerequisites
Have flipped coins, or played any other games involving probability or uncertainty.
How do doctors decide what to do when coming across contrary scientific evidences? And what doctors don't know about the surgery they perform or the drugs they prescribe?
We will do some hands-on experiments on drawing conclusions in the world of uncertainty, and take a quick survey of current methodologies in medical sciences.
Prerequisites
Have flipped coins, or played any other games involving probability or uncertainty.
B4503: 20 Experiments about the Brain and Behavior That You Must Know: Beyond the Brain Bee
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Lucy Li
How can we make good people do bad things? How does our brain "see" lines? What happens when the two sides of our brain fail to cooperate? Most importantly, if I were to time travel back in history, what experiments should I run to win a Nobel Prize and/or a permanent spot in a psychology or neuroscience textbook?
Sponsored by the Stanford Brain Bee, this class provides a fast-paced overview of studies and experiments that have revolutionized what we know about the human brain and behavior.
Sponsored by the Stanford Brain Bee, this class provides a fast-paced overview of studies and experiments that have revolutionized what we know about the human brain and behavior.
B4632: Epidemiology in the Galápagos Islands: Are introduced diseases threatening endemic species?
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Lauren Killingsworth
Have you heard of the blue footed booby, the flightless cormorant, or the Galápagos penguin? Join me in learning about these fascinating Galápagos species! We will discuss some of the most pressing threats to the Galápagos Islands, focusing on introduced pathogens and parasites. We will learn about some interesting molecular biology, immunology, and genetics topics! Along the way, I'll share stories and photos from my recent trip to the Galápagos.
B4682: The Science of Willpower
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
David Carreon
The Science of Willpower
From ancient sages to modern science, we'll talk about this most central of human virtues.
Why don't we do what we want? Why do we procrastinate? Check FB? Eat more than we wanted?
We'll talk about the neuroscience of it, the biochemistry of it, and the practice of it. We've been at this a long time, so you'll hear from the Greeks, Eastern sages, from modern scientists, and willpower Olympians.
-Why your willpower is powered by sugar
-The top exercises proven to increase your willpower
-The crazy scientist who showed that willpower was like a muscle
-People whose willpower puts us all to shame
Whatever it is you want to accomplish, willpower will help you do it. And this class will help you build willpower.
From ancient sages to modern science, we'll talk about this most central of human virtues.
Why don't we do what we want? Why do we procrastinate? Check FB? Eat more than we wanted?
We'll talk about the neuroscience of it, the biochemistry of it, and the practice of it. We've been at this a long time, so you'll hear from the Greeks, Eastern sages, from modern scientists, and willpower Olympians.
-Why your willpower is powered by sugar
-The top exercises proven to increase your willpower
-The crazy scientist who showed that willpower was like a muscle
-People whose willpower puts us all to shame
Whatever it is you want to accomplish, willpower will help you do it. And this class will help you build willpower.
B4701: Fungal Interactions: Friendly or Deadly?
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Matthew Nelsen
Have you ever wondered how fungi survive? Many do so by forming complex associations and interactions with other organisms. Come learn more about how fungi interact with other organisms by acting as allies, con artists and killers.
B4520: Why do living things help each other?
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Atri Choksi,
Xiaofan Jin
Darwin's theory of natural selection seems to paint a bleak picture of life, with living things in a constant struggle against each other to stay alive and reproduce. Why then is it that all around (and within) us, there are examples of organisms helping and cooperating with others? We will explore ways in which biological cooperation can develop, with a focus on cooperation between individual cells, and how that relates to the emergence of multicellular life (such as ourselves!).
Prerequisites
Some biology background (eg. cells and evolution) at a magic-school-bus level
Prerequisites
Some biology background (eg. cells and evolution) at a magic-school-bus level
B4522: Mushroom Mania!
Difficulty: **
What do cheese, zombie ants and the biggest, oldest living thing have in common? Fungi! Mushrooms are the part of the a fungus that we see, but they're just the tip of the iceberg. Most of the action takes place out of sight.
Come learn about the hidden world of fungi in this interactive course. You will learn about the ecology, evolution, and human uses of fungi, and will get hands-on practice identifying mushrooms on your own!
Come learn about the hidden world of fungi in this interactive course. You will learn about the ecology, evolution, and human uses of fungi, and will get hands-on practice identifying mushrooms on your own!
B4536: DNA Origami: Exploring the Art and Science of the Double-Helix Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Songhee Han,
Amy Liu
Most people know about DNA and its double-helix shape. They know the distinctive shape allows DNA to do cool things to organisms' genetic characteristics. DNA is not just all around us; it IS us.
You probably already know how important DNA is. In this class, however, you and I will delve deeper and learn how DNA's unique shape influences the world we live in today. We'll travel through different topics, like genetics, mathematics, arts, architecture, and design. We'll answer cool questions like, where can we see the unique double-helix shape in our society today? Is it true that scientists are exploring the existence of three-stranded DNA?? How about four????
Join our class if you want to answer these questions.... AAAAAAND you get to fold your own DNA origami!
We'll also include a 15-minute long Q&A session for you to ask us, the nerdy instructors, about our lives as Stanford students.
Prerequisites
*kindergarten-level paper folding skill *undying interest in both arts and sciences *desire to have fun *desire to ask lots of questions!
You probably already know how important DNA is. In this class, however, you and I will delve deeper and learn how DNA's unique shape influences the world we live in today. We'll travel through different topics, like genetics, mathematics, arts, architecture, and design. We'll answer cool questions like, where can we see the unique double-helix shape in our society today? Is it true that scientists are exploring the existence of three-stranded DNA?? How about four????
Join our class if you want to answer these questions.... AAAAAAND you get to fold your own DNA origami!
We'll also include a 15-minute long Q&A session for you to ask us, the nerdy instructors, about our lives as Stanford students.
Prerequisites
*kindergarten-level paper folding skill *undying interest in both arts and sciences *desire to have fun *desire to ask lots of questions!
B4565: Navigating the Chaos of the Cell
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Giovanni Forcina
We like to think about cells in terms of a few parts-- nuclei, endoplasmic reticula, ribosomes, and so on. However, the reality of a cell is much more complex-- each cell is a jumbled mess of different biological molecules with nearly no free space. How do proteins find each other in this mess and how does the cell accomplish anything amidst the chaos? This course will explore how some basic physical and chemical knowledge can predict how a biological system behaves.
Prerequisites
Basic physics, chemistry, or biology will be helpful, but not necessary.
Prerequisites
Basic physics, chemistry, or biology will be helpful, but not necessary.
B4604: Biology of Toxins
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Gennifer Smith
Have you ever wondered how toxins can kill you and why different toxins cause different symptoms? In this class, you will learn how various toxins attack pathways and processes within the the human body. By understanding the action of these toxins we will also see how pharmacologists are turning these toxins into medicine.
Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of cell biology would be helpful.
Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of cell biology would be helpful.
B4544: Are Genes Fate?
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Trevor Martin
Is it possible to predict all the diseases you will get the moment you are born? Do our eating habits and lifestyle choices really influence our health? Is a world like that shown in the movie Gattaca a possibility for our future? Find out in this class what modern genetics and medicine have to say about these exciting questions and learn what knowing a person's DNA sequence really tells us and what are the strengths and limitations of prediction based on a DNA sequence.
Prerequisites
Any sort of introduction to Biology course; should understand very basics of DNA and genes.
Prerequisites
Any sort of introduction to Biology course; should understand very basics of DNA and genes.
B4599: Epigenetics: it's not just about DNA
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Fiorella Grandi
Why are identical twins not exactly the same? Learn about epigenetics, the science of what's modifying your genes! We will explore how cells use epigenetic mechanisms to make decisions about becoming a neuron or a liver cell even though both types have the same DNA. We'll also look at the role epigenetics can play in diseases such as cancer.
B4671: Evolution:
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Jake Gold
Why is there so much controversy and speculation about evolution? Follow Darwin, Ernst Mayer, the Grants, Bill Durham, and I as we define the science of speciation. We will compare and contrast ideologies over the past 1.5 centuries and conduct hands on activities to determine what parts of evolution are fact or theory.
Prerequisites
Interest in biology and sociology: genetics/taxonomy/ecology/island biogeography/ etc...
Prerequisites
Interest in biology and sociology: genetics/taxonomy/ecology/island biogeography/ etc...
B4685: Addiction and Neuroscience
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
David Carreon
Why do we do what we don't want to? Or not do what we want to?
This class will explore the strange, universal human experience of being out of control of our actions. We'll look at big ways this happens with alcohol or drugs, but we'll also look at "behavioral addictions" like Facebook, nail-biting, pornography, gambling and cutting.
We'll look at the basic science, as well as some of the ways people treat addictions, big and small.
This class will explore the strange, universal human experience of being out of control of our actions. We'll look at big ways this happens with alcohol or drugs, but we'll also look at "behavioral addictions" like Facebook, nail-biting, pornography, gambling and cutting.
We'll look at the basic science, as well as some of the ways people treat addictions, big and small.
B4732: DNA Damage and Cancer Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Erin Schwartz
Are you curious about the molecular mechanisms of cancer development? If so, then join us for a class on DNA damage and Cancer. In this class we will discuss the intimate link between DNA damage and cancer development. This includes looking at the various sources of DNA damage that you encounter every day, how your body responds to DNA damage in the cell, and what happens in the case of cancer.
B4581: CRISPR: Designer Genes
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Cindy Nguyen,
Shelby Parks
Imagine if you could prevent a life-threatening disease with a simple gene change. CRISPR is an up and coming piece of biotechnology that all your favorite scientists are pursuing, and it is bound to change the face of science. Learn how this simple editing system works, what people are saying about it, and why you should fashion your scientific focus to this powerful new tool.
B4687: Practical Neuroscience
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
David Carreon
What is the brain? How does it work? How can I make it stronger?
You’ll learn about awesome experiments that show that the brain can be rewired, remolded and strengthened. You’ll meet someone operating with half a brain (literally), people who built physical strength just by thinking about it, and people who rewired their brains and cured mental illnesses with the power of thought. We’ll cover what you need to know about the brain.
If you’ve got a brain, you should take this course! :)
You’ll learn about awesome experiments that show that the brain can be rewired, remolded and strengthened. You’ll meet someone operating with half a brain (literally), people who built physical strength just by thinking about it, and people who rewired their brains and cured mental illnesses with the power of thought. We’ll cover what you need to know about the brain.
If you’ve got a brain, you should take this course! :)
B4474: A Crash Course in Cancer Biology Full!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Melissa Ko
What is cancer? What happens in the body when cancer starts and spreads? What causes cancer? How can we treat it? What would it take to cure this disease?
We'll discuss all of these questions through a whirlwind lesson on genetics, cell biology, evolution, medical research, and more! Be ready to participate and bring any questions you have on cancer and scientific research.
Prerequisites
the more biology you know the better, including topics like what is a cell, what does DNA do, what are proteins, etc.
We'll discuss all of these questions through a whirlwind lesson on genetics, cell biology, evolution, medical research, and more! Be ready to participate and bring any questions you have on cancer and scientific research.
Prerequisites
the more biology you know the better, including topics like what is a cell, what does DNA do, what are proteins, etc.
B4561: The Power of Algae
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Ariana Barreau
We will learn about different types of algae and how algae is a fundamental part of our marine ecosystem. We will also explore the applications of algae in the biofuel and pharmaceutical industry. Current research will be reviewed and discussed.
Prerequisites
Be ready to learn and participate in class discussions! Some knowledge in plant biology would help but is not necessary.
Prerequisites
Be ready to learn and participate in class discussions! Some knowledge in plant biology would help but is not necessary.
B4564: Totally Radical Biology: The Biology and Chemistry of Oxygen
Difficulty: **
Did you know that oxygen comprises only 21% of the air you breathe? Where did oxygen come from and how does it support life on earth? How are free radicals made from oxygen and why are they bad for you? In this course, we‘ll learn about the chemistry of oxygen and its role in biology. We’ll unleash the power of oxygen through explosive in-class demonstrations.
Prerequisites
Basic chemistry and biology is useful but not required
Prerequisites
Basic chemistry and biology is useful but not required
B4676: Genes, Brains and Behavior
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Rachel Grant
From moonwalking flies to cuddling voles, learn about the genetic and neural basis of behaviors, and the tools that scientists use to study them!
B4600: Pet Genetics: Understanding your Cat or Dog. Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Fiorella Grandi
Have you wondered why Corgi’s have such short legs? Why do Tortoise-shell cats have all those colors? And for that matter, how did Fido get to be so different from a wild wolf? This class will look at the genetics of common traits in our favorite four-pawed companions and how they were domesticated from the wild.
B4661: Once upon a time in biology: teaching science through storytelling
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Charli Davis
Have you ever fallen asleep reading a science textbook? Or have you ever wondered why in the world you should care about all of the facts thrown at you in scientific papers? This class uses storytelling, imagination, and journaling to help you become more engaged and active in the world of ecology and conservation biology. You will learn the facts, but in a memorable way that also helps you understand why it matters, and why it matters to you. So get the creative, biological juices flowing and prepare to start your own once upon a time science story!
B4700: Who likes lichens?
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Matthew Nelsen
What are those splashes of color on the rocks and tree branches? They're lichens! Learn more about this often overlooked, yet fascinating, symbiotic association between fungi and algae, and why you should like them!
B4730: Introduction to Giant Viruses
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Spencer Cesar
The order Megavirales is a recently discovered group of giant viruses. They are as large as some bacteria and some have genomes larger than those of parasitic eukaryotes. This class will go over the major members of this group and some of their most fascinating features.
B4485: The Wonderful World of Bacterial Communities
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Pascale Guiton
Bacteria are everywhere and similar to humans they communicate with each other and reside within “small houses”. Enroll for this course to learn about the exciting features of a bacterial village and how it is produced during diseases.
Prerequisites
A keen Interest in microbial world!
Prerequisites
A keen Interest in microbial world!
B4579: Welcome to your brain
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kevin Guttenplan,
Jesus Madrid
Ever wonder how your brain helps make you who you are? How does your brain help you see and move? Can we come up with a cure for brain diseases? This class is a hands-on introduction to the brain and its various functions. You'll get to see and touch real human brains and ask your burning questions to Ph.D. students who are becoming brain experts!
B4658: Bioethics: Current Issues in Medicine and Biology
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Christopher Murray,
Kevin Nuno
Should companies be able to patent DNA? Do human beings have the right to create new synthetic life? Would it be wise to edit a person's genome? Are genetically modified organisms good or bad? Many new advances in biological science have the potential to change the world forever--for good or ill. Come learn about groundbreaking new developments in biotechnology and discuss the ethical implications they have for modern society.
Prerequisites
Must have taken a high school biology course. Must be willing to actively discuss ethical questions in class.
Prerequisites
Must have taken a high school biology course. Must be willing to actively discuss ethical questions in class.
B4697: Africa's Giants: The Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation of African Elephants
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Patrick Freeman
Elephants have fascinated humans for centuries. Their immense size, their curious physiology, and most recently their complex social lives generate endless curiosity. However, humans have also heavily exploited elephants for their valuable ivory tusks and another surge in hunting for ivory threatens the future of elephants across Africa. In this class students will get the chance to learn about the ecology of elephants in their environments in Sub-Saharan Africa, fascinating facts about elephant society and social behavior, and what challenges exist to their existence in the future, especially the international trade in illegal ivory.
Prerequisites
None
Prerequisites
None
B4698: Laser mapping the world's rainforests
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
David Marvin
New laser imaging technology allows scientists to digitally reconstruct tropical rainforests in 3D by simply flying overhead with an airplane. Come see the stunning visualizations produced by this technology and learn about how it is helping save rainforests around the world.
B4710: Gender and Sex 101
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Minh-An Quinn,
Cristian Torres
In this class, students will have a quick lesson on gender, sexuality, and sexual health. Ample time will be given for the many questions students are bound to ask!
Prerequisites
Some biology is preferable, but not required. An open mind!
Prerequisites
Some biology is preferable, but not required. An open mind!
B4480: Food Product Development
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Brian Chau
You walk down the aisle of a supermarket and you stumble upon these weirdly flavored chips. Ever wonder how someone's crazy idea is put from concept to product?
Culinary arts + food science = AWESOME PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. You take science and add it to cooking and bam, that delicious or sometimes bizarre flavored chip comes to a store near you.
Prerequisites
Culinary arts + food science = AWESOME PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. You take science and add it to cooking and bam, that delicious or sometimes bizarre flavored chip comes to a store near you.
Prerequisites
B4566: Trees of Stanford
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Jesse Marshall
Trees provide us with food, water, shelter, paper, fuel and climate stability. There are 3 trillion trees on the planet and are over 400 species on Stanford's campus. That's not even including the mascot! Yet how many can you identify. In this class, we'll wander about Stanford's quad examining the local tree population, snacking on the fruits of trees and do experiments on their leaves, bark, and seeds. We'll use the trees to transport ourselves to Africa, South America, Australia, Asia and Europe, and learn about fascinating biology and environmental science along the way!
B4593: Solve a cardiology case!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Clark Zhang
The heart is one of the most intricate and intellectually satisfying organs in the human body, and heart disease is the most common cause of death in the US (according to the CDC, there were 600,000 deaths last year due to heart disease). We’ll solve a case of chest pain due to heart disease. Concepts we’ll cover include the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, common and life-threatening causes of chest pain, and treatment of heart attacks.
B4601: The Environment and Your Brain: Epigenetics and Neuroscience
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Fiorella Grandi
This class will focus on epigenetics, the science of how environment influences the genetic code, in the context of neurons and neuroscience. We'll explore how neurons are shaped by chemical changes to DNA, how epigenetics and memory formation may be linked and what role epigenetics plays in neurological and psychological diseases.
B4684: The Neuroscience of Happiness: The Art and Science of a Great Life
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
David Carreon
What makes humans happy? Don't we all do whatever we think makes us happy? Yes, and we're often wrong. So then how do we get this most important of questions right?
We will explore the big ideas on how to be awesome at life, from ancient Greece to the latest neuroscience. Hear about the best things thought and said about how to flourish as a person and live the Happy life.
Prerequisites
This class draws from many of my other lectures. You will have a better foundation if you've taken them, but can still attend if you haven't.
We will explore the big ideas on how to be awesome at life, from ancient Greece to the latest neuroscience. Hear about the best things thought and said about how to flourish as a person and live the Happy life.
Prerequisites
This class draws from many of my other lectures. You will have a better foundation if you've taken them, but can still attend if you haven't.
B4511: Molecular Imaging Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Arutselvan Natarajan
Molecular Imaging emerged in the early twenty-first century as a discipline at the intersection of molecular biology and in vivo imaging. It enables the visualization of the cellular function and the follow-up of the molecular process in living organisms without perturbing them. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging, an important molecular imaging technique which produces a three-dimensional image or picture of functional processes in the body. The theory behind PET is simple enough. Briefly, tracking molecule need to tagged with a positron emitting isotope and followed by scan the body with PET-CT. PET imaging have many advantages. The most important is its sensitivity: a typical PET scanner can detect between 10−11 mol/L to 10−12 mol/L concentrations. Dr. Arutselvan Natarajan, Stanford staff scientist will give an overview of PET which is key imaging modality for cancer staging and therapy.
B4517: Decoding the Genetic Code
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kristen Wells
People have used codes and ciphers to protect secrets for thousands of years. DNA has it's own code that contains the secret recipe of life. In this class we will discuss different types of codes and learn how to read the genetic code. During this course, students will create their own code, learn the genetic code, and write secret messages using DNA sequences.
B4653: The Science of Cooking and Baking Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Tim Abbott
We probably all share the same belief that there is nothing better than a freshly-baked chocolate chip cookie. So warm, gooey, sweet, and maybe even brown and crispy. But how does that happen? Not 10 minutes ago the dough I put into my oven was sticky, oily, and maybe even a bit gritty. What caused such a drastic change? In this course I aim to show you that we are in fact scientists in our daily lives where our own kitchens are our laboratories and the interesting physical, chemical, and biological changes that occur as we prepare our food.
Prerequisites
Basic chemistry and biology knowledge.
Prerequisites
Basic chemistry and biology knowledge.
B4683: Neuroscience and Religion
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
David Carreon
What is meditation? Why do people believe in God? What’s it like to have an ecstatic experience?
This course will talk about the latest science of religion, pulling in anthropological, psychological, and neurological perspectives. We’ll talk about why belief in something like God has been so darned persistent throughout human evolution. We’ll discuss what it’s like for a “believer,” and also take a look at religious brains in action. We’ll discuss both Western and Eastern experiences including prayer, ecstatic experience, meditation and ritual.
We’ll also talk about practical take-home lessons we can learn from these extreme brain states.
You’ll learn:
-Why babies are religious.
-What it's like to die.
-What the “God spot” is in the brain and whether or not magnetic stimulation can cause religious experience.
-The difference between mindfulness, meditation and prayer and why it’s important.
-And more!
[Warning: Close-minded people should not take this class. It will involve objectively evaluating the claims of various religious people]
This course will talk about the latest science of religion, pulling in anthropological, psychological, and neurological perspectives. We’ll talk about why belief in something like God has been so darned persistent throughout human evolution. We’ll discuss what it’s like for a “believer,” and also take a look at religious brains in action. We’ll discuss both Western and Eastern experiences including prayer, ecstatic experience, meditation and ritual.
We’ll also talk about practical take-home lessons we can learn from these extreme brain states.
You’ll learn:
-Why babies are religious.
-What it's like to die.
-What the “God spot” is in the brain and whether or not magnetic stimulation can cause religious experience.
-The difference between mindfulness, meditation and prayer and why it’s important.
-And more!
[Warning: Close-minded people should not take this class. It will involve objectively evaluating the claims of various religious people]
B4703: Criminals Beware! Your DNA is Everywhere Full!
Difficulty: **
Come learn how DNA is used to catch the bad guys! This class will introduce students to molecular biology techniques seen on shows such as NCIS and CSI to identify criminals using evidence from a crime scene. We will discuss techniques such as PCR and DNA fingerprinting and perform hands-on activities to solve the crime!
B4462: Would you want to know? Exploring genetic testing and Huntington's disease
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kristen Powers
If you could find out whether you will develop a disease with no known cure, would you want to know?
This course will provide an introduction to the science behind Huntington’s Disease, which is a genetically inherited disease that affects both the mind and the body. After an overview of cool topics like DNA and genetics, we will talk about genetic testing – what that is, and how it applies to parents or children who may have Huntington’s Disease. You will then use this knowledge to debate the ethical concerns that arise when screening for inherited diseases.
Sample debate prompts:
If your parents have Huntington’s Disease, would you get tested? If you were going to have children but did not know if you had the disease, would you get tested? Would you have kids if you tested positive?
Prerequisites
Basic biology knowledge is helpful, but we'll provide a quick intro at the beginning of the course for context!
This course will provide an introduction to the science behind Huntington’s Disease, which is a genetically inherited disease that affects both the mind and the body. After an overview of cool topics like DNA and genetics, we will talk about genetic testing – what that is, and how it applies to parents or children who may have Huntington’s Disease. You will then use this knowledge to debate the ethical concerns that arise when screening for inherited diseases.
Sample debate prompts:
If your parents have Huntington’s Disease, would you get tested? If you were going to have children but did not know if you had the disease, would you get tested? Would you have kids if you tested positive?
Prerequisites
Basic biology knowledge is helpful, but we'll provide a quick intro at the beginning of the course for context!
B4519: What your body looks like on the inside Full!
Difficulty: **
Students will learn about human anatomy using cadavers and 3-D visual tools. Various anatomical regions will be covered including the abdomen, upper limb, lower limb, back, and heart/lung.
Caution: Real human cadavers are used in the teaching of this course.
Caution: Real human cadavers are used in the teaching of this course.
B4616: DNA Extraction with Fruits
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Andy Vu
Learn how to extract DNA from fruits in this lab class! How much DNA can be extracted from different fruits? We will cover the implication of being able to isolate DNA and give an overview of other lab procedures scientists use for genetics research.
B4552: Unpacking Ebola: Big Data, Epidemiology, and Pathogenesis
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Augustine Chemparathy,
Reesab Pathak
The 2013-2015 Ebola epidemic constituted a global health crisis. In this class, we will cover how big data and bioinformatics revolutionized epidemiological and pathological research during the recent Ebola crisis. We will examine primary literature published in high-impact journals as we consider the pathology and spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Finally, we will briefly review recent research on Ebola drugs and vaccinology.
Prerequisites
Students should be interested in deeply understanding biomedical research and clinical investigations.
Prerequisites
Students should be interested in deeply understanding biomedical research and clinical investigations.
B4463: Introduction to Neuroscience
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Samantha Hoffman
This class will begin with a broad overview of neuroscience, starting with the fundamentals of molecular & cellular neurobiology and building up to perception and clinical neurology. Material from previous years' Brain Bee contests will be presented as practice questions. The optional second part of the class will introduce more advanced topics in neuroanatomy, neurohistology, MRI/CT reading, and clinical case studies.
This class will cover topics from the Brain Facts booklet, published by the Society for Neuroscience and used by the Regional-level Brain Bee Competitions. This class is great for anyone interested in neuroscience, including any prospective Stanford Brain Bee participants.
Prerequisites
No previous knowledge of neuroscience assumed, but the class will move quickly, and a basic understanding of biology and chemistry will be useful. Bringing a way to take notes is recommended. Students will take away the most from the course by reading or at least skimming the Brain Facts text before coming to class, available for free at http://www.brainfacts.org/about-neuroscience/brain-facts-book/
This class will cover topics from the Brain Facts booklet, published by the Society for Neuroscience and used by the Regional-level Brain Bee Competitions. This class is great for anyone interested in neuroscience, including any prospective Stanford Brain Bee participants.
Prerequisites
No previous knowledge of neuroscience assumed, but the class will move quickly, and a basic understanding of biology and chemistry will be useful. Bringing a way to take notes is recommended. Students will take away the most from the course by reading or at least skimming the Brain Facts text before coming to class, available for free at http://www.brainfacts.org/about-neuroscience/brain-facts-book/
B4478: Bird Senses: Vision and Hearing Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Rebecca Shi
How similar are bird senses to human senses? What adaptations give falcons such acute vision? How can owls pinpoint prey using only their hearing (and how do we even know they're using hearing to do so)? Can birds use echolocation?
In this class, we'll try to understand the world from a bird's point of view, with a focus on vision and hearing. We'll study the structures of bird sensory organs and explore the experiments that led to our current understanding of bird perception. Come learn about the fascinating world of birds!
In this class, we'll try to understand the world from a bird's point of view, with a focus on vision and hearing. We'll study the structures of bird sensory organs and explore the experiments that led to our current understanding of bird perception. Come learn about the fascinating world of birds!
B4481: Crash Course to Food Science
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Brian Chau
Let us openly discuss food science in all its forms and functions from food chemistry to food safety, food technology to sensory science and from school to jobs/more schooling.
We will discuss some current trends in food science and technology, especially, with the growing news of Big Food and food entrepreneurs from the tech world. We will use C-mapping tools to develop a concept map in cataloging ideas and for you to take home.
Most importantly, we will have a better understanding of what is food science and what it can be.
Join me on this adventure because it might be a crazy ride. Bring a helmet, if you think this food science talk is risky!
Prerequisites
Active participation. Curiosity. Interest in food.
We will discuss some current trends in food science and technology, especially, with the growing news of Big Food and food entrepreneurs from the tech world. We will use C-mapping tools to develop a concept map in cataloging ideas and for you to take home.
Most importantly, we will have a better understanding of what is food science and what it can be.
Join me on this adventure because it might be a crazy ride. Bring a helmet, if you think this food science talk is risky!
Prerequisites
Active participation. Curiosity. Interest in food.
B4588: Not all models walk on a runway. Model organisms, what are they?
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Julia Garcia,
Paola Moreno-Roman
What does yeast, a small flowering plant, a fruit fly and a mouse have in common? They are model organisms!! If you want to know what this means and why they are called that, you can't miss this class.
You will have the opportunity to see some of them live, and interact with them.
Prerequisites
Lots of curiosity!
You will have the opportunity to see some of them live, and interact with them.
Prerequisites
Lots of curiosity!
B4689: Mind and Body: How Your Mind Makes It Real
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
David Carreon,
Kari Leibowitz
Can a sugar-pill cause morphine release? Can hypnosis cure blindness? Can looks kill (literally)? Can getting shot not hurt?
We'll talk about old history and new science developing around "mind-body" medicine, how your mind and brain affect your body in really interesting ways. We'll meet people with paralysis who can regain their movement, and blind people can regain their sight by the power of words. We'll see how the brain can produce pain completely independently of any "physical" cause.
We'll discuss theories of how the brain might be involved in diseases like fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.
If that's not enough, you'll learn about ritual executions that rely on the victim's expectation, and soldiers in WWII who get shot but don't seem to mind.
In short, we'll explore the strange and perplexing frontier where Mind meets Body.
[For those who took this already, I am adding a number of slides on the science of placebo, too!]
We'll talk about old history and new science developing around "mind-body" medicine, how your mind and brain affect your body in really interesting ways. We'll meet people with paralysis who can regain their movement, and blind people can regain their sight by the power of words. We'll see how the brain can produce pain completely independently of any "physical" cause.
We'll discuss theories of how the brain might be involved in diseases like fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.
If that's not enough, you'll learn about ritual executions that rely on the victim's expectation, and soldiers in WWII who get shot but don't seem to mind.
In short, we'll explore the strange and perplexing frontier where Mind meets Body.
[For those who took this already, I am adding a number of slides on the science of placebo, too!]
B4452: The Biology of Hollywood
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
William Gearty
What would life really be like if you were shrunk down to the size of an ant or even smaller? Did dinosaurs really look and behave as they are portrayed in Jurassic Park? Would King Kong really have been able to stand up, let alone climb the Empire State Building? Could you really be mutated into a superhero over night? These questions and more will be discussed.
Prerequisites
Some interest in biology. Some interest in movies.
Prerequisites
Some interest in biology. Some interest in movies.
B4513: Tyler and Albert Teach Genome Editing
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Albert Hinman,
Tyler Shimko
Genome editing is revolutionizing the level of control that humans have over their health and environment. In this class we will discuss the basic techniques that scientists use to alter the genomes of organisms and the effects of these changes. Throughout the course, students will brainstorm ways to apply these techniques to current issues in human health, medicine, and agriculture.
Prerequisites
A high school-level biology course.
Prerequisites
A high school-level biology course.
B4526: How we fight disease Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Rajiv Gaur
This class will highlight the cause of disease and how we fight with it.
Prerequisites
Basic biology education needed.
Prerequisites
Basic biology education needed.
B4652: Disgust, Super Spreaders and Vaccines: How to handle an Outbreak Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kelly McGill,
Bryan Xie
This class will cover how the emotion of disgust relates to the spread of disease and biological defenses from infection. It will also include a brief history of past epidemics. It will focus on how epidemics are handled now and what new tools and methods we can use to stop future outbreaks. The class will have some activities and mainly be discussion based.
B4484: Glitch your vision Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Guillaume Riesen
Human vision can be a pretty glitchy system. This class will teach you some of its quirks and how to take advantage of them to produce amazing illusions and effects. You'll learn how to see blood vessels and even white blood cells in your own eyes using no special equipment. You'll see colors and motions that aren't there - all while gaining a deeper understanding of the tricks your brain uses to help you see accurately in daily life.
B4495: In Depth Food Science!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Brian Chau
We will be discussing more about food science in depth just as the title of this class suggests.
There will be a refined list of topics to choose as we explore the science in food.
I hope you are hungry for knowledge because we are going to bring "food for thought" to life.
There will be a refined list of topics to choose as we explore the science in food.
I hope you are hungry for knowledge because we are going to bring "food for thought" to life.
B4583: Molecular Gastronomy and Fermentation
Difficulty: *
When you're a chemist and a cook, you begin to think of your kitchen as a lab and your food as your creations. Come learn about the chemical (and biochemical) processes used to make the foods we eat every day.
Part I will focus on molecular gastronomy: the application of chemistry to the culinary arts. You'll learn why some foods melt when they get warmer - like ice cream - while others solidify - like methylcellulose ice cream. Wait, what?
Part II will focus on fermentation: the use of microbial cultures to impart new flavors and qualities to existing foods. Ask us what our favorite yeast species is, or what a kombucha scoby is after all.
Allergens: lactose, methocel food gum, eggs.
Prerequisites
Cursory understanding of chemistry and microbiology.
Part I will focus on molecular gastronomy: the application of chemistry to the culinary arts. You'll learn why some foods melt when they get warmer - like ice cream - while others solidify - like methylcellulose ice cream. Wait, what?
Part II will focus on fermentation: the use of microbial cultures to impart new flavors and qualities to existing foods. Ask us what our favorite yeast species is, or what a kombucha scoby is after all.
Allergens: lactose, methocel food gum, eggs.
Prerequisites
Cursory understanding of chemistry and microbiology.
B4598: The powerful and beautiful photosynthesis, a process plants use sunlight and carbon dioxide to make sugar and release oxygen
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Ru Zhang
Photosynthesis is a process in which plants and algae use sunlight energy and carbon dioxide to produce food that we live on and release oxygen that we breathe. Photosynthesis changes the world and influences the atmosphere in a scale that you may not image. Besides, it is also beautifully regulated in response to changing environments. In addition, photosynthesis in plants and algae could generate renewable biofuels, contributing to the sustainable environment. In this class, we will learn and discuss the indispensable roles of photosynthesis in our life.
Prerequisites
Be ready to learn and participate in class discussions! Some knowledge in plant biology would help but is not necessary.
Prerequisites
Be ready to learn and participate in class discussions! Some knowledge in plant biology would help but is not necessary.
B4691: Suicide – Why people die by it, and what we can do
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
David Carreon
From Robin Williams to David Foster Wallace, from people far away to people we may know in the Bay Area, suicide is a reality of human life. This course will be a sober look at the condition that causes the deaths of more people than war, natural disaster and murder combined. We will discuss theories about why these feelings arise and are acted upon. We'll end with discussing what we can do socially and personally to make things better.
[Need help? Call 1 (800) 273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 24/7. For that and other concerns, text "START" to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. For more resources, visit http://www.crisistextline.org/get-help-now/ ]
Prerequisites
This will be an emotionally difficult class dealing with a heavy subject. This will be an academic discussion, NOT a replacement for mental health support.
[Need help? Call 1 (800) 273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 24/7. For that and other concerns, text "START" to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. For more resources, visit http://www.crisistextline.org/get-help-now/ ]
Prerequisites
This will be an emotionally difficult class dealing with a heavy subject. This will be an academic discussion, NOT a replacement for mental health support.
B4487: Polarity: How cells polarize to make tissues, organs, and you!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
KC Farrell
Cells have different sides--apical (up), basal (down), lateral (sides)--that have different functions. It is important for cells to have all of these sides for them to function well, just like you probably would not want your cool new treehouse to lack a floor. Polarization of cells lets them form organs that perform all of the functions that keep you alive. The loss of polarity can contribute to cancer cells leaving their original places and traveling (metastasizing) to other places and injuring other organs.
This class will be particularly beneficial to those who want to become doctors or scientists, as well as those who do not know a lot about biology but want to learn more.
The class will offer an introduction to cell and developmental biology before presenting some of the most recent data about cell polarity. Other topics that will be touched upon include: computer science, biophysics, bioengineering, and medicine.
Prerequisites
None! All levels welcome.
This class will be particularly beneficial to those who want to become doctors or scientists, as well as those who do not know a lot about biology but want to learn more.
The class will offer an introduction to cell and developmental biology before presenting some of the most recent data about cell polarity. Other topics that will be touched upon include: computer science, biophysics, bioengineering, and medicine.
Prerequisites
None! All levels welcome.
B4521: The Nanoscience of our Living World
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Albert Hinman
There's a lot of buzz words being thrown around with nanotechnology and nanoscience in current media. What exactly is nanoscience, and how does it affect us? This class will serve as a crash course showing how the nano-world interacts with our living one. We will cover: The Basics of Nanoscience, Basic Nanomedicine Applications, Nanoscience & the Environment, and if time permits, Nanotechnology Commercial Products.
If you have the slightest interest in this class, regardless of your background, I highly encourage you to sign up. Remember that to think big, we sometimes have to think small!
Prerequisites
We welcome all to come with an open mind, and an appreciation for science/engineering.
If you have the slightest interest in this class, regardless of your background, I highly encourage you to sign up. Remember that to think big, we sometimes have to think small!
Prerequisites
We welcome all to come with an open mind, and an appreciation for science/engineering.
Engineering
E4531: Paper Airplane Showdown: What makes airplanes work? Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Matthew Berk,
Alex Wolff
Learn the basics behind airplane stability and efficiency, then put that knowledge to the test by trying to build a paper which flies furthest, fastest, or "best" by your own criteria. Covers the basics of why airplanes fly, how a paper glider can fly without control, and why airplanes for different missions look the way they do. After some illustrations of these concepts, students will be invited to build their own airplanes and experiment with designs to try to design the "ultimate" paper airplane.
Prerequisites
Some sort of kinematics based physics, understanding of force and pressure.
Prerequisites
Some sort of kinematics based physics, understanding of force and pressure.
E4524: Materials Gone Wrong!
Difficulty: **
It's a bad day if your phone screen cracks, but it's something else entirely if your airplane falls out of the sky. Learn about the science and engineering behind materials failures in history through demonstrations and hands-on experiments. Emphasis on HANDS-ON demonstrations, not a boring lecture! We'll experience first-hand how liquid metals can catastrophically destroy structural materials in applications like space exploration and aerospace. We'll explore how many materials can change dramatically with changes in structure, temperature, and other conditions. We'll investigate how the chemistry of a surface impacts the material performance, and how surface area is critical at the nanoscale. You'll walk away from this class with greater knowledge of the atomic structure of materials and a deeper appreciation for the diverse properties of the materials that surround our everyday life.
E4618: Introduction to Optimization
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Rick Fenrich
What's the fastest way you can get home from school? How can you maximize your startup's profit? How light can you make an airplane? Why are bubbles spherical? These are all examples of optimization problems, which can be found in nature, science, engineering, and your daily life.
This class maximizes the fun in learning about this everyday concept while minimizing boredom. We'll talk about what optimization is, real life examples of it, and basic methods for optimizing (i.e. minimizing or maximizing) various things of interest. At the end you'll have a hands on opportunity to build and test your own optimization algorithm with a team.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of what a derivative is.
This class maximizes the fun in learning about this everyday concept while minimizing boredom. We'll talk about what optimization is, real life examples of it, and basic methods for optimizing (i.e. minimizing or maximizing) various things of interest. At the end you'll have a hands on opportunity to build and test your own optimization algorithm with a team.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of what a derivative is.
E4621: Modern Magnets
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Timothy MacDonald,
Angad Rekhi
Have you ever wondered how maglev trains, hard disk drives, electric motors, or speakers work? All of these devices have one thing in common: magnets!
In this class, we'll start with a short theoretical description of magnetism, then move on to exploring its applications in modern science and engineering, both at the large and small scales. We'll finish by building interesting experiments that demonstrate the principles of magnetism in a classroom setting.
Prerequisites
High-school level electromagnetics is helpful but not required.
In this class, we'll start with a short theoretical description of magnetism, then move on to exploring its applications in modern science and engineering, both at the large and small scales. We'll finish by building interesting experiments that demonstrate the principles of magnetism in a classroom setting.
Prerequisites
High-school level electromagnetics is helpful but not required.
E4476: Sewable Electronics Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Vivian Wang
Learn about the basics of circuits and sewing through a small hands-on sewable circuit project, which you get to keep and take home! We will use (LilyPad) LEDs, snaps, and coin batteries, connected together with conductive thread (no soldering required!). If you have extra fabric scraps, old T-shirts, or spare components you wish to use, feel free to bring them.
Prerequisites
This class is intended for beginners—no knowledge of electronics or sewing required! If you have background knowledge in this area, you might be bored for part of class.
Prerequisites
This class is intended for beginners—no knowledge of electronics or sewing required! If you have background knowledge in this area, you might be bored for part of class.
E4615: Let's Build a Walking Robot!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Robert Carrera,
Harine Ravichandiran
Learn about the fundamentals of making robots walk.
We will design and build our gear train, body and different four bar linkages for limbs.
Goal: To have a robot made of legos that can walk and complete a challenge task
Prerequisites
Recommended not necessary: Basic physics (forces, torque)
We will design and build our gear train, body and different four bar linkages for limbs.
Goal: To have a robot made of legos that can walk and complete a challenge task
Prerequisites
Recommended not necessary: Basic physics (forces, torque)
E4617: Introduction to Semiconductor Physics
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Colleen Shang
From smartphones, computers, and LEDs to lasers, solar cells and medical devices, semiconductors have revolutionized the way we live. But have you ever stopped to wonder how semiconductors actually work and how these technologies are made? This class will provide a basic introduction to semiconductor materials and physics, as well as describe common fabrication technologies for making semiconductor-based devices. The class will conclude with a walking tour outside of the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility, where cutting-edge semiconductor research is performed everyday for industry and academia.
Prerequisites
High school level chemistry and/or physics
Prerequisites
High school level chemistry and/or physics
E4620: Rube Goldberg Challenge Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Irving Hsu,
Amani Peddada
Engineering is all about working together! In this class we will first learn about the different kinds of engineering and then break into groups that are each responsible for building one component of a giant Rube Goldberg machine. The ultimate challenge? Trying to put them all together at the end!
E4516: Using Marshmallows to Build an Understanding of Materials Science
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Enze Chen
An introduction to the interdisciplinary field of materials science and engineering. The students will use marshmallows and toothpicks to construct crystal models and explore their physical and chemical properties.
Prerequisites
Nothing technical. Good visualization and common observation skills will help.
Prerequisites
Nothing technical. Good visualization and common observation skills will help.
E4465: Introduction to Spaceflight
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Jan Kolmas
Overview of rocket propulsion, introduction to the counter-intuitive world of orbital mechanics and discussion of other concepts, such as staging, aerobraking and reentry.
Prerequisites
High school physics (Newton's laws, conservation of momentum)
Prerequisites
High school physics (Newton's laws, conservation of momentum)
E4493: Build Your Own Speaker Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Anjali Datta
Each student will build a simple styrofoam cup speaker. We will learn about sound, how speakers work, and basic circuits.
Prerequisites
Please bring a portable music player such as an MP3 player or smartphone if you have one. A few extras will be available to use if you do not have one.
Prerequisites
Please bring a portable music player such as an MP3 player or smartphone if you have one. A few extras will be available to use if you do not have one.
E4472: Science of 3D Printing Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Sharon Chen
What is all the hype surrounding 3D printing about? Why is it considered a revolutionary technology? This class will provide an overview of the capabilities of current 3D printing technologies, their limitations, and how people are trying to achieve better performance. We will then explore specific 3D printing techniques such as fused deposition modeling (extruding hot plastic through a nozzle), stereolithography (curing by ultraviolet light), and selective laser sintering (melting together fine powder), relying on basic chemistry, materials science, and engineering concepts to better understand the principles behind these processes.
E4509: DSP for kids
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Henry Wang,
Siavash Yousefi
We are surrounded by many many devices such as cell phones and tablets that use advanced digital signal processing tools to make our lives easier. Most of us cannot imagine our lives without them. However, very few of us know what is running the show behind the curtains. Signal processing courses are not taught until advanced levels of electrical engineering. At that time, the curriculum doesn't make sense and it's typically taught in a very abstract and complicated way.
In this class, we developed a simple introduction to signal processing curriculum for anybody in high school. The topics will include:
- Analog/Discrete/Digital
- Sampling theory and aliasing
- Fourier series/Fourier transform
- Frequency response
- Audio signal processing
- Digital image processing
In this class, we developed a simple introduction to signal processing curriculum for anybody in high school. The topics will include:
- Analog/Discrete/Digital
- Sampling theory and aliasing
- Fourier series/Fourier transform
- Frequency response
- Audio signal processing
- Digital image processing
E4560: CAD & 3D Printing
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Dave Lewis,
michael tuason
Come and get some hands on experience with 3D printing and CAD. In a 90 minute session you will learn:
- Basic Workflow
- Types of 3D printing
- How to create you own item
Prerequisites
None. If you have some CAD experience you are welcome
- Basic Workflow
- Types of 3D printing
- How to create you own item
Prerequisites
None. If you have some CAD experience you are welcome
E4530: Introduction to Earthquake Engineering
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Cristian Acevedo,
Cynthia Lee
Earthquakes are one of Earth's most devastating phenomena. Their effects can damage and even collapse buildings! For these reasons, a good understanding of earthquakes is essential to design and build safe structures. Come learn about earthquakes and ways to design for them! The class will be fun and interactive and it will cover the basic physics behind earthquake engineering design; the focus will be on explaining concepts through demonstrations.
E4535: Cool Polymer Science
Difficulty: **
Polymers are fascinating materials that can be found almost everywhere in our daily lives. From the plastics we buy at the store to the skin on our bones, polymers come in all shapes and sizes. Due to their interesting and special properties, polymers are used in many applications, from flexible materials to electronic devices to complex fluids. In this short course, taught by the Stanford Polymer Collective, we'll learn about polymers through fun hands-on activities that highlight some of their most important properties.
E4591: Squishy Circuits Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Songhee Han,
Amy Liu
Explore electronics and create circuits using Play-Doh! We'll investigate the difference between a conductor and an insulator and try our hand at crafting series and parallel circuits. Everyone will get the chance to build their own Play-Doh sculpture and figure out how to light it up with LEDs and a battery. The class will be a playful and creative investigation of electricity and the mechanisms that power our homes and the devices we use in our day-to-day lives.
Prerequisites
Excitement and willingness to explore and have fun with science! Course assumes no prior knowledge of electronics/circuitry.
Prerequisites
Excitement and willingness to explore and have fun with science! Course assumes no prior knowledge of electronics/circuitry.
E4729: Build Your Own Solar Phone Charger Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Claudia Brunner
Interested in sustainability and renewable energy? Want to do a fun hands-on engineering project? In this class you will get the chance to build a 100% clean energy portable phone charger using a photovoltaic cell! This class is taught by the Stanford Chapter of Engineers for a Sustainable World, a student group passionate about sustainability and social impact.
Hobbies
H4461: World Changer's Think Tank
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Yoo Jung Kim
Calling all changemakers!
Are you interested in starting a service project? If you want to design and implement a plan to improve your school, community, or the world, attend the World Changer's Think Tank!
World Changer's Think Tank will present advice distilled from the experiences of university students and young professionals who are improving their world one project at a time--from delivering teddy bears to hospitals and orphanages in Ghana to installing U.V. water filters in Guatemala to giving refugees access to after-school education.
World Changer’s Think Tank will teach you how to:
-Brainstorm Ideas
-Identify Resources
-Budget Successfully
-Delegate Responsibilities
-Execute Your Project
-Build on Your Results
Participants will be able to present their community service project proposals at the conclusion of the workshop.
Prerequisites
Bring ideas to improve your school, community, and the world!
Are you interested in starting a service project? If you want to design and implement a plan to improve your school, community, or the world, attend the World Changer's Think Tank!
World Changer's Think Tank will present advice distilled from the experiences of university students and young professionals who are improving their world one project at a time--from delivering teddy bears to hospitals and orphanages in Ghana to installing U.V. water filters in Guatemala to giving refugees access to after-school education.
World Changer’s Think Tank will teach you how to:
-Brainstorm Ideas
-Identify Resources
-Budget Successfully
-Delegate Responsibilities
-Execute Your Project
-Build on Your Results
Participants will be able to present their community service project proposals at the conclusion of the workshop.
Prerequisites
Bring ideas to improve your school, community, and the world!
H4505: Running 26.2 Miles On Purpose!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Benjamin Ting
About 2,500 years ago, a Greek Soldier, Pheidippides, ran from Marathon to Athens, without stopping, to deliver news of a military victory against the Persians in the Battle of Marathon.
In 1896, the modern day Olympics included an event known as Marathon, to commemorate Pheidippides's dramatic run.
Come find out the increasingly popular sports of Marathon - why do people run 26.2 miles on purpose, what effect it has in their life, and what it takes to prepare for this amazing and often life changing sporting event!
In 1896, the modern day Olympics included an event known as Marathon, to commemorate Pheidippides's dramatic run.
Come find out the increasingly popular sports of Marathon - why do people run 26.2 miles on purpose, what effect it has in their life, and what it takes to prepare for this amazing and often life changing sporting event!
H4605: Martial Arts 101
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Christine Jarjour
Learn some karate basics! In under 2 hours we'll go over basic throws and self defense techniques and teach you how to throw a killer roundhouse kick. No experience needed!
Make sure to dress in comfortable clothes (athletic bottoms).
Make sure to dress in comfortable clothes (athletic bottoms).
H4643: Introduction to Bridge (the card game!) Full!
Difficulty: *
Question: What do Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have in common?
Answer: They're both billionaires and they both love the card game bridge.
If you too aspire to become a bridge-playing billionaire, then the first step is to learn how to play bridge! (Sadly, the second step is not covered in this class.)
Bridge is a fun and brainy card game somewhat like hearts and spades. It's played 2 vs 2, so good communication and teamwork are key to victory. (Another benefit of bridge being played 2 vs 2 is that if you ever lose - hypothetically, of course - you've got someone other than yourself to blame!)
This class is for anyone and everyone who wants to learn bridge. No experience necessary!
Answer: They're both billionaires and they both love the card game bridge.
If you too aspire to become a bridge-playing billionaire, then the first step is to learn how to play bridge! (Sadly, the second step is not covered in this class.)
Bridge is a fun and brainy card game somewhat like hearts and spades. It's played 2 vs 2, so good communication and teamwork are key to victory. (Another benefit of bridge being played 2 vs 2 is that if you ever lose - hypothetically, of course - you've got someone other than yourself to blame!)
This class is for anyone and everyone who wants to learn bridge. No experience necessary!
H4554: Burmese cooking Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Shein Ei Cho,
Wut Yee Oo
In this hands-on class, you will make your own Burmese dinner table and transport yourself to a typical Burmese family house. Come learn Burmese home style cooking from scratch and discover the culture through cooking! After this class, you will have a better understanding of what Burmese cuisine is and will be able to create your own Burmese-inspired dishes. If you are a food lover, food blogger, cultural enthusiast, a cook or someone who simply believes in the power of food for creating a good time, then this class is for you!
All ingredients and kitchen equipments will be provided and all levels of cooking experience are welcome. We will be making one main course, one side dish and one soup. Menu TBD.
Allergens: Soy, Peanuts, legumes
All ingredients and kitchen equipments will be provided and all levels of cooking experience are welcome. We will be making one main course, one side dish and one soup. Menu TBD.
Allergens: Soy, Peanuts, legumes
H4720: Chai tea?: The history and rise to fame of an American misnomer Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Nchedochukwu Ezeokoli,
Brian Ombonga
A misnomer is the wrong use of name and the word "chai" is exactly that. Chai tea has quickly risen to prominence amongst tea drinkers around the country. If you go to any Starbucks, the Chai tea latte is bound to be one of the most popular drinks. Something about the unique blend of herbs draws attracts people like no other. But why? How did this happen? What is exactly is Chai tea? We will learn about the origin, history, and present popularity of chai. There will be an interactive part of the class where we will make our own tea bags from an assortment of teas as well as have the opportunity to decorate a mug! Get ready to have some fun and make some chai!
Prerequisites
None
Prerequisites
None
H4722: The Beginner’s Guide To Essential Oils: Using mother nature as a tool in wellness, cleaning, beauty, and more! Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Nchedochukwu Ezeokoli,
Brian Ombonga
We will learn about essential oils, where they come from, the four ways to use them, and the potential benefits gained from doing so. Students will be able to take home a handy-dandy guide that lists the essential oils covered in the class and more. Students will also have the opportunity to smell several essential oils and choose two to take make their own air freshener!
H4726: Floppy Drive Orchestra Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Ashwin Agarwal
https://youtu.be/lx_vWkv50uk
Have you ever seen a floppy drive?
Don't know what they are?
Wanna know how they work?
Wanna play some *music* on them?
We're gonna make floppy drives that play songs, like in the video at the top.
And then we're gonna compose our own orchestral masterpiece!
Email me if you have any question!
saga@stanford.edu
Prerequisites
Interested in music (singing in the shower totally counts!)
Have you ever seen a floppy drive?
Don't know what they are?
Wanna know how they work?
Wanna play some *music* on them?
We're gonna make floppy drives that play songs, like in the video at the top.
And then we're gonna compose our own orchestral masterpiece!
Email me if you have any question!
saga@stanford.edu
Prerequisites
Interested in music (singing in the shower totally counts!)
H4663: Cirque du Stanford: Juggling 101 Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Aric Floyd,
Nate Simon
Improving your hand-eye coordination, focus, dexterity and physical strength might sound like difficult tasks, but you can do it all while having a blast by learning to juggle! By the end of this class, you will have mastered the basic 3-ball pattern, and made your own set of juggling balls so you can perfect your skills at home. Plus, a brief presentation/demonstration by the instructors will introduce you to more advanced styles of juggling, and (hopefully) inspire you to keep practicing one of the oldest forms of recreation and entertainment in existence.
H4678: Vegetarian Eating Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Cooper Galvin,
Ying Sun
No. We will not be eating vegetarians. We will explore the relationship between vegetarian healthy eating and the health of the planet. With a focus on recent research on nutrition, health outcomes, and environmental results, we will consider practical ways we can all shape our diets to improve our own and our planet's health.
H4559: Around the World in 80 Accents Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Ben Gardner-Gill
Accents are fun to do, and we'll try our hand at doing some. But what are we trying to emulate? What in an accent keys us into its fundamental character? We'll explore this together for a wide variety of accents, and come up with some theories as to what's the key thing for particular accents.
H4563: Crossword Puzzles
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
David Steinberg
Wish you were better at solving crossword puzzles? Curious about how they're constructed and edited? Want to learn more about the rich history of cruciverbalism? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the course for you! Come learn about the ins and outs of crossword puzzles from world-renowned New York Times constructor David Steinberg.
H4573: Origami for Beginners
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Dan Holland
Origami: the Japanese art of paper folding. We will go over the basic types of folds, bases, and techniques while constructing simple models. By the end of the session, participants will know how to read origami instructions/formulas, how to make different types of folds, and understand everything they need to know to be able to continue origami on their own. Paper is provided.
H4733: Mightier than the Sword: The Greatest Pens (and Pencils) Ever Made
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Lawrence Chiou
A few years ago, I began my search for the greatest writing tools ever made. Although the quest for a definitive answer continues, I have identified some of the smoothest and most elegant (and at times most expensive) pens and pencils ever crafted by humankind.
We'll examine the world of the mighty pen (with a focus on the elegant fountain pen) and trusty pencil (both mechanical and conventional). There will be live demos and samples on display.
We'll examine the world of the mighty pen (with a focus on the elegant fountain pen) and trusty pencil (both mechanical and conventional). There will be live demos and samples on display.
Life Skills
L4546: Let’s Design a Satisfying Sustainable Life
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Tom Kabat
Let’s brainstorm to design a satisfying and sustainable life. We'll have group discussion of values, choices and results. We'll explore the intersection of satisfaction, sustainability, consumption and community. Let's explore the balance of many possible roles in our lives and how they can add satisfaction and promote sustainability
L4731: The College Decision
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Erin Schwartz
Colleges come in every shape and size imaginable; the ways they are different are as vast as their number. Because of this diversity, it is important to pick an institution that is right for YOU.
In this 2-hour class we will take the first hour to introduce different types of colleges and professional institutions, and then go more in depth into the considerations that people make in deciding where to attend. You will participate in hands-on activities to identify what you personally value in a post-secondary education to help you organize your ideas of what you want in a college. In the second hour I will bring in a panel of students and professionals from different undergraduate institutions to share their thoughts about their college selection.
In this 2-hour class we will take the first hour to introduce different types of colleges and professional institutions, and then go more in depth into the considerations that people make in deciding where to attend. You will participate in hands-on activities to identify what you personally value in a post-secondary education to help you organize your ideas of what you want in a college. In the second hour I will bring in a panel of students and professionals from different undergraduate institutions to share their thoughts about their college selection.
L4569: Crushing College Admissions: The "IT" Factor Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Evan Boyle,
Jessica Ribado
How do you get into the college of your choice.. besides a laundry list of good grades, advanced classes, extra curricular activities?
In this discussion course we will discuss how to make yourself stand-out from a pool of well rounded applicants. This course is mostly focused on building a unique individual, and will benefit students early in their high school career.
*** Disclaimer: The content of the class does not represent or reflect the official views, opinions, or guidelines of Stanford University.
In this discussion course we will discuss how to make yourself stand-out from a pool of well rounded applicants. This course is mostly focused on building a unique individual, and will benefit students early in their high school career.
*** Disclaimer: The content of the class does not represent or reflect the official views, opinions, or guidelines of Stanford University.
L4624: Effective Altruism
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Todor Markov,
Alex Richard
How should one act in order to do the most good? Should we volunteer for a charity? If so, which charity? Or should we instead work at a high-paying job so that we can donate money? While these questions are complex, we do know some things, and the answers are often unintuitive. In this class I will talk about the basics of effective altruism, with a focus on what you can do as a high school student.
L4647: Networking Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Soheil Shayegh
Living in today's world of fast communication can be an overwhelming experience specially for prospective college students and newcomers to the job market. This course teaches you how to network, meet and stay in touch with professionals in your field.
L4537: Calm Down: Tips for Writing College Essays
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
David Altman,
Madelaine Graber
Are you nervous about writing your college application essays? Sure you are. Isn't everyone? But we've been through them already, and we think we did alright. So, if you'd like to pick our brains for advice or simply listen to us talk about what we think will help you, come chat with us.
L4590: Successful Interviewing for Colleges, Jobs, Internships, etc!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Eric Macias
I have interviewed for jobs, internships, and colleges more times than I can remember, and I have also interviewed teens for an open position. From these experiences, I've looked back on my interviewing skills and found many ways to make them stronger.
If you have never had a job and want to become a better interviewee, come check this class out! If you have had a job and just want to become a stronger interviewee, you are highly encouraged to check this out!
College interviews can be extremely nerve racking, and this course WILL cover them in an effort to prepare you.
The types of interview preparation involve initial greeting, pre-interview work, appropriate attire, mathematical brain busters, and more!
If you have never had a job and want to become a better interviewee, come check this class out! If you have had a job and just want to become a stronger interviewee, you are highly encouraged to check this out!
College interviews can be extremely nerve racking, and this course WILL cover them in an effort to prepare you.
The types of interview preparation involve initial greeting, pre-interview work, appropriate attire, mathematical brain busters, and more!
L4705: Basic First Aid
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Cindy Torma
Sometimes emergencies happen, and it's best to be prepared. In this hands-on class, we will learn the basics of first aid for emergencies: how to analyze a situation, and how to provide care in crises, from the Heimlich to CPR.
L4718: The (Learnable) Art of Beautiful Connections Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Eleanor Collier
Ever had an uncomfortable conversation? Ever kept cringing about that one awkward thing you said? Ever felt frustrated with yourself for not being able to connect with people as easily as others seem to?
Social anxiety is the third most common psychological issue in the US. Luckily, it's something that people can overcome by building socio-emotional skills! In this fun and interactive class, we'll explore how listening strategies, empathy, and self-compassion can help us become more comfortable with ourselves and form deep, exciting connections with others.
Students will leave class with a conversational toolkit based on focused appreciation of others and reduced self-criticism. Even if you don't have social anxiety, this workshop is a wonderful way to grow your interpersonal skills.
Prerequisites
Come with your "growth mindset" on - look at challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve!
Social anxiety is the third most common psychological issue in the US. Luckily, it's something that people can overcome by building socio-emotional skills! In this fun and interactive class, we'll explore how listening strategies, empathy, and self-compassion can help us become more comfortable with ourselves and form deep, exciting connections with others.
Students will leave class with a conversational toolkit based on focused appreciation of others and reduced self-criticism. Even if you don't have social anxiety, this workshop is a wonderful way to grow your interpersonal skills.
Prerequisites
Come with your "growth mindset" on - look at challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve!
L4467: Personality
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Henry Wang
Personality is such an cool topic. Ever wondered why you get along with certain people and not others? Want to understand how to get along with your siblings, parents, peers, or teachers? In your life, you will meet many different people with different personalities. Come to this session to learn how and why people are different. A key is in understanding and getting to know yourself better. What type of hobbies do you like and why? The answer to these questions come down to your personality. The root cause of a lot of problems you facing in dealing with people comes down to personality differences. Understanding personality well can have a profound impact on your life. It's time to get away from those books and learn some people smart tactics you can use to deal with different personality. In this session, I will explain to you why we have different personalities and where it comes from. The application for understanding personality is huge. You will be able to choose hobbies that suit you better, even choose the major right for you, or pick some better friends to hang out with next time. Or better yet, I may inspire you to try some new hobbies that you didn't know that could suit your personality. I will also tell you how to have a good personality so that you can be the next popular person in your class who everyone likes. Or, just getting along better with you parents so they will give you more money. I'm sure your parents have different personality from you. This class has a limited enrollment so please sign up fast. Hope to see you there, and I am so excited and looking forward to meeting all of you. I will bring a lot of examples from real life. And I'm sure, you all will on the path to becoming personality experts by the end of this session.
Prerequisites
Just an eagerness to learn about yourself and those around you better.
Prerequisites
Just an eagerness to learn about yourself and those around you better.
L4641: Brain Teasers: What to do when your answer is "idk."
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Eric Macias
Want to fill the critical thinking void that has been missing in your life lately? Think you can figure out the solutions to questions that routinely baffle Google interviewees? Think you can figure out how many people there are in a thirty story building?
Come to Brain Teasers! We will be going over multiple brain teasers that may help you improve your critical thinking. Some of these questions have even been used during interviews for companies like IBM, Google, and more!
Come to Brain Teasers! We will be going over multiple brain teasers that may help you improve your critical thinking. Some of these questions have even been used during interviews for companies like IBM, Google, and more!
L4483: The Practice of Everyday Happiness Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Carter Osborne
This class explores one simple question: how do we become more happy?
We will use fun activities and interactive practices to learn about the many components of happiness: compassion, gratitude, relaxation, and more.
How can we better express gratitude for others? What is "self-compassion," and how can we use it to enrich our lives? Does being happy actually produce benefits in all the aspects of our daily lives: social, personal, academic, etc? (hint: it does)
Students will leave the class with a number of skills and practices to more effectively manage stress, stay resilient during challenging times, and (most importantly) enrich everyday happiness.
Prerequisites
Positive energy and an open mind!
We will use fun activities and interactive practices to learn about the many components of happiness: compassion, gratitude, relaxation, and more.
How can we better express gratitude for others? What is "self-compassion," and how can we use it to enrich our lives? Does being happy actually produce benefits in all the aspects of our daily lives: social, personal, academic, etc? (hint: it does)
Students will leave the class with a number of skills and practices to more effectively manage stress, stay resilient during challenging times, and (most importantly) enrich everyday happiness.
Prerequisites
Positive energy and an open mind!
L4510: How to BS
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Andrew Ntim
In the immortal words of 22-time Emmy winner and Daily Show host Jon Stewart, “BS is everywhere.” And in a country where Coca-Cola sponsors research disproving soda’s negative health effects and Donald Trump claims the nation’s unemployment is eight times higher than it is in actuality, I would be inclined to agree.
But in today’s society, there’s much more than “the premediated, institutional BS designed to obscure and distract” Stewart so often derided on The Daily Show. Business jargon, college applications, online dating: all of these everyday parts of our society all but necessitate some form of BS from us. And for anyone trying to get a job, get into college, or make friends, all this BSing might seem a little bit intimidating.
In this seminar-style class, we’ll first teach you how to identify some of the different types of BS you might experience in your time beyond high school, illustrate the art and craft of BS through analysis of some of its masters (á la the 2016 Presidential debates), and finally run through some improv-style exercises aimed at improving BSability and social confidence in a variety of different situations you might face. By the end of the class, I can’t promise you’ll be a master BSer, but I’m sure you’ll come out a more confident communicator … and have a good amount of fun :)
Prerequisites
Adult themes and language present throughout. A sense of humor and a dose of maturity will be necessary for participation.
But in today’s society, there’s much more than “the premediated, institutional BS designed to obscure and distract” Stewart so often derided on The Daily Show. Business jargon, college applications, online dating: all of these everyday parts of our society all but necessitate some form of BS from us. And for anyone trying to get a job, get into college, or make friends, all this BSing might seem a little bit intimidating.
In this seminar-style class, we’ll first teach you how to identify some of the different types of BS you might experience in your time beyond high school, illustrate the art and craft of BS through analysis of some of its masters (á la the 2016 Presidential debates), and finally run through some improv-style exercises aimed at improving BSability and social confidence in a variety of different situations you might face. By the end of the class, I can’t promise you’ll be a master BSer, but I’m sure you’ll come out a more confident communicator … and have a good amount of fun :)
Prerequisites
Adult themes and language present throughout. A sense of humor and a dose of maturity will be necessary for participation.
L4512: Interview Skills for Internship, College, and Job Applications
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Oriana Li Halevy
Are you anxious about internship, college, or job interviews? Come to this interactive course to receive solid tips from a Class of 1992 Harvard College pre-med turned United Nations intern turned US Department of State diplomatic interpreter turned multinational law firm corporate attorney turned venture investor, cross-border business consultant and strategist, and bilingual communications specialist and published translator/editor who has been on both sides of these interviews since high school. This course is for anyone wishing to develop and fine-tune interviewing skills that can be applied in a variety of settings. Topics will include: Preparation Presentation Common interview questions Common pitfalls Closing the interview Thank you notes.
L4547: Finding Passion
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Katie Cheng,
Laura Pickel
How do we find passion? We all know what sorts of things we like and dislike. But how do we turn these likes and dislikes into a meaningful, actionable future? In this workshop, we'll start by talking about our hobbies and the things we enjoy, and try to gain some insight into what motivates us. Next, we'll think about how we might connect these motivations to a purpose: How might we take the things we enjoy and apply them to a meaningful pursuit?
We don't expect that everyone in this workshop will discover their true passions right away! Our goal in this class session is to get the wheels turning, and to help you think through these important questions on your own. Remember, choosing something to be passionate about is not a life-long commitment, it's a decision that you will revisit time and time again.
We don't expect that everyone in this workshop will discover their true passions right away! Our goal in this class session is to get the wheels turning, and to help you think through these important questions on your own. Remember, choosing something to be passionate about is not a life-long commitment, it's a decision that you will revisit time and time again.
L4479: How to Talk Your Way into a Job.
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Brian Chau
We need to talk. Those are words you generally don't want to hear. Seriously, we need to talk about talking...or should I say, networking? So, let us practice networking and pick up a few tips on business etiquette, the interview process and the elevator pitch. If time permits, we can discuss about LinkedIn etiquette along with e-mails, thank you notes and other business etiquette.
Prerequisites
If you are considered to be an introvert, do not fret! You, too, can be skilled in networking.
Prerequisites
If you are considered to be an introvert, do not fret! You, too, can be skilled in networking.
L4497: Radio 4 Everyone: Sports 4 Social Change Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kenneth Huo
Radio 4 Everyone : You are going to record your own voice, your story, with your compassion, concerns, as other world’s most famous musicians, cultural leaders and communicators, and share with each others in class, then, who will create brilliant and unique programming may further share with the other 7 billions.
Create your own special ‘goals’ content tailor made for your audience and platforms. We will use radio’s unique position & technique as the most accessible medium to communicate to people across the world, globally.
Let's practice for generating fresh ideas, new vision, clearly defining a compelling opportunity for idea/voice/story innovation, exploring your intelligence as an social innovator!
Prerequisites
NA
Create your own special ‘goals’ content tailor made for your audience and platforms. We will use radio’s unique position & technique as the most accessible medium to communicate to people across the world, globally.
Let's practice for generating fresh ideas, new vision, clearly defining a compelling opportunity for idea/voice/story innovation, exploring your intelligence as an social innovator!
Prerequisites
NA
L4545: Bicycle Maintenance Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Tom Kabat
Let's adjust gears, brakes, and the way a bike fits so your ride improves. We even patch tires, and fix klunky, squeaky, and loose things. Bring your bike if you can, we can tune it up.
L4473: Intro to Personal Finance Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Melissa Ko
The average American household is thousands of dollars in debt. Learning early on about personal finance can help you avoid money problems down the road!
In this class, we will discuss what you will want to know about finances to make smart decisions with your money.
Come find out little steps that you can take now to practice and build better money habits. Please bring any questions you would like to discuss about personal finance. Note that this is NOT purely an investing class, though we can talk a little about how investing may fit into your saving strategy.
Prerequisites
This class is geared towards complete beginners. If you don’t know or understand credit scores, budgeting, or interest rates, then this is the class for you.
In this class, we will discuss what you will want to know about finances to make smart decisions with your money.
Come find out little steps that you can take now to practice and build better money habits. Please bring any questions you would like to discuss about personal finance. Note that this is NOT purely an investing class, though we can talk a little about how investing may fit into your saving strategy.
Prerequisites
This class is geared towards complete beginners. If you don’t know or understand credit scores, budgeting, or interest rates, then this is the class for you.
L4477: Heart Beats and Tasty Treats Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Marisa Kwiatkowski
This is an interactive class that includes an exercise investigation and a food science experiment (with a bit of yummy fun!). We will use a scientific process to measure our heart rate during different creative activities, make some ice cream while we examine the freezing process and use our cooking math, and finish up with a discussion about healthy eating and nutrition challenges. We will have a blast incorporating healthy living skills, teamwork, and engaging in critical thinking as a group.
Wear attire appropriate for moving around and come ready for some fun!
Wear attire appropriate for moving around and come ready for some fun!
L4496: Design 4 Refugee : Service 4 Civic Engagement Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kenneth Huo
ref·u·gee: refyo͝oˈjē / noun - a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.
synonyms: émigré, fugitive, exile, displaced person, asylum seeker; boat people. e.g. "collecting blankets for the refugees".
Design is the creation of a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system (as in architectural blueprints, engineering drawings, business processes, circuit diagrams and sewing patterns).
Design 4 Refugee is trying to identify, prototype, and scale technologies and practices, create innovative design ideas, thinking that strengthen humanitarian work. We like to build and scale innovations that improve children’s lives around the world.
Let's practice for generating fresh ideas, new vision, clearly defining a compelling opportunity for idea innovation, exploring your intelligence as an social innovator!
Prerequisites
NA
synonyms: émigré, fugitive, exile, displaced person, asylum seeker; boat people. e.g. "collecting blankets for the refugees".
Design is the creation of a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system (as in architectural blueprints, engineering drawings, business processes, circuit diagrams and sewing patterns).
Design 4 Refugee is trying to identify, prototype, and scale technologies and practices, create innovative design ideas, thinking that strengthen humanitarian work. We like to build and scale innovations that improve children’s lives around the world.
Let's practice for generating fresh ideas, new vision, clearly defining a compelling opportunity for idea innovation, exploring your intelligence as an social innovator!
Prerequisites
NA
L4506: Let Your Creativity Flow! Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Jaclyn Chiew
And flow it must when you and your teammates are tasked with confronting challenging, time-sensitive, trials that test the boundaries of your imaginative capabilities. How would you build a bridge of straws? or create a load-bearing container made of newspaper? or develop a non-verbal communication code? The mission will be revealed. And then, if you tap abilities you never thought you had and appreciate the fact that a team is greater than its parts, you will discover that creativity just doesn’t flow, it gushes.
Prerequisites
open mind and big smile :)
Prerequisites
open mind and big smile :)
L4499: Hack 4 Earth – Action 4 Environmental Justice / Let’s talk Geoengineering!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kenneth Huo
Geoengineering projects represent examples of thinking big. This seeks to facilitate the sharing of ideas and resources to foster synergies in a natural way. A place for social innovation and cooperation.
Some problems have easy solutions. If we feel sweaty, we’ll head for the shade. If our soup’s too hot, we’ll blow on it. If a room’s too stuffy, we’ll open a window. But what are the options when the planet grows too warm?That is the problem — and an enormous one — that Earth and its dwellers now face. In recent decades, the planet has begun developing a fever. It’s caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases polluting the atmosphere.
The safest treatment should be to stop polluting, except that people show no signs of cutting back substantially on burning the fossil fuels that release this pollution. So some scientists have begun seriously considering a backup plan. It involves hacking the Earth.
They propose altering natural processes at work in some of Earth’s most extreme but pivotal environments, from the deepest ocean to the upper atmosphere.
Let's practice for generating fresh ideas, new vision, clearly defining a compelling opportunity for idea/voice/story innovation, exploring your intelligence as a hacker 4 planet!
Prerequisites
NA
Some problems have easy solutions. If we feel sweaty, we’ll head for the shade. If our soup’s too hot, we’ll blow on it. If a room’s too stuffy, we’ll open a window. But what are the options when the planet grows too warm?That is the problem — and an enormous one — that Earth and its dwellers now face. In recent decades, the planet has begun developing a fever. It’s caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases polluting the atmosphere.
The safest treatment should be to stop polluting, except that people show no signs of cutting back substantially on burning the fossil fuels that release this pollution. So some scientists have begun seriously considering a backup plan. It involves hacking the Earth.
They propose altering natural processes at work in some of Earth’s most extreme but pivotal environments, from the deepest ocean to the upper atmosphere.
Let's practice for generating fresh ideas, new vision, clearly defining a compelling opportunity for idea/voice/story innovation, exploring your intelligence as a hacker 4 planet!
Prerequisites
NA
L4498: Hack 4 Youth - Technology 4 Creative Innovation Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kenneth Huo
Hack means to prominently demonstrate technical aptitude and cleverness, or to commemorate popular culture. This seeks to facilitate the sharing of ideas and resources to foster synergies in an innovative way. It will be a place for social innovation and cooperation.
The hacker culture is a subculture of individuals who enjoy the intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming and circumventing limitations of systems to achieve novel and clever outcomes. The act of engaging in activities (such as programming or other media) in a spirit of playfulness and exploration is termed "hacking".
One option for Hack 4 Youth is for students who want to create apps, build websites, and make games. Definitely, we don’t have enough time to do that in 45 minutes, but, if participants will like to show case and share whatever he or she developed, i.e.mobile app solutions that make changes. We'll welcome you to come and share your experience in fundamental web development skills transferable to game and app development. We welcome anybody, no prior experience necessary.
Anyone with some experience are welcome as well, of course.
Prerequisites
NA
The hacker culture is a subculture of individuals who enjoy the intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming and circumventing limitations of systems to achieve novel and clever outcomes. The act of engaging in activities (such as programming or other media) in a spirit of playfulness and exploration is termed "hacking".
One option for Hack 4 Youth is for students who want to create apps, build websites, and make games. Definitely, we don’t have enough time to do that in 45 minutes, but, if participants will like to show case and share whatever he or she developed, i.e.mobile app solutions that make changes. We'll welcome you to come and share your experience in fundamental web development skills transferable to game and app development. We welcome anybody, no prior experience necessary.
Anyone with some experience are welcome as well, of course.
Prerequisites
NA
L4549: Peaceful Communication Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Mango Martin
You will learn to use mindfulness and empathy to communicate honestly and non-violently.
L4688: Justice - What’s the Right Thing to Do?
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
David Carreon
Bank bailouts. Stealing to feed your hungry kid. Lying to save Jews in your basement. Waterboarding. What’s right and what’s wrong? And how do we know?
This will be a crash course in Ethics, the rigorous discipline of determining what’s right. This lost science will be critical for anyone who will have to make decisions in their life.
I’m modeling this course after the enormously popular class and book taught by Michael Sandel at Harvard (Google my course title).
This will be a crash course in Ethics, the rigorous discipline of determining what’s right. This lost science will be critical for anyone who will have to make decisions in their life.
I’m modeling this course after the enormously popular class and book taught by Michael Sandel at Harvard (Google my course title).
L4464: Miss CEO: Becoming An Effective Leader Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Nita Singh Kaushal
The world needs great leaders to tackle its biggest problems… and that starts with YOU! Although women are underrepresented in today's leadership ranks, this class will inspire and teach you how to position yourself as a leader in high school, college, and beyond. Come learn about relevant leadership skills such as effective negotiation and clear communication that will help you excel in a variety of academic, personal, and professional situations. More importantly you will also learn how to put these skills into practice starting today --including securing dream mentors, finding professional opportunities, and getting on the right trajectory for career achievement early on. The instructors for this class feature women from the Stanford community who have extensive experience leading and making innovative contributions to their fields. They also have a passion for helping students achieve their leadership potential, which you can learn more about at www.missceo.org.
L4717: Beyond Happiness: Understanding the Science of Human Flourishing Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Alfred Delena
"Happiness depends on ourselves." ― Aristotle
Is there more to life than just happiness? Or is happiness the end goal of human existence, as Aristotle proposed in 350 BC? These are just two questions from a whole array of inquires that will guide this course.
Spanning the fields of philosophy, psychology, education, neuroscience, and biology, we will go on a journey of understanding the science behind what it means to flourish. Within this context, we will explore the worlds of happiness, resilience, compassion, meaningfulness, mindfulness, stress, strengths, and human connection. Additionally, by the end of the course, you will leave with several practical, evidence-based strategies for improving your well-being.
This course will be a seminar in that I will not be lecturing the entire time. This course is designed so that all of us will be actively participating in our learning. There will be various activities for you all to engage in. These activities are meant to help with the application of knowledge gained as well as to share with others your experiences and ideas, within pairs and within groups. My goal is to help foster, within you, healthy habits, challenge you to explore new territory, question any assumptions you might have, and to help aid in facilitating open and friendly exchanges between you and the other students in this seminar.
Prerequisites
As this course has a small number of students, I would like you to bring an open mind, a willingness to engage and participate, and a commitment to learn and apply knowledge gained during and after Splash. I invite all and any who are interested as a long as you are comfortable and willing to engage and help with the learning of myself and your fellow Splash learners.
Is there more to life than just happiness? Or is happiness the end goal of human existence, as Aristotle proposed in 350 BC? These are just two questions from a whole array of inquires that will guide this course.
Spanning the fields of philosophy, psychology, education, neuroscience, and biology, we will go on a journey of understanding the science behind what it means to flourish. Within this context, we will explore the worlds of happiness, resilience, compassion, meaningfulness, mindfulness, stress, strengths, and human connection. Additionally, by the end of the course, you will leave with several practical, evidence-based strategies for improving your well-being.
This course will be a seminar in that I will not be lecturing the entire time. This course is designed so that all of us will be actively participating in our learning. There will be various activities for you all to engage in. These activities are meant to help with the application of knowledge gained as well as to share with others your experiences and ideas, within pairs and within groups. My goal is to help foster, within you, healthy habits, challenge you to explore new territory, question any assumptions you might have, and to help aid in facilitating open and friendly exchanges between you and the other students in this seminar.
Prerequisites
As this course has a small number of students, I would like you to bring an open mind, a willingness to engage and participate, and a commitment to learn and apply knowledge gained during and after Splash. I invite all and any who are interested as a long as you are comfortable and willing to engage and help with the learning of myself and your fellow Splash learners.
Mathematics and Computer Science
M4707: Showing off with (Math) bases
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Fayadhoi Ibrahima
In this short but entertaining session, come find out two or three tricks that you can play with some simple knowledge about bases in Math!
Hopefully, after this class, you will even design your own tricks with numbers and impress your friends!
Prerequisites
basic calculation skills (addition, multiplication, power)
Hopefully, after this class, you will even design your own tricks with numbers and impress your friends!
Prerequisites
basic calculation skills (addition, multiplication, power)
M4625: Building iPhone Apps Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Nick Troccoli
Ever wondered how the apps on an iPhone work? Ever wanted to go behind the scenes and make your own? We’ll take a look at how an iPhone app is created, from designing the interface to writing the code. Get a taste of what real developers do on a daily basis, and how you can make your own apps!
Prerequisites
Core programming knowledge, including functions and variables (knowledge of object-oriented programming, including classes and methods, recommended).
Prerequisites
Core programming knowledge, including functions and variables (knowledge of object-oriented programming, including classes and methods, recommended).
M4633: Game Theory: Winning Strategies and Nash Equilibria Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Bryan Cheong
How do people make choices, especially if their decisions will affect not only themselves, but also each other? How do they strategise to get the best outcomes for themselves?
Game Theory is the study that tries to answer these questions. It has found many applications in mathematics, economics, political science and computer science. With a little bit of simple mathematics, we can obtain great insight on how people behave - or ought to behave - and strategise in a situation.
This class will introduce the concepts of best response, dominant strategies and Nash equilibria. We will not only look at simple two-player games, such as the 'Prisoner's Dilemma,' 'Tit for Tat' and 'Battle of the Sexes,' but also discuss other applications of game theory that are less popularly discussed, like auctions, matching for roommates and in a "marriage market," and games over a dynamic (multi-stage) time horizon.
Prerequisites
Be comfortable with doing a little bit of math.
Game Theory is the study that tries to answer these questions. It has found many applications in mathematics, economics, political science and computer science. With a little bit of simple mathematics, we can obtain great insight on how people behave - or ought to behave - and strategise in a situation.
This class will introduce the concepts of best response, dominant strategies and Nash equilibria. We will not only look at simple two-player games, such as the 'Prisoner's Dilemma,' 'Tit for Tat' and 'Battle of the Sexes,' but also discuss other applications of game theory that are less popularly discussed, like auctions, matching for roommates and in a "marriage market," and games over a dynamic (multi-stage) time horizon.
Prerequisites
Be comfortable with doing a little bit of math.
M4741: The Art of Estimation
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Lawrence Chiou
To get an answer that's precise, go ahead and calculate, compute, and crunch formulas. But to get an answer that you can understand, there's no better method than quick-and-dirty estimation, the quicker and dirtier the better.
Calculating the number of cells in the human body or the weekly Caltrain ridership off the top of your head is more than just a fun parlor trick. By estimating, you're getting a feel for the numbers in an active way—a crucial first step to solve any problem.
From economists to engineers, those who hope to grasp the numbers that describe the world must eventually develop the crucial skill and elegant art of estimation.
Calculating the number of cells in the human body or the weekly Caltrain ridership off the top of your head is more than just a fun parlor trick. By estimating, you're getting a feel for the numbers in an active way—a crucial first step to solve any problem.
From economists to engineers, those who hope to grasp the numbers that describe the world must eventually develop the crucial skill and elegant art of estimation.
M4735: Math by Storytelling
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Lawrence Chiou
Sometimes, if you're doing it the hard way, you're doing it wrong. In math, oftentimes we can get away with very few equations and calculations, if any at all. Instead, we can rely on another powerful tool at our disposal: storytelling. We will examine how we can do some difficult combinatorics problems simply by interpreting what the math means.
M4692: That's So Random
Difficulty: ***
What does it mean to be "random"? Is the world inherently deterministic or random?
Many fields of study including statistics, physics, computer science, and philosophy have tried to answer these questions in many different ways. While randomness is frequently viewed as a source of uncertainty, are there ways we can leverage randomness to our advantage?
In this course, we will survey various attempts to answer these questions and more, discussing definitions of randomness, algorithmic and cryptographic applications of randomness, and the existence of randomness in the real world.
Prerequisites
Familiarity with very basic probability (for example, what is the probability that I flip one head and two tails when I flip three coins?)
Many fields of study including statistics, physics, computer science, and philosophy have tried to answer these questions in many different ways. While randomness is frequently viewed as a source of uncertainty, are there ways we can leverage randomness to our advantage?
In this course, we will survey various attempts to answer these questions and more, discussing definitions of randomness, algorithmic and cryptographic applications of randomness, and the existence of randomness in the real world.
Prerequisites
Familiarity with very basic probability (for example, what is the probability that I flip one head and two tails when I flip three coins?)
M4690: Counting
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Evan Warner
Here's the way this goes: someone thinks of a counting problem, like "how many ways can you make change for n cents?" The answer is some sort of sequence - one number for each n. Usually it's fairly hopeless to try to find a nice formula for each number, but we can often figure out how fast the sequence grows (and therefore compare it to other sequences). Our main tool will be something called the generating function.
I'll go over how this works by going through a couple of examples, and then we'll come up with a few problems of our own to tackle.
Prerequisites
Most helpful would be the sort of familiarity with manipulating functions that one theoretically gets in a precalculus class.
I'll go over how this works by going through a couple of examples, and then we'll come up with a few problems of our own to tackle.
Prerequisites
Most helpful would be the sort of familiarity with manipulating functions that one theoretically gets in a precalculus class.
M4724: How to Use Encrypted Email Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Tim Howes
Regular e-mail is not well protected. It can be read by the people who run the mail servers and by others who intercept the data. In this class, we will learn how to set up PGP encryption to protect your messages. We'll also consider secure webmail services, self-hosted solutions, and mobile apps for encrypted communication.
Prerequisites
Familiarity with both web-based email and desktop email software (such as Thunderbird) will be helpful.
Prerequisites
Familiarity with both web-based email and desktop email software (such as Thunderbird) will be helpful.
M4466: Continued Fractions Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Rohan Mehta
Continued fractions are interesting mathematical structures with many useful properties. Learn about how you can use continued fractions to approximate pi, discover why the golden ratio is so special, and explore chaotic systems.