Ready to go beyond cranes and frogs? Come discover modular origami and construct a sphere of folded-paper awesomeness!
Appropriate for all levels, from beginners to origami ninjas.


Prerequisites
Opposable thumbs.

Want to make comics? Or learn about sequential art in general? We will be covering the history of graphic novels and basic storytelling / drawing techniques. You will also make your own mini comic! Supplies provided--but bring your imaginations!


Prerequisites
Please bring your own pencil. Also, enthusiasm.

In this course, we'll explore the massive question of how artists, using nothing more than paint and a canvas, can influence the way we feel. And after we consider how artists can make us feel a certain way, we will attempt to mimic those feelings through our own art and writing.

This course will be part discussion, part "lab time" for arts and writing.


Prerequisites
If you have a sketchbook and pencils/markers or a favorite writers' notebook, please bring it! Please do not bring paint or anything that would require cleanup.

From Lord of the Rings, to The Matrix, to Inception, Hollywood movies are jam-packed with special effects that you may not even be aware of as you watch! Come to "Behind the Scenes" to learn about some exciting new advances in technology that keep blockbuster films on the cutting edge, from the computer programming that went into making those hordes of angry Orcs, to the amazing rotating box that allowed Joseph Gordon Levitt to defy gravity in the hotel room scene from Inception. Prior knowledge of films not necessary - we will be showing plenty of clips to illustrate our lesson.

Each student will play a piece of their choice, and the other students will offer their opinions on the performance.


Prerequisites
Please prepare one piece that is 6 minutes or less in length. It is recommended that you've studied piano for at least two years.

An introduction to the world of independent (indie) game design, outlining the resources available and the process of making and distributing games. We will end with an open project workshop.


Prerequisites
Must be an avid gamer! Bring your ideas.

An overview of the principles and the benefits of creating with stop-motion animation, including looking at the techniques of youtube-sensation Pez and Tim Burton.

In this introductory-style creative writing class, students will analyze several example short stories but ultimately, through writing exercises, begin his or her own - and hopefully be inspired to keep writing beyond the class!


Prerequisites
English classes

Have you ever looked at abstract art and thought to yourself "I could've painted that." Then as you thought about it more, thought, "I think my 5 year old nephew actually did one time." Did you then find yourself overcome by irrational anger? A desire to destroy the so-called "art" in front of you? Then here's a class for you. The class will explore some of the historical impetus and motivation for abstract art, what goes into creating such a work, whether or not they really qualify as art, and the different ways to look at and try to appreciate these works, or at the very least tell them apart. Featured artists will include Rothko, de Kooning, Newman, Pollock, and Olitski.

Improv Awesomeness is a workshop that will let you free your imagination through improvised play. In this workshop, we'll play games and act out short scenes that we'll invent on the spot. No stress. Tons of fun. So come play!


Prerequisites
Just bring yourself and your imagination.

Learn to dance Bachata, Salsa, Merengue (and Cumbia if time permits) All levels of dancing are welcomed! You do not need fancy shoes or dance attire or even a partner. Just bring your eagerness to learn and to move your bodies.


Prerequisites
Be ready to dance your little heart out! =)

Technical course description: this class will cover basic weight-sharing techniques (sharing, giving, distributing) in an improvisatory modern dance context. The class will also teach lifting techniques in dance and incorporate all the foundation laid during the class into spontaneous improvisation.

BASICALLY what this means is that we'll be getting up close and personal with each other (think trust falls x100), which may or may not include being lifted sideways and upside down.

If you're still not sure what exactly this means, look up Pilobolus on Youtube (you won't regret it)


Prerequisites
Students should feel comfortable with close physical contact and lifting/being lifted.

This class will teach the basic steps of salsa and cha-cha. No prior experience is necessary!

Ever wonder why orchestras are still playing the Beethoven symphonies centuries later? Or why film composers look to Mahler and Tchaikovsky for material? In this course, you will be introduced to the beauty and excitement of classical music. We will survey eight influential classical pieces, and you’ll learn to recognize, discuss, and understand these great works of art in their historical and artistic context. But most of all, we will show you why Mozart, Bizet, and the rest are just as vital and satisfying today as they were centuries ago. By the end of the class, you will be the one shouting, “Encore!”

Through watching and analyzing animated films popular with young audiences, we want to challenge the misconception that animated films are simplistic. Students will learn how to analyze film concepts such as narrative form, mise-en-scene, cinematography, montage, editing, soundscaping in their favorite animated films!

"Howl" is Allen Ginsberg's cry from hell. A poem about madness, drugs, hipsters, sex, and New York. A poem so wild that Ginsberg was taken to court on charges of obscenity after it was published ... This is not your grandma's poetry.
In this class we will read the first few pages of "Howl." We will try to understand how the poets of the Beat generation tried to set flame to America's beautiful, white suburban dreams. And why their wild, dangerous writing still matters today.

How does music have the ability to alter a human’s perception of an event? That is, how does sound paint a picture in one’s mind, or elicit an emotional response? Through this course, students will be introduced to some basic concepts of Music Cognition, the study of the psychology and perception of music. These principles will be illustrated through the use of musical examples, and in class demonstration.


Prerequisites
A basic understanding of music theory may be useful. However, all should be able to participate.

An introduction to improvisational acting. We'll play a series of games and discuss the building blocks of scenes and characters.


Prerequisites
A willingness to try!

Learn about Sol Le Witt and conceptual art. Experiment with instructions from his wall drawings.

Sol Le Witt was a modern American artist known for conceptual artworks. For his "Wall Drawings" series, he produced instructions for over 1,200 installations. The simple guidelines can be followed by volunteers, meaning almost anyone can install the works. To maintain the integrity of these wall drawings, however, they can only exist in one location at a time. In the class, we'll install one of his simpler works ourselves, but after our 50 minutes are up, it'll have to be erased!

Do certain foods remind you of your mom? Are you interested in synesthesia? Are you hungry?

Food is an integral part of humanity, as is story-telling. Come learn how to tell stories through food, and how to make food more exciting than it already is. We’ll put together interesting bite-sized snacks in class, talk about how flavour works, discuss the history and science of food, and of course, tell stories.

Snacks and ingredients provided.

Come ready to spit poetic fire! (or not) This workshop will be an opportunity for students who have prepared a poem receive feedback and simply break down the fundamentals of what it takes to write a good poem and give a convincing poem.


Prerequisites
Please come prepared with a short piece of your own poetry that you are ready to perform for the class.

Overview of rocket propulsion, staging, orbital mechanics and reentry. Concepts will be demonstrated in a computer simulation.


Prerequisites
High school physics (Newton's laws, conservation of momentum)

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. In this class, we will learn about existing implantable heart devices with a focus on heart pump design, as well as areas in which the current technology can be improved.


Prerequisites
An interest in medical devices. Basic knowledge of electricity and magnetism would be helpful.

Video game controllers are very easy to use for children of all ages. In this class, we will learn about the science behind existing controllers like the Wii Remote and the Leap Motion and how we can engineer them to make our lives easier.

Why doesn’t your raincoat get wet?

Why can you use a towel to dry off?

Can a water strider walk on any liquid?

Through a series of fun activities we will discover how water interacts with different materials. We will then alter materials and the water itself to see how we can change those interactions.

Take a peek into the country known as the “Hermit Kingdom.” In 50 minutes, we will blast through 50+ years of history, beginning with the formation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and explore North Korean culture and the state of human rights in this isolated country. You will begin to understand why relations between the US and North Korea become more and more strained.

This course is designed to give you a very basic grasp of French conversation and France. The main goal is to equip the student with the basic tools one would need when going to France.
The first part of class, we will discuss basic points of French conversation, from Hello/Thank you, to "Where is x?" through games and mutlimedia.
The second part of the class will give a brief introduction to France and Paris with bits of songs, movies and lots of pictures.

Ever caught yourself waving your arms around while you're talking? Did you know you can turn those meaningless hand gestures into actual words faster than you can say "abracadabra?" No, seriously. I tried. And you can actually have full conversations without saying a single word. Come see how.

Single? Lovesick? In a relationship? It's complicated? The poets through the ages have seen it all (perhaps done it all, too!) and written about it all. This class is Love writ large in beautiful poetic verse. We will examine the love poetry of Shakespeare, Edgar Allen Poe, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, W.B. Yeats, and many more!


Prerequisites
None!

Over the past century the United States has gone through several distinct phases in its role as a member of the international community. First it was an unwilling participant in a conflict it had no interest in; most recently it has become the unwilling behemoth entrusted with maintaining the system it created.

The course will be a fast moving look at the evolution of America's role in the world and some of the touchstone events which took place along that road.

An open ended, introductory course meant to expose students to a sampling of topics in philosophy including ethics and popular thought experiments. Lessons will include a brief introduction of the material followed by a classroom discussion, allowing students to formulate arguments and assess those of their classmates. If you have any questions email me at zachary.fishman@yale.edu.

We will look at the psychological implications of the Holocaust. How was it possible for this atrocity to occur? Why did so many people around the world in the late 1930s, early 1940s stand idly by while millions of people perished? What can we learn about human nature, about social interactions, about group thinking? How do people develop prejudices and stereotypes, and when/why do they act on them?
We will look at various experiments that were conducted in response to the Holocaust, and various theories that were developed. I would like this class to have a discussion component too, so it's not just me lecturing.


Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of the history of World War 2 and the Holocaust; interest and enthusiasm!

There are many different ways to study psychology, but one of the most clinically useful is to look at the brain when it is not functioning properly. We will focus our time on a brief overview of the different categories of psychological disorders and then zero in on the causes, symptoms, treatments for, and research concerning schizophrenia, one of the more mysterious and scary disorders.

For various reasons, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are also known as Mormons, has recently received much public attention. This class will focus on the Book of Mormon, one of the key religious texts of this religion. The historical context leading to its publication will be summarized, and the book's contents will be explained briefly through artistic works of the events it describes and related key quotations. A question-and-answer session will follow. This class is open to students of all religious beliefs and backgrounds, including those who have none. It will be assumed that participants have no prior knowledge of this religion. It is our hope that those who take this class will leave edified and informed about the religious diversity of our nation.

But where are the ladies?! Fin-de-siècle France was seized by a new and dynamic decorative style called Art Nouveau, typified by sensuous curves and organic imagery. Images of women were featured heavily in this style from advertisement posters to chairs but the main artists and leaders were all men. This class will explore the role of women as subjects, patrons, and creators of Art Nouveau.

A brief overview of different conceptions of humanity's relationship to Reality. Questions include "What are legitimate ways of acquiring knowledge?" and "Is there absolute truth?" We will discuss the practical and philosophical implications of related research in Psychology.

A study of the treatment of various philosophical issues in the cartoon "Adventure Time."

Want to learn about how to be persuasive in everyday life? To craft a strong argument? To speak in front of crowds?

This class will aim to address these issues and more by providing quick tips to improve your communication skills and analyzing great speeches in history.

Under what circumstances do governments crumble? Is anarchy necessarily chaotic? When is it moral to pursue institutional demise? This class will be a two hour seminar exploration of the themes of anarchy and revolt, with emphasis on application in students' everyday lives.

Interested in poetry? Do you want to read your poems in front of an audience? In this class we will explore spoken word poetry in terms of both how it is written and how it sounds. Come prepared to speak in front of the class!

The word 'existential' is tossed around rather liberally in our culture, but do we know what it means? What did it originally mean to "have an existential crisis?" Contrary to popular belief, existentialism is a very specific and (I would argue) useful way of thinking about ourselves. In this course, we will examine some of the main claims of existentialist philosophy and the way in which these claims might inform our lives.

Do you want to know what is? You don't know it? You want to know it? And many more questions. This class explores the foundations of what you think it is. Your mind will always be different, even after this class.


Prerequisites
A basic understanding

What is learning? How do we learn? Can we truly learn knowledge? Why does it all matter?

Come for an hour of mind-stimulating discussion and lesson on meta-learning, or “learning about learning”! Pick up new perspectives on what it means to acquire, internalize, or teach information and knowledge.

The Spartans earned their reputation as the world's fiercest warriors; from birth, their entire upbringing was geared towards forging soldiers out of men. This lecture will take students through the life and death of a Spartan male, while giving due attention to their mastery of phalanx warfare.


Prerequisites
None!

"Confucius says" jokes abound, but how much do you really know about the philosophy of Confucius, Laozi (Lao Tzu), Mencius, or other Chinese philosophers like Zhuangzi and Mozi? If you're interested in learning more about ancient Chinese philosophers (and how modern psychological insights have confirmed their wisdom about human behavior), come join me for a discussion of their thoughts about life (and their continued relevance in our lives today).

Have you ever seen a movie with King Arthur? Have you ever wondered about the origins of these stories? This class will acquaint you with the transformation of King Arthur legends, from the books of the Middle Ages and onto the silver screen.

Learn the fundamentals of Argumentation & Persuasion. We'll discuss syllogistic reasoning, common logical fallacies, and tactics to persuasive rhetoric

What does it mean to be free? And how should governments help us be free? We'll tackle these questions with help from Plato, Hegel, Isaiah Berlin and company.

An introduction to the basic themes and propositions of Plato's Republic. The Republic is one of Plato's most controversial and well-known works, and contains ideas such as the allegory of the cave, the discussion of ideal government, and an intricate scheme for social organization. No prior knowledge needed!

If ye be wantin' to learn what it was really like to sail the high seas under the black flag, and to hear the true and grisly tales of the Caribbean's most fearsome pirates, come aboard! We'll also be playin' a game to see how ye'd do as a pirate captain, and win real (candy) treasure!

An overview of the evolution of Chinese characters with specific examples of how they transformed from images to intriguing logograms. Students can design their own "Chinese characters" based on what they learn in class. No prior knowledge of Chinese required.

Did you know there is an exorcist in New Haven? In fact, in almost every city in America? Want to know why? Interested in the ‘weird’ parts of history? Or just want to know if the stuff in movies like The Exorcist really happened?

In this class we will consider what demonic possession meant to those who experienced it, to those who witnessed it and to those exorcists who fought against it. We will look at cases throughout history right up to the present day and consider how the meaning of ‘possession’ may have changed throughout the centuries. We will also talk about exorcism and possession in the movies and on television, both in terms of historical accuracy and cultural value.

What makes America the most violent developed country in the world? What role is played by the ease of access to guns? Why have certain gun policy proposals gained the support of over 90% of Americans, but failed to pass in Congress?

This is a crash course that will touch on topics in public health, history, sociology, media studies, and political science -- and the opportunities and challenges that come with getting involved in a single-issue political campaign.

Do you know your constitutional rights as high school students? In 1969, Justice Abe Fortas famously wrote: “It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” In this seminar, we'll explore the evolution of those student rights over the past century.


Prerequisites
Recommended (but not required): basic knowledge of the United States Supreme Court System

Do you love eating? Well we sure do!

In this class, we will take you through a delicious meal! Yes, there is EATING in this class.

Learn about the role of food in literature, in culture and its greater significance throughout the world.

Learn about where your food comes from, making the right choices in eating, how to write and fully experience the joy that is food.

This class looks at some of the incredible and entertaining histories of words in English, as well as some of the ways in which words and meanings change over time. No prior experience with languages or etymology required. Hope to see you there!


Prerequisites
Fluent speaker of English.

Some of the greatest writers in history were:

-wife-beaters
-adulterers
-anti-Semites
-racists
-sexists
-murderers
-fascists
-wife-beating adulterous anti-Semitic racist sexist murdering fascists

How do we reconcile loathsome politics or a questionable personal life with the beauty and genius of a writer's work? Is it okay to enjoy a book whose author makes your skin crawl?

Beside the historical greats, what about the case of an author who is still living? (See: Orson Scott Card and the upcoming Ender's Game movie adaptation.) Should you boycott their works because you're giving money and fame to a bad individual, or should you mentally divorce art from the artist and take their books on merit alone?

For answers or non-answers to all these questions, (and an impassioned defense of "they" as a non-gendered 3rd-person pronoun), come to this class.

Are you interested in mystery stories? Detective novels? The BBC show Sherlock? If the answer to any of these questions is 'yes', then this is the class for you! We will explore the history of mystery stories, their characteristics, and how they have evolved into the fascinating genre they are today.

A brief introduction to chinese philosophy, including Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism.

What would you be willing to give up - for that Klondike bar? When is it better to be in debt than to have someone owe you money? How much is a dream worth?
What do we need, and what do we want?
We'll try to answer each of these questions as we learn about the basics of trade, mercantilism, and capitalism across the ages. Then, we'll judge what a college education is worth, and what we consider "worth" to be.
We may read a short background text and look at some pictures, but the class will be mostly interactive discussion with a few hands-on activities and games.
Join in - as you will learn, it will be worth your 3000 seconds.


Prerequisites
None. An interest in Economics and/or Philosophy would be helpful.

We will explore the many intersections of popular music and culture, and understand how various music projects can be understood as political texts and reflect social structures. Artists ranging from Talking Heads, to The Wu Tang Clan, to Kanye West will be analyzed and situated in certain political contexts. Kanye West's Yeezus project will be specifically emphasized.


Prerequisites
An open mind

Learn about the basic elements of a trial and the ways in which important principles in psychology affect how attorneys pick juries and argue their cases, and how witnesses testify on the stand


Prerequisites
None

Hear the inspiring stories of major leaders of civil resistance movements throughout history and the world. You'll learn how to effect change in your lifetime as they did in theirs.

There’s more to Godzilla than rubber suits and bad dubbing. In this class, we will explore giant monsters as both social metaphors and pop-culture icons. We will trace their evolution through eight decades of film, and learn why their grip on the public imagination is so strong. Whether you're a movie buff or a monster fan, this class is for you!

Students will engage in a discussion about the cultural differences between the United States and South American countries, with an emphasis on Colombia. These comparisons will provide an outline for students to create an identification of themselves and their culture using interactive tools. Music, food, sports, religion, and education will be explored.


Prerequisites
None

A brief look at some of the major themes and ideas in architecture, taught through the buildings of Yale's campus and some model building.

This class will discuss the shifting boundaries between poetry, visual art, and music -- how did the modernist turn to examining the mechanics of language lead to a dissolution of distinctions between these art forms? How do poetry, art, and music affect us differently -- what are their different methods and mechanisms? People with an interest in thinking about poetry, language, and ideas should take this course -- we'll be reading some poems, doing some close reading, and talking about the fascinating shifts in the uses of language at the turn of the century.

Let's talk about divinity! What do various traditions -- literary and religious -- have to tell us about transcendence and our (human) relationship to it? How do we think about the physical world -- is there anything else? Why do we keep asking these questions?

Why are ancient Egyptians always looking sideways? Were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon real? How did ancient civilizations see themselves--and other people? Come learn the meaning behind the paintings and sculptures that some of the world's first cultures created and take a fascinating peek at their lives.


Prerequisites
None

How big is infinity? What is beyond infinity? How can you work with infinity?

We’ll be discussing different levels of infinitude, creating elegant proofs, and solving riddles with infinity to note some of the most interesting properties of infinitude.


Prerequisites
Basic Algebra

A continuation course that should be taken after To Infinity and Beyond, whether taking both in the spring or after having taken it in the fall. For those that are very interested in infinity and fractals.
We will show how concepts from the Infinity and Beyond course transfer to fractals, the psychedelic images that are created by taking simple processes and repeating them infinitely many times. Applications of fractals will also be discussed.


Prerequisites
Taking or having taken To Infinity and Beyond! Class in Splash

Learn the basics of Functional Programming. Master the Fundamentals of Recursion.

Interested in games? This course is designed to teach some important math/logic games to students including Nim, among other games. Some analysis will be technical, but after learning this course, teach your friends the games you learn so you can beat them every time!


Prerequisites
Students need to be fun.

The remarkable and eccentric 20th century mathematician Paul Erdos (look him up on Wikipedia!) used to speak of "The Book," an "imaginary book in which God had written down the best and most elegant proofs of mathematical theorems" (Wikipedia). In this course, we'll look at some results and proofs that many mathematicians consider particularly "elegant," and we'll talk about a bit about what it means to be elegant.

If you have questions, feel free to email me at louis.gaudet@yale.edu. Hopefully I'll see you in class!


Prerequisites
Anyone should feel free to come, but one should have a basic working knowledge of arithmetic and some algebra (order of operations, solving equations with variables, etc.). Background in proofs is great, but not necessary. I'll try my best to present material in such a way that students of various backgrounds can still get something out of the course.

The calculator is a computer. Learn to unlock the full potential of this little plastic brick. From Hello World to quadratic solvers, from text rpgs to graph screen animations. (Calculators will be provided, but you may bring your own graphing calculator if you wish.)

Fractals…you know what they look like, but do you have any idea what they really are?

Come join us to find out how a coastline could be of infinite length, a shape can be log(3) dimensional, and infinite cats can turn into…well, I won’t spoil it for you, but I promise it’s awesome.


Prerequisites
Algebra and Geometry. Pre-Calculus might be helpful but is not required.

Get a calculator and find $$11111^2$$. Isn't that cool? We'll look at several of these math tricks, including some that will help your mental math skills.


Prerequisites
Pre-algebra, including exponents, repeating decimals, and factoring numbers.

This course will provide a brief overview of the processes that make life possible from the building blocks provided by the universe. We will explore the laws that hold biological molecules together, how DNA is made, how HIV infects the body, what cancer is on the molecular level, and what cutting edge technologies might just shape the future biochemistry. Videos and interactive activities will be integrated.


Prerequisites
Good working knowledge of basic biology is recommended.

In the 21st century, new technology will permit us to treat every occurrence of cancer as a novel case. We can genotype tumors, determine the genetic basis for diseases with incredible precision, and offer specific treatments tailored to single mutations. In this course, we will explore some of the technologies and techniques that garner hope for a highly personalized future of medicine.


Prerequisites
Good knowledge of biology highly recommended.

What IS quantum mechanics? Why is it even important? A basic introduction to this mysterious yet beautiful branch of science. The course only assumes the basics (what is an atom, F = ma, what is an electron, etc.) and doesn't require any math skills!

Things fall apart. Entropy always increases. But at every scale we also see new structures and new orders emerging, growing, and growing all the more refined: the universe transformed itself from a single superheated ball into a web of intergalactic filaments and walls; the lava-bathed primordial earth, into paradise. Why this tendency, where will it lead, and how will it end?


Prerequisites
No pre-requisites, though familiarity with evolution and thermodynamics might be helpful.

This course will introduce the wonderful world of physics from a perspective quite different from that of an ordinary textbook. We will look at a number of things ranging from heat to gravity in an as enjoyable manner as possible. The majority of the topics we will cover are part of a regular high school physics education and no previous experience is required. Even if you have already studied physics you will get new and interesting perspectives on the things you already know. This is the course for anybody who wishes to understand more about the world around you at a fundamental level.


Prerequisites
Basic Algebra

Want to learn about Anxiety Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Schizophrenia? This course will introduce you to the symptoms of these disorders. We will touch briefly on the neural mechanisms involved in the disorders. You will also be introduced to current treatments as well as how researchers develop more effective treatments.

Everyone knows nanotechnology is really small technology. But how small is nano? How long is a nanometer? What do things even look like when they’re that small? This class will give a basic preview of the current and potential applications and properties of nanotechnology.


Prerequisites
High school chemistry course.

In this class, we will discuss the mysterious world of black holes. Starting with basic physics, we will derive the Schwarzschild radius and discuss the different types of black holes. At the end of the class, we will talk about the importance of black holes in formation of structure (like galaxies) from the early universe to today.


Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of physics and algebra.

Why is the universe expanding? What is cosmological inflation? Where is Dark Matter located? Come to learn all about the history of the universe and some of the still open questions!


Prerequisites
For the mathy portions of the class, basic algebra would be very useful. Knowledge of calculus might be useful, but is not at all required.

Why has the brain fascinated us for centuries and what distinguishes it from all the other body parts? How does our perception of reality vary from person to person? This class will look at dualism and theories of the brain over the centuries, Turing machines, and how fMRI is used to map the brain.

Every day scientists are discovering more and more about our most powerful muscle: the brain!

Throughout this course, various significant course studies in the field of neuroscience will be discussed, with the occasional optical illusions.

Be prepared to boggle your brain.


Prerequisites
None!

All of the complex and intricately connected components of a cell - like lipids providing compartments, proteins carrying out cellular operations, and DNA storing genetic information - arise through simple chemistry. In this course, we'll go back billions of years to see how the earliest versions of life-like things could have emerged from nothing but the available chemicals and environments of a young Earth. We'll survey basic biochemical molecules and consider how they might have been made and used by the first cell, the ancestor to all living things.


Prerequisites
Some basic cellular biology and chemistry is preferred, but not essential.

This class will seek to cover the state of modern understanding of the primary signal transduction pathways that promote cancer growth in humans. Notably, pathways implicated in lung and breast cancer will be of heavy emphasis, as they are examples of some of the best characterized mitogenic signaling pathways to date. While this class will give an introduction to the cellular biology of signal transduction through discussion of kinases, phosphatases, and reversible phosphorylation as a means of signaling, we will spend some time talking through rational drug design, targeted therapies, and resistance to small molecule intervention. Lastly, we will briefly discuss my own research on drug development in the contexts of lung cancer and leukemia and discover, together, whether or not the concepts from one histological disease can be applied for the treatment of another. This class is intended to be engaging and will ask participants to come with open minds!


Prerequisites
Prior understanding of basic biology

Have you ever wondered how optical illusions work? If so, sign up! In this class, we'll go over the underlying neuroscience that explains several illusions.

Learn how to make oxygen and hydrogen with a simple home laboratory setup, split water, build a fire extinguisher model, and if time permits, make carbon dioxide from marble.

Sound boring? This class will be anything but.

Prepare yourself. You are about to undertake a guided tour of the anatomy and physiology of the cell. You will learn the ins and the outs of phagocytosis, down to the most intricate mechanisms. You will even be introduced to one of the greatest ongoing conundrums in cell biology. DUN DUN DUN!

But wait! You might be wondering what the big deal is. What exactly IS cell biology?

This class aims to not only show you the intricate mechanism behind phagocytosis but introduce you to cell biology in a general sense.

We hope to help you decide if cell biology is for you.


Prerequisites
AP biology would be helpful, but not necessary.

What is a psychological disorder? What are the different types of disorders? How do psychologists determine which disorder people have? This course will introduce students to the assessment of mental illness and symptoms of different illnesses (such as depression and schizophrenia).

Your high school offers chemistry, physics, and biology... where does cognitive science fit into the picture? (answer: EVERYWHERE!) Come learn about this emerging interdisciplinary approach to understanding the human mind!

What can satellite photos tell us about the things we photograph? How strong are these supercameras, actually? This class will show how we can use the power of satellites to discover all sorts of amazing things about faraway planets, stars, galaxies and more just by looking at clues from the photos they send us.

Ever wonder what it’s like to live with monkeys and apes? Join us, Shayna and Tim, as we share our experiences living with primates and studying their behavior! We’ll take you through our incredible journeys living in Africa and getting to know wild primates up close, and we’ll discuss what kinds of interesting scientific questions we can answer by studying them.

We will discuss many of the important experimental techniques used today to study the cell, macromolecules such as DNA and protein, and disease at the molecular level. Hands on experiments will be preformed.


Prerequisites
Basic understanding of molecular biology is a plus

For decades, RNA was thought to be nothing more than a messenger between the genetic information stored in DNA and the proteins that carry out cellular functions. Recently, however, RNA has been revealed to have many new and exciting functions. In this class, we will discuss what RNA is and what some of these new roles are.

Learn about basic concepts in science using some of your favorite foods.

What is anthropology, and what do anthropologists do? Come find out in this participatory class led by first-year graduate students.

Have you ever wondered why and how your dreams occur? Why is sleep necessary? What do your dreams mean? How long should a nap be? Why does sleep walking occur? Well, all of these questions and more will be answered in this course on dreams and sleep! We will look directly at what happens in the brain while you sleep and some of the most famous psychological theories on dreams! You won't be sleeping through this course because you will be way too enthralled with the science behind what happens on your pillow at night. Afterwards, you can rush home and take that desired nap from a whole new perspective on what sleep really means!

From the Plague of Justinian to HIV/AIDS, microscopic organisms, or "microbes," have made an indelible mark on human history. In this class, we'll explore the world's deadliest diseases, how they came to terrorize towns, cities, nations, and even continents, and how civilization eventually came to prevail over their deadly force - or didn't.


Prerequisites
Basic biology

Have you ever wondered why food tastes and looks the way it does? Then this is the class for you! Come learn about the science behind culinary enigmas like meat glue, candy, hollandaise sauce, miracle fruit, and kimchi. Find out about the exciting field of molecular gastronomy. And do it all... FOR SCIENCE!!


Prerequisites
Pure heart, hungry stomach

With advances in biology and psychology, we've begun to have a more complete understanding the molecular processes which encode memories. We'll launch into a discussion that will take us from a psychological understanding of memory, then dive into the cell and molecular process that make memory possible. We'll even talk about diseases like Alzheimer's disease, and understand it can cause memory loss.

A "memorable" experience!


Prerequisites
Some basic biology or psychology knowledge would be helpful

We will be exploring the science behind making ice cream and learning about the different ways it is made before trying out some experiments of our own. Due to time constraints we will be using liquid nitrogen to freeze the ice cream. Come hungry!

Bigfoot. Yeti. The Loch Ness Monster. For centuries, scientists and crackpots alike have sought ought mysterious creatures. From hoaxes to discoveries, this class will trace the history of cryptozoology. It will analyze the field's triumphs, as well as its shortcomings, and explore the valid methods behind the "madness" of bigfoot-hunting.

We rely on memory for a lot more than just reliving good times from the past! By conducting a series of in-class experiments, learn how memory plays an important role in everything we do and find ways to improve your memory in real-life situations.


Prerequisites
A background in psychology is useful but not necessary!

This course will introduce the topic of natural products chemistry, starting with the organisms that produce them to how they are isolated and can be used in a variety of fields. Specifically, we'll talk about medically relevant natural products with case studies about how these compounds can be used to fight diseases like AIDS and cancer.

This class will get at a basic problem: are we different from animals? If so, how?
The class will discuss the work of various experts, from philosophy to anthropology, with a particular focus on the work of Jane Goodall.
It will all be a discussion/debate, with the regular introduction of sources (film, article, experiments) that will keep the debate going on.

Do you sometimes daydream about being a medieval knight? Have you ever wanted to make a mail shirt or just some unique jewlery? Don't even know what chainmail is? Well, come to this class and learn! Supplies will be provided, just bring your creativity!


Prerequisites
n/a

A look at why leadership matters and how we can be leaders in our everyday lives.

In this class students will be introduced to the growing sensation and wondrous labor of love that is genealogy and family history. Accessible internet tools for beginning basic genealogical research will be presented and discussed. Interesting case studies will show how simple detective skills permit everyone and anyone to mine the current mountain of public documents to uncover the mysteries of who we are, where we came from and why we are here.


Prerequisites
A desire for goodness

Did you know that by controlling your breathing you can train yourself to be more relaxed, more energetic, more focused, more creative or more detail oriented? Would you like to cruise confidently into the SAT or College Interviews knowing that you can balance your heart and mind to face any challenge? Would you like to be able to tap into your intuition to make those big college decisions? Would you like to be able to say cool even when your friends or family members are being really annoying? Come learn Meditation techniques that you can use to get yourself in the mood for any challenge, even when you aren't in that mood to begin with. Come learn to Meditate with your eyes open anytime, anywhere.

What are dreams? What causes them? Why are they important, and what do they say about the way that our minds work? These are questions that have been explored for millennia by a variety of disciplines. In this class, we'll talk about the nature of dreams from biochemical, philosophical, and psychological standpoints.The class will be mostly discussion based, with some in class readings to inform our conversation.

A fun, interactive introduction to the methods behind the art of cup stacking. Never heard of cup stacking before? Check out this video -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sa9cXHGZHc -- for a preview of what we'll be practicing in class. All levels of expertise are welcome, but this class will be geared towards those with minimal experience.

... do you like people, but hate crowds?
... find that you like spending a lot of time by yourself?
.... often set your cell phone to silent?
... don't enjoy chatting with friends online that much?

If any of these sound like you, you're probably an introvert or have introverted tendencies. It does not mean that you're awkward, anti-social, or hate people. It just means that you're wired a little differently.

And guess what, I am an introvert, too.

In this class we'll discuss the strategies we use to maximize our talents, and we'll talk about the ways that introversion can be beneficial in the real world, such as being a good doctor or scientist or even working in people-intensive roles like sales. And hopefully you will come away from this discussion with a heartier sense of yourself and your needs.

I can't predict much about your future, but I predict you will at some point sit for an interview. That's the bad news.

The good news is that interviewing well is a skill you can learn, and one of the best ways to learn is by practicing in front of your peers and receiving feedback on your performance.

This session is targeted towards students who will be facing college and internship interviews in the coming months.

Jim Rohn said that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Who are your five? Who would you like to get to know better? Who would you like to add? In this one-hour interactive workshop, Davis will teach you how to grow the relationships you already have as well as connect with people you haven't met. You will learn a technique for overcoming shyness about approaching new people, 2 questions that will turn any small conversation into a deep one and discover the other person's passions, and 3 ways you can add value to anyone's lives even if they seem to have everything. You will have plenty of chances to practice. You will leave the workshop with a better understanding being able to have conversations and connect with people on a deeper level.

Did you know that the first windshield wiper was invented by Mary Anderson? Did you know that Rosalind Franklin discovered the shape of DNA? In this class, we will discuss important women in the history of math, science, and technology. We'll talk about why they were so awesome and how life for a woman in science has changed over the years.

Ever see something in the news or every day life that you thought was unfair, but didn't know what to do about it? Have you pretended to interview yourself with a hairbrush as a microphone? This class will cover the basics of how to find an issue you are passionate about, brainstorm ways you could improve a problem in it, and create change through media (like writing a blog post, talking to organizations, creating a petition, or conducting an interview!).

From illegal drug testing, to secret chemical weapons development, to psychological torture, scientific research has long been marred by unethical practices. Join us as we reveal the secrets of unethical medical experimentation across the globe. We present the details of numerous undercover government operations, including the South African Aversion Project and the Willowbrook hepatitis studies.

Note: Contains some mildly graphic content.

Who are the women who have changed the way we live, the way we eat, the way we think of and use technology?

In this class we will look at the lives of some of these women, and we will discuss their life philosophies, their choices; we will get to know more about the whats and whys, about their motivations, and about the challenges they had to face.

The biographies of Coco Chanel, Julia Child, Betty Friedan, and Ada Lovelace will serve as starting points for our discussions.

Ever wanted to be a leader in your community? Want to understand how campaigns and elections work?
Campaign veterans Sergio & Fish will take you through the basics of political campaigns, with a focus on the recent New Haven mayoral election, and present strategies for becoming an active leader in your community and getting involved with politics.


Prerequisites
No previous knowledge of political campaigns or local politics assumed.

Ever feel stressed out? Learn to use your mind to control itself and manage your stress. This class will teach you several simple and easy mindfulness-based techniques for stress reduction.

Whether you want to be a surgeon, a lawyer, or President of the United States, impromptu speaking is one of the most important skills that you will require. I debated calling this class: How to Win at Life, but I felt that was an understatement. This class is based on student -participation. Through a series of interactive activities, students will get an opportunity to speak, listen to others speak, and learn the skills of the trade. WARNING: You may inadvertently become awesome.

Are you an outdoors enthusiast? For hikers and mountain bikers, campers and kayakers, skiers and snowboarders, or anyone who likes to spend the occasional weekend outdoors, learn how to have a good time while minimizing your impact on the natural environment. This class focuses on the seven principles of Leave No Trace.

How do we define emotions and what purpose do our emotions serve? This class will explore the basic emotions, the studies that have been done on emotions and how they affect our lives.

This class is an introduction to LGBTQ presence in modern pop culture. We will look at the gender identity and expression of various celebrities, as well as the popular perception of queer culture. Along the way, we will discuss historical and theoretical context for LGBTQ issues.

Does online entrepreneurship sound fun and exciting to you? Come to this class to learn about drop shipping and how an online business can be built around this model.

Yoga is a great way to relieve stress and get a workout in! This class will be fun and engaging, but not too challenging for the beginners. Open level

Go (also known as weiqi or baduk) is an ancient far eastern board game somewhat like chess but much more fun. In this course, we will go over the (very few) rules and play a few games. Go is easy to learn but very difficult to master.

This course provides detailed information on financial aid, scholarship programs, and educational summer programs. Based on my personal experience as a low-income student, I will give advice on navigating the world of financial aid and scholarships. The non-profit organization, QuestBridge, which connects the nation's outstanding, under-served youth with leading institutions, will be discussed in great detail. So if you're interested in learning more about how to apply for financial aid and scholarships during the college application process, this class is for you.

When is the last time you laughed? What made you laugh? How did you feel when you laughed? Laughter is a unique vehicle to express more emotions than just happiness. This class decodes laughter, exploring the different social functions of it, the different types of laughing. Get ready to laugh, a lot, and learn a little something about human emotions!

Come learn a little bit of everything about economics! What is economics, anyway? What do economists do? How do markets work? Why does Canada export maple syrup and not bananas? Why do you buy what you buy and companies sell what they sell?

We’ll answer these questions and more as we go over basic microeconomics (the small-scale stuff, like a single market for a product) and some topics in macroeconomics (bigger-scale thinking, like between countries).


Prerequisites
Familiarity with graph-reading and fractions is helpful but not necessary.

Students will learn how to make good impressions on others through the way they dress and behave themselves. Proper eating etiquette will be included.

Ever wonder why we hate schoolwork, yet read books on our own? Why your parents sometimes dread going to work, but spend time on the weekends drilling away at hobbies? This course will explore the DRIVE behind our actions in our life, based on a popular social science book and TED Talk by Daniel Pink. Drive gives us a guide to function better at school and work, as well as a new ethic for living.


Prerequisites
No Pre-reqs except enthusiasm and a willingness to challenge traditional beliefs.

Ever wondered as to how so many Americans are Irish/part Irish/claim to be Irish? There are 5 million people in Ireland yet 40 million American citizens claim Irish heritage. So what is it about this little Emerald Isle that we all want to be apart of? In this class we'll try to sum up the best (and the worst) of all Irish clichés, learn a few Gaelic words and even trace our own ancestors back to Irish soil!

"Someone left the cake out in the rain/
I don't think that I can take it/
'Cause it took so long to bake it/
And I'll never have that recipe again/
Oh no!"

The above lyric comes from Richard Harris' smash hit "MacArthur Park," dubbed the "Worst Song Ever" in a 1997 survey by Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry.

Through methods of critical and poetic analysis usually reserved for the likes of Shakespeare, Wordsworth, and Eliot, we will assess the literary merits of the most maligned song lyrics in popular music history. Can such scrutiny redeem a banal cliché? What defines a "bad" verse? Is there a limit to scholarly evaluation?

Sources will include masterworks such as the Black Eyed Peas' "Imma Be," Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire," and LFO's "Summer Girls," along with a sampling of missteps from supposed lyrical geniuses like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Bruce Springsteen.


Prerequisites
A sense of humor and a charitable attitude

Should alcoholics be allowed on liver transplant lists? Is it morally reprehensible to commission a "designer baby"? When should we pull the plug, and how much is too much medical care at the end of life? In this seminar, we'll discuss modern bioethical issues like these in an attempt to reach fair and morally-maximized conclusions. Come with an open mind!

Arabic and Hebrew are two different languages, spoken by two different communities. But are they really that different? Many words sound oddly similar in Arabic and Hebrew. Come learn similar words in both languages and to understand where these similarities come from, and why there are not more. We'll explore the implications behind the overlaps between Arabic and Hebrew.

We're Holmes, you're Watson, and instead of neglecting you like Holmes normally does, we're gonna teach you about deduction and psychoanalysis.

For the purposes of this class, we’re defining ‘psychoanalysis’ as deriving information about a person using psychological principles and observational deduction; Because no one likes Sigmund Freud anyway. In other words, this class is about Holmesian Deduction.

Want to learn how to deduce a person’s personality, interests, and background from just a few seconds of interaction with them, like the pros do? We deduced that you do, ‘cause if you weren’t cool enough to be doing so, you wouldn’t be at Splash.

Come to this class to learn psychoanalysis and deduction from various angles, including appearance, possessions, and less personal methods, like Facebook profiles.

Psychoanalyze your friends, psychoanalyze your family, psychoanalyze your enemies, psychoanalyze random strangers, psychoanalyze other Splashers, and even try to psychoanalyze us!

Good chocolate will be provided for students who volunteer to be psychoanalyzed, or volunteer to psychoanalyze.


Prerequisites
Willingness to participate. Being able to think outside the box, reason from multiple angles and familiarity with a wide variety of media.

Do you want to know how to write in secret? Do you want to work for the CIA? Do you want to explore how famous figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson communicated without revealing their secrets? Codes and ciphers have been around for thousands of years, throughout nearly every language and culture. These vital tools of secrecy helped America win independence from Britain and the Allies win WWII. American spies used ciphers during the Cold War; criminals like the Zodiac used them to taunt the police and newspapers. In fact, one 19th century man named Thomas J. Beale wrote a cipher that gives coordinates to a $63 million treasure he buried in Virginia (to this day, no one has been able to solve the cipher and find the treasure!). These are just a few examples of how codes and ciphers have affected the course of human history. We will learn the basics of how to write and decode secret messages, starting with simple methods such as the Greek Square cipher, the Caesar shift cipher, and the PigPen cipher. By the end of the class, you'll be able to encode your writing and keep your secrets safe, just like the most well-trained spies!

Ever wonder why neutral Switzerland is one of the happiest countries? Or why Iceland, despite it's dark days, manages to be happier than tropical countries in the South? This course will explore different criteria for measuring and understanding happiness based on happiness models around the world. We will end the class by understanding how to achieve and maintain happiness for fuller, richer lives.

Basic/intermediate Spanish class


Prerequisites
None

What is happiness? And how do we achieve it? From philosophy, to psychology, to neuroscience, together we will explore what Cognitive Science can teach us about happiness!

We live in an age where people flirt through texting, contemplate being Facebook official, and worry about whether him liking her Instagram selfie means he's cheating on you. With this new and open dating culture among the current generation, are the fundamentals of love are being overlooked and forgotten? This is a class that teaches you that in the complex and changing world of love, you can never forget about the basics. We'll also discuss some of the pitfalls of love that we often fall into, and how to avoid them in future. Finally, we will address some of love's hottest questions, such as "How do I know I'm in love?", "How serious will my high school relationship ever get?", and "Does long distance ever work?" It will be the most fun and hopefully the most revealing class that you'll ever take, so don't miss out.

This course will explore the processes of making mochi (a Japanese rice cake) and bubble tea and allow students to make these on their own.

Understanding how money is created and manipulated is key to understanding modern society.
How did the recession happen? Why are there so many financial scandals? What does it mean for Detroit or the US government to go bankrupt? What does the stock market do? Why do bankers make so much money? How do they help society?


Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with the concepts of stocks and bank interest rates.