Do you enjoy putting oil onto canvas, saturating brush tips with mixed pigments, and creating meaning from strokes and colors? Then this class is for you! Come paint and make new friends!


Prerequisites
This class is meant for intermediate oil painters and may be slightly fast-paced for beginners, but I welcome advanced painters and also beginners who have no difficulty drawing outlines and copying images. You must bring an at least half a page large colored image to copy, the less cluttered and simple the better (for example, one flower is better than a garden).

We'll do a short warm-up routine, but spend the majority of the class learning a lyrical routine. While I (the instructor) am always there to help with technique, the emphasis of the class is on ENJOYING dance. Thus, although the choreography will be at an intermediate level, anyone and everyone who likes to dance (even just alone in their room while no one is watching) is encouraged to join!

Learn how to tell stories (of ancient Indian gods or modern-day superheroes) through Kathak - North Indian Classical Dance!

Dynamic Footwork, Complex Rhythms, Mathematics, Music, Dramatic Storytelling, Tradition and Improvisation

Have you ever seen "Stomp the Yard?" Have you ever wanted to dance with a crew? Take this class, and [this could be you.] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZks6yXxf-8).

Step dance is an African American tradition with African roots.

Come on out and learn a few of our favorite steps!


Prerequisites
Swag. (But no previous step experience required!)

This class will teach students about music of the african diaspora and African American tradition, which includes r&b, soul, jazz, gospel, and the spiritual along with hip-hop, rap, and pop. We'll talk about the evolution of black music in Africa as well as America, hear a few songs and learn a few too! No previous singing or music-related experience necessary.

A fun and interactive introduction to some of Africa's most popular music genres since the wave of independence in the 1960s--including Coupe Decale, highlife, hiplife, rap, a capella, jazz, R&B, and various traditional forms.


Prerequisites
Excitement!

Evolution in cathedral design - from Romanesque to Late Gothic - as relates to the history of architecture and society.


Prerequisites
N/A

A great workshop for developing basic improvisational skills in performance. A fun way to make jokes, build confidence, and have a blast!

Reading and talking about cool poetry in a relaxed environment. If you like the poems we read, we could talk about why a poem *works*. Class has been taught before but poems are new, maybe more mystical, fun, happy, sad? Who even knows...


Prerequisites
none

Back by popular demand, this course will give you the skill set for transforming a useless ball of string into warm, beautiful knitted fabric.

Once you have the foundations of knitting, you can make pretty much anything-- hats, scarves, iPhone socks, mittens and even stuffed robots are within your grasp.

If you have knitting needles, bring them; if not, there will be needles to borrow. Yarn will be provided!


Prerequisites
All skill levels (especially beginner) welcome!

Come learn the basics (or expand what you already know) about improvisational comedy! Through interactive games and exercises, you will learn how to make up fun characters and create entire scenes on the spot.

No experience necessary. Just bring your sense of humor.

Interested in hip hop? Rhythmic Blue will be teaching a piece from our most recent show. The session will be formatted as would a professional group class: a short warm up, teaching of choreography, and plenty of time for everyone to practice and perform!

See our performance at Harvard for a preview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HGrGjcEBR4

Upcycling is defined as using every aspect of waste as value. Come learn about the beauty of upcycling! We will be creating cool new crafts using old magazines and brown paper bags!

Paper is all around us, in the form of magazines, newspapers, books, and the homework you turn in for class. But paper itself can be used to create just about anything--cups, boxes, catapults, jewelry, flowers, pigs, rockets, paper roller coasters and the list goes on. In this class, we'll go over basic folding techniques and make a number of quick but intriguing origami pieces.


Prerequisites
None: This is an intro class. Optional: Enthusiasm for making things!

A basic introduction to the art of knitting: casting on, garter stitch, purling, decreasing and increasing, casting off. By the end of the class students should know how to make a simple scarf, hat, bag, blanket, and other easy items. Students should also be able to read a basic knitting pattern. A class for all ages. Not difficult. First half will involve a demonstration, second half will be designated as free work time with the opportunity to ask questions and sort out individual difficulties.

Do you like reading poems? Ever wanted to write one? Have no idea how to write poetry? With fun exercises, this class will help you drive out your inner poet.


Prerequisites
Interest in writing and an open mind. Imagination preferred.

Do you love to sing? Ever wanted to sing with a group, but weren't sure how?

In this course, we will cover the basics of A cappella singing, from warm-ups to singing a pop song in three-part harmony.

Beginners and experienced singers welcome!

We'll play a couple games to get warmed up and then we'll have everyone read some sketches that we've prepared for you!


Prerequisites
None at all! Just be willing to have some fun and don't judge us too harshly for being ridiculous.

An introduction to music appreciation through listening: no knowledge of written music required!

In this class, you will learn to:

- recognize common chord progressions in your favorite pop songs
- understand phrase structure and song form
- differentiate between melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements of composition
- and more!


Prerequisites
A love for music! No previous instrumental experience or ability to read sheet music required.

Have you ever kept a journal? Written a letter to yourself?

In this class I will share my own experience with writing for myself and what that has meant to me. The class will be small and discussion-based, and we'll focus especially on the realization that what you have to say is worth seeing, even if you are the only one who sees it.

Ribbon dancing is a common type of modern East Asian dance. It is a fun, expressive, and elegant form of dance that is also a great work-out for your arms. Learn the basic steps of ribbon dancing!

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.

Learn the ordering, phonetics, and penmanship of the Russian Cyrillic alphabet.

Useful for future courses in the russian language or simply as cool trivia!

We'll explore some techniques for making piano arrangements of popular songs. Then we'll listen to a few songs and see how they can be played on the piano.


Prerequisites
Basic ability to read music will be helpful. You don't need formal piano training or perfect pitch.

Have you always thought of poetry as being boring and difficult? Well, it doesn't have to be that way! Using a magnetic poetry kit for inspiration, this class will revolutionize your perspective on poetry, while also introducing you to common poetic forms and giving you a chance to try your own hand at writing poetry.


Prerequisites
None

A Basic Introduction to conversational French and France in general. Going over the basic lines you would need to converse upon a trip in France, and some general background on France, including multimedia sources. First part mainly conversational games, second part an interactive lecture about France, with a Q&A at the end.

Over 5000 years ago, ancient Egyptians developed a complex language, comprised of hundreds of signs and symbols. In this class, you will learn how to approach Egyptian texts, and begin to translate these ancient writings. We will learn the order in which to read signs, how to pronounce the language, and how to translate basic sentences and formulas. After this class, not only will you be able to write your name in hieroglyphs, but you will know how to "talk" like an Egyptian!


Prerequisites
Familiarity with any foreign language is helpful, but not required.

A look into the origins of gangsters and mobsters, the Golden Age of organized crime, and their decline. We will also cover portrayals of organized crime in the media, from films like the Godfather and The Departed to TV series like The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire.

A history course about the life of the Greek king Alexander III of Macedon, known as Alexander the Great, arguably the greatest conqueror of all times. Learn about the life of the Macedonian emperor, the Macedonian kingdom in Greece, his education by Aristotle, his upbringing, his success in unifying Greece, his epic battles and victories against the Persians, his war strategies, his long trusted friendships, his love affairs, his tragic death, the empire he left behind to his fellow Greeks. Find out how he made the Greek province of Macedonia the center of the world at his time and how Greek culture and language were spread out all over the world through his legacy, which is still alive today.

Come learn about the images of some powerful women from the history of art. What makes their images powerful? Does their power still hold today?

Please do not sign up for this class if you find nudity offensive.

After the bitter election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency, numerous states in the American South began to set in motion a chain of secessionist movements that would culminate in the formation of the Confederate States of American in February 1861. Beginning in April and lasting for about four years, the US would be torn apart by civil war, yet despite the superiority the North had in manpower, weapons, and industry, their victory was far from inevitable. This course will look at the different strategies of each government during the war, and how important battles and political decisions shaped the final outcome.


Prerequisites
A reasonable knowledge of early US history would be nice, but not required.

From New Kids on the Block to One Direction, what has changed, what hasn't and why you can't not like boy bands

What can philosophy tell us about a television show like Family Guy? Or, conversely, what can a television show like Family Guy tell us about philosophy? Using examples from both philosophy and Family Guy, this lecture will challenge students to think not only about Peter's immoral shenanigans or Stewie's matricidal tendencies, but also about why philosophy is relevant to everyone.

North of the United States lies the second largest country in the world, which most Americans unfortunately know little about. This course, taught by a Canadian, will introduce students to our neighbor to the north. It will take a look at culture, geography, politics, sports, education, health care and more in Canada. So come and learn something, eh?


Prerequisites
none

When most people think of astrology, vague horoscopes in tabloids or online generally come to mind. But there is, indeed, an artistry to reading star charts, and it's often far more complex than our cultural dialogue chooses to acknowledge.

I am by no means a professional astrologer, but—if you know your time of birth—we can use online star chart generators to see the breadth of your chart. We will delve into how the myriad facets of the chart (Rising Sign, Sun, Moon, planets) can be used to better understand the person you are.

In addition to the practical undertaking of generating and evaluating star charts for ourselves, we'll assess how astrology has worked its way into the religious discourse of our times—and how we are deeply indebted to the stars for the narratives that pervade our cultural consciousness.


Prerequisites
An open mind: it is not my place nor my desire to prove anything to you. I am only here to present you with a new tool for apprehending the world. Please don't join the course to play devil's advocate for its duration (though we will discuss skepticism and incorporate it into our assessment of astrology).

Are you fascinated by the world's multiple and diverse scripts? In this compact but structured crash course, we will take a look at the world's various writing systems. We quickly cover scripts one by one, and each time we learn how it works, examine it, and practice writing it (you get to take home your works!), and discuss briefly how it came about and how it relates or derives from others. Main topics include European alphabets (Latin, extended/adapted Latin alphabets, Cyrillic, Greek, Caucasian alphabets), Arabic and Hebrew abjads, Indian and South Asian abugidas including Devanagari, Tamil, and Thai, Ethiopian, East Asian scripts (Chinese, Japanese, and the Korean alphabet), ancient/extinct scripts including Egyptian hieroglyphics, cuneiform, and Mayan glyphs. Will briefly visit undecipherable scripts and the fascinating idea of the invention of writing. If time permits, you'll apply your knowledge and skills in the creation of your own script!


Prerequisites
Knowledge of a foreign language

How could an event as horrible as the Holocaust have occurred? Were the Nazis evil or ordinary people obeying orders? This class will offer a look at the origins of racism, stereotyping, and discrimination, as well as psychological theories about obedience and diffusion of responsibility in groups. There are lessons to be learned from the horrible events of history, and we need to make sure atrocities and genocides like this do not happen again.


Prerequisites
general historic knowledge of WWII and the Holocaust

Are you fascinated by camels and falafels? We will cover the Arabic alphabet and some basic conversational phrases.

You may know them as Zeus and Hera or Jupiter and Juno, but come learn about the Roman version of mythological Gods and Goddesses of the ancient empire. We will review the major deities, each of their most entertaining stories, and how the Romans stole their Gods from the Greeks!

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.

Curious about what it's like to grow up in, immigrate to, or live in the Bay Area? Come hear a first hand account, look at photos, read poems by Angel Island immigrants, and listen to music that shows the truth behind the mythical "California." This class is focused mainly on San Francisco and Oakland, although Los Angeles will come up as well to show contrast within one of the country's biggest states.

Knowledge, methodology, logic

Ever thought about what the mind and soul really are? It’s fine if you don’t know the answer, and even better if you do! Come explore the philosophies of Parmenides, Plato, Aristotle, Anselm, Descartes, Hobbes, Berkeley and more through a modern, neuro-cognitive lens. Be excited to learn and analyze how some two thousand years of philosophy have evolved on these topics!

History of Portugal is a class dedicated to providing students an understanding of one of Europe’s least studied nations by analyzing its history, culture, and people and tries to show the importance and role of Portugal across the world. This class will be teach you all about Portugal, its geography, history, and culture, through a mixture of PowerPoint, videos, and class activities. Above all, students will also get to learn some Portuguese words and phrases and get access to music, dancing, singing, and hopefully food.


Prerequisites
This class isn’t very difficult but it does require student participation both to ask questions but primarily to get involved with the student activities.

Interested in learning Japanese? Ever wonder what in the world people are saying in your favorite Anime episodes? Come learn some basic Japanese phrases, and characters in only one hour. Japanese can be intimidating, but don't let that discourage you from learning an awesome language. Besides, you do want to understand what they are saying in Anime, right?

Happiness: it's relevant to everyone's lives, and it's a topic that everyone's interested in, but few can define it. What exactly is happiness? How can we achieve happiness? Should happiness even be our end goal in life? We'll look at these questions and more, drawing upon philosophers' age-old insights and the recent findings of neuroscientists and psychologists.

Come to learn how to look at art and explore the creation of different kinds of art works, such as

- Ceramics
- Manuscripts
- Paintings

Love to laugh? Love Tina Fey? Will Ferrell? Chevy Chase? Come see how these masters of comedy and other SNL stars put political satire at the forefront of American culture.


Prerequisites
A good sense of humor! An interest in any of the following: history, pop culture, comedy, politics.

For thousands of years, philosophers and scientists have endeavored to understand the nature of the fundamental building blocks of the universe. In this class, we’ll see how thinking about atoms has evolved from the ideas of ancient Greek and Roman thinkers to the modern-day understanding of elementary particles, and everything in between! Along the way we’ll learn a lot of cool history and science in its own right, think about the ways people have done and thought about science over the centuries (connecting to broader topics in the history of science), and about some awesome historical figures.

Borders are celebrations of human diversity but also fault lines of human conflict, where national sovereignty, ethnic allegiances, history, and geography converge to form a thin strip of land that bears the burden of separating the vast differences between different groups of people.
Today’s borders did not materialize out of nowhere. Every border has a story of formation, from old borders that we take for granted, such as that between France and Spain, to the newest of borders, such as the one drawn last year between Sudan and South Sudan.
There are also borders that do not appear on the world map. Internal conflicts, such as the independence movement in Aden in southern Yemen, or the movement in the putative southern Indian state of Telangana to break off from Andhra Pradesh, occur within national borders. Other internal conflicts involve international borders, such as the efforts of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan to join with Armenia, or the dream of the Kurds in the mountains of the Middle East to carve out chunks of five different countries to form their own independent nation. This class will take you on a whirlwind tour of the most interesting places in the world and will cover everything from the monumental events that defined borders to cool trivia about border quirks, and will hopefully leave you with a new appreciation for the borders that define our world.


Prerequisites
An interest in world affairs

This class will offer a basic introduction to commonly used Japanese words and phrases. Come ready to learn and practice simple Japanese conversations!


Prerequisites
NO prior knowledge of Japanese!

An overview and discussion of Japanese American Internment in the United States during World War II. How would you have reacted if you were a Japanese American during that time? How did many Japanese Americans actually respond? What parallels can we draw between their example and today's political situation?

Jamaican patois refers to the dialect(s) spoken by Jamaicans all around the world. This class will look at common patois words and their English equivalences, how sentences are formed, how to pronounce / speak patois, and various examples of patois in real life (videos, songs, TV ads, poems and more!)


Prerequisites
interest and enthusiasm :-)

The course will examine how Chiang-Kai Shek's Guomintang government squandered its numerous advantages after the Second Sino-Japanese War and allowed Mao's Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to rise to power.

Thereafter, the course will balance China's competition with the Soviet Union as leader of the world Communist movement against its domestic failures, focusing on the Socialist High Tide and Great Leap Forward. How were the two connected?

Finally, the course will trace the life of intellectuals in early Communist China. How would extremely gifted high school students have been treated under Mao?


Prerequisites
Knowledge of the existence of the Cold War

The artwork and other expertise of Leonardo da Vinci.


Prerequisites
None.

Voulez-vous parler français? This class will provide a basic introduction to the French language and French-speaking world. We will be learning some basic conversational French by listening to music and acting out brief dialogues/plays. We will also talk about the importance of learning foreign languages in the modern world.

Are YOU ready to change the world? Come learn about the issues that young girls face on a daily basis in the developing world. We will be discussing the importance of investing in women around the world. Moreover, come and learn about what YOU can do to help and make a difference in the world!

The face of the law is changing as cutting-edge neuroscience and psychology fundamentally question our understanding of human nature and behavior. These discoveries will have profound impacts on how we design laws and run society. Come learn about the central debates that will dominate the next century!


Prerequisites
Interest in psychology.

In this course, students will reevaluate their perspective on the importance of fairy tales by exploring the changes and motifs of classic fairy tale literature over time. Topics include works by Tolkein, the Grimm brothers, Perault, and others.

Hearing a lot about the Middle East on the news, but don't know what's going on? Can't find Iraq on a map? Do you think Hamas is a popular spread that you put on your pita? Then this class may be for you. The class will start by briefly explaining where many of the modern day national borders come from and will move quickly into talking about the issues that are on the news: the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, drones in Pakistan, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and any other issues that students are curious about will be discussed.

Learn the basics of the Arabic language, from the sound system and alphabet to basic phrases. Compare different colloquial forms with Modern Standard Arabic to understand what makes a language a diglossia. The course will include a written component, connecting letters to form words, as well as a conversational component.

Do you want to know what anything is? This course explores the fundamentals of existence. You will look at everything in a new light. If you are not interested in taking this course, then this course is not for you.


Prerequisites
A basic understanding

Have you ever thought about learning Klingon, Elvish, or Esperanto?

What about creating your very own constructed language?

We'll take a look at the history of invented languages, then get a head-start on creating our own!

This course will provide historic background on Yoshiwara, the famous pleasure district of old Tokyo (Edo). The importance of Yoshiwara in Japanese history and culture will also be discussed.

A short introduction:

The pleasure district of Yoshiwara was set up in Edo (Tokyo) in the early 1600s as an attempt to control prostitution in the capital city. In addition to the physical barriers separating Yoshiwara from the rest of Edo, strict rules limited the people who could lawfully enter its premises.

Instead of discouraging attention, these precautions quickly made Yoshiwara the center of popular imagination. A space outside of the everyday, Yoshiwara became known as the “floating world” – a place where nothing is quite real and strict social rules do not fully apply.

Curious about how the Constitution protects Americans from government power? Want to learn about how the Supreme Court interprets the Bill of Rights? This class will give a brief overview of the scope and origin of some of the most important civil rights and liberties we enjoy every day.


Prerequisites
Just take a quick look over the Bill of Rights, available at http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html.

What makes a short story "good"? Is it even possible for an essay be "engaging and specific," rather than "stuffy and academic"?

In this seminar, we'll read some incredible short pieces of creative writing, break down what works in each, and then talk about the qualities common to them all.

We'll read fiction, personal essay, and journalism; we'll read amazing contemporary writers (David Foster Wallace, Malcolm Gladwell, Raymond Carver, and more); we'll open our eyes to the astonishing diversity of good writing that exists.

Food will probably be provided. After all, what activity isn't better with food?

Follow Man's journey through space, from Sputnik to Curiosity, with emphasis on the U.S.-Soviet Space Race and what's in store for the future.

Is Nicki Manaj a feminist? Is sex appeal empowering or oppressive? Is Taylor Swift destroying women's rights? Learn about and discuss different perspectives on feminism and how it all relates to pop culture as well as our everyday lives.

Who is Jesus? Some say a prophet, some say the Son of God. In this class we will go over the basic tenets of Christianity and explore Jesus' life, teachings, and miracles.

No basic knowledge of Christianity assumed. Fish and bread provided!

An exciting class on Intro to Psychology, Sexy Psych and an introduction to some new terms in Geometry! A fun and engaging class for all.


Prerequisites
Algebra.

Have you ever tried to figure out where people come from based on how they talk? In this course, we will look at the different words, accents, and even grammar used across the United States. In the process, you'll learn about linguistics, African American English (it's a fully grammatical language!), and how language relates to social groups.

Ever wonder how accurate Law & Order really is? Come learn about what *actually* happens when someone breaks the law, gets arrested, and has to go to court. We'll talk about the history and practice of criminal law in the US.


Prerequisites
No prerequisites!

A high schooler's guide to the Good Life. We will briefly introduce the students to the main principles of Aristotle's Ethics, and explain why they matter!


Prerequisites
None!

Many Americans claim Irish heritage but do not know much about the country's violent, fascinating history. In this class you will get an overview of the Irish potato famine, the mass immigration to America, and the revolutionary struggle against Great Britain.


Prerequisites
Nothing but curiosity!

This course will narrate a history of garbage, but it is fundamentally a cultural history course. From the ancient world, to the medieval one, from Victorian England, to modern New York, humans have produced all sorts of waste and have come up with solutions for its disposal. This course, which will move relatively quickly, narrates, compares, and assesses these strategies for waste management. The final third of the course will connect history with contemporary garbage processes and will identify challenges that emerge from contemporary solutions.


Prerequisites
Students must laugh at bad jokes.

"Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge..."

Sarcastic, funny, angry, poignant, and gut-wrenching, the poetry of soldiers like Robert Graves, Siegfried Sassoon, and Wilfred Owen shocked the patriotic British public by telling the truth about the horrors of the WWI trenches. In this class, we’ll look at the story of the First World War (how it began, the conditions of trench warfare, wounds and shell shock, war propaganda, etc.) through the lives and experiences of the war poets.


Prerequisites
Just curiosity---no prior knowledge of WWI is needed! An interest in poetry is helpful, but definitely not necessary (we're going to be more focused on the content of the poems than on analyzing them the way you would in an English class).

An exploration of trickster myths from around the world--Coyote, Anansi, Loki, Hermes--and the way their stories are told.

Why is there war? Peace? Why and how to countries cooperate in a world of anarchy? How does the UN (and other international institutions) work? How are international power politics related to our everyday lives? Using insights from international relations theory and game theory, we will learn about new ways to understand the international system.

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

An introduction to how the Video/Graphics cards in a modern computer really work. How can they make videos and games run smoother, faster, and prettier? How would you design a graphics card?

After some background material on computer processors we'll study Graphics Processing Units (GPU's) with some examples from Nvidia/ATI Radeon (the major graphics card companies). At the end of the class, students can draw their own (simple) Graphics Card design.


Prerequisites
No coding knowledge required

Ever wondered how militaries communicate? How passwords are stored? Learn about how information is and has been kept safe from prying eyes throughout the ages.

In this class we'll study the history, usage, and design of cryptosystems.


Prerequisites
Pre-caclulus, ie. familiarity with logarithms, polynomials, etc.

What if I told you that some things are neither true, nor false? Paradoxes are found everywhere from the stories of ancient Greece to the lyrics of One Direction. Learn about impossible things, such as the turtle that Usain Bolt could never catch, the lightbulb that's neither on nor off, and how to kill Hitler.

Topology studies properties of objects preserved by "stretching" without tearing; hence, the famous joke that topologists cannot tell the difference between their coffee cups and doughnuts. This course will introduce the fundamental concepts of topology including open and closed sets, topological spaces, and continuous maps. A purely topological proof of the infinitude of primes will also be presented.


Prerequisites
2 years of high school algebra and 1 year of high school geometry. An interest in pure mathematics would be helpful.

Prime numbers remain one of the most interesting subjects in number theory, with many open questions despite knowledge about primes since antiquity. In this course, we will cover the basics of prime numbers and learn a little number theory. We will cover important properties of primes and composites, the proof of Euclid's theorem, and discuss possible constructions of primes.


Prerequisites
Elementary algebra. Students should have an interest in number theory. Prior experience with proofs welcome, but not required.

Algebra is arguably the most important and most extensive area of modern mathematics. In this class, I will introduce some of the basic notions of algebra (groups, rings, fields, morphisms), as well as try to make students familiar with algebraic ways of thinking about things.


Prerequisites
Should be able to follow simple logical steps used in mathematical proofs.

What would happen on a mysterious island where nobody tells the truth? How could a blind man figure out the color of his hat? And how could a crafty prisoner subjected to a diabolical set of rules successfully free the jail?

We'll look at these puzzles and more, both interactively and from a mathematical perspective. So come join us to do some math, eat some snacks, and find out how useful it is to know what you don't know!


Prerequisites
Interest in math!

Complex Analysis is considered to be one of the most beautiful subjects in all of mathematics. In this course, we shall introduce and present applications of two of its most important theorems, Cauchy's theorem and the residue formula. At the end of the course, we shall give a brief overview of other cool results from complex analysis.


Prerequisites
Must be comfortable with single-variable calculus (differentiation, integration, and power series). Some exposure to multivariable calculus would also be helpful.

Introduce the students to the ideas of how much they can achieve by saving money. Explain how banks work. The idea behind of interest rates in a savings account. The idea of interest rates in a bill.


Prerequisites
The students should be able to multiply and add numbers.

Want to learn about how NASA communicates with its satellites? How cell phone communication really works? Maybe you're curious about what it means for something to be truly random. All this and more will be covered in this class!


Prerequisites
Pre-calculus, ie. familiarity with logarithms and polynomials

How many primes are there? INFINITELY MANY! How many different ways can you prove that? INFINITELY MANY! Unfortunately, Splash isn’t infinitely long, so we’ll only have time to cover $$\infty - 1$$ ways.


Prerequisites
Previous exposure to basic proof methods will prove helpful.

You've heard about the "real numbers." What are they? "Well," you might say, "they're the rational numbers, along with the irrational numbers." But this is not a very good definition: it becomes circular once you start asking what the irrational numbers are. You might try again, saying that they're a set of numbers that you can add, subtract, multiply, divide, and put in order. But you can say that about the rationals, too. We're going to precisely describe what the real numbers are and what makes them different from any other set. Then, we'll show that the reals are for real--that is, we'll show that the set of real numbers exists by building it with our bare hands.

At the forefront of modern biomedical science is the study of stem cells. This course will cover the history and future of stem cell research, the basic science behind their function and their diverse applications across the fields of regenerative medicine, zoology, and disease therapy.

What is the universe made of at the smallest level? How do we know how subatomic particle interact?

In this class, we will cover the basic period table of elementary particles, fundamental forces, talk about Feynman diagrams, conservation laws and symmetries, the Higgs boson, particle detectors (like the LHC at CERN), and applications to cosmology.

Time permitting we will also discuss some "Beyond the Standard Model Physics" including supersymmetry, loop quantum gravity, and string theory.


Prerequisites
Basic physics (potential vs. kinetic energy), some algebra

How does a black hole form? What is an event horizon? Can we use black holes to travel through time?

In this course we will cover these questions and discuss methods of detecting and creating black holes.


Prerequisites
Basic algebra would be useful!

Want to make pretty colors, finally get a chance to play with your food, all while learning a bit of chemistry? Then this class is for you! Snacks will be provided.


Prerequisites
Familiarity with the periodic table.

At the most fundamental of levels, we are all molecules. This class will seek to take a molecular look at life and survey the major principles that govern how these building blocks interact. To do so, we will begin by surveying the unifying themes of organic chemistry (for which there are surprisingly few) before moving on to inspecting the main macromolecules of life- sugars, lipids, and nucleic acids.


Prerequisites
High school chemistry and biology. In many ways, this course is an overview of the organic chemistry and biochemistry you will learn in college, so come prepared to challenge yourself!

How can every cell in our body contain the information to make every organ in our body? How does protein formation relate to Alzheimers? How does HIV occur on the molecular level? This course will discuss some of the most fascinating questions in biochemistry and provide a deeper insight into what life is on the most basic level.


Prerequisites
Some prior knowledge of basic biology recommended.

This class will introduce you to the ideas of quantum computing, one of the hottest topics in modern physics. How do quantum computers work? How are they different from normal computers? Why are they interesting and what problems can they solve?
We will cover the basic framework of quantum mechanics, quantum algorithms and quantum parallelism, and how researchers are building them out of atoms, diamonds and light.

Mix a few chemicals, turn up the heat, and watch pennies turn from copper into shiny silver and gold! Like magic! If we have time, other secret surprise bubbly reactions will also be demonstrated. Get ready to learn some alchemy!

If you find human brains fascinating and want to know how to create your own, this is the class for you. This course is an introduction to Computational Neuroscience: how to build brains on a computer. We'll go into basic modeling and simulation of parts of the brain, starting with single neurons, building up to small neural circuits, and then taking a look at models of a whole brain.

Students will learn the basic principles of these models and how make them on their own if they'd like to do their own experiments.


Prerequisites
At least Pre-Calculus. Some understanding of cell biology recommended.

Let's talk about sex, plants, microbes, dinosaurs, and everything in between.

A comprehensive survey of the evolution of life. We will especially focus on the evolution of insects, birds, primates, and human beings.

Do you want to learn about the basic structure of the human skeleton? What the heart does? How the brain works? How we breathe? Which is our strongest bone and muscle? In this course you will get your answers! Apart from briefly describing the organ systems and senses, this is also a chance to learn how to check for someone's vital signs and deliver first aid in case of an emergency. If you wish to learn important and fun facts about the human body don't miss this class!

How close are we to time travel? This course explores time travel as depicted by the movie industry and theorists. These ideas are then analyzed from a scientific lens grounded in physics.


Prerequisites
A zest for Physics.

Ever wondered what makes a pie crust flaky? Ever pondered about why a pie turns golden brown after twenty minutes in the oven? Come learn about the science behind baking the perfect pie, and enjoy the flaky, golden-brown creation at the end of class.

This course will cover the main theories about the origins life, including the formation of basic biological molecules.

Everyday 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!

In 1993, Jurassic Park was released and set a new standard for the appearance and morphology of dinosaurs. Today, through the discovery of exquisite Chinese fossils and the hard work of many scientists, we now know much more about the morphology, physiology, and behaviors of dinosaurs, most of which contradicts those found in the 1993 film. In this class, we will discuss what we think dinosaurs really looked like and how we think they behaved in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The class will also cover the phylogenetic connections between non-avian dinosaurs and birds that have ultimately allowed us to make certain inferences about these Mesozoic creatures.


Prerequisites
Some understanding of evolution and/or biology may be helpful, but is not required.

Natural disasters wreak havoc on our world. Earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and hurricanes can devastate large areas and huge populations. To truly understand these events, we must understand the geological, environmental, and energetic processes that allow for such destruction. Ultimately, we will discover the beauty of these natural disasters when they can be observed and prepared for.


Prerequisites
Some basic scientific background may be required.

Basic Physics and Chemistry Experiments! All Equipment will be provided and FUN is Guaranteed!


Prerequisites
NONE

Small mistakes in the genetic code can have a huge impact on an individual. This course will look at some of the ways that these typos can affect the body.


Prerequisites
High school biology

This class will investigate the philosophy of scientists throughout the ages. From Aristotle and Leibniz to Einstein and Stephen Hawking, what did scientists think of the world around them?

Want to know how you--yes you--can spend your college years experiencing zero gravity while performing experiments with NASA? Come hear the Yale Drop Team talk about these opportunities and the cool science they've done with them.

You are sitting down on a bench, thinking about the stars in the sky. Are you moving? No, you are sitting still. But, isn't it true that the Earth is spinning? And that the Earth is orbiting around the Sun? And that our galaxy is constantly spiraling? While we sit, the universe moves. It is never asleep and violently alive.

In the class, we will look and think about the implications of astronomy. Mainly, we will ask ourselves: why do we study the universe?

Topics will cover some historical astronomy, star/galaxy formation, and a bit of 4th dimensional space-time.

The famous French mathematician Pierre-Simon Laplace once stated that given the positions and momenta of all particles in the universe at any moment, a particularly energetic computational physicist could determine the state of the universe at all times in the past and future. This class is essentially about the ways in which Laplace's conjecture was wrong, starting with examples in classical chaos theory and gradually shifting to the peculiar world of quantum mechanics.

This course will provide a brief introduction to fungi, their biology, and why they're useful to us. In other words, this class will cover many reasons on why fungi are awesome! As an added bonus, students will get to see live samples from the Amazon!

An exploration of how music and science are intertwined. Questions that will be answered in this course include: how does science explain principles in music? How has music impacted science (for example, music therapy in medicine)?


Prerequisites
Basic music and science (physics) knowledge is helpful, but definitely not required.

A discussion about the study of DNA to RNA to proteins and how this translates to cutting-edge research in fields such as medicine and environmental conservation.


Prerequisites
Excited to learn about science!

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!

It's been forty years since we learned how to read, write and clone genomes - the instruction sets for living things. How are we already using these tools to remake life, and what's next? Topics include spidergoats, biofuels, fluorescent cats, living art, and artificial life.

This class will seek to cover the state of cancer research in the present day from a historical and a molecular approach. It will go over primitive cancer theories dating back to 160 AD, as well as answer essential questions like, "What is cancer?" or "How can we treat it?" We will focus on the causes of cancer - from overactive oncogenes to failure in tumor suppressor genes - disruption of important signal transduction pathways, as well as resistance to current therapies. Lastly, we will briefly discuss the intersection between cancer research and modern healthcare systems to determine, together, whether or not the two are compatible. 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 had to think to make your heart beat? Of course not! The heart is an incredible organ that keeps on pumping while you carry on your normal day. In this class we'll go over how the heart beats, why the heart beats, and what happens when the heart beats to the beat of its own drum in certain diseases. You'll learn to love your heart!


Prerequisites
Some knowledge of chemistry would be helpful, but is not neccessary.

In this class, we will discuss what happens when your heart decides to beat to the beat of its own pathogenic drum, and how such arrhythmias can be corrected using a variety of treatments and techniques, including rhythm-restoring robots!

This class will cover the concept of an extremophile-- microorganisms found in very inhospitable conditions. These places can vary from the bottom of our oceans to the tops of storm clouds. We'll talk about what kinds of processes allow these guys to live in such extreme conditions and about their practical uses in science.


Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of biology is preferred.

The more we learn about the brain, the more we realize how much more there is to learn about it! How are neurologists able to diagnose patients? What is 'brain' surgery like? Topics include neurological exams, medical imaging, and neurological disorders.

Exploring the current bioethical issues brought on by advances in science and medicine. Should flu vaccinations be mandatory? Since we have more people on the organ waiting list than organs available, how do we decide who gets organ transplants? Should the U.S. ban invasive research on chimpanzees, even if it holds potential benefits for humans? We will be tackling some of these questions.

Think the weather has been weird this year? Notice oak trees budded pretty late the year before? This course aims to explain why and who is responsible. With both lecture and discussion, it will first lay out the different lines of scientific evidence that point toward only human-induced climate change. Then, we will discuss what may happen, why that's tough to predict, and what we can do to stop it, ie what solutions we have.

This course is taught by a visiting student from Harvard, and will mostly likely not be offered again. Environmentalists already very familiar with the nitty-gritty, technical science are advised that the course is called "The Case for Climate Change." Skeptics or the uninformed are especially welcome.

Ecology is "big picture biology." We'll look at every organism in an ecosystem and the roles they play in addition to all of the factors that affect the environment.


Prerequisites
None

An in-depth look into the "miracle" of human memory. How does our brain store the memories we can recall decades later? How do different chemicals in the brain affect the way we learn and remember? How do these pathways go wrong in diseases like Alzheimer's Disease and dementia?

We'll start with the physiological and mathematical foundations of musical harmony: the reasons that only some pitches sound good together. Then we'll write a computer program that searches for sets of maximally harmonious pitches. We'll conclude by "discovering" the twelve-tone scale.


Prerequisites
Basic musical background (required) and programming experience (optional).

Learn to basics of Ice Skating from the safety of the floor.

THE PERFECT PREPARATION FOR YOUR FIRST ICE SKATING EXPERIENCE!

Learn the 8 habits of a productive thinker and the Problem Solving cycle that will prepare you for any situation!

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

Someone clever once said: "We can predict anything, except the future". This hasn't stopped us from trying, however. As long as humans have had civilization, we've tried to guess what was coming next. From the end of the world to nuclear-powered vacuum cleaners, this class will examine the history of such predictions--and what lessons can be drawn from it to help you think more sensibly about humanity's future, as well as your own.


Prerequisites
Must be willing to part with two hours of your future.

Have you ever wanted to throw a scoober? Do you want to know what a scoober is?
Join two players on the Women’s Club Frisbee Team for an interactive workshop on the art of frisbee throwing. We’ll start with a brief lesson on the history and physics of these flying discs. Then, we’ll learn basic throws and some cool tricks to impress your friends.

A discussion of the work of Jane Goodall related to the psychological and physical differences between man and chimpanzee. Group brainstorming to determine the major differences, that will lead to a class discussion of the differences, with multimedia evidence.

The goal of the course is to teach or improve 3-Ball Juggling. It will show videos, live demonstrations, and supply props to juggle. Those who already know how to juggle three balls will be able to learn new tricks, ranging from intermediate to advanced.

A dash of insight, a spark of creativity, a flash of innovation... Whether you’ve got ideas or not, if you want to learn how to start your own company (next Mark Zuckerberg, anyone?), this class is for you. In this class, students will learn the basic entrepreneurial skills that can turn a fresh, innovative idea into a well-run, socially responsible business.

Before the days of "Call Me Maybe," legends such as Michael Jackson, Journey, and Madonna ruled the charts and became known as the best pop artists of their time. Through the years, that crown has been passed through the hands of Biggie Smalls, Kelly Clarkson, and Lady Gaga. But despite their vastly different styles and personalities, these artists have all held the spotlight in the world of Pop. So how do we even define what pop music is? How has that definition changed through the years? Are Gangsta Rap and Punk Rock still viable genres for an aspiring "pop artist"? Is Katy Perry as iconic as Steve Perry? Will 2 Chainz ever be in the same league as 2Pac?

Explore these and other fun, exciting questions as we examine most well-known songs and artists of the last few decades!

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.

Not sure where you want to go to college? Does the application process seem daunting? Don't worry! New Haven REACH mentors (who work with students on their college application throughout the school year) will give you tips on figuring out where to apply and how to get through the application.
Another class at Splash will specifically focus on writing the college essay- ideally students should sign up for both courses.
These courses are ideal for juniors beginning to think about their college application, but underclassmen would also benefit from a head start!


Prerequisites
we would like students to concurrently take the "Writing your College Essay!" class at Splash.

Don't know what to write about for your college essay? New Haven REACH mentors are here to help. Students will work in small groups with mentors and receive tips on how to come up with ideas, how to draft the essay, and how to revise it.
Another class at SPLASH will focus on the general college application process- ideally students should sign up for both courses.
These courses are ideal for juniors beginning to think about their college application, but underclassmen would benefit from a head start!


Prerequisites
we would like students to concurrently take "Where and How to Apply to College!"

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.

Have you ever gotten in front of a group of people to speak, and found yourself completely blanking on what you were supposed to say? Does picturing people in their underwear not work for you? Do you want to speak more dramatically? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this is the class for you! You'll not only get a quick introduction to how you can become a better public speaker, but you'll also practice your speaking skills for your classmates in a low-stress, high-fun environment.

The Art of War is an ancient book of strategy by the Chinese philosopher-general Sun Tzu. Written 2,500 years ago, it is still carried in the pockets of successful generals, executives, and politicians today. Learn how to command troops, foretell victory, avoid defeat, and become a successful general. Then test your knowledge in a war game!

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). If we have time or there is interest, we can also make forays into behavioral economics and basic game theory!


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

This class will teach you easy and fun ways to remember all kinds of information. From memorizing dates for history class, to shopping lists for the grocery store, this class will give you helpful techniques for memorization.

Have you ever wanted to soar on a broomstick and learn how to catch a snitch like Harry Potter? Do you like having fun with fellow Potter fans? Come join the Yale Quidditch team for a fun filled introduction to the wonderful world of muggle quidditch! No experience or wands necessary, enthusiasm is all that is needed.

Want to learn about how financial markets work? You've heard about the billions of dollars of government bailout, the fall of major banks, and the stock market crash everywhere in the news. Sign up for this class to learn about in the real causes of the 2008 crisis, what investment banks are, what mortgage-backed securities means, and where we're heading right now. We look at movements like Occupy Wall St., try to see if finance is really that bad, and what are ways to fix it. No need for any financial or economic experience!

We will be looking at optimal and stable betting strategies. Surprisingly, conservative betting strategies produce better outcomes given typical human behavior. We will then look at heuristics people use to make decisions and the different scenarios where they are good and bad.


Prerequisites
None

Do you want to know how to cook pasta, rice, steak or fish? Would you like to learn how to prepare vegetables, assemble a fruit pie, make bread, chop onion or make a real french omelette? Are you interested in becoming a great chef? This class will teach you the basic cooking skills to accomplish all these goals!

A view of several important topics of Chinese culture through Chinese films. The topics include Beijing Opera, Kung-fu, ancient Chinese philosophy, etc. The films will include the works of famous Chinese directors such as Wong Kar-wai, Ann Lee and Chen Kaige. (Clips of films will be shown in class.)


Prerequisites
An interest in Chinese culture

Will examine different types of virtual worlds such as online gaming communities (in particular MMORPGs). How are these worlds similar to the worlds we live in, how are they different? Why are these worlds so popular? What norms govern these worlds? What happens when things go horribly wrong?

The course is a hands-on overview of the fundamentals of wilderness first aid. Co-taught by Lucas Wozny, a leader of the Polish Scouting Organization and an avid backpacker in his spare time, and Will Portman, a NOLS Patagonia mountaineering course graduate and a longtime whitewater kayaker. WIll and Lucas co-taught "Wilderness Survival 101" at the last Splash. Expect a lot of fun!


Prerequisites
none

Learn to make all sorts of delicious baked goods! Homemade cakes and cookies are delicious and fun to make, not to mention decorate! We'll go over how to make great cupcakes from scratch and different ways to decorate them as well as other baked goods. It'll be interactive and hands on, and you'll get to take home treats!

Learn how changing different steps in the baking process (ingredients, baking temperature and time, measurements, etc.) affect the final product.

Want to know more about an overlooked gem in America? Come learn about Georgia's traditions, culture, food, and glorious getaways, and you'll see why we love this state! Favorite foods of Georgia will be provided!

The history of fan fiction as captured by the major fandoms, fan fiction terminology, tips on plotting your stories, and how to attract readership beyond your best friends. Intended for beginners only; all fandoms welcome, but special emphasis will be placed on the Harry Potter fandom for accessibility purposes.


Prerequisites
All 7 Harry Potter books should be required reading.

What do people actually do on Wall Street? How do they make so much money? What's happening there now? This class teaches you the basics in plain English.

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!

Come learn about all things baseball - the history of the game, strategies, statistics, and a sneak peak at the upcoming MLB summer season!

Ever wanted to know how to play a really fun card game? Come learn to play hearts! This is a great game that can be endless fun for three or four people.


Prerequisites
None!

Do you want to know how to write in secret? Do you want to explore how famous figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson communicated without revealing their secrets? Have you ever wondered what goes on at the CIA and the NSA? 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 World War II. American spies used ciphers during the Cold War; criminals like the Zodiac killer 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!

Have you ever wondered how race cars work? From NASCAR to Formula 1 to rally cars, they all operate on the same basic principles. This class is an overview of the major components of a race car, including the engine, suspension, frame, and cockpit. It will even include a visit to Yale's own formula race car garage. Race on over to Splash and learn from an engineer how to design your own vehicle, whether it be a go kart or open-wheel roadster!


Prerequisites
Interest in automobiles

Learn about creating an impact through user-centered design! We'll learn about the history and philosophy of design, then break into teams to confront a real-world challenge.

In "Bossypants," Tina Fey writes: "Only in comedy, by the way, does an obedient white girl from the suburbs count as diversity." Luckily, that diversity has been growing. Tina Fey was one of the first women to create, write, and star in her own TV show, paving the way for Mindy Kahling ("The Mindy Project") and Lena Dunham ("Girls"). We'll talk a little bit about the complicated history of women in comedy, but mostly we'll talk about why the women we know and love are so funny.

Ever wondered about the history behind chocolate? Or how it gets from the bean to your plate? These are a few of the things we'll explore as we learn the ins and outs of your favorite treat!

There's more to philanthropy than having good intentions and handing out wads of cash. We'll investigate different models, from Bill Gates's philanthrocapitalism to Ashoka's social entrepreneurship, for getting the most humanitarian bang for your philanthropic buck.

This course will delve into the mystery of how people mix food together to make even better food. We'll focus a lot on sciencey stuff: what makes bread rise, why salt is put into baked goods, reasoning behind ingredient ratios. But we'll focus even more on cookie stuff. After a short session discussing the chemistry of baking, we'll head over to the kitchen to put what we've learned to the (taste) test.

You and one million other people are randomly dropped on a tropical island about the size of New Jersey. You are, for some reason, given dictatorial powers for five years and charged with getting a country up and running. What do you do? What kind of government do you set up? What sort of economic system? What policies relating to human rights and civil liberties? How do you interact with other countries? In general, what are your options in all these areas (and more), and which should* you choose?

*There's not necessarily a right answer

How do you visualize the world? What information would you want to be able to see in pictures? What I find really cool about maps is that you can process a really huge amount of information to learn about the general patterns, patterns that you may not have been aware of before.