If we truly write the story of our own lives, how can we do so with purpose? How can we practice our powers as creators of our own reality, both on and off the page?

Sincerely, Sweet Potato approaches writing with a curiosity towards what we wish for, alongside an appreciation for all that is already going well in our lives that we may not immediately recognize.

Through creative writing and the arts, we will notice and build upon people who choose to reframe their struggles or injustices in order to build new worlds and ways of being. Exercises will include collaborative creations and discussions, guided free writing, and learning how to find to our own intuitive voice.

Together, we will seek greater opportunities and courage to move towards our wildest dreams.

What do Gregorian Chant, Miles Davis, and "God's Plan" by Drake have in common? Modes! This class will take an in-depth look at the basic modes of major scales and then expand those principles to modes of minor scales, modes of limited transposition, and multi-octave scales! Learning these musical tools is an easy way to write songs, compose, or improvise like a pro. This class is meant for any musician, songwriter, composer, or music lover looking to expand their understanding of how all genres of music are interconnected.


Prerequisites
A basic understanding of music theory: reading sheet music, major and minor scales, major and minor chords.

In this class we'll explore the life and works of the classic American writer, John Steinbeck. By exploring excerpts from his novels, short stories, films, and personal letters, we will seek to understand Steinbeck's work in historical context. We will look at Steinbeck's artistic responses to the Dust Bowl refugee crisis, antisemitism and other racial conflict, the World Wars, the Manhattan Project, and the rise of first wave feminism. To end the class, students will try their hands at their own creative writing.


Prerequisites
None.

Cities illuminate historical aspects of humanity in unique ways--its politics, its conflicts, its artistic preferences. They tell us how certain agents of society viewed the beauty of the built environment and landscapes, and whether they chose--and how much they chose--to share it with citizens.
In this class, we will look (very briefly) at examples of creations of cites throughout history, think about the different timeframes and scales of reproduction of these, and have a workshop emulating different roles of designers (and/or other roles) for the collective creation of a city.


Prerequisites
An interest in arts and a disposition to collective creation.

Some people love their families. Some hate their families. Some don't even have families. Through creative non-fiction writing, we will challenge the typical definition of the family: Is family beyond blood? Can we construct our own families, and thus can we escape family? How do we love our loved ones? How do we hate them? How do we understand ourselves in the context of our others?

This class is a class about you—for you to learn more about yourself through celebrating your history, talking about it, or maybe even rewriting it. Come join this home of writers and lovers!

Ornithology is a branch of zoology that focuses on studying birds. In this course, students will learn bird anatomy and how to draw various species of birds.

Ready to go beyond cranes and frogs? Come discover modular origami and construct some folded-paper awesomeness!
All levels welcome, from beginners to origami masters.


Prerequisites
Opposable thumbs. We'll be folding Sonobe units in this class. You're welcome to come even if you already know how to make them, but the class won't be new to you.

Some people love their families. Some hate their families. Some don't even have families. Through creative non-fiction writing, we will challenge the typical definition of the family: Is family beyond blood? Can we construct our own families, and thus can we escape family? How do we love our loved ones? How do we hate them? How do we understand ourselves in the context of our others?

This class is a class about you—for you to learn more about yourself through celebrating your history, talking about it, or maybe even rewriting it. Come join this home of writers and lovers!

If we truly write the story of our own lives, how can we do so with purpose? How can we practice our powers as creators of our own reality, both on and off the page?

Sincerely, Sweet Potato approaches writing with a curiosity towards what we wish for, alongside an appreciation for all that is already going well in our lives that we may not immediately recognize.

Through creative writing and the arts, we will notice and build upon people who choose to reframe their struggles or injustices in order to build new worlds and ways of being. Exercises will include collaborative creations and discussions, guided free writing, and learning how to find to our own intuitive voice.

Together, we will seek greater opportunities and courage to move towards our wildest dreams.

An exploratory investigation into memes and other aspects of internet culture, primarily through the lens of 20th century aesthetic philosophy (Benjamin, Lukacs, Adorno). Topics include memes as a reflection on the 21st century, as social tools and political propaganda, and as aesthetic/artistic forms of expression and appreciation.

An exploratory investigation into memes and other aspects of internet culture, primarily through the lens of 20th century aesthetic philosophy (Benjamin, Lukacs, Adorno). Topics include memes as a reflection on the 21st century, as social tools and political propaganda, and as aesthetic/artistic forms of expression and appreciation.

Do you think robots are cool? Of course you do, everyone thinks robots are cool! But have you ever wondered how they really work? In this course, we'll look at two particular robot designs -- Stewart Platforms and SCARA Arms -- exploring their design principles, kinematics, and a sampling of their real-life applications. You should walk out feeling comfortable with the workings of these two robots, and having gained a sense for how to approach similar problems with other robot designs.


Prerequisites
Students should come in with a basic knowledge of vector math.

A survey course discussing the fundamentals of digital logic and its many applications in computer systems.


Prerequisites
A fundamental understanding of algebra.

Circular structure (also known as chiastic structure) has been a feature of literature since as early as Homer's Iliad and the Bible. But what exactly is chiastic structure? And what does it have to do with Harry Potter?

This class will discuss how the Harry Potter narrative contains distinct mirrors in its events and characters, such that Books 1 and 7, 2 and 6, & 3 and 5 contain echoes of each other, while Book 4, the Goblet of Fire, acts as a crux that changes the overall tone of the series. In addition we will use our analysis of Harry Potter's narrative to discuss the shape of narratives in general, the Hero's Journey, and Harry Potter's connection to some of the earliest forms of world literature.

Includes both a lecture and discussion portion. Come to class ready to contribute!


Prerequisites
Experience with the Harry Potter universe, ideally through the novels by J.K Rowling, but alternatively through the movies, is recommended.

Philosophers since the dawn of time have debated about human nature and what it means to be human. But what if the answer to that question was in our pockets? Or in our homes or schools? What if the answer to our humanity was in computers and all that we've created for them. The Talos Principle: Life as Defined by Machines asks these questions in a practical way to understand our own humanity through the devices we created ourselves.

Through a group approach, students set up parameters for discussion and work as a team to understand their own humanity. There are no wrong answers and you set the pace. The more discussion the better the class. This class is truly what you make of it.


Prerequisites
An open mind and willingness to participate. This is a student driven class. I (The teacher) act as fact checker and moderator.

Despite being different languages, English and Latin share a striking number of linguistic similarities. In this class, we will discuss why this is so, focusing first on the two languages' common origin (Proto-Indo-European), and then on their centuries-long contact via French. We will discover the fascinating connection between linguistic and social history, and learn how defeat on an English battlefield forever changed how we speak today.


Prerequisites
Some previous study of Latin or a Romance language will be helpful, but is not necessary for taking the course.

The course will act as an introduction to methods of understanding technical terms for films as well as analysis of the purposes of certain techniques utilized for the movies. Students will go on to understand how certain editing techniques and camera shots/movements evoke different emotions or increase tension. Additionally, students will also analyze trailers and posters and describe how marketing skews and alters perception of specific films.


Prerequisites
N/A

Social media has become one of the biggest ways companies advertise their services and how people are exposed to these companies. We will explore how different companies have used this technique, consider some of the many facets of such marketing campaigns, and draft possible social media posts and create rough marketing campaigns for companies.

Why do we wear bras? Why do we shave our body hair? Why do we spend so much on acne treatments? Why do we use disposable menstrual products, like pads and tampons? Why do we use deodorant?

These things might sound normal to you, but American teenagers today look very different from the teenagers of two hundred, one hundred, or even fifty years ago. Doctors used to think pimples were a sign of moral corruption, and they told girls that eating pickles might make them get their periods early. Most women in the 1900s wore "sanitary aprons" while they menstruated, until advertising for pads convinced them that it was gross. Politics, medicine, companies, immigrant communities, parents, and of course, young women--they've all shaped the culture of puberty today.

Come learn about the making of the American teenager! This class will focus mainly on the history of cisgender women, but it is open to students of all gender identities who want to learn how sexism, racism, classism, and nativism have shaped our "body projects" today.

In this class, we will discuss famous hypothetical scenarios that challenge the typical mind processes we go through to solve problems. Come and join for a class full of discussions, and debate over the nature of choice, free will, and responsibility, all the while learning how to craft sound arguments.

We will examine various studies related to the principle of linguistic relativity—that is, the notion that a language's structure and vocabulary affect how its speakers perceive the world. Ultimately, we will discuss how linguistic relativity is relevant to modern society.

For further details, please see: https://www.ryansandler.com/teaching/linguistic-relativity

Course review: "The subject was really interesting and explained well."

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 in gun policy that will touch on topics in public policy, criminology, and rhetoric. Students will be encouraged to discuss problems and propose solutions, and will be taught to critically examine data the use of rhetorical devices.

Almost everyone has some fondness for the Harry Potter books, but we rarely take them seriously - the way we would "real" literature.

In this class, we will do exactly that: try to explore the themes of the series (in particular how they are resolved or highlighted in Book 7) and see what Harry Potter can teach us, beyond the rules of Quidditch that is.

When I read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at 12 years old (on the very day it came out) I remember being a little shocked. There was no Quidditch, no classes, some kinda gloomy Dumbledore flashbacks, and a lot of Ron sulking as Harry and Hermione camped in a tent. This was not what I expected. Ten years later, I'm excited to explore the decisions Rowling made, try to understand why she made them, and argue for why Harry Potter is still worth re-reading.


Prerequisites
I'd recommend having read the Harry Potter books.

Students will get an introduction to Social Psychology and the implications it has on our everyday lives. Topics will include how social psychology can influence court case decisions, what we remember, and our everyday interactions.

Come learn about the LGBTQ+ world history and culture
that you probably won't learn in school from ancient Rome to China’s Han Dynasty to the the Wild West
and more. We will begin by teaching some background information and then will discuss how queerness has evolved over time, place, and culture.

Circumcision is the world's oldest medical procedure and has been around for thousands of years in multiple cultures, but many people don't know the social, historical, religious, and medical significance and controversies associated with it. This class will examine just the tip of the iceberg of circumcision by examining the origins of circumcision; the religious significance of circumcision in Judaism, Christianity, and other world religions; the rising and falling prevalence of circumcision from the 1700s until the present; and the scientific and medical reasons circumcision has been useful, especially in the AIDS epidemic in Africa.


Prerequisites
None

Come learn about diverse sexual and romantic orientations in an interactive format! We will talk about a broad range of sexual and romantic identities, discuss stereotypes and misconceptions associated with them, and learn how to be a better ally to the queer students around us. Students of all identities/orientations are welcome to attend!


Prerequisites
None

This is a discussion-based introduction to theoretical philosophy. In particular, it is an introduction to epistemology, or the study of knowledge. We'll ask questions like: what is knowledge? do we know things? how do we know that we know things? is it even possible to know things? This course is primarily discussed based, so come ready to share your ideas, thoughts, and intuitions. You don't need any experience in philosophy to take this course.

We will examine questions such as: What are the purposes of academic grades, and what merits and limitations do modern grading systems present? Are current grading practices justified, or are there more effective ways to motivate students and evaluate their learning? For further details, please see: https://www.ryansandler.com/teaching/i-dont-give-an-f

In this class, we will discuss famous hypothetical scenarios that challenge the typical mind processes we go through to solve problems. Come and join for a class full of discussions, and debate over the nature of choice, free will, and responsibility, all the while learning how to craft sound arguments.

Have you ever experienced a "culture shock"? Are you sometimes wondering why people think in ways that are completely different from yours? Do you question if there is really one objective truth?
In this course, we are going to explore the power of perspective and how our history and culture influence the way we experience the world. Reflecting on categories that shape our everyday lives fundamentally (like race, gender, intelligence or beauty), you will leave this class with a new spark of curiosity for what might have seemed natural to you before.

What makes an action ethical or not? How can we become better leaders in the world around us? These are difficult questions but no doubt as important as any other, and this class aims to address those questions and more.


Prerequisites
None

How did China rise to become one of the superpowers? In this lecture class, we will analyze US and China and their co-dependency on each other. We will look at economic development in China since the late 1970s and comparing it with the same period in US economic history.
There will be a close emphasis on how China transitioned from its export- and investment-led model to the current pro-consumption model.


Prerequisites
None

What do Aristotle and Confucius have in common? This class will explore and compare the philosophy, religion and ritual culture, and government of Ancient Greece and Ancient China. All are welcome to take a new look at two of the most legendary and celebrated civilizations in antiquity, side by side.

Although origami was popularized in Japan, paper-folding originated in China. We will use origami as a means of exploring basic elements of Daoism, Confucianism, and Zen Buddhism!


Prerequisites
Previous background folding some origami (at least a crane).

Story time!
Come explore the wonderful world of German fairy tales and children's literature- from the Grimm Brothers to Heinrich Hoffmann. We'll read stories and try out writing a German fairy tale of our own!

Don’t you just hate it when you’re confronted with a German speaker who desperately wants to make small talk with you, but you can’t since you’re only fluent in English, Arabic, Greek, and Klingon? Well, this course is the answer to your problem! Through this class you'll learn basic German vocabulary and get a chance to create a postcard entirely in German!

If you don't think you have the time to travel to west Africa just now, but are longing to learn more about Gambian culture and lore- this is the class for you! In this class we'll look into various aspects of daily life and at the oral histories passed from one generation to the next. Our course material will consist of traditional stories as well as those retold by young Gambian girls. (Copies of stories will be provided!)

Circumcision is the world's oldest medical procedure and has been around for thousands of years in multiple cultures, but many people don't know the social, historical, religious, and medical significance and controversies associated with it. This class will examine just the tip of the iceberg of circumcision by examining the origins of circumcision; the religious significance of circumcision in Judaism, Christianity, and other world religions; the rising and falling prevalence of circumcision from the 1700s until the present; and the scientific and medical reasons circumcision has been useful, especially in the AIDS epidemic in Africa.


Prerequisites
None

Come learn about the history and culture of the islands of Hawaii. We will discuss geography, language, traditions, and anything else you're interested in! We will also learn a little bit about the hula, the traditional dance of the Hawaiian people. Aloha!


Prerequisites
Positive attitude and open mindedness!

On May 1, 1970, thousands of protestors gathered in downtown New Haven to protest the trial of nine members of the Black Panther Party for the murder of Alex Rackley, a fellow Panther. In this class, we will take a step back almost 50 years in the past and look at the events surrounding the 1970 Black Panther trials, and what they meant for New Haven and the world.

We all learned about the Declaration of Independence in school. But what is the actual history behind the Declaration? How do we explain the fact that many signers of the Declaration, which declared that "all men are created equal", were slave owners? This class will try to address these questions. The class will also look at the Declaration in the context of world history, and at how revolutionaries all over the world have dealt with the legacy of the document.

From poets.org:
"The sestina is a complex form that achieves its often spectacular effects through intricate repetition. The thirty-nine-line form is attributed to Arnaut Daniel, the Provencal troubadour of the twelfth century... The troubadours sang their verses accompanied by music and were quite competitive, each trying to top the next in wit, as well as complexity and difficulty of style."

We will read and discuss some examples of sestinas, focusing on the form, before writing our own. By the end of the class you will know the rules for writing a sestina (and how to get away with breaking them!)

Do “ethics” and “philosphy” seem like a vague, undefinable, grandiose terms? They don’t have to be! This section explores various ethical thought experiments, such as the trolley problem, the utility monster, prisoner’s dilemma, and others. Want a quick introduction to the political and ethical philosophies that shape both our daily lives and the law? If so, then this is the class for you!

Meet one the lesser-known heroes of Iceland's Viking Age: Finnbogi the Mighty. Abandoned at birth, Finnbogi survives to become one of the strongest men in Iceland. Follow him on his path to greatness as he wrestles magical monsters, feuds with one of Iceland's most powerful families, and single-handedly reduces the bear population of Norway. Will Finnbogi's feats of superhuman strength earn him the fame and fortune that the saga's author thinks he deserves? Or will the schemes of lesser men bring our hero down? Find out as we cover the Saga of Finnbogi the Mighty!

Join us as we visit Asgard, home of Norse gods! There we'll meet the mighty warrior, Thor; the sly trickster, Loki; the wise leader, Odin; and all the other goddesses and gods of the Norse pantheon. We'll follow them as they go on adventures, get into trouble, and fight to save the world from the forces of evil. How was the world created? Where did Thor get his hammer? Has anyone ever outsmarted Loki? Who will triumph in the final battle for the fate of the world? Find out as we learn about Norse Mythology!

Join us as we retell a bitterly funny underdog story from Viking Age Iceland. When Odd returns from Norway with a large fortune, eight of Iceland's most powerful chieftains team up to bring him down. It's up to Odd's sly father Ofeig to save the day — but will his bag of tricks, bribes, and scandalous secrets be enough to turn the chieftains against one other? Or will old money and power triumph in the end? Find out as we cover Bandamanna Saga!

Do you know what you have in common with every other child in the world? Want to know more about what children your age are like outside of America? This class will show you what diversity really means and how easy it is to understand the world just by understanding each other! We will watch videos and you will have the chance to make a cool presentation on your own best friend (or even a stranger!)

From violence and lawsuits to witty insults and magic horses, this saga has it all! Join us as we retell the story of Hrafnkel, a powerful chieftain in Viking Age Iceland who is brought down by pride and the schemes of lesser men. Will our hero learn his lesson and rise to power once again? Or will he live out the rest of his life in obscurity? And what does a magic horse have to do with all of this? Find out as we cover Hrafnkel's Saga!

Ever wonder what the vikings did when they weren't busy raiding and pillaging? In Iceland they created a free society of independent people where law, culture, and creativity flourished. Who were these first Icelanders? What was their daily life like? And how did they resolve conflicts in a land with no king or government? We'll answer these questions and many more as we explore the fascinating history of Viking Age Iceland.

What is Black Feminism? Is "Black Panther" a Black Feminist film?
We will discuss the main principles and ideas of Black Feminism and look at the 2017 film "Black Panther" through a Black Feminist lens.


Prerequisites
Students must have watched the Black Panther film.

Have you ever wondered which country has the highest variety of monkey species in the world? Or has the coolest carnivals? The answer is Brazil! in this class, you will learn about Brazil's culture, history, geography, and much more! Our activities include learning a little of Portuguese and other Brazilian hands on activities!

Have you ever wondered which country has the highest variety of monkey species in the world? Or has the coolest carnivals? The answer is Brazil! in this class, you will learn about Brazil's culture, history, geography, and much more! Our activities include learning a little of Portuguese and other Brazilian hands on activities!

From animals to foreign language, from men to women, and from pets to food, our day-to-day life is full of meaninglessness from whence we must derive meaning. What is a derivative? What is the sound of silence? How do I speak, without saying?

What do you think of when you hear the word tragedy? While
most people immediately think of sadness, there is much more
to the genre. Explore with us the nuances of tragedy through
short films, discussions, and interactive activities!

What do J.K. Rowling’s Ministry of Magic, Ursula Le Guin’s Hainish colonization, and Andy Weir’s Martian Hab have in common?

You may have your own answers to this question, but in this class, we’ll treat these three or others as examples of world-building: decisions a writer makes about the background of the story they’re telling. We’ll ask what makes good world-building, generate some questions about setting to use when writing, and practice using those questions for group and individual mini-stories.


Prerequisites
This class is intended for writers or for readers interested in writing. If you write stories, poems, plays, graphic novels, screenplays: welcome! If you read any of those and love thinking about why writers write the way they do: welcome to you too!

How many people in America can say “Hello!” in Turkish? Do you want to become one of them? Do you want to learn more about one of the earliest countries to give women the right to vote? Do you want to learn about the country that bridges the continents of Europe and Asia?
If so, come and learn the basics of Turkish and the country of Turkey!

This class will explore the science of how habits are formed and how we can use them to our advantage. At the end of the class, each student will workshop one habit they wish to kick or develop.

Social media has become one of the biggest ways companies advertise their services and how people are exposed to these companies. We will explore how different companies have used this technique, consider some of the many facets of such marketing campaigns, and draft possible social media posts and create rough marketing campaigns for companies.

How did China rise to become one of the superpowers? In this lecture class, we will analyze US and China and their co-dependency on each other. We will look at economic development in China since the late 1970s and comparing it with the same period in US economic history.
There will be a close emphasis on how China transitioned from its export- and investment-led model to the current pro-consumption model.


Prerequisites
None

From poets.org:
"The sestina is a complex form that achieves its often spectacular effects through intricate repetition. The thirty-nine-line form is attributed to Arnaut Daniel, the Provencal troubadour of the twelfth century... The troubadours sang their verses accompanied by music and were quite competitive, each trying to top the next in wit, as well as complexity and difficulty of style."

We will read and discuss some examples of sestinas, focusing on the form, before writing our own. By the end of the class you will know the rules for writing a sestina (and how to get away with breaking them!)

A brief survey of the seminal thinkers in military history, from Sun Tzu to Clausewitz and Liddell Hart. This class seeks to introduce students to their theories and their main contentions as well as to provide a better understanding of warfare in human history and the importance of understanding the dynamics of war.


Prerequisites
Familiarity with world history,

This class will explore the science of how habits are formed and how we can use them to our advantage. At the end of the class, each student will workshop one habit they wish to kick or develop.

Back in 2007 and 2008, the United States economy, along with those of many other developed (wealthy) countries, essentially blew up. And for several years after that, the developed world underwent the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression. Why and how did everything go so, so wrong? Take this class to find out! (P.S. — This topic is more fun and interesting, and less depressing, than it sounds!)

What does Jordan Peele's Oscar-winning satirical horror blockbuster "Get Out," probably the most instantly memorable film of 2017, have to do with the 19 Africans, the first to arrive in the modern-day United States, brought against their will to Jamestown, Virginia in 1619, and the millions of people of African descent who followed them over the next four centuries, shaping irrevocably the face of American life? Take this class to find out!

Students will discuss their own preschool experiences: what worked for them and what didn't. They will also learn about conceptual frameworks behind how early childhood education is designed.


Prerequisites
Readings will be assigned.

What makes an action ethical or not? How can we become better leaders in the world around us? These are difficult questions but no doubt as important as any other, and this class aims to address those questions and more.


Prerequisites
None

Despite being different languages, English and Latin share a striking number of linguistic similarities. In this class, we will discuss why this is so, focusing first on the two languages' common origin (Proto-Indo-European), and then on their centuries-long contact via French. We will discover the fascinating connection between linguistic and social history, and learn how defeat on an English battlefield forever changed how we speak today.


Prerequisites
Some previous study of Latin or a Romance language will be helpful, but is not necessary for taking the course.

How many people in America can say “Hello!” in Turkish? Do you want to become one of them? Do you want to learn more about one of the earliest countries to give women the right to vote? Do you want to learn about the country that bridges the continents of Europe and Asia?
If so, come and learn the basics of Turkish and the country of Turkey!

In this course, you'll learn basic Mandarin Chinese, such as elementary words/phrases, the Chinese pinyin system, and the Chinese alphabet/tones. I will highlight and address differences between the English and Chinese languages that makes learning the Chinese language difficult for some people.

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 in gun policy that will touch on topics in public policy, criminology, and rhetoric. Students will be encouraged to discuss problems and propose solutions, and will be taught to critically examine data the use of rhetorical devices.

Back again, it's World Powers! Ready to take the reins of a country in the midst of turmoil? Will you stay out of chaos or will you push the continent into it? You make all the decisions. Do you build your army? Do you invest in your people? Do you start building nukes? Or do you fly to the moon? It's all up to you. You're going to have a blast!

Back again, it's World Powers! Ready to take the reins of a country in the midst of turmoil? Will you stay out of chaos or will you push the continent into it? You make all the decisions. Do you build your army? Do you invest in your people? Do you start building nukes? Or do you fly to the moon? It's all up to you. You're going to have a blast!

Come join me in an exploration of Dr. Seuss's famous writing style where he manipulates the english language with his unique form of poetic license to talk about serious topics such as responsibility, climate change, and pollution. Examining form to uncover meaning, we will learn more about the complexity of Seuss's ostensibly simple stories.

Enjoy a break for lunch with your friends! Please register for at least one lunch period on each day of the program.

Want to learn the magic behind how your favorite website is made and build one of your own? Take this class and learn how the internet works, and build a website of your own!


Prerequisites
None :)

Have you ever encountered a function that you really really want to integrate but your standard Riemann integral is just not powerful enough? For example, Riemann just doesn't cut it when trying to integrate the function $$f(x)$$ that is 1 when $$x$$ is rational and zero otherwise. Introducing: The Lebesgue Integral - a.k.a. the answer to all of your problems. This better and more powerful integral will allow you to rest easy at night, knowing you can integrate the wildest functions imaginable.

This class will be more theoretical and applied. I'll teach - lecture style - the definitions and theorems that go along with measure theory, Lebesgue Measure, and the Lebesgue integral, but won't do many calculations. I'll assume that students are familiar with Riemann integration (the normal integral taught in high school calculus) but not much beyond that.


Prerequisites
Integral calculus

Learn how your browser communicates with the server for an app or website. We'll talk about the difference between static and dynamic websites, HTTP protocol (GET and POST requests only), how data is stored and retrieved from databases, how a website knows who you are (think automatic login), the importance of asynchronous functions, and more. This course will give you a high-level understanding of what goes on behind the scenes when you interact with an app or website. We'll look at a few code snippets to get an idea of what's actually making it all happen, but the goal of this course is for you all to leave with a solid conceptual understanding. At the end we'll do a fun activity where we physically model how a website works.

No previous knowledge required!

Let's say that you are the owner of a company that makes cars and you only need two people to make a car (they're miniature cars for rich toddlers). To make a single car, you need a team made up of one welder and one machinist. You could just match up welders and machinists randomly....but people have preferences. Let's suppose you pair machinist M with welder W and machinst M' with welder W' What happens if it turns out that M' and W both like each other better than the people they're currently paired with? They'd leave their current partners and work with each other, if there's nothing to prevent them from doing so

In this class, we'll work through the stable matching problem to figure out the best way to come up with a matching that avoid the problem above (instabilities). We'll start by gaining an undertanding of the problem (inputs, expected outputs, requirements, things to avoid) and then move on to constructing a psuedocode algorithm that would generate a set of stable matchings. If we have time at the end, we'll talk about the run-time of the algorithm we generated and talk about ways we could make the algorithm more efficient (faster).


Prerequisites
Basic familiarity with control flow (if statements, for loops, etc.) and previous exposure to algorithmic run-time would be helpful, but no prereq's required. -- I'll send out links to two short youtube videos (1) explaining run-time and (2) a quick overview of the stable matching problem for anyone interested, but it's not required.

You might have heard of Bitcoins, but do you know why it's so exciting? How does it work and why is blockchain one of the most exciting new technologies of computer science? We'll try to answer those questions in this class.


Prerequisites
Basic algebra will be helpful

We'll go through one or two coding challenges. We will start with coming up with ideas for problems, then writing pseudocode, then writing actual code, and we will work at debugging any problems in that code. If we have time, we will discuss ways of improving the solution we have, such as improving coding style and optimality of the code.


Prerequisites
You must already know how to program in a language like Java, C/C++, or Python. Ideally, you will have taken AP Computer Science or equivalent, or you are doing well in AP Computer Science. You should be comfortable with loops, arrays, and functions.

Topics may include the basics of acoustics, how sound is processed by computers, what qualifies as music, modern music production techniques, why there are 12 notes in an octave, what sound is, &c.


Prerequisites
Simple understanding of physics and/or willingness to move quickly through some possibly difficult topics, especially for younger students.

An introduction to mathematical game theory, studying how to use logic and probability to make intelligent, rational decisions in games. Will include discussions of payoff matrices, the Prisoner's Dilemma, the role of randomness in optimal strategies, and other related topics.


Prerequisites
Knowledge of basic algebra.

Have you ever wondered if surprising graphs or statistics in the news were actually true? Has anyone ever claimed something and backed it up with a statistic that you don't believe? Come learn about the ways statistics can be misleading, and how to do a better job representing facts accurately!

Basic introduction to non-Euclidean geometries, such as hyperbolic, and an investigation into the weird things that can happen when Euclid's fifth postulate is replaced with something else.


Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Euclidean geometry

Learn block programming with a Disney Frozen edition of Hour of Code! Class will cover variables, control flow, basic logical operators, and more. No programming experience necessary.

Game theory is the study of conflict and cooperation between intelligent, rational (that's you!) decision-makers.

Do you want to learn how to maximize your Oreo earnings in a game of "Prisoner's Dilemma?" Or understand why you make the decisions you make?

Then come extend your Monopoly strategy to understand real-word phenomena such as political campaigns, competition among corporations, and even the ideal eBay bid!

Come learn about graphs -- and not the y=f(x) kind! Graphs, also sometimes called networks, are an incredibly diverse and exciting mathematical structure, with myriad applications in data analysis, modeling, and even Google’s search algorithm. We’ll talk about basic concepts and results in graph theory, and then move on to more advanced topics, possibly including random walks, network algorithms, and even a hint of spectral graph theory. (And, if you need any more incentive, there will be snacks!)


Prerequisites
Familiarity with probability and combinatorics (what is n choose r?). Also, comfort with basic mathematical ideas, and willingness to learn new material in a short time!

Join us for a practical, engaging, and impactful class on data literacy! We live in an increasingly data-driven world, so it is important as ever that we harness the power of data to reveal important issues in our communities and inform effective strategies for social justice. Students will have the opportunity to work hands-on with real data and learn about relevant social justice issues at a local, national, and international scale.

We will make big shapes out of smaller shapes and talk about making big shapes out of smaller shapes.

Calculus may sound scary, but the concepts behind it are approachable with just a basic mathematical background.

When you're crossing the street, trying to figure out if cars are going to hit you - you're actually doing calculus. Ever wonder why the area of a circle is $$\pi r^2$$ - with calculus, you can find out! The concepts taught in this class can help you find speeds of objects, areas and volumes of crazy shapes, and more.


Prerequisites
Prerequisite: algebra. For example, you should be able to make a graph of y=x^2 or y=x^2+3. You should also be able to simplify expressions like (x+3)(2x+4).

In this course, we're going to be looking at the basics of creating web-pages from HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). We will try to iteratively design better versions of our website, and learn new tricks along the way. Time permitting, we will try to understand how we can program a back-end for our website in Python. No worries if you don't know what any of these terms mean, since everything will be explained from scratch.

Finally, we will publish our creations to our very own domain names so that they can stand the test of time!

**Return of a students' favorite!**
Our knowledge of RNAs, arguably the most important class of biomolecules, has expanded far beyond their textbook role as a messenger. An explosion of recent discoveries in the field has revealed an incredible diversity of noncoding RNAs, all carrying strange, important, and fascinating functions.
In fact, Yale is one of the most important hubs of RNA research in the entire world. In this class, we explore some of the most cutting-edge findings about RNA.


Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of cells, genetics, and molecular biology

Have you ever watched TV and wondered what the heck was the casting department thinking? Two brown hair, brown eyed parents have a blue eyed, blonde-haired daughter and a son with red hair and green eyes? People, that's not how genetics works! No? Just me? Well, regardless if you've ever had that thought or not, if you are at all interested in genetics, heritable traits, and probability take this class and learn the secrets of your genome alongside your favorite characters from the big screen!

In this course, we will investigate how perception and memory work in regards to psychology and see some of the mistakes that our brain makes regarding how we interact with the world.

The chemistry of coffee! We will cover chemical content, how roasting changes the chemical profile, caffeine, and health effects of coffee, while learning some basic chemistry knowledge along the way. There will be samples :)

Do you like bones? Do you like art? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you're in the right place! Here, we will draw the human skeleton while learning about the bones and their functions! You will also learn how to detect gender and ancestry from looking at human bones!

Have you ever wondered about what part of the brain your memory is in? Have you ever wondered where your emotions come from? The brain controls every move you make, every breath you take, and everything you see, hear and touch. It is the most complex and important organ in the body, but one of the least understood. This class will cover many of the different areas of the brain and their functions. We will talk about how you come to see, hear, feel and remember things. Hopefully through this class, students will begin to understand how the entire world that they perceive around them is represented in their own heads.

Have you ever wondered about what genes are? Or how information from your parents is passed on to you? Or how the environment influences your genes? Or maybe even just why genetics matters?

This class covers some of the basics of genetics including what DNA is, how transcription and translation work, and how heredity (how information is passed on) works. We will also discuss epigenetics, genetic engineering, and what happens when something goes wrong in the form of genetic disease.


Prerequisites
Understanding of basic biology.

This course teaches about some concepts of physics through the familiar context of Star Wars.


Prerequisites
Basic algebra and geometry.

In this hands-on workshop, students will learn about polar and non-polar compounds and how this affects solubility. Studies will use these ideas to separate out the dyes used in Kool Aid. Finally, the class will discuss how separation science (chromatography) applies to real laboratory experiments.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the world. However, the mechanism of how cancer is initiated remains elusive. The development of sequencing technology sheds light on the genetic factors that promote cancer. This course will introduce the basic concepts of cancer genomics and how modern sequencing technology is used to reveal the characteristics and the development of cancer.


Prerequisites
None

A kid is born without an immune system until scientists infect his blood with a genetically engineered HIV virus.

Sounds like science fiction, but it is currently a reality with modern medicine.

A brief primer on gene therapy, the history of it, the science behind it, and a Q&A.

We'll build up intuition on investing, trading and the stock market from the ground up. Starting with what a Bid & Ask are, to analyzing price movements we'll get an intro. to the vocabulary used on and around Wall St. We'll also go on a whirlwind tour of the different assets available to retail investors (stocks, bonds, options, etc.) without getting too deep in the weeds. I'll also throw in some actionable advice on stock trading platforms, as well some basic portfolio theory and common trading strategies. We'll end with a Q&A and if we have time take a look at Bitcoin & Cryptocurrencies.


Prerequisites
Some economics background; an interest in the stock market.

Could cabbage juice help solve the plight of marine wildlife? Simple chemistry experiments can be critical in understanding timely world issues. The world is currently facing a major environmental challenge in ocean acidification, but this phenomenon is rooted in simple acid-base chemistry. We’ll start by going over the chemistry behind acids and bases, and carry out some simple laboratory experiments to better understand these processes using common household items. We’ll then connect this information to ocean acidification, touching on how it works, its effects on biology, geology, and human health, and how we can moderate this situation.

Aspartame?
Butylated hydroxyanisole?
tert-Butylhydroquinone?
We're going to explore all types of "mysterious" ingredients and pesticides in and on our food nowadays, how they affect our bodies and our environment, and where the global food system is headed from here. We will check out an app called Buycott, hold debates on how consumers should respond to the controversy over conventionally versus organically grown produce, discuss regulations on pesticides, and even get to perform our own test on the crazy amount of pesticides on a few pieces of produce!

Have you ever wondered what’s going on inside your brain that allows you to develop different emotions and thoughts while listening to music or playing an instrument? Are you also potentially interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field? In this class, we will discuss the impact of music on the human brain, and more specifically, how it affects the brain during illness and injury- on both a psychological and biological level. You will also learn how important it is to treat a patient as a whole, or in other words, how to establish an emotional connection with people, something that is not taught directly in school. Through videos, group discussions, and interactive activities, you will learn how music positively impacts the brain, and how it exemplifies a critical method in not only being able to connect with others on a deep emotional level, but also, aid in the rate of recovery from illness or injury. In addition, you will be taught how to apply this information to your own everyday life, so that you can improve your future interactions with all people, whether or not you go into health care.

In biology classes, you learn that a signal travels down a neuron as action potential. Sometimes you learn about an action potential as ion channels opening. But an action potential is so much more! This class will explain how the neuron can be thought of as an electrical circuit. We will discuss how the same equations that describe a circuit with resistors and capacitors can be used to model an action potential. The needed background to understand electrical circuits will be covered.


Prerequisites
Some calculus would be helpful but not strictly necessary.

If you can get a flu vaccine that will keep you from getting sick, how come you can't get an HIV vaccine?

Since the outbreak of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the early 1980’s researchers have faced a variety of unique challenges in the search for a vaccine or a cure. Huge strides have been made in treatments, but we still have not found a vaccine that can prevent transmission of HIV.

Come learn what normally makes a good vaccine, why HIV is particularly difficult to combat with traditional vaccine strategies, and what creative ways researchers are coming up with to fight back against HIV!


Prerequisites
Basic biology background recommended.

After listening to music, we naturally feel our moods soar, but what is it about music that makes it so moving to us, and how can it affect our health? Can we harness its powers to address the issue of adolescent stress? Adolescents today are experiencing increased levels of stress, which makes the body more prone to disease. In this presentation, the relationship between music and the brain will be explored, and it will become clear why listening to music can be a method of stress reduction for adolescents.
*note: if you have a pair of earphones, please bring them!


Prerequisites
Appreciation for music and willingness to delve into basic neuroscience!

Going through the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of countless drugs from a neurological standpoint, while also discussing their history and epidemiology.


Prerequisites
Very basic understanding of the brain

Stars are usually described as being somewhat alive: they are born from a cloud of gas, maintain a life-like metabolism for a long time, and die after their cores run out of material for nuclear fusion. While all stars begin their lives in a similar way, stars have quite an incredible variation of how they die. Many go through a violent, titanic explosion and end up being a “dead star”: a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole. These dead stars are extremely difficult to spot in the night sky. In this class, we will see how we come to know about these dead stars, and how these stars have been useful in helping us understand the universe and our place in the cosmos.


Prerequisites
Math: Algebra; Physics: Force, Density, Optics; Chemistry: Periodic Table, Elements

Everything that happens in your body happens because of molecules, and the bonds and shapes of these molecules depend on the principles of chemistry. In this class, we'll go over some of the basic principles of organic chemistry, and see how they apply to biological molecules, specifically DNA, RNA and proteins.


Prerequisites
Chemistry; some knowledge of biology helpful but not required.

Curious about the future of quantum computing? This class will go over two topics: 1) An explanation of why many smart people are interested in investigating quantum computing, and 2) A brief introduction into how quantum computing is powerful. No background is needed for part 1, mathematical background is recommended for part 2.


Prerequisites
Physics, Linear Algebra, Familiarity with complex numbers, matrix notation, binary numbers are highly recommended.

What does your dog's health say about your own health? How can animal vaccinations help people? What can human medicine learn from veterinary medicine and vice versa?

One Health is the concept that human health, animal health, and the state of the environment are all connected and impact one another. In this class, we will discuss the importance of public health and increasing efforts to improve communication across health care and environmental professions.

Have you ever wondered about what part of the brain your memory is in? Have you ever wondered where your emotions come from? The brain controls every move you make, every breath you take, and everything you see, hear and touch. It is the most complex and important organ in the body, but one of the least understood. This class will cover many of the different areas of the brain and their functions. We will talk about how you come to see, hear, feel and remember things. Hopefully through this class, students will begin to understand how the entire world that they perceive around them is represented in their own heads.

Bam! Pow! Zoom! Have we entered an alternate universe? Not quite, all superheroes are still in their movies and comic books. However, a lot of the superpowers that make a good superhero have a strong basis in science. This course will explore different superpowers and how they can be explained by science today. At the end of the class, students will be able to design their own superhero based on current science and technology!

Have you ever wondered about what makes optical illusions possible? In this course, we'll talk about a few common optical illusions and the neuroscience that makes them possible. You'll understand just what goes on in our brain when we look at optical illusions, and also how optical illusions can help us understand how the brain normally operates. We will tackle concepts like color afterimages and inattentional blindness, among others. No prior knowledge of neuroscience is required, but an interest in how the brain works is recommended!


Prerequisites
None!

Quantum mechanics tells us that photons and electrons sometimes act like particles, and sometimes act like waves. We're going to learn how studying these tiny things helps scientists understand living organisms as big as the human body! We'll also talk about how many of the biggest problems in science today can only be solved if researchers from drastically different disciplines work together.


Prerequisites
An interest in science!

A kid is born without an immune system until scientists infect his blood with a genetically engineered HIV virus.

Sounds like science fiction, but it is currently a reality with modern medicine.

A brief primer on gene therapy, the history of it, the science behind it, and a Q&A.

How do genes shape traits and diseases? What role do genetics play in medicine? How do researchers learn more about genetics? An introduction to the genetics of rare diseases, through a medical and scientific lens.


Prerequisites
High school biology

The laws of physics work perfectly if you play time backwards, but this flies in the face of our everyday experience. Your headphones come out of your pockets tangled, but never perfectly rolled up; a drop of dye spreads in water, but never re​-​concentrates itself. In this course, we will explore why this happens, showing that it arises purely from statistics and probabilities rather than some fundamental force. Eventually, we will discover a specific quantity called "entropy", arguably the most important number in your life.


Prerequisites
Basic understanding of probabilities

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the world. However, the mechanism of how cancer is initiated remains elusive. The development of sequencing technology sheds light on the genetic factors that promote cancer. This course will introduce the basic concepts of cancer genomics and how modern sequencing technology is used to reveal the characteristics and the development of cancer.


Prerequisites
None

Have you ever wondered why there is so much fuss about climate change? Come to this course and find out! We'll explore the basic mechanisms driving global warming, impacts it has been having around the world, and projections for the future. A special emphasis will be placed on how you yourself can help fix this global problem. No prior knowledge about climate change or science is required - everyone is welcome!

This class will focus on a new and fast growing field in science: Tissue Engineering. Tissue Engineering is the use of cells and material science to replace or improve biological tissue. This class will look at Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts which use biodegradable material and cells to create new blood vessels in patients with heart complications. We will talk about the science behind the formation of new tissue and explore issues that have yet to be solved.


Prerequisites
Some knowledge of the immune system and/or AP Biology is recommended.

Did you watch the Olympics and wonder how on earth figure skaters launch themselves into huge jumps and spins? Then this fun physics applications course is for you! We'll review some basic mechanics principles and apply them to some Olympics-sized skating moves. No physics background assumed!.

This course will explore the psychology of attraction, asking questions like, "What makes people attractive?", "How do we feel love?", "What determines sexual orientation?", etc. We will look through recent research in social psychology which have helped to uncover the root of attraction. But don't worry, I won't bog you down with too much psychology; there will be plenty of demonstrations and class interactions. The goal of this class to have fun while learning about a part of psychology that is relevant to all of us--love, sex, and attraction.

Have you ever wondered about the relationship between birds and dinosaurs? Why do male deers have antlers? Why do dogs look different?

Evolutionary biology is the study of the mechanisms that produce the diversity of life on Earth. In this class, we will explore the idea of natural selection as proposed by Darwin and examine the role of evolutionary biology in unifying the other biological sciences.

Aspartame?
Butylated hydroxyanisole?
tert-Butylhydroquinone?
We're going to explore all types of "mysterious" ingredients and pesticides in and on our food nowadays, how they affect our bodies and our environment, and where the global food system is headed from here. We will check out an app called Buycott, hold debates on how consumers should respond to the controversy over conventionally versus organically grown produce, discuss regulations on pesticides, and even get to perform our own test on the crazy amount of pesticides on a few pieces of produce!

2017 was the third warmest year globally since records began and the average global temperature has risen 1.12°C above the 1880-1910 baseline. What is the cause of this environmental catastrophe and how is the world responding? We will examine common misconceptions and innovative technologies and developments as the world grapples with this grave danger.

This course introduces the practice of using mindfulness to work through stress. Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way, and students will be shown how utilize this process in the reduction of their stress as well as throughout their lives.


Prerequisites
none

In this class, we'll learn about some of the common techniques that stores use to make customers more likely to buy a product. Then, you'll have a chance to apply these principles into your own designs of a store or a product.

Bring books you are no longer reading and would like to trade.

Receive free books that can't be sold in bookstores and can only be donated.

Have fun and make new reader friends!

Stock up on powdered dragon claw so you can rule at this year's Splash Wizard Tournament (of Harry Potter Trivia)!

Note that the most stringent anti-cheating charms have been applied to the contest. Auto-Answer Quills are banned from the hall, as are Remembralls, Detachable Cribbing Cuffs and Self-Correcting Ink.

Note: if you're a second year Splash page (i.e. have taken this class at a previous Splash) the questions won't be new to you.


Prerequisites
First-year students will require: 1. Three sets of plain work robes (black) 2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear 3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar) 4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings) 5. Life-consuming nerdiness. Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags at all times. FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK.

An introduction to life-saving techniques, such as CPR and thrusts (formerly known as the Heimlich maneuver), as well as ways that we can stay safe in both medical and social situations. Demonstrations of CPR and thrusts using a dummy will be made.

Do you want to make a difference but aren't sure how to or for what cause? Come learn about Effective Altruism- a movement based on using reason and evidence to do the most good. The world is full of worthy causes, so many that it can be intimidating to figure out how you personally should help. This class will discuss ways you can make a positive impact, now and in your future.


Prerequisites
N/A

This course will allow students to:
-learn a brief overview of the history of eugenics.
-identify lingering aspects of eugenical ideals and recognize how they specifically impact the Intersex Community.
-explore and reflect upon their own biases towards groups of people of by exploring their universe of obligation.
-explore themes of social justice, activism, and upstanders.

Why are some product designs good and why are some product designs bad? What counts as good or bad product design? We'll look at some examples in this class, and we will try to see how the underlying human factors lead to good and bad designs. As a simple illustration, have encountered a door where you immediately want to pull the door only to find out that you have to push the door to open it?

A crash course into the world of social psychology: the study of how we perceive, interact, influence, and relate to others. Learn the basics of social influence, group dynamics, and more! The floor will be opened up towards the end of the class for discussion and questions.


Prerequisites
Some basic understanding of psychology

Ever wondered how fiction writers create worlds for their stories? Join us on an interactive adventure as we delve into the minutiae of worldbuilding and, as a class, come up with our own fictional world. We'll explore qualities like geography, history, ecology, society, and many others as we create a never-before-seen world. Come prepared with ideas and enthusiasm!

From the Illuminati to Avril Lavigne's Dopplegänger, this course is a survey of some of the most influential, outlandish, inventive, and even persuasive conspiracy theories that have plagued humanity all throughout history. How and why were these theories created and what role do they play in our larger society?


Prerequisites
None

Have you ever been a part of an improv group? This interactive, anything-goes improv exercise is a way to hone your creative skills. We will be working together during this lesson to start a story with a simple beginning and give everyone a chance to add their own creative flair. The direction is up to you! Let the laughs and good times roll!

It is important to be able to present to a large group of people, whether it is for a school project, college assignment, or work meeting. In this lesson we will discuss and learn tips and tricks by simply getting up and practicing! Don’t be shy, come and learn how to speak with confidence!

Have you ever wondered what the heck was going on in the Harry Potter universe? Why does Gringotts literally keep your gold in a locked room? What's up with the plot of the fourth book? We all love Harry, but let's be real, he's pretty naive. In this class we'll look at small details about the Harry Potter universe and how it also reflects on the way we view banking and other "grown-up" things in society.

Has your English teacher ever told you not to end a sentence with a preposition? Not to split an infinitive?
Come learn about why your English teachers actually shouldn't be correcting the way you speak. We'll also talk about the different ways English is spoken throughout the United States and why they're all equally "correct."

What is Leadership? What is Teamwork?
Why should a person ever work with others? In this class, we will learn about leadership and teamwork through group activities and a discussion of the philosophical foundations of teams. Be sure to bring energy and a curiosity for interdependence!


Prerequisites
Ability to work well with others in a team-based activities. Ability to think abstractly.

This course introduces the practice of using mindfulness to work through stress. Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way, and students will be shown how utilize this process in the reduction of their stress as well as throughout their lives.


Prerequisites
none

If you had to get on a plane right now and go to a Spanish-speaking country, would you know what to say to navigate your way around? Have you always wanted to learn Spanish, but never had the time? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this is the class for you! In approximately one hour, you will learn basic Spanish phrases that are useful for everyday conversation (and how to properly pronounce them!). We will also dive into the cultures of different Spanish-speaking countries in Central/South America and Europe. Join us on a wonderful cultural journey & sign up!!


Prerequisites
Students must express and excitement in learning a new language.

As the world becomes more urbanized, transportation becomes increasingly important. Questions of mobility, efficiency and sustainability in the realm of public transit become essential.

In “Public Transit in the America’s,” you’ll learn about the current state of public transportation in North & South America as well as what the future holds.