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.

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!

Ever wondered what the life of a scare actor looks like? Interested in developing your own persona for a haunt? How do you get into scare acting, anyway? Led by a paid scare actor, this fun acting class will cover all of this and more, and you'll get to have a hands-on experience with scare acting!

Liberal? Progressive? Centrist? Libertarian? Everyone is invited for this special course on the fundamentals of conservatism as a set of ideals and worldview. This class is for you if you want to break away from whatever political bubble you're apart of and learn what, why, and how conservatives think and believe. We'll talk about how faith, reason, work, and morality all shape conservative thought, play games that explore conservative principles and American elections, and explore modern day issues from traditional perspectives. Hope to see you soon!


Prerequisites
A basic understanding of government/civics.

Have you ever wondered how a carpenter from Nazareth from 2,000 years ago managed to change the entire world as we know it?

Did you know that every story of the Bible, from Adam and Eve, to Noah, Moses, David, and everything in between points to one person? One message?

Have you ever thought about how the Old and New Testaments perfectly come together to form one clear story arc, connecting all of human history?

This class explores Christian Typology, or the "Where's Waldo?" of the Bible. We will explore how the Bible tells the story of humanity, from beginning to end, centered around one person, Jesus Christ. We will explore the images, symbols, metaphors, and connections the Old Testament paints that point to the coming Messiah.

This class is for you if A) you're interested in Christianity and want to get a big picture view of what it's about, what is the Gospel, and how the Bible comes together to present this claim.

or B) You're a Christian looking to learn more about your faith, explore some amazing connections you probably never thought about, and fall in love with the Bible once again.

I'm excited to see you there!


Prerequisites
None!

What makes a story good? How can we best tell our own stories? In this workshop, we’ll focus on putting together the building blocks of a story: setting, character, and plot. We’ll read some excerpts from popular literature and incorporate what we observe into our own creative writing, which will be in response to different prompts that will give you ideas to get started. Hopefully by the end of our time together, you will have a newfound appreciation for some of your favorite stories and the foundation for masterpieces of your own!


Prerequisites
An open mind and willingness to participate!

What makes a story good? How can we best tell our own stories? In this workshop, we’ll focus on putting together the building blocks of a story: setting, character, and plot. We’ll read some excerpts from popular literature and incorporate what we observe into our own creative writing, which will be in response to different prompts that will give you ideas to get started. Hopefully by the end of our time together, you will have a newfound appreciation for some of your favorite stories and the foundation for masterpieces of your own!


Prerequisites
An open mind and willingness to participate!

What if we told you that Shakespeare isn't boring... he's hilarious! Learn about the Bard's work through a mix of video, music, pictures, and acting. By the end of this course, students will have a working knowledge of Shakespeare's life and work and a few Elizabethan one-liners up their sleeves.

What do we require of our physicians? This course encompasses the American systems which protect human subjects in research and create standards for informed consent and doctor-patient relationships.

What role do our senses play in our perception of the world? Can we be certain that there is a world at all? Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Should we be afraid of death? In this course, we will develop a foundation of the philosophical style of inquiry and explore the philosophical insights of various ancient and modern philosophers.

How do we know what is "true" and "untrue," "real" and "fake?" Can we trust our senses? Is there such a thing as an independent reality? In this class, we will explore some basic questions of epistemology (the study of knowledge) and metaphysics (the study of reality), considering the ideas of Descartes, Kant, Heidegger, and other trailblazing philosophers. Prepare to come away with more questions than answers.


Prerequisites
None

We all know that there's a difference between "Alex said they loves me," "Alex *said*, 'I love you.'" and "Alex said, '...I love you?'" In the context of a larger piece, these single sentences can make the difference between a charming love scene, a heart-prickling mystery, or a devastating ending -- perhaps all in the same turbulent story.

This class is about the story within sentences. You will re-discover the rules of wordage as tools for you, the storyteller. We will begin with the basic elements of storytelling -- plot, characters, setting, conflict -- and build inward. By the end of this class, you will come away with several paragraphs of beautifully written, story-rich prose, no matter where you are in your journey as a writer.

Do you fear death? What if I could prove to you that you shouldn't? In this class, we will study and interrogate the Ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus' argument that death is nothing to be feared.

Picture this: You're a trader in the thriving Empire of Ghana (Wagadu) during the 10th century A.D. You and your friends overhear people speaking about the latest caravan of merchants who are coming in to exchange what they've collected across their travels. There's a catch though: To finalize your trades, you must answer a riddle about the lands where the objects come from. You and your friends are competitive, so the race is on to see who can collect the most exotic goods. Can you build the biggest collection of prized possessions from across the continent? Join me to learn about various cultures across Africa!

What is good? What is evil? How have we as humans attempted to answer this question throughout history? What do these changes say about our broader societal values? How can these visions of evil help us understand the role of justice and free will today? Through looking at multiple visions of the devil (and his squad of demons), spanning from the Medieval era to the present, hopefully we will be able to approach answers to these difficult questions. And even if you don't get that from this course, I think you can at least get a deeper sense of what it means to be on "demon time."

Are there really such things as "absolute colors"? When I say I see the color green, do you see the same green? In this course, we will explore color theory, ideas around the ways color interact as described by Josef Albers. By the end of this course, you will have learned concepts that have shaped visual art for decades and see colors in a more vivid way.

Why is a playwright who died hundreds of years ago still so celebrated today? Why should we make the journey through his difficult language? In short, what makes Shakespeare so meaningful? This course aims to answer these questions. It introduces students to the enduring impact Shakespeare has on the modern world and can have on each of us. We will go through a quick presentation on who Shakespeare was, go over a sonnet or two, and perform a scene together!

Together, we'll delve into the immersive world of creative writing and explore the fundamentals of writing a short story. We'll start with the basics—narrative, plot, character development, and dialogue—and write in response to a few related prompts. At the end, we'll begin drafting a short story based on the techniques we learned and share some of our work aloud!

Did you know that about 80% of English words are borrowed from Latin? If you've ever wondered why someone would want to learn a "dead" language then this class is for you! We will learn basic Latin phrases and sayings and also discuss the enduring importance of classical languages in the modern world. No prior knowledge of Latin is needed. Carpe diem!


Prerequisites
None - just some enthusiasm! No prior knowledge of Latin is needed!

Do you read outside of class? If you don't yet, you definitely will once you start reading Young Adult fiction! This course will introduce you to this wonderfully diverse and engaging genre. We will begin with learning about the most iconic Young Adult books, reading short extracts from them and discussing the writing. Then, you will choose one of the extracts and write a short continuation or start writing your own Young Adult book. Afterwards, there will be a class sharing. A fun time is guaranteed, though I should warn you that the class might just make you start splurging on books...

Why is Pinocchio made out of wood? Why do rivers and trees represent life and death in major mythologies? Why can only true love's kiss awaken Sleeping Beauty?
As we grow older, we tend to care less and less about the stories we heard as kids, but the truth is that these tales are rich with beautiful metaphors and complex meanings. This course will explain the detailed symbolism and narratives that make us love these simple tales by covering general analysis of folklore, mythology, and religion..

There’s something about getting mail — the anticipation, the rush to open a package, and the joy of soaking it all in. Postcards do just that, but they bring notes, memories, and love! Postcards are a call to slow down from our busy lives, a reminder to express our gratitude to our loved ones (or ourselves), or a way to document the mundane into a physical time capsule. This class looks at how postcard writing came about, spends some time writing about, and talks about actually mailing them out (& navigating USPS!).

The stories we tell — about ourselves and the world around us — matter. They shape our actions, the ways we engage with the world, and what we value. This class looks at the central role that stories play in the centuries old Buddhist tradition. As we unpack core Buddhist teachings through its stories, we will think about what these will look like in our everyday life and attempt to think of some big questions: Where does happiness come from? What is the place of mindfulness in a good life? How do we navigate conflict and forgiveness?

Taylor Swift is, indisputably, one of the greatest artists of our time. Her music can make you feel all the feels and put emotions you didn’t know you experienced into words. At the same time, her rise in popularity has been mired with a series of controversies, whether it be with controversies with other celebrities. This class traces the development of Taylor Swift’s feminism — where does it come from? What does it look like today? What makes her so powerful? At the same time, it critiques it — Where does she falter? Who is this feminism for? In asking these questions, we will think about intersectional feminism, holding our favourite stars accountable, and navigating the line between enjoying art & unconditionally endorsing artists.

Throughout history philosophers have theorized about cognitive bias and its role in mass indoctrination and often describe it as an evil that captivates the minds of the masses, which prevents them from accessing the coveted realm of freethinking. However, they disagree over whether one should attempt to educate the masses or to distance oneself from them. In this class, we will engage with some philosophical views on cognitive bias and discuss the various approaches philosophers adopted for dealing with it in modern and ancient times.

In his presidential campaign, Joe Biden pledged to nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court if elected. In February, he fulfilled this promise by nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to fill the seat of the retiring Justice Stephen Breyer. This course will cover the selection of Supreme Court justices, President Biden's selection process, and Judge Jackson's confirmation. Students will have the chance to ask questions throughout, as well as participate in small- and large-group discussions about contemporary disputes relating to the Supreme Court and the confirmation process.


Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of US governmental systems and a desire to learn, discuss, and ask questions about the Supreme Court.

Who owns the ‘history’ and ‘trauma’ of the Vietnam War in America? Who owns the narrative of the Vietnamese people who came to America after 1975? In this course, we will read and discuss passages and poems of Vietnamese American literature that portray the complexities of Vietnam and the Vietnamese American experience. We will highlight both well-known and rising authors on our syllabus, including Ocean Vuong, Paul Tran, Monique Truong, and more!

Kinematics, Newton's Second Law, Energy, and Momentum/Impulse

Ancient Egyptian math departs from the modern treatment of algebra by emphasizing creativity and intuition. We will learn how to count, add fractions, and apply our understanding to problems considered by scribes in the Rhind Papyrus. The main goal of this course is to enjoy the beauty of the Egyptian approach to elementary arithmetic.

Explore the beauty of mathematics through Escher's artwork. Learn about tessellations, make your own mobius strip, and question the role of symmetry in higher order functions. No calculations involved, only a love for optical illusions, and a desire to know how they work!


Prerequisites
None

When your teacher asks you to show work for a problem, they are not-so-subtly asking you to prove to them that something is true. It turns out that this idea is very important to mathematics as a whole: proving that [insert your favorite math fact] is true in general (or given certain conditions) allows us to use it wherever we might need it. We will explore mathematical proof writing/techniques, proof writing as a way of thinking, and enjoy thinking about math in the process!

Who says math has to be boring? Welcome to Desmos! We will learn the simple ways to graph functions and make them move using sliders. We will explore how to use Desmos from the tasks for your homework to making an awesome project! Class will be taught by an International Desmos Art Finalist.


Prerequisites
Basic understanding of 6th grade math and algebra required. Knowledge of Calculus is optional but will be briefly introduced in the class.

Topology is a field of math which concerns itself, abstractly, with classifying shapes. You may have heard the joke that topologists can't tell the difference between a mug and a doughnut, or a cow and a sphere:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spherical_cow#/media/File:Spot_the_cow.gif

The machinery behind topology is abstract and involved, but the visual intuition behind it is simple, foreign, and rich. In this class we will be thinking carefully about how different shapes behave and differ from one another, and figuring out some tools to make these distinctions a little bit more precise.

We'll hint at several fundamental ideas of topology, i.e. the fundamental group, though we won't go into very much detail. We'll focus instead on why those ideas are important, and how they help us to think about the physical world around us.

We'll look at some cool examples—e.g. is it possible to connect each of three houses to each of three utility buildings using pipes without crossing any pipes?—which make for great math party tricks.

We'll end looking at a type of shape in space called a 2-manifold: i.e. a shape made out of cloth without edges, like a hollow sphere, or a hollow doughnut. Using the ideas we've built up, we'll figure out ALL of the 2-manifolds.


Prerequisites
A strong intuition for how strings, cloth, and play-dough work. A love for math. Though this class will be difficult, and we will move quickly, there are no prerequisites. This is not strictly a math class in that we will not be using any numbers, and the usual algebra-precalculus-caluclus high school sequence won't expose you to the ideas we'll be using. We'll mostly be looking at drawings of shapes on the board / using play-dough to build our intuition about shapes in space. A 12th grade student who has taken calculus will likely be just as prepared as an 8th grade student who has a strong love for math.

$$\pi = 3.1415926535897932384...$$ Want to learn how to recite the digits of pi from memory? Or tell your friend what day of the week they were born on, just by knowing their birthday? How about being able to do $$\sqrt{987} \approx 31.41$$ in your head, without a calculator? Better yet, how about doing all all three at the same time? If yes to any of the above, come to Mental Math & Memorization!


Prerequisites
No prerequisites at all - these skills are learnable by everybody, regardless of math background!

Sleep is a fascinating process and has scientists left with many questions that have yet to be fully answered. Why do we sleep? What is the purpose of dreams? Why do people develop sleeping disorders? This class will be a fascinating, yet understandable overview of perhaps one of the most interesting things that us humans and practically all animals do.

We'll cover the science and history of nuclear power plants: how they work, how they've evolved, and what the future of nuclear power might look like. From the promise of nearly unlimited clean power to the threat of nuclear disasters like Chernobyl, join us as we explore the amazing world of nuclear energy!

Paleontology is the study of the history of life on Earth as recorded by the fossil record. Although many people know about key paleontology discoveries like Tyrannosaurus rex, few realize the rich record found in the eastern United States. In this class, we examine the weird and wondrous animals that once lived in the very region where we live! I will take students on an adventure through time to see some of eastern North America's most amazing fossil discoveries, and showcase several new areas of research being worked on right now!

How can AI be used to improve human health and discovery novel therapies? How might AI-driven medicine perpetuate inequity, and what can we do about it?

This class explores the intersection of AI and medicine through a lens of health justice.

You'll have the opportunity to play with machine learning models and to compete against a computer in a real-world challenge -- classifying tumors as benign or malignant.

Global health is a novel field that requires interdisciplinary collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach to solve the world's largest health problems. Poverty, discrimination, and geographical factors all contribute to exacerbating the challenges to ensuring the health of everyone, everywhere is the health of anyone, anywhere. This course will go over the general definition of global health, some institutions with missions to ensure world goals for global health, who is impacted the most by global health, and the challenges in the field.

In this course students will learn the basics of atomic physics! We will cover how atoms are cooled to near absolute zero temperatures and its fascinating applications including measuring time itself.

What makes the human brain special? Some common answers to this question are brain size, the use of tools, mathematics, complex language, and the creation of artwork. But are these traits really so rare in the animal world? Through this brief introduction to the field of comparative cognition, we'll learn about the physical and mental differences between the brains of a variety of animals, taking examples from birds, dolphins, octopuses, and more!

On Earth, the height of mountains and other physical features is represented by elevation, or distance above sea level. But what about a physical feature on a planet without a sea level—how should you represent its height?

Last summer, I tackled this problem and invented a solution—designed to be physically meaningful, conceptually intuitive, and universally applicable to any planetary body. This new approach is currently known to less than 100 people in the world, so by taking this course, you will be embarking on the forefront of scientific research.

Get ready to travel to many fascinating places, including a volcano on Earth taller than Mt. Everest, the Apollo 15 Moon landing site, and a Martian valley five times deeper than the Grand Canyon. Along the way, you will find yourself learning more about creative problem-solving, mathematical modeling, and scientific principles of measurement.

Curious about a climate solution that actually works? The Yale Chapter of Students for Carbon Dividends presents the benefits of putting a price on carbon emissions and giving the raised money back to the American people in the form of a "dividend". Members will also detail their experiences with climate activism from writing op-eds to meeting with Congressional offices.

A boiling Jupiter $$6\times$$ hotter than Venus… A torturous world where it rains glass sideways… And a safe haven that others like us might call home… Exoplanets are worlds that orbit other stars, and they are stranger and more beautiful than you can even imagine! But how do we find these worlds? What are they like? And is it possible that there really are little green women and men who we might one day visit? Join us, and we will answer these questions and more!

Note: Same class as taught at Sprout 2022, so if you took it then it won't be anything new now!


Prerequisites
An adventurous spirit and enthusiasm for outer space!

Salicylic acid, retinol, chemical sunscreens: these are the secrets to healthy, glowing skin. Have you wondered just how salicylic acid treats acne or how chemical sunscreen prevents skin cancer and wrinkles? After taking this class, not only will you leave with an understanding of the chemical functions of these famous skincare ingredients, but you will be well set on your path toward perfect skin!


Prerequisites
One year each of chemistry and biology recommended.

Come learn about the forgotten magic molecule RNA, its structure and function, how all of life may have started with RNA, and how RNA vaccines and therapeutics may one day stop antibiotic resistance and cure cure COVID-19!


Prerequisites
No prerequisites but prior biology experience will always help!

In this class, we will dive into the functions of various parts of the brain and discuss some amazing case studies involving brain injuries that result in the transformation of human behavior.

Did you know that, according to some taxonomic classifications, there are more than 400 non-human primate species across the globe? From the huge eastern lowland gorillas to the tiny Pygmy mouse lemurs, primates are incredibly diverse and even more fascinating. In this course, we will explore the general trends of primate behavior and ecology, think critically about strategies for primate conservation, and do our own mini research projects on case studies of different primate species.

Please note: although it will not be discussed or described in detail, this class will have mentions of reproduction because it is often central in how primate social groups are organized.

YaleBleeds would like to teach a class about menstrual equity and health. We will discuss topics ranging from how to put in a tampon, why we bleed, managing periods, methods of birth control, and the worldwide inaccessibility of hygiene products. Menstrual health is a taboo topic. However, if not addressed, it can cause serious physical and mental health consequences. Statistics show that 25% of women have missed a class because they get their periods and don’t have access to menstrual products. Further, miseducation can lead to fatal illnesses such as toxic shock syndrome and undiagnosed hormone-induced depression. Raising awareness for menstrual health is essential for the safety for all menstruators. This would be our fourth year teaching this class!

THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, NOR IS IT TAUGHT BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. I am a student who's had a lot of experience with my own and others' mental health management in the context of college.

Self-care and mental health are critically important - we all know this. But the path to managing stress and mental illness is anything but intuitive. This class is made for anyone who wants a backup plan for how to handle stress and crisis if and when they arise.

We will discuss practical solutions to situations such as: how to advocate for yourself when emotions hinder communication; physical exercises such as breathing patterns and TIPP to manage high-stress moments; and how to use academic and personal resources to look out for yourself and others as you progress through high school and college.

Why does New Haven have one of the state's highest rates of illnesses like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity? Looking closer, there are huge health differences based on inequalities rooted in racism and poverty. Learn about how societal factors like racial and ethnic discrimination, economic inequality, and a lack of basic resources cause some of the biggest health issues we see in New Haven today.


Prerequisites
None

The Wolf of Wall Street. The Big Short. Margin Call. Billions. Silicon Valley. Blockbuster movies and critically-acclaimed TV shows often portray the world of finance, so we'll try to use these Hollywood narratives as a lens into various financial concepts. We'll cover topics like the stock market, the financial crisis of 2008, hedge funds, venture capital, income inequality, and more. The goal is to introduce you to various types of financial markets. If you decide to watch (or rewatch!) a finance-related film after this course, we'll provide you with the background information needed to get the most out of it.