Splash Spring 2026
Course Catalog

This course introduces students in grades 7-12 to the art of card magic, focusing on foundational techniques and performance skills. Students will learn essential sleight-of-hand techniques, including the double lift, false shuffles and cuts, and various card forces. Emphasis will be placed on misdirection, presentation, and building confidence in performance. By the end of the course, students will be able to execute a series of professional-level card tricks and develop an understanding of the psychological principles behind effective magic. No prior experience is required—just a deck of cards and a passion for learning.

Prerequisites:
PLEASE Bring your own playing cards if you can!


Prerequisites
N/A

Museums tell one story about art, but much of the art world operates behind closed doors. This class offers a fast-paced, behind-the-scenes introduction to the private art market: art advisors, private galleries, and auction houses. Students will learn how artworks are bought, sold, priced, and strategically circulated outside of public institutions, and how private institutions shape taste and value. Through real-world examples, interactive scenarios, and case studies, the class reveals how (much of what the world considers) the “dark side” of the art world actually functions, what makes it so vitally important for the arts, and why it quietly influences what ends up in museums, textbooks, and headlines.

It seems like in recent times, how "good" acting is is determined predominantly by how "realistic" it seems, how much you believe this is a "real" person. But 'naturalism' is not the only way to occupy a theatrical space, and it seems like the vast wealth of different traditions have somehow gotten lost in the way theater is thought (especially to high-schoolers). This course aims to bring back the strange, funny, exaggerated, stiff, and uncomfortable types of acting that have been the foundation of so much research into political and transformative theater, and helping students feel comfortable harnessing the "unbelievable" to their advantage. This will mostly be done through exploratory improvisation exercises, and potentially some scriptwork and discussion towards the end. Videos and verbal explanations will be used to transmit content.

Learn the basics of fashion. How to layer and look your best in today's uniform society.


Prerequisites
none

An (unserious) exploration of what music really is through the world of graphic scores. Who needs notes? Come for the kazoos and stay for the music (?). No prior knowledge about anything needed!

Are you someone who is interested in art and/or medicine? Then this class is for you! In this class, we will explore how art has helped advance medicine, from the Renaissance to the modern day. We will practice our realism drawing skills through various exercises. No artistic skills are necessary!

From dramatic film scores to viral pop hits, the Phrygian scale screams danger, intensity, and a so-called “Middle-Eastern” sound. In this course, we’ll trace this scale’s journey from Arabic music and Spanish flamenco into Hollywood film scores and pop songs by artists like Sam Smith and Lil Nas X. We’ll examine how this scale is similar to—but NOT the same as—real scales in Arabic music, and how that distinction is often lost to our Western ears. Finally, we’ll consider what the Phrygian scale has come to mean: how it developed such powerful cultural associations, and when those associations can border on problematic. Through a small dose of music theory and large dose of fun listening, we’ll unlock the secrets of how this simple scale plays with our subconscious.


Prerequisites
Knowledge of some music theory is recommended, but not required!

In this class, students will learn about Michael Jackson’s life and career, from his early days with the Jackson 5 to becoming one of the most famous musicians in history. We will explore his biggest albums, most iconic songs, and how he changed music, dance, and pop culture forever. Students will also discuss his influence on modern artists and why he is still remembered today as the “King of Pop.” This class will include music clips, videos, and fun facts about his life and career.


Prerequisites
n/a

This course serves as an introduction to pattern design making. Repeated pattern designs are used to create continuous and uninterrupted surface designs in interior, graphic, and fashion design. Students will have the opportunity to learn about visual rhythm, cohesion, and brand identity as they sketch and draw a design that can then be used to create a repeating pattern for textiles, fabric, wallpapers, packaging and digital backgrounds.

Have you ever wondered how the electronics that surround us every day work? Did you fall asleep in a high school physics class when they were teaching basic circuits? This course serves as an introduction and live demonstration to the physical laws that govern Electrical Engineering, where *you* will be able to handle actual electrical components, including semiconductors, the building blocks of computers.

Enrollment is limited.


Prerequisites
An interest in things that go zap! (disclaimer: you are not supposed to *get* zapped...)

In this hands-on workshop, students will explore why clean water matters and how engineers help make water safe to drink. We’ll talk about real-world water challenges faced by communities around the world and introduce the basics of water safety and water quality. Students will then participate in a simple, interactive activity demonstrating how water filtration works using everyday materials. No prior engineering experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to get hands-on!


Prerequisites
None. This class is designed for students of all backgrounds and experience levels.

A topic not covered in detail in most American public schools' curriculum. This is a quick overview of the Vietnam War, or as the North Vietnamese call it: The American Resistance War, or as some South Vietnamese call it: a 30-year civil war between the North and the South. Whatever the name, there are many nuances and hidden stories behind the scenes, from the buildup to the War, events within the War, and how the War concluded.

We can learn a lot from historical events, including the War from 1959 to 1975, about how to act and how the world "appears" to function. This is a discussion-based class.

To establish my expertise: My grandpa fought in the War (on the North side), and I am an avid enthusiast of events in the war.

Before the rise of K-Pop in the 1990s, the music that captivated generations of Korean youth was rock. From 1970s college music festivals to 21st century K-Drama soundtracks, Korean rock’s impact on Korean music history is vast and varied.

We will trace Korean rock from its roots in U.S. military bases during the 1950s. How did Korean rock music develop alongside youth subculture in 1960s-1970s South Korea? Why was rock music so threatening to the South Korean government in the 1970s? How did musicians and listeners navigate and resist government censorship? How did Korean rock evolve to new contexts and into new genres? This course hopes to inspire students to further explore the rich world of Korean music!

No previous knowledge of Korean language, history, or music is required–just an excitement for learning about music!

Who was "Old Hickory"? What was Franklin Roosevelt's "alphabet soup"? Is Kamala Harris truly "brat"? Students will answer these important questions in this survey of the American Democratic Party, from its experimental beginnings during the Jacksonian era to its current position following the 2024 presidential election. We will examine pivotal moments in the party’s history, including the New Deal coalition, the Civil Rights Movement, the presidency of Barack Obama, and the election of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as the mayor of New York City. This course invites students to reflect on what the Democratic Party was, is, and should be in the future, analyzing its shifting ideologies and role in shaping American democracy.

Should parents be able to choose their baby’s genetics? Should vaccines be mandatory? Should doctors be allowed to end life support if families object? Should people be allowed to sell their organs for money?

In this bioethics crash course, we’ll explore questions like these and examine how issues of life, death, fairness, and the future of medicine play out in hospitals and courtrooms. Together, we’ll break down real-life cases, debate controversial scenarios, and step into the shoes of doctors, patients, lawyers, and families facing impossible choices. Along the way, you’ll learn how bioethicists use principles like autonomy, justice, and non-maleficence to guide their reasoning, and how legal rules about consent, privacy, and equity shape what choices are possible. By the end of the class, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how medicine, law, and ethics intertwine, and why these debates matter not just for doctors and lawyers, but for all of us.

Do you believe in monsters? From glowing eyes in the woods to strange creatures lurking in mountain hollers, Appalachia is full of stories that blur the line between history and legend. Meet Mothman, the Flatwoods Monster, and other eerie figures that have haunted generations across this mountainous terrain. Learn how these tales grew from real events, local fears, and the power of storytelling itself. Join us for a journey through Appalachian history, mystery, and myth, and see which cryptid you’d dare to meet in the dark.

Terve!
Finnish is a language part of the Finno-Ugric family, separate from the majority of the languages of the world. In this course, you'll learn a few useful words and phrases, try out pronunciation, as well as exploring Finnish culture and traditions.
Come and learn more about one of the most unique languages in the world!

Why does a single note of music make a scene terrifying? Why does a close-up make us feel emotionally closer to a character? In this class, we will explore how filmmakers deliberately control audience emotions using camera angles, editing, sound, and pacing. Through short film clips, interactive experiments, and creative exercises, we will uncover the hidden techniques movies use to shape fear, excitement, sadness, and suspense--often without us realizing it. By the end of the course, you will never watch a movie the same way again!

“I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.”
This class allows students to be introduced to American author Kurt Vonnegut and a small selection of his novels. We will discuss Vonnegut's own life experiences, writing style, and consistent themes. In addition, some excerpts from "Slaughterhouse Five" will be provided to examine aspects of his writing.

What makes Puerto Rico’s story so unique? From Indigenous Taíno and African roots, through Spanish colonization, to U.S. territorial status, this course explores Puerto Rico’s history and cultural identity through its music, traditions, and lived experiences.

The student will learn through engaging examples such as La San Sebastián Street Festival (La SanSe), popular artists like Bad Bunny and Daddy Yankee, and foods such as mofongo, arroz con gandules, and pasteles.

The most influential band in history. The most successful musical act of all time. What else is to be said about the Beatles? In this course, we will journey on a Magical Mystery Tour of the Beatles’ history and impact, tracking the band’s musical evolution by listening to their music and analyzing their lyrics. We will also position the Beatles in their historical context as a band that broke the American mainstream at the right time and became the figureheads of a socio-cultural rebellion against the Western status quo. Class discussions about the broader impact of their music to the major socio-cultural and political shift of the 1960s hope to shed a critical understanding of this era of Western world history. We will zoom out and look at the Beatles in the modern era. Could there be another Beatles, a musical act revered critically by the masses with monumental commercial success? What does it mean to be the most commercially successful band AND considered “the greatest” band in history? This course hopes to introduce students to mid-20th century England and the United States, and instill further exploration into the Beatles’ extensive discography.


Prerequisites
Basic interest in music history. All are welcome, from first time listeners to lifelong Beatlemaniacs!

How do you write about yourself? What does that look like in the form of an essay?

You will learn how personal experience can be shaped into a meaningful, well-structured narrative. We will break down the key elements of the personal essay– structure, voice, scene, reflection, and narrative arc– and discuss how these elements work together to tell a compelling story drawn from one’s life.

This course distinguishes between different forms of the personal essay, including the college application essay and the literary personal essay. For students applying to college, we will discuss and break down how to write the Common App essay. Afterwards, we will study literary personal essays by writers such as Joan Didion, James Baldwin, and Annie Dillard to understand how personal experience becomes literature through structure, language, and insight.

The personal essay is where writers express their own experiences and develop their voice, creating a space for lived experiences to be heard, shared, and valued.

This course focuses on learning how to learn by learning how to think. Learning goes beyond absorbing information; it is a perspective and a thought process. In this course, we will examine what that thought process looks like, how it works, and how to apply it to learning anything.

We will break down learning into a repeatable framework: observing many examples, identifying patterns, creating structure, and building systems that can be reused across any discipline. Throughout the course, I’ll share examples from my own learning, from art and math to writing, to show how this approach works in practice. We will also discuss what learning looks like today, where it is headed, and why learning how to learn matters, especially in the age of AI. Drawing on my teaching experience, I believe education is one of the strongest paths to true societal equality and that with the right learning mindset and processes, anyone can learn and become an expert in their desired field.

Why do people keep going back to Disney parks and spending way more than they meant to? Why do some Disney characters stick in our minds while others make us question what “perfect” looks like? In this class, we’ll go beyond the magic to uncover how Disney uses psychology to make us laugh, cry, spend, and believe. Together, we’ll explore what Disney movies teach us about heroes, princesses, and villains, and how this magical empire shapes the way we see ourselves and the world.

Already have an idea for writing your own story? OR do you have a made up world or sci-fi/fantasy in mind? Well, you've come to the right place! Join us for an advanced version of the creative writing class! We'll learn some craft techniques, do some fun prompts/games, and begin planning our own worlds!


Prerequisites
Some previous experience with creative writing

We will redefine “belonging” for immigrants in the US through reimagining home, community, and authenticity. We will be using archival materials to conduct a hands-on activity in which students can look at past historical examples of immigrant communities building belonging and community.

This course will explore nuclear politics and strategy. We will discuss the history of the nuclear bomb and nuclear strategy (deterrence and mutually-assured destruction). We will also explore modern issues concerning nuclear weapons and their appearance in popular culture.

From the coveted main feed post to the fleeting note, this course will examine the ways that social media informs our actions. Using principles of sociology—which will be introduced and explained—students will be able to explain their own social media usage that of their peers. This class will have elements of lecture style introductions before descending into seminar style conversation about how students view their own social media usage with a sociological lens.

Many pop culture tropes and plot lines were made popular by the Bard himself, who is often considered the greatest writer in English history. He’s made an enormous impact on literary canon and theater, as well as modern television shows and movies. In this class, we’ll discuss Shakespeare plays such as Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, Taming of the Shrew, and examine modern adaptations that were inspired by or loosely based on them–the Lion King, Star Wars, 10 Things I Hate About You, Succession, and more. We’ll listen to Ophelia by The Lumineers and Love Story by Taylor Swift and discover the analogies. Shakespeare isn't boring: betrayal, ambition, love triangles, and murder aren’t just in Game of Thrones—Shakespeare did it first.

This course hopes to capture the brilliance, creativity, and wit of Shakespeare in a manner easily accessible (and fun) to middle schoolers.


Prerequisites
An English class

An introduction to and exploration of Bundism, a Jewish socialist movement prominent in the early 20th century. From the reign of Tsar Nicholas II to the Holocaust and after, Bundism was a driving force of Jewish political activity worldwide, serving as an alternative to both Zionism and Assimilationism. In this class, we will explore both the Bundism of the past and its continuing legacy in contemporary politics.


Prerequisites
No prior knowledge is required, although cursory knowledge about the Russian Revolution and WW2 would be helpful. Upsetting topics such as the Holocaust and the Nakba will be discussed; students uncomfortable with them or unwilling/unable to act respectfully about them should NOT take this class.

Since time immemorial, humans have been trying to understand each other. But when the person you want to understand doesn't speak the same language as you, what do you do? Kings, merchants, and scientists alike have spent centuries grappling with this problem, and their efforts reveal some interesting (and absurd) truths about language.


In this class, we'll explore the various attempts throughout history to break down the language barrier. First, we'll look at the solutions that arose naturally. We'll learn the inner workings of pidgins and creoles, and we'll examine the rises and falls of lingua francas like Latin, French, and English. After that, we'll shift our attention to constructed languages like Volapük and Interlingue, designed by scientists in the hopes of uniting the whole world under one language. We'll analyze where these "conlangs" succeed; where they fall short; and why, despite the best efforts of their creators, we're all stuck speaking English instead of Esperanto.

If you're reading this, you're probably familiar with the Latin alphabet, where each letter roughly corresponds to one sound. But what if we did things differently? What if each letter represented a syllable? A morpheme? An entire word? Can we take things even further?

In this class, we'll explore the world of orthography: how languages are written down. We'll cover the many types of writing systems, the many tools people used to write, and the history of writing as a whole. We'll even take a crack at making writing systems of our own, exploring the benefits and tradeoffs of different methods.

Ready your pencils (or wedges?), and get ready to write!

In this course, we will be exploring the fundamentals of philosophical study through a Stoic perspective. In addition to diving into the history, principles, and prominent figures behind this ancient philosophy, we will also gain a better understanding of how we can apply Stoicism in our daily lives. Philosophy does not have to be intimidating, and what better way to explore it than by reading passages from Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, journaling peacefully, and debating challenging questions?

In this course we discuss some of the most interesting and misunderstood aspects of the human mind. We will discuss addiction, willpower, the concept of mind-over-matter, and whether the 'mind' is a separate thing from the 'brain.'

Step inside the world of Rome and unlock its secret code - Latin. Through games, conversations, and hands-on activities, students will talk, laugh, and create in Latin, while exploring how this “code” has shaped English and so many other languages. No prior Latin required. Students with prior experience will also thrive as we focus on speaking, pronunciation, and active use of Latin. Decoding an ancient language is like hacking the past, and speaking Latin out loud will bring history to life!

Hieroglyphic Egyptian is the oldest language, culture, and religion that we currently understand.

Learn basic hieroglyphs including how to write your name, and the surprising ways hieroglyphs impact your daily life today.

Everyone is welcome.


Prerequisites
No prereqs

Reading poems together ... and talking about them.

possible poets (no guarantees): Emily Dickinson, Nikki Giovanni, George Herbert, Louise Glück, Lyn Hejinian, Andrew Marvell, many others...

your suggestions appreciated


Prerequisites
literacy (very important)

Tea is the the most consumed beverage in our world behind water. Throughout history, many different peoples and cultures through time and space have had unique relationships with the drink. This course aims at highlighting some of the unique traditions which have formed surrounding the drink. We will also be learning an how tea has spread around the world and become the prolific beverage that it is today.

Society is willing to discuss all kinds of -isms. Sexism, racism, ableism, etc., but for some reason, we can't seem to have real conversations about lookism. This class will seek to have a seminar-based discussion on the implications of lookism and attractiveness in culture. Looking at how the way we are perceived can inform economic, social, and political happenings. From serial killers to influencers, we will examine how being Pretty, pretty, or Ugly can go far deeper than privilege.

How did we go from punishment as a public spectacle to the covert brutality of the modern-day prison? Are prisons strictly about punishment? This class is a genealogy of the modern-day prison and an interrogation of the role of prisons in our society.


Prerequisites
None

The Olympics is often known for the winners. Yet, the times of the failures, scandals, or unexpected results are just as significant as those adorned in gold medals. This course will discuss several significant, and lesser known events of Olympic History. To be explored: the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics figure skating pair scandal, the 2010 Vancouver Olympian Sven Kramer's failure in speed skating, and the near deadly 1904 St. Louis Marathon. These events are significant because they revolutionized future Olympics.

We will learn about the philosophical system of the inventor of calculus, Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz. The lecture will cover his work titled "The Monadology". This text is one of the most famous works in the history of philosophy. Learning it will show you just how much philosophy can inspire you to think outside of the box. The Monadology is the best first exposure to philosophy that I can think of. We will try to understand why Leibniz thought the physical world does not exist, why all objects have minds, why God exists, why the whole universe is One, why God lets bad things happen to you, why it is impossible to punch someone, and why you are a fish. Yes, the guy who invented calculus really believed all of this. If you want to know why, take this course.

You are welcome to read The Monadology before the lecture, but this is by no means required. In fact, I encourage you not to read it unless you are willing to discuss what you've read with at least one friend or family member before the lecture. The text is very strange, and 90% of the fun with reading it is commenting out loud on how Leibniz was out of his mind. If you read it by yourself and never say a word out loud about it, you will get very little out of it.


Prerequisites
This course will benefit students who have never done any philosophy and it will benefit students who have done lots of philosophy. The only prerequisite is being willing to think outside the box.

What do Islam and the West have to do with each other? More than you might think. Islam is a global faith followed by two billion people, yet its role in Western history is often misunderstood or overlooked.

In this session, we’ll look at how Islamic civilization and Europe have influenced each other over the centuries—from early exchanges to modern cultural encounters. We’ll also explore the presence of Islam in American history, from enslaved African Muslims to today’s diverse communities. Along the way, we’ll question the idea that Europe and the Middle East are completely separate worlds, and highlight what Islam shares with Christianity and Judaism as part of the Abrahamic faiths.

This class will introduce students to the creatively complex world of Maya Hieroglyphics. They will learn some basic aspects of the writing system and while being able to write their names or nicknames as close a they can using the Maya syllabaries.

What comes after calculus? Math, as it turns out, largely branches off into two general approaches: Analysis, studying the smooth and continuous (like calculus), and Algebra, studying structure and symmetry. The broader field of Algebra is quite different from the Algebra I & II you might have taken in school-- Algebraists unfortunately don't spend their lives studying y=mx+b.

Group theory studies symmetry, and is one of the first areas of Abstract Algebra students encounter, and it's like starting math from the beginning again. This course will focus on the visual intuitions of group theory and build toward using rigorous mathematical argument to prove theorems about groups.


Prerequisites
No hard prerequisites, but basic familiarity with sets, set builder notation, basic number theory, and proof will be very useful. Please take if you are interest in abstract or competition mathematics! You may not understand everything but it will be good exposure to advanced math.

What happens if you draw a bunch of overlapping spaghetti monsters and then redraw them so that none of them are crossing? Why would this even be remotely interesting?

While this activity may seem like an utter waste of time, it actually gives us incredible insight into the mathematical world of combinatorics. In this class, we'll be working to identify numerical patterns in mathematical puzzles in collaborative and creative ways. If you like math, solving puzzles, and pattern-identification, this class is for you! If you like spaghetti or monsters, this class is definitely for you. And if you like fun, this class is indubitably for you!


Prerequisites
Pre-algebra

Ever wondered how programmers solve puzzles in competitions? In this class, we will explore competitive programming through fun challenges that feel more like games than homework. You will learn how to break big problems into smaller steps, spot patterns, and create simple algorithms using easy-to-follow examples and interactive activities.

We will solve cool problems using loops, conditionals, arrays, and basic math, similar to those you might see in beginner programming contests. No prior competitive programming experience is needed. The goal is to build confidence, think smarter, and have fun while learning how programmers tackle problems.


Prerequisites
General comfort with logical thinking, basic familiarity with any programming language (such as Python, Java, or Scratch) will be a plus.

This course aims to explore the ethical challenges and implications of artificial intelligence, including privacy, copyright, algorithmic bias, and environmental concerns. The class will focus on current case studies and explore what future consequences may look like. Students will be encouraged to think critically about AI in their daily lives.

“This statement is false.” Is such a sentence true or false?

This course will be an exploration of ideas central to cognitive science through the lens of what Douglas Hofstatder terms a “strange loop”: a system that can reference itself. We will discuss statements that are about statements, mathematical logic that’s about mathematical logic, music that’s about music, and art that’s about art, in an attempt to get at the question most fundamental to human experience: what is consciousness? A strange loop, perhaps?

Introduction to methods in astronomy, current questions in astrobiology, social implications to alien life.

How do bacteria communicate with one another? How do microorganisms tolerate extreme environments, such as scorching geysers and frozen Antarctic waters? How can we harness microbial behavior to address pressing global concerns? This class explores the extraordinary microbiological world around us, encompassing topics ranging from quorum sensing and bioluminescence to the striking zombie-ant fungus.

Global Health 101 focuses on exploring the main perspectives, goals, and challenges of work in global health. The course expands upon the interdisciplinary nature of global health to create a better understanding of the many fields that impact global health. Additionally, this course introduces the mission of Partners in Health Engage, a non-profit grassroots organization that works towards making health a human right.

Welcome to the strange and fascinating world of quantum mechanics, where the rules of everyday life no longer apply. In this course, we’ll explore the big ideas behind the tiniest particles: uncertainty, superposition, and entanglement. No math or physics background is needed — we’ll use experiments, stories, and simple examples to understand how quantum mechanics changes the way scientists think about reality. By the end, you’ll see why Einstein called it “spooky” and how this “weird” science might power the future!

Science in Science Fiction will explore the the actual science behind a number of popular stories – such as Marvel, Star Wars, the books of Andy Weir, and many more! Aside from the actual dive into fictional science, this course will focus on what stories represent science well, which represent it poorly, and how we can use science in our own stories, writing, and communication!


Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of general physics, chemistry, and biology, as is typically taught in 6-8th grade. Also, a passion for media, especially science fiction, is strongly encouraged!

This course introduces students to how astronomers detect exoplanets (planets orbiting stars outside the solar system) as well as what properties we know about them. Studying exoplanets is not as easy as studying objects on Earth. On Earth, we can just take a picture of a tree or a flower. However, exoplanets are so faint that we cannot simply do that. So for the most part, astronomers rely on indirect methods to detect and characterize exoplanets. In this course, students will learn the physical principles behind the most successful detection techniques, including the transit method and the radial velocity method. Students will also learn about properties of the exoplanet population, and how astronomers attempt to explain these properties with exoplanet formation and migration mechanism.

This class will serve as a broad introduction into the field of biotechnology. We will cover some of the coolest, latest biotech innovations, such as gene editing, 3D bioprinting, etc., in an understandable, engaging way. Our goal is to get students excited about science! This class will be taught by a team of members of Simplex Sciences, a student-run biotechnology company here at Yale.


Prerequisites
Although not required, experience in a basic biology course may be useful.

In this class, we will discuss the Nocebo Effect, the harmful version of the Placebo Effect. Typically, people have learned about the Placebo Effect. The classic example is the patient that suddenly feels better after taking a fake sugar pill. However, is it also possible to trick your brain harmfully--- to make you feel like you are suffering when nothing is wrong with you? In this seminar style course, we will discuss fascinating (and often unethical) studies that claim to demonstrate this phenomenon.

This case dives into the dramatic story of a 54-year-old man who suddenly collapses from cardiac arrest. Students will uncover what happens inside the body when the heart stops beating and why every second counts in an emergency. The case highlights the lifesaving power of CPR and defibrillators, while also revealing the hidden risk factors that can cause such a shocking event. Along the way, students will explore how doctors race to diagnose the problem and protect against future episodes. This exciting case study connects biology to real-world action, showing how science and quick thinking can save lives.

Social deduction games like Among us(sus), Mafia, Werewolf, and Coup are built on more than rules — they rely on how people think, trust, lie, and persuade under pressure. In this class, we’ll play several social deduction and deception-based games and analyze real moments from gameplay as case studies.

We’ll explore how logic and probability interact with human biases, emotions, and social dynamics during tense group decisions. Through discussion and gameplay, we’ll examine how players gain or lose control of a conversation, blend in or stand out, and use limited information (and limited speaking time) to influence outcomes. By the end, you’ll see these games not just as fun activities, but as small laboratories for understanding reasoning, psychology, and strategy in real life.


Prerequisites
Familiarity with at least one social deduction or deception game (e.g., Mafia, Werewolf, Coup, Among Us, or similar). Comfort participating in group discussions and speaking during gameplay. Willingness to think about strategy, psychology, and decision-making, not just winning the game. Students with little or no prior experience are encouraged to review basic rules or watch a short gameplay video beforehand, as class time is limited. If you have a deck of playing cards (standard Ace Queen King et.c 52 card playing deck), please feel free to bring a deck in.

Ever wonder how the brain keeps your body moving, thinking, and feeling? In Broken Circuits, we’ll explore what happens when the brain’s “wiring” is disrupted by a stroke and how neuroscientists use these changes to understand how the brain normally works. Using real-world examples, simple models, and interactive activities, we’ll learn how different brain regions control specific functions, how strokes are recognized, and how doctors treat them. By the end of class, you’ll see stroke not just as a medical emergency you can recognize, but as a powerful window into how the brain functions — and recovers.


Prerequisites
None

Diamonds, gold, emeralds, and rubies are among the most well known examples of minerals, which form the building block of our society. From glittery makeup to the copper wiring used in electronics, minerals can be found everywhere in our daily lives. That being said, what exactly are minerals? What are their properties? Where do they come from? What can we do with them? In this interactive course, we will survey a variety of minerals and their unique properties, as well as how these minerals are formed, and how they are used in everyday life.

Why do paints have color? How does glass shine or metal change over time?

In Chemistry and Art, we will explore how chemistry helps artists choose, create, and understand their materials.

Through demonstrations and hands-on activities the we will look at pigments, dyes, textiles, ceramics, metals, photography, and modern art materials.

Birds exist everywhere on Earth, they're the only living dinosaurs, and there are some 10,000 species on Earth. They're absolutely awesome, but they're facing a major threat: windows! Join us as we discuss the importance of birds in the environment and the steps we can take to protect them. You'll learn about the species that are most often affected by window collisions and make a bird plush to contribute to a national project called Bird Collisions in the Anthropocene! Fly on in—no prior experience needed!

Science Fun!!! We will be going over several scientific experiments and discussing how and why they work the way they do. Expect to see and potentially perform several scientific experiments and have lots of fun while doing it. The topics of experiments include Motion, Electricity/Magnetism, and Sound/Waves. Come ready to enjoy science!

Have you ever thought about the possibility that not all dinosaurs went extinct? Likewise, who exactly were the ancient ancestors of birds? You may be surprised to discover that both of these questions are very intertwined. In this class, we will provide a flyover of avian evolutionary history, from Cretaceous Creatures to Feathered Friends.

Learn how trees work, their anatomy, their role in the ecosystem, and their relationship with humans. Will also teach basic tree identification of common trees on campus and of the region.

This hands-on course explores polymer chemistry through interactive slime experiments and real-world medical applications. Students investigate how molecular structure and material properties determine substance behavior. Using slime as a model system, the course explains the foundational chemical and physical principles behind biomedical technologies, introducing students to controlled drug delivery systems. At the end of the course, students will get to bring the slime they make home!

Have you ever wondered why certain sounds make you feel certain "things"? "Why You Should Listen to Classical Music" is a course that explores the neurological effects of musical sound- especially classical music- on the brain, and thus physical sensations and our bodily functions. Specifically, I want to talk both personally (I was a violinist for over 10 years) and scientifically about how sound impacts memory, emotion, attention, stress, and overall mental health. We will be listening to a lot of different music, doing personal reflecting, and exploring real-world neuroscience examples. No musical background is required!

Have you ever wondered how our feathered friends evolved from enormous beasts? Or how scientists can separate all the different sparrows of the world into different species? This course will cover the evolutionary history of birds, starting from their dinosaur ancestors to the great diversity of bird life present today. The class will also examine how scientists determine what separates one species of bird from another and explore historical and modern approaches to speciation.

Your body builds proteins using instructions from DNA. Scientists can manually create genetic code and have bacteria build the proteins for them, hijacking their protein production systems to accomplish useful tasks. However, scientists are still limited by having only 20 building blocks (amino acids) to create their proteins… What if we could expand beyond this?

In this course, students will dive deeper into the genetic code and Central Dogma theory, exploring how these principles can be manipulated by researchers to customize proteins for a variety of functions.

PLEASE NOTE:
This class is for educational purposes only. It is not an accredited, authorized, or certified training program, including for First Aid or CPR. The information provided in this class is for general knowledge and educational purposes, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, or training by an accredited training provider.

Sometimes the difference between life and death in an emergency can be the people you're around! In this crash course we'll go through some of the most basic knowledge EMTs are taught that can make a huge difference in emergency situations. From make shift splints to how to take blood pressure, we'll teach you minor skills that make major differences! All while practicing said skills with your peers!!

Imagine that humans are sending an urgent message of 0s and 1s from Mars to Earth. However, the distance is so long that some 0s could be changed to a 1 or even missing. How should we recover the original message?

Should we ask astronauts on Mars to resend it? What if they send the message twice so that we are more likely to find the original message? How about embedding the message with some special patterns that we can make use of?

This is when error correction comes in, and it applies to everything from GPS to the internet and even quantum computers. In this course, you will learn how information could be transferred correctly and efficiently. We will also explore how quantum computers fundamentally work, how they could be more useful than supercomputers, and what quantum error correction is about.

(Adapted from the same class taught by Dr. Emily Quin at the University of Cambridge).

This course will focus on the application of psychology in the United States legal system, namely in situations like witness interviews, person identification, deception, and jury decision-making. This course requires no prerequisites, and is meant to give students a brief but fun and easy-to-understand introduction to the factors that influence how the law is carried out in this country.

In this course, students will explore the exciting history of ocean lifeguarding and learn how lifeguards keep people safe at the beach. We’ll look at how lifeguarding began, how it has changed over time, and how lifeguards train to save lives. Students will also learn essential ocean safety skills, including how to spot rip currents, how to respond in an emergency, and what to do if they or someone else is in trouble in the water. Through videos, discussions, and real world examples, this course helps students build confidence, awareness, and respect for the power of the ocean.


Prerequisites
N/A

Do you want to learn how to cook and bake without relying on a recipe or having every exact ingredient on hand? Have you ever opened a recipe, pulled out all your measuring cups, realized you were missing one ingredient, and felt like you couldn’t make the dish at all? This course teaches you how to truly cook and bake without recipes and the perfect measurements. We’ll focus on fundamentals: ratios, flavors, spices, techniques, and how to eyeball ingredients so you can make almost anything with what you already have in your kitchen.

We’ll use a scientific learning process to understand how cooking actually works. You’ll learn how to read a recipe to identify its foundation, how to adjust it to your taste, how to fix mistakes as you cook, and how to understand the components that make a dish good. The goal is to help you cook for your taste, replicate what you like, and make something delicious from any in your kitchen.

Have you ever thought about why buses, subways, or trains are run the way they are? Have you ever wanted to design your own system? In this class, we will do just that - learning about the basic components and types of transit systems, population and demand modeling, and even simulating a real transit planning situation in class.

Always wanted to participate in a murder mystery party and help solve a mysterious case? Now's your chance! Come join this wacky and scandalous murder mystery event!

Remember when Kanye released that cousins song? Or when Ezra Miller kidnapped a child in Hawaii? Well, with how sensationalized celebrity news coverage has become, it seems like we hear these kinds of stories every other day. Join us as we explore celebrity drama throughout history and demonstrate what these events can reveal about human nature, deep-seated societal expectations, and toxic Stan culture.

After experiencing the highs that came with the Wii, Nintendo entered a dark age with the release of the Wii U in 2012. The new console became Nintendo’s worst selling home console in history, and the “Wii” brand as a whole was retired with the release of the company’s next system.

But what exactly made the Wii U sell as poorly as it did? This class will analyze Nintendo’s efforts to develop, advertise, and eventually justify this now infamous console.

Students will be able to
-Use economic analysis (Supply and Demand) to get a better idea of the market conditions Nintendo entered their new console into.
-Learn the importance of brand recognition and marketing by analyzing commercials, console design, and game library.
-Engage in class discussions focusing on comparisons to the Wii U’s competitors (PS4, mobile devices) and predecessors (Wii, Nintendo Entertainment System)

There are many important lessons that should be learned from the failure of the Wii U, and all students who take this class—regardless of their intended path in life—should remember to not repeat these same avoidable mistakes.

Have you ever thought about the stock market, wondered how people retire, or just want to figure out how to use, save, and grow your money efficiently? This course, taught by volunteer instructors from Yale’s Dwight Hall Socially Responsible Investment Fund, will teach students how to responsibly manage their personal finances now and in the future. Topics will include saving, borrowing, and creating an investment portfolio (covering topics such as diversification, index fund investing, and the power of compounding interest). No prior finance-related knowledge is required!

No financial advice will be given during this course. The information provided in this class is for general knowledge and educational purposes

What is the common good? What does it mean to be a “good” generation? In this class, we will examine how our choices affect not only ourselves, but our communities, our country, and people around the world. We will explore these ideas and the actions that Gen Z is making towards the common good and ask how Gen Z might be remembered in the future. Students will consider who we owe our obligations to, how societies decide what matters most, and how history judges the choices people make. If we imagine how future generations might look back on us, we can then ask ourselves how we can help shape a society worth remembering.

How do I figure out what I want to major in? Or how to apply to college? Or what kind of job I want? Do I pick something I enjoy or something that makes a lot of money? In my class I hope to address these questions and provide you with the tools to answer them. The world can be scary, but if you know what you want, it can be yours!! This course includes a Q&A segment 'Ask a Yalie,' where I answer any questions you have about ANYTHING! (within reason)

Periods are a natural part of life and growing up. Whether you have one, want to learn about them, or are just curious, we hope this class has a variety of people with a variety of perspectives! We will be talking about what a period is, why you get one, how to care for a period, and other aspects of reproductive protections. We will discus resources and how to have conversations about these resources. You will leave the class with knowledge, empowerment, and a goody bag!

It's 8:00 p.m. A score for a big test came back. You didn't do well. What do you do?

In this class, we'll learn how to cope with hard situations and support others when they are struggling. We will apply tools from psychology research to better understand ourselves and our emotions.


Prerequisites
None