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


Prerequisites
NO prior knowledge of Japanese!

Stretch for flexibility. Stretch for relaxation. Stretch for your soul. Discover muscles you didn’t know existed in this 50-minute full body elongation. Whether you’re a supple yogini or a fresh beginner, you can benefit from this opportunity to connect with your body. Wear comfortable clothes and your Sprout t-shirt.

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

This class will seek to cover the state of cancer research in the present day from a historical and a molecular approach. It will go over primitive cancer theories dating back to 160 AD, as well as answer essential questions like, "What is cancer?" or "How can we treat it?" We will focus on the causes of cancer - from overactive oncogenes to failure in tumor suppressor genes - disruption of important signal transduction pathways, as well as resistance to current therapies. Lastly, we will briefly discuss the intersection between cancer research and modern healthcare systems to determine, together, whether or not the two are compatible. This class is intended to be engaging and will ask participants to come with open minds!


Prerequisites
Prior understanding of basic biology

Do humans being always make decisions in their best interests? (Hint: they don't.)

In this class, we'll discuss some of the ways economists and psychologists have found the irregular and just plain strange ways that humans make decisions, in everything from taking risks to putting on a golf course to buying an item at a store.

Where did we come from? What did our ancient ancestors look like? Are we really descended from apes like Charles Darwin said? What sets humans apart from other hominids? The answers to these questions and more will be discussed.

In 1993, Jurassic Park was released and set a new standard for the appearance and morphology of dinosaurs. Today, through the discovery of exquisite Chinese fossils and the hard work of many scientists, we now know much more about the morphology, physiology, and behaviors of dinosaurs, most of which contradicts those found in the 1993 film. In this class, we will discuss what we think dinosaurs really looked like and how we think they behaved in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

Build a cloud chamber to see cosmic rays.

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


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

Ever wonder what goes on inside a nuclear reactor? Or what caused some of the biggest nuclear disasters? This class will cover the basic (very basic!) chemistry behind nuclear energy production. Then we'll discuss the turbulent history of this controversial technology. Finally, we'll decide as a group whether or not nuclear energy has a role in mankind's future.


Prerequisites
Students should understand basic chemistry concepts (i.e. atoms, molecules).

An examination of conflict and resolution. Experiential learning and activity-based discussion as well as theories. Comparison of ideas with examples from Gandhi, King, Hanh, Che Guevara, Stalin, and others.

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

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

Be prepared to boggle your brain.


Prerequisites
None!

Our brains are made out of meat, just like our hands and legs. But why has the brain fascinated us for centuries and what distinguishes it from all the other body parts?How does our perception of reality vary from person to person?

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

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

Ever wonder why how antidepressants work or why people get addicted to morphine? This course will explore the science behind the effects of several well-known therapeutic and recreational drugs. An overview of required neuroscience will be followed by a survey of neurotransmitters and the drugs that modulate their activity, linking the science to behavioral effects.


Prerequisites
A basic understanding of biology may be helpful, but all curious students are welcome to attend.

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

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

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

Ever wondered what the song "I Have a Little Dreidel" is talking about? Or what it even means to keep kosher? Or what the difference between a Conservative and an Orthodox Jew is? Or, most importantly, what the best recipe for matzah ball soup is?

Come learn all of that and much more in this quick survey course of Jewish history, religious practice, and culture! (And maybe eat some bagels and cream cheese while you're at it).


Prerequisites
An open mind!

It's October, and that means we're right in the middle of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Come hang out with a lifelong baseball player and fan and we can talk about whatever is on your mind - as long as it's related to baseball. We'll watch some playoff highlights, discuss predictions for the upcoming games and the 2014 season, and maybe even talk some strategy or statistics.


Prerequisites
This class is meant for fairly knowledgeable baseball fans.

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

Note: Contains some mildly graphic content.

Have you ever wondered how music is created?
In this seminar, we'll explore how different music evokes different emotions and responses. Through listening to excerpts of music throughout the centuries - from Bach to the Beatles, we will learn about the rapid changes that Western music has undergone.
We will also learn how to compose our own melodies and perform them for each other.


Prerequisites
Ability to read music recommended.

Why do we read? Is literature "useful"? Are some books better than others?
By working on a close reading of a canonical passage (or several close readings of several canonical passages), we'll consider the very nature and purpose of literature in the modern world. The unseasoned reader shouldn't hesitate to enroll!

A basic introduction to juggling three balls with tricks included.


Prerequisites
None!

Learn about the modern ways mathematicians and computer scientists are approaching qualitative problems with graph theory. How does Google know which pages are relevant? How many degrees *are* you from Kevin Bacon (or Paul Erdos)?

All of the necessary graph theory will be built up during the first part of the class.


Prerequisites
Pre-calculus would be helpful.

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

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


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

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

The haiku is a mere seventeen syllables, yet arguably the most powerful of all forms of poetry. During the first half of the seminar, we'll be tracing the roots of the haiku, a short form of Japanese poetry that developed during a culture boom in the mid-seventeenth century. After discussing the characteristics and thematic underpinnings of the haiku, students will go on to compose their own poetry. Learn the tradition of the form, and if you're creative, feel free to take some innovative risks!


Prerequisites
None; any Japanese readings will be translated into English

An introduction to beekeeping in the city, discussing why this movement has appeared, as well as how to take care of the hive itself. Walk up to the hives that Beespace, the yale beekeeping organization, is keeping.

Explains some problem solving concepts in mathematics.


Prerequisites
Should enjoy math.

Learn how to quickly and effectively perform mental math. Based upon the work of Bharti Krisna Tirtha, Vedic mathematics demonstrate simple techniques to manipulate numbers.

You can hardly read a newspaper or magazine these days without coming across an article that's somehow related to neuroscience. This course will briefly cover the basics of this up and coming field of scientific exploration. We'll talk about the neuron, the cortex, the different parts of the brain and nervous system, and how neurons communicate with one another. If time permits, we will also discuss how our various sensory systems work [movement, sensation, olfaction (smell), taste, audition (hearing), and vision].

A basic overview of the fundamental constituents of our universe.

We will start with a brief overview of the atom and continue into a discussion of various known particles. We will finish with a look at the Standard Model of Particle Physics.


Prerequisites
A basic understanding of the atom. (If you have heard of protons, neutrons, and electrons, you will do just fine.)

Have you ever wondered why certain sounds and intervals in music are pleasing to hear, while others seem to clash? In this class we explore some of the theoretical and mathematical patterns behind musical phenomena, including the Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio.

Ever wonder what was actually going on when Sprout registration opened? Find out how this website (or any website) works behind the scenes.

We’ll cover, very briefly, the basics of all the major concepts of web design, including HTML, CSS, databases, client-side and server-side scripting, servers, version controlling, and caching. All examples will be taken from the Splash website.

If time allows, we’ll take a look at some of the administrative portions of the website - the pages that help the Sprout directors administer the program.

This class will be an overview of many different concepts of web design, and how they interact. It will not be an in-depth look at any one concept, though links to resources for additional learning will be provided.


Prerequisites
No computer experience is required. In fact, if you have a lot of computer experience, you’ll probably be bored. But if you don’t already know most of the terms listed in the description, then you’re encouraged to register for this class!

Black holes are super massive, infinitely dense, collapsed stars. I'm sure you've heard plenty about them- that they absorb all light, that anyone who gets stuck in one is doomed, and that they'll eventually destroy the universe. But what is fact, and what is just science fiction? In this class, we'll learn what black holes are, and how they're formed. And yes, we'll also learn the truth about what would happen if you're caught in a black hole's gravitational field.

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

Let's play a game! We have a pile of 10 pebbles, and we take turns taking 1, 2, or 4 pebbles from the pile. The winner is the one who takes the last pebble. Would you want to go first or second? Do you have a winning strategy? What if we had 50 pebbles? What if we had two piles of pebbles? Come to Winning Ways to explore these and other interesting games and the math behind them!


Prerequisites
Interest and excitement! Willingness to think and play games!

Learn about the experiment that showed the earth is not moving through an aether, and play with the actual interferomenter to interfere two beams of light!

We're going to close-read a few poems and talk about the art of poetics, the way authors use imagery and meter to convey important human themes, and the way the written word can be variably interpreted and played with.

Which would take longer: walking to the sun or drinking an ocean? Which is more: the number of cells in your body or the number of possible one-page essays? If you lived one second for every cent of money in the world, would you get to see the sun explode?
These questions involve big numbers. However, by using some basic math and approximations, these numbers that would take over a lifetime to count to can be understood in seconds.

A brief survey of modern (post-cultural revolution) art in China. Key focus will be placed on the impact of art on modern Chinese society and the changing art scene in China. Artists examined will include (but are not limited to) Ai Wei Wei, Cai GuoQiang, and Han Yajuan. There will be tons of opportunities to view awesome art and videos! Perhaps an opportunity for an end-of-class field trip to the Yale University Art Gallery as well.

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


Prerequisites
Basic algebra

We are going to do some super cool science demonstrations that will help explain real world phenomena!

In this seminar, we'll read and discuss a short story and an essay. We'll talk about voice, rhythm, and structure. We'll think about successful literary devices and less successful literary devices. Students should feel comfortable making honest, irreverent comments: all art is subject to revision and interpretation. We'll explore how fiction and nonfiction intersect and how they diverge.


Prerequisites
Students are welcome to bring their own pieces to class. If we have time, we'll workshop a few.

When we are little, we have a pretty basic understanding of infinity, how we can count and count and never end. But when we do more complicated work with infinity, it suddenly isn't so intuitive. How do we deal with that concept when it is applied to different theoretical scenarios? What can we learn from using infinitude in fractals?


Prerequisites
Basic algebra and enthusiasm!

As physics continues to develop into the 21st century, the core push is to unify seemingly different ideas under one fundamental conceptual or quantitative framework.

In this class we will discuss some of these overarching themes that arise in physical problems ranging from classical mechanics and plasma physics to general relativity and particle physics.

The main topics we will explore include symmetry, topology, (in)stability, chaos and turbulence.


Prerequisites
Exposure to some physics and basic algebra is required for this course. I will use some concepts from calculus and matrices, but will try to introduce the necessary background as needed.

The pop music genre has clearly changed quite a bit over the past few decades. The sounds we hear today were unimaginable years ago. And on top of that, the themes of modern pop have also changed dramatically. Artists today are using vastly different ways of exploring topics such as love, death, happiness, friendship, wealth, success etc. And they are achieving huge levels of success with it. So if pop music caters directly to the masses, what do these changes in pop music mean about our present and future as the American music audience? What do we like today that we did not like 20 years ago? Should we learn from Taylor Swift and write a song every time we break up with someone? Should we all ruin our teeth to look more like Trinidad James? We will explore these and many more interesting questions as we talk about the history of what we all know and love as pop music.

DNA contains the genetic information that makes you who you are. But how does it do this? How does a molecule as small as DNA create organisms as complex as humans? Learn about the key molecules of life, DNA, RNA, and protein, and how these molecules function together to control all the processes in our body.

Want to learn how to draw a face realistically? Want to learn not just drawing but also the psychology and science behind the human visage? Join me in this 3 week class, where we will draw, analyze, and dissect the human face to see what determines beauty and attraction,why some seem female and others male, and how to map out a human face on paper.

In the fourth century BCE, Aristotle defined humanity as "the political animal." Across the ensuing millennia, Western writers, philosophers, and political scientists have grappled with ideas about both real and ideal political systems. They've asked questions like: What defines a society? What's the purpose of government? Are humans naturally inclined to live in government, or not? What are our responsibilities in a political community, and what are governments' responsibilities to us? And, fundamentally--what kind of government should we have?

In this class, we'll explore these questions and more by investigating the political writings of thinkers like Aristotle, Plato, Locke, Rousseau, and Marx. We'll see how they create an ongoing, contentious conversation about political systems, and practice thinking critically about their arguments in light of our own experiences. By the end of the class, we'll be able to talk about what you'd like your ideal governments to look like!

In this course we’ll take a look at some interesting examples of Black/African-American literature and literature written about the Black/African-American experience. Students will have the opportunity to sharpen their analytical skills and are strongly encouraged to form their own opinions. During this course we’ll discuss questions such as: What characterizes Black/African-American literature? How has slavery and discrimination affected the literary consciousness of Black/African-Americans? What validity, if any, do works by Caucasian authors writing about the Black/African-American experience have?

The goal of this course is to introduce the tools fundamental to engaging with meditation intellectually and using meditation as a tool for growth and healing. The class will begin with an exploration of what meditation meant in ancient Buddhism and how it has been adapted in contemporary Western society. It will continue with an investigation of how meditation functions psychologically. The course will conclude with a critical analysis of research and applications of meditation in America over the last fifty years. Both theoretical and experiential approaches will help students develop a multifaceted understanding of meditation by the end of the course.

Why do humans get sick? If chronic disease and infectious disease kill so many people, why haven't we evolved to get rid of them? In this class, we will look at why humans still have diseases like cancer and autoimmune disease and why infections are still so lethal (and maybe even becoming more so) today.


Prerequisites
Basic biology is recommended

Our team-taught class will be a survey of the major poets in the English tradition. Our three sessions will move through the ages, starting with Shakespeare, then Wordsworth, Yeats and Eliot. This class is designed for both longtime lovers of poetry and someone reading the Bard for the first time. Come armed with a healthy dose of curiosity!


Prerequisites
None

An open ended, introductory course meant to expose students to a sampling of topics in philosophy including ethics and popular thought experiments. Lessons will include a brief introduction of the material followed by a classroom discussion, allowing students to formulate arguments and assess those of their classmates. If you have any questions email me at zachary.fishman@yale.edu. [3-week class]

The fear of speaking in public is one of the most common fears that people have. This series of classes aims to develop and improve your public speaking abilities, improvisation abilities, and overall style of speaking. We look at various famous orators and utilize their techniques in fun, interactive, and often humorous ways.

Intro to the basics of Computer Engineering. Includes a study of logic, arithmetic, and memory. With these building blocks in place we can discuss how a simple processor actually works. May get into some unusual computer designs like supercomputers and mobile phone processors.

Teaches some basic principles of design to start thinking about your own computer architectures!

No coding experience necessary.

In this class we will explore the area of creative writing in several ways, utilizing the feedback of both myself and your classmates. This is a class for those who wish to explore a passion for writing - anything from the next Great American Novel to a birthday card haiku - in a relaxed, non-judgmental environment.

Many students finish their first physics course associating the field with formulas and plugging-and-chugging. This isn't true! Physics is a creative process. It's all about using the laws that govern the universe in innovative ways to solve problems. This course will guide you through the process of solving problems in kinematics, dynamics, and energy, focusing on the fact that problems can be solved in multiple ways. Each class, students will get to solve challenging problems together in groups on whiteboards. In addition to creativity, physics is all about collaboration!


Prerequisites
algebra and trigonometry

Do you watch the news and wonder what the origins of today's many world conflicts are? What are the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict? Is the idea of American (or any national) exceptionalism all that exceptional? And most importantly, who would win in a fight: Vladimir Putin or Barack Obama?

This course will cover the basics of International relations (IR). The beginning of each class will go over a central theme in IR and how it relates to current or historical events. Most of the class will be discussion-based, however. We'll discuss and debate the political topics that most interest students and that are most relevant to today's headlines. Depending on student interest, the final class may end up featuring a debate with the winner receiving a prize!

Have a passion? Doodle all the time? Good at drawing? Bad at drawing but want to improve? Terrified of drawing? Good at drawing but bad at being creative? Simply want to create something interesting?...

Everyone who wants to draw/be creative is welcomed, and it is okay if you do not have much experience.

We are going to try to realize your creative ideas by drawing. We will talk about ideas of creative drawing and release ourselves by gesture drawing and blind drawing.

We will also explore some different kinds of drawing techniques, and you can choose to compose with whatever technique you feel comfortable with. We will create something interesting each time, and discuss your brilliant works in class.

p.s.- If you have any questions or special requests, please email me at chi.zhang@yale.edu


Prerequisites
You just need to remember to bring at least 2 wood pencils and 1 eraser every time.