We often think of science in terms of conclusions and facts, but that's not science at all. Science is a highly successful method of thinking used by subjective creatures to make sense of an objective world that we cannot clearly see. We understand that from this method, humanity has uncovered countless discoveries and built advanced technologies, but what is science, why is it successful, and can this method be useful in our everyday lives? How do we think like scientists? This course is a discussion-based seminar between the teacher and students. Participation is desired!

We often think of science in terms of conclusions and facts, but that's not science at all. Science is a highly successful method of thinking used by subjective creatures to make sense of an objective world that we cannot clearly see. From this method, humanity has uncovered countless discoveries and built advanced technologies. But this method be useful in our everyday lives? How do we think like scientists? This course is a discussion-based seminar between the teacher and students.

Class Description: Socratic Seminar - this class is about thinking! Be ready to listen, share your thoughts, and challenge the teacher, as well as each other. What we'll discuss: -What is Science? -How does Science relate to Society and vice versa? -Scientific Lingo -Semantics (e.g. belief, proof) -Context: why belief in dragons is reasonable or not -Certainty, Subjectivity, & Objectivity -Scientific Method -Logic & Fallacies -Science-Public Controversies (may touch on climate change, gluten, GMOs, evolution, vaccines, junk food, designer babies, etc - determined by class interest)

Class Description: Socratic Seminar - this class is about thinking! Be ready to listen, share your thoughts, and challenge the teacher, as well as each other. What we'll discuss: -What is Science? -How does Science relate to Society and vice versa? -Scientific Lingo -Semantics (e.g. belief, proof) -Context: why belief in dragons is reasonable or not -Certainty, Subjectivity, & Objectivity -Scientific Method -Logic & Fallacies -Science-Public Controversies (may touch on climate change, gluten, GMOs, evolution, vaccines, junk food, designer babies, etc - determined by class interest)

Class Description: Socratic Seminar - this class is about thinking! Be ready to listen, share your thoughts, and challenge the teacher, as well as each other. What we'll discuss: -What is Science? -How does Science relate to Society and vice versa? -Scientific Lingo -Semantics (e.g. belief, proof) -Context: why belief in dragons is reasonable or not -Certainty, Subjectivity, & Objectivity -Scientific Method -Logic & Fallacies -Science-Public Controversies (may touch on climate change, gluten, GMOs, evolution, vaccines, junk food, designer babies, etc - determined by class interest)

Socratic Seminar - this class is about thinking! Be ready to listen and share your thoughts. What we'll discuss: -What is Science? -How does Science relate to Society and vice versa? -Scientific Lingo -Semantics (e.g. belief, proof) -Context: why dragons are real! -Certainty, Subjectivity, & Objectivity -Scientific Method -Logic & Fallacies -Science-Public Controversies (may touch on climate change, gluten, GMOs, evolution, vaccines, junk food, etc - determined by class interest)

Science fiction is filled with futuristic technology including microscopic machines that enter the human body and perform tasks. Well, science fiction NO MORE!!! We will be discussing the technology behind current "nano" machines, built at scales where ~10,000 machines can fit within the diameter of a human hair. The end of the class is a discussion into future perspectives of these nanomachines.

Biotechnology is rapidly growing as a set of tools to meet a variety of human needs through the use and manipulation of biological systems, chemistry, and processes. With an ever-growing population and concern over environmental health, genetic engineering is one tool now widely used in agriculture and research to improve crops, reduce resource use, study biological systems, and meet human needs. However, with this new technology come new concerns that lead people to question the efficacy of this technology to meet our needs safely and responsibly. This is a four week course condensed and summarized in one class. The class will begin with brief introductions to complex topics in biology required to understand genetic engineering of plant systems. The next part will discuss methods of genetic engineering (including applications and limitations), while the final part will be a walkthrough of controversies surrounding the technology (topics may include food security, safety, efficacy, health effects, ethics, and ecology).

As science is evermore incorporated into nearly every facet of our society, conflicts arise at areas of overlap, largely driven by political strife and misunderstanding on all sides. This is an instructor-led discussion, focusing on areas where science and society meet and are often perceived to conflict. Topics may include religion, ancient and current public perception, epistemology, cultural and historical context, biotechnology, enviromentalism, politics, education, or formal/informal logic, depending largely on student interest.

As science is evermore incorporated into nearly every facet of our society, conflicts arise at areas of overlap, largely driven by political strife and misunderstanding on all sides. This class is an 80 minute, onetime instructor-led discussion, focusing on areas where science and society meet and are often perceived to conflict. Topics may include religion, public perception, epistemology, biotechnology, enviromentalism, politics, education, or formal/informal logic, depending largely on student interest.

Biotechnology is rapidly growing as a set of tools to meet a variety of human needs through the use and manipulation of biological systems, chemistry, and processes. With an ever-growing population and concern over environmental health, genetic engineering is one tool now widely used in agriculture and research to improve crops, reduce resource use, study biological systems, and meet human needs. However, with this new technology come new concerns that lead people to question the efficacy of this technology to meet our needs safely and responsibly. The first three sections are generalized introductions to complex topics in biology required to understand genetic engineering of plant systems. The third class, specifically, will discuss methods of genetic engineering (including applications and limitations), while the final class will be an interactive lecture on controversies surrounding the technology (topics may include food security, safety, efficacy, health effects, ethics, and ecology). General Breakdown: Week 1: Plant Biology Week 2: Molecular Biology Week 3: Genetic Engineering Week 4: Controversies