Course Description: Do you know that you are radioactive? And that pretty much everything else is too? Are you aware that about 20% of the electricity you use comes from splitting atoms? Prior to the early 20th century, scientists were not even sure that atoms were real, let alone that the force that held the atomic nucleus together could be harnessed to produce unimaginable amounts of energy. Since the explosion of the first atomic device as part of the Manhattan Project of World War II, the promise and peril of nuclear technology has been an ever present, if sometimes forgotten, part of our lives. The latter half of the 20th century was dominated by a nuclear arms race between two superpowers that developed the most destructive arsenals in the history of humankind. At the same time, many environmentalists see carbon-free nuclear energy as one of the most promising ways to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and stave off global climate change. In this class, we’ll study the science and technology of the nucleus. We’ll learn about nuclear fission, fusion, and radioactive decay. We’ll see how a few pounds of uranium can be used to power a city, or destroy it. We’ll also take a look at medical and industrial technologies that have developed from nuclear science. Finally, we’ll examine the history and politics behind this most controversial of technologies.
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Doppelgangers & Disguises in Golden Age Spanish TheaterCourse Description: Disguises can be instrumental in the search for the truth, but can also obscure the truth. In this course we will consider the questions: To what lengths will humans go to find the truth or to hide the truth? Is it always a good thing to reveal the truth? Can hiding the truth ever lead to positive ends? To help answer these questions, we will read a classic drama of Spanish theater that addresses stolen identity, morality and asks the philosophical question: What is the nature of the “truth”? We will also explore a classic comedy of Spanish theater that deals with disguises and misdirection in attempts to sway people’s minds. In this course, you will learn basic theater techniques like costume design, set design, and directing. You will then use these skills to stage a scene from one of the plays we read and, in doing so, seek to answer these enduring questions and enliven your own interpretation of “truth.” About Kristin
Social Media and #sociologyCourse Description: How is Twitter changing the world? What does your Facebook status have to do with the economy? Is Instagram affecting our relationships? Social media is playing an ever-increasing role in our daily lives, and yet we rarely stop and think about the implications of these sites for society. In this course we will dive into the world of social media by tapping into our "sociological imagination" - a way of understanding the relationship between our individual experiences and the larger social context. We will examine the effects that social media is having on politics, culture, economics, and interpersonal relationships. Throughout the course, you will both generate and analyze content on social media, engaging as scholars in the emerging field of "digital sociology." Topics covered in the class will include: social movements, friendship and intimacy, inequality, and crime and social control. About Daniel
Introduction to Ancient GreekCourse Description: Contrary to popular belief, the Ancient Greek language is very much alive! You don’t have to look long to find Greek letters (FBK, p), transliterated Greek words (enigma - αἴνιγμα), and English words with Greek roots (astronomy, octopus) in our world today. Learning Ancient Greek enables you to better understand Ancient Greek history and literature (including mythology!), but it also deepens your understanding of the English language and many aspects of modern, Western culture. In this course, we will dive into the Ancient Greek language, beginning with the alphabet and ending with the translation of a passage from Homer’s Odyssey. We will analyze the grammatical structure of sentences in Ancient Greek, making connections between Ancient Greek grammar and that of other inflected languages, such as Spanish and Latin. We’ll also analyze similarities and differences between Ancient Greek and English. At the end of this course, you will be able to identify Greek letters, pronounce and write Greek words, and utilize a set of grammatical tools and resources to take your study of Ancient Greek to the next level. ἐλπίζω σὲ εὐθέως δε ἰδεῖν—I hope to see you soon! About Rachel1. I've seen all 264 episodes of Murder, She Wrote.
2. My husband, Jonathan, is a philosopher. 3. I have a Basset Hound puppy named Copper. Current Job and/or Degree Program: M.A. in Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary What professional or educational experiences have prepared you to teach your course(s) at SEP? In May, I completed an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction - Gifted Education at UVA. Before coming to graduate school, I studied Classical Studies, Ancient Greek, and Latin at Wake Forest University. Last Spring (2015), I taught a course on Ancient Greek culture at the Saturday Enrichment Program. How many years have you taught at SEP? This is my first time teaching at the summer program. What brought you to SEP? SEP is closely tied to the Gifted Education department at UVA. Because I was part of this small community, I knew as soon as I came to Charlottesville that I wanted to work with SEP. Both the summer and Saturday programs have such an impact on the lives of gifted and talented students in this geographical region. The work that SEP does is both deeply important and incredibly fun! I'm very thankful to be able to be a part of it. What are you looking forward to most this summer? It's wonderful that so many students are interested in Greek mythology, but I'm very excited to see this interest grow into something deeper through study of the Ancient Greek language. I'm most excited to see the students make connections between prior knowledge (whether mythological or otherwise), their everyday experiences, and the language of the Ancient Greeks. What excites you about teaching? What could be better than sharing something that you love with someone and cultivating/nourishing that same love in their hearts and minds? I'm very passionate about the classics, Greek in particular, and the opportunity to ignite a similar passion in these bright young people is a truly wonderful thing! What would you like students to remember from your class five years from now? I would like them to remember that grammar is not just a list of meaningless rules - it's a system of patterns that organizes and governs language. More importantly, I would like them to remember that learning Ancient Greek enables you to better understand Ancient Greek history and literature (including mythology!), but it also deepens your understanding of the English language and many aspects of modern, Western culture. What MOVES You?Course Description: Human movement is a phenomenon that we often take for granted. When is the last time you thought about how you move from your locker to your classroom at school? How you threw a ball to someone in your family? How you hopped during a game of hopscotch? These types of activities all require the acquisition of motor skills through a process called motor learning. In this course we will seek to understand the mechanisms in place that affect how we move through an application of the Dynamic Systems Theory. In doing so, you will participate in several simulation labs that will provide you an opportunity to experience and analyze different types of movements. Finally, you will apply what you have learned by collaborating in small groups to design a motor learning program. About Wes
Math Logic: A Universe Built On Axioms (7-8 and 9-11) Course Description: What do the fields of Computer Science, Economics and Statistics have in common? Each is based on logical arguments steeped in mathematics. In this interactive course, we will explore set theory, probability, and theory of computation. Through logic games, challenge questions, and probability experiments you will practice critical thinking in an environment offering clear and precise answers rooted in logical, mathematical arguments. As a result of this course, you will develop a rich understanding of some of the major ideas behind modern mathematics while, at the same time, developing and honing the way you approach challenging questions. About Daniel
Intelligent Invention through IterationCourse Description: Do you ever want to create something new? In order to do this effectively, you need to understand and explore the foundation of product development: iterative design. It is easy enough to have an idea and to create a product, but to understand if something really works, a professional must conduct tests and fix problems, continually redesigning his or her work until they have to deliver a final version for production. In this course, you will work as a product developer in a field of your interest, with the goal of creating a final version of a product to present on the last day. Products can include anything that you are interested in, including music, games, tools, or consumer goods. You will learn to work around resource limitations, but that is all part of the process. Let the creative spirit flow iteratively! About Chris
Media Productions: How to be a ProducerCourse Description: Have you ever wondered how documentaries are made? What about all the steps are involved in creating a film? In this course you will learn how to use the filmmaking process to turn an idea into a story. We will start by learning a few essential techniques and becoming familiar with critical industry vocabulary through film screenings and group discussions. Through a series of activities, you will also learn the fundamentals skills of interviewing, being on-camera, writing, directing, cinematography, and editing. You will then apply these skills, working in teams, to produce an original five-minute promotional piece on the Summer Enrichment Program, highlighting its uniqueness. At the end of this course, you will not only have created a short film, you will also have the knowledge and skills to continue creating films on topics of your choice. About Maya
Current job and/or degree program: I am working for UVA's School of Engineering & Applied Science's International Programs. I am the Coordinator of SEAS International Programs. What professional or educational experiences have prepared you to teach your course(s) at SEP? 14 years on staff at National Geographic Television. Also worked at Discovery Communications in the Education Division, The Teaching Company "The Great Courses" and produced interactive educational materials for Sylvan Learning. I have a Master of Arts in Film, Biology and Geography. I won an Emmy and other awards when I worked for National Geographic. How many years have you taught at SEP? This is my first year. Why did you choose to teach at SEP? I enjoy teaching students media production. It is so fulfilling to work with students who are so engaged and interested in the craft. What are you looking forward to the most this summer? Seeing the excitement of the students doing production. And of course, seeing the final product. What excites you about teaching? When the students take the knowledge that I have taught them and apply their own ideas and creativity to the product. What would you like students to remember from your class five years from now? The production process for documentaries. Bump in the Night: Scary Stories, Urban Legends, and Why They Frighten UsCourse Description: What does it mean to be afraid? Why do we find certain things scary? Whether it’s spiders, ghosts, roller coasters or clowns (my own personal fear), fears and phobias are both uniquely personal and a shared social experience. Each generation has its own ideas of what is scary and how we should confront those fears. In the first part of the course we will examine the psychology of fear and break down popular stories and legends to see how they reflect our fears as a society. Then we will see how these stories evolve over time. We will also examine why fear entertains us, and why we are sometimes willing to pay for the experience of being afraid (movies, books, haunted houses, etc.). We will also look at how fear reflects our social and moral values, specifically, what role urban legends play in reflecting those values. In the second part of the course, you will create your own stories and legends. We will compile these stories to create an anthology called SEP Scary Stories to Tell Your Friends. About Jill
Sound Off (5-6 and 7-8)Course Description: Sounds define our lives in extraordinary ways. Whether we're listening to our favorite radio station, hearing a siren go off, or enjoying our own form of silence, our sonic landscape is carefully shaped and constructed to influence us, both for good and bad! In this class, students will learn to engage with the "soundscape" of their lives, carefully understanding how we and society listen to the world around us. We'll discuss sound design in movies and television, how radio stations program content, why we enjoy certain songs so much, what we think of as "noise," is there such a thing as silence, how does music shape identity, and many other pertinent questions and ideas. No musical experience required. Just come with open ears. About Kyle
Current job and/or degree program: PhD in Music What professional or educational experiences have prepared you to teach your course(s) at SEP? Sound studies is my field of interest at UVa, and I also teach music classes at the university. How many years have you taught at SEP? This is my first year Why did you choose to teach at SEP? I wanted the freedom of designing my own course, and the experience of teaching a different age group. So far, it's been a fun adventure! What are you looking forward to the most this summer? The main project for my classes is adding sound to an early silent film. I can't wait to see (and hear) the final product! What excites you about teaching? Those moments when your students are hungry for more knowledge. What would you like students to remember from your class five years from now? That sound is all around us, and shapes the way we perceive and interact with the world. Medieval Madness (7-8)Course Descriptions: Do you enjoy making things? Imagine living during the medieval times and making everything from scratch. What materials did they have at their disposal? What gadgets did they use to help improve their lives? In this class, you will design, build, test, and refine a number of medieval items. You will also communicate your design process and explain your products. Throughout the process of making new items using only everyday things, you will learn about these everyday materials and gadgets, their significance during medieval times, and in a broader sense, what life was like during the Middle Ages. This hands-on, inquiry-based, interdisciplinary course will allow you to use your knowledge and higher-level thinking skills to discover the significant role of everyday things during the Middle Ages. The course will culminate in a Medieval Fair where you will demonstrate what you’ve made and be knighted into the prestigious group, the Knights of the Summer Enrichment Program!
Rube Goldberg Innovations (7-8)Course Description: We all love chain reactions. Whether it’s “giving a mouse a cookie” or foiling the bad guys in the movie Home Alone or having breakfast with Caractacus Pott in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we are forever amused when thing A bumps into device B which then forces item C into motion. While Rube Goldberg made bizarre, theoretical chain reactions famous in the early 1900s, recent artists OK Go and Nick Park (Wallace and Gromit) have taken the art to a new level. Now it’s time for you to get in on the action. Come and enjoy studying, planning, inventing, and building your very own Rube Goldberg machines! About Anthony
Heredity and Hogwarts (5-6)Course Description: Have you ever wondered why Harry has his father's hair, but his mother's eyes? Or why all of the Weasleys have red hair? During this course you will study heredity, how physical traits are passed from parent to child, to help you answer these questions and others. You will explore alleles, dominant and recessive traits, Mendelian inheritance, genotype, and phenotype. A variety of activities, such as completing genetic trait inventories, tracking and recording traits through generations, and predicting trait probabilities through Punnett squares will be included in this course. You will then use your knowledge of genetic inheritance to create a magical beast that could be added to Newt Scamander's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them! About Laura
Current job and/or degree program: Site Facilitator with after school program What professional or educational experiences have prepared you to teach your course(s) at SEP? I have a degree in elementary education and have worked in elementary schools in Indiana, Oregon, and Virginia. Due to an interest in high ability education, I took several graduate courses in the field. This course combines my interest in genetics with my passion for the Harry Potter universe. How many years have you taught at SEP? This is my first year Why did you choose to teach at SEP? My husband taught at SEP last summer and encouraged me to become a part of the staff this summer. It sounded like a really exciting camp to work at. What are you looking forward to the most this summer? I'm looking forward to getting know all of the students, sharing my enthusiasm for Harry Potter, and helping them develop their knowledge of genetics. What excites you about teaching? I love seeing kids become passionate about a topic or seeing their sense of accomplishment when they've successfully completed something that was previously difficult for them. Being able to spend my days with children and watch them grow academically and socially is the best job I could ask for. What would you like students to remember from your class five years from now? I would like them to remember the process by which offspring inherit traits from their parents, the great conversations we had regarding genetics in the world of Harry Potter, and the friends they made in class. Changing Humanity: Ethics of Emerging Technologies (9-11)Course Description: Human aspiration to invent is endless. We have manipulated the world around us, sometimes wonderfully, sometimes dreadfully. But should humans begin to manipulate our own bodies outside their ‘normal’ biological specifications? Scientists say that it’s no longer just science fiction that the human body could one day be altered dramatically in ways that might make humans stronger, faster, cleverer, more creative, or even longer lived. What about developments in cybernetics? Should robots play a role in war or in medical care? Could you have a robot friend? You will consider these and other issues that have the potential to radically reshape what it means to be human. How far could we go? How far should we go? What risks might be involved? Do we have a clue what we’re doing? You’ll decide! Philosophy of Doctor Who (7-8)Course Description: Philosophy permeates Doctor Who. As a result, the show provides an accessible starting point for considering a great number of interesting metaphysical and moral issues. In this course we will consider issues in the program related to truth and knowledge, science, space and time, and good and evil. We will also engage with the Doctor's complex ethical motivations and psychology, ask questions about persisting personal identity in the Time Lord processes of regeneration, and examine the nature of time travel through wibbley-wobbley, timey-wimey stuff! About Will
Current job and/or degree program: Graduate Student in Philosophy at UVA What professional or educational experiences have prepared you to teach your course(s) at SEP? Serving as a Teaching Assistant at UVA, and a prior summer teaching at SEP. How many years have you taught at SEP? Including this summer, 2. What about SEP led you to come back for more? The students are very intelligent and the courses allow you to cover interesting material not typically covered by primary/secondary or even college education. It's a fantastic experience for the kids, and I enjoy being a part of their intellectual development. What are you looking forward to the most this summer? Getting to know the students, and to see them become excited about philosophy and ethics. I really enjoy helping them through a tough problem or issue, and seeing their joy at finally coming to a conclusion. What excites you about teaching? The "aha" moment when students fully understand the issue and come to some conclusions. What would you like students to remember from Ethics of Emerging Technologies five years from now? My students will see a lot of changes in their lifetime, such as driverless cars, extended human lifespans, and changing political and social spheres, because of emerging technologies. My hope is to instill in them the idea that we need to ethically challenge new technologies and make sure that there will not be horrible consequences before implementation. If we aren't ethically responsible about new technologies, it could spell disaster to humanity. What would you like students to remember from Philosophy of Doctor Who five years from now? The world is not as clear and certain as we tend to make it out to be, and that there are a lot of complicated issues that we still have yet to fully solve. And to be able to intelligently talk about philosophical issues and Doctor Who! Why Do Historians Disagree? Interpreting the |