SCHEDULE OF THE SUMMER PROGRAM
June 30 ? July 25, 2008

SUMMER 2008 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

ARCHEOLOGY: WHAT IS PAST IS PRESENT
An archaeologist is a combination of detective and historian. Students will examine artifacts discovered on campus and learn about the relationship between the artifact and the culture that produced it. Students will learn about earlier and ancient cultures. As part of the course, students will also participate in a simulated surface dig.

EXPERIENCES WITH THE INTERNET
Students will use the Internet as a tool for research, presentations, and entertainment.  During the class sessions, students will use appropriate search engines to assist them in finding information from various sites on the World Wide Web. They will learn how to narrow their searches to obtain the most appropriate information and search for graphics that are useful for illustrating a report. The safe and responsible use of this important and expanding medium will be stressed throughout the duration of the course. More advanced students will receive more advanced projects.

MATHEMATICS AND ARCHITECTURE
How are ideas in mathematics related to architecture? The design of most major architectural projects is dependent upon laws and principles of mathematics. This course will explore how the combination of architecture, numbers, and shapes helps buildings to stand up. Students will have an opportunity to develop individual architectural projects.

OUR DYNAMIC EARTH
The emphasis of this curriculum is Earth Science.  Children’s curiosity will be stimulated as they learn about the most fundamental natural occurrences. Children will participate in activities that will expand their understanding of the earth, minerals, water and weather.

Grades 4-6

Students in grades 4-6 choose four courses during each day. Students in grade 6 may choose courses for either grade levels 4-6 or 6-8 without being confined to either age group.

COMPUTER ROBOTICS
Robotics is the future. Using gizmos and gadgets, students will develop and evaluate their own ideas in a project creation environment.  Students learn not only the specifics of using machines to accomplish real tasks, but also the general practice of working in partnership with technology. The robotics course software is a collection of tools that build on the tradition of Logo and LogoWriter. This software enhances creativity, problem-solving and thinking skills. Computer Robotics is designed so that students can participate for several semesters without repeating content.

DISCOVERING ALGEBRA & GEOMETRY WITH COMPUTERS
Explore numbers, patterns, points, lines, shapes, and solids through the worlds of algebra and geometry. Students will investigate a variety of mathematical problems. They will also have the opportunity to create tessellation patterns and other geometric designs.

CHEMISTRY: SELECTED TOPICS
This course is designed to engage the youngster who has had minimal experience in the study of chemistry, as well as those who have had a previous course. Activities and discussions will be drawn from topics such as matter and its classification, phases and phase changes, physical and chemical properties, chemical changes and reactions, and the interactions of energy and matter. In each instance, the objectives are to enable students to "discover" some basic chemical concepts and principles, become familiar with standard laboratory techniques, and experience the excitement and enjoyment of scientific inquiry. Laboratory activities will be carefully supervised and safety procedures emphasized.

ICHTHYOLOGY: A STUDY OF THE CREATURES OF THE SEA
Students in this course will study fish from the very simple to the extremely complex.  They will start out by learning the various stages in the life cycle of fish then proceed to the examination of the various anatomical and physiological differences in the types of fish, such as bony and cartilaginous.  Students will also compare freshwater and salt water fish to see the structural differences between them.

MICROBIOLOGY I: A STUDY OF SINGLE CELL ORGANISMS
In this course, students will delve into the world of microscopy to study the biology of microscopic organisms. They will be introduced to basic techniques used to study and explore the lives and interrelationships of these micro-organisms. Extensive use of the university?s microscopes will help students in their explorations.

NEW FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS
How is our developing knowledge of physics changing communications, technology, and society? What are some of the new discoveries and exciting areas of investigation? Students will work both independently and collaboratively as they explore a variety of current research topics in physics, such as amusement park physics, electromagnetism, bubble research, fluid motion, chaotic behavior, gravity, curved space-time, statistics, induced electromotive forces, holograms, and satellite motion.

ROCKETRY AND SPACE SCIENCE
From hot air balloons to the outer edge of space, we will investigate the pathway that led us from our dreams of flight to our first lunar steps. Students will design, build, and launch lighter-than-air vessels. The principles of aerodynamics and rocketry will be explored, as they design, build, and launch their own rockets. Safety procedures will be stressed throughout the program.

CRIMINAL LAW I
Students enrolled in Criminal Law will receive a Mock Trial manual and be introduced to the ways our state handles crime and criminals. Students will play the roles of attorneys and witnesses as they reenact criminal trials. They will see that citizens have both rights and responsibilities in our society. New criminal trials are selected each semester. The maturity level of the class is considered in selecting cases.

WRITING: HEROES & VILLAINS
Adventure, mystery and drama stories are driven by heroes, villains, and antiheroes. What are their similarities and differences? Students will consider how such protagonists and antagonists as Harry Potter, Lady Macbeth, and Frankenstein have been created by their authors in developing characters for their own stories.

ADVANCED MATH CONCEPTS WITH COMPUTERS
Explore sophisticated real world mathematical topics and concepts by using computer software and visiting challenging web sites. Content areas will include such topics as ratios and proportions, inequalities, expressions and formulas, equations, probability and statistics, patterns and functions, arithmetic and geometric progressions, and permutations.

WRITER'S WORKSHOP: SHORT STORIES WITH COMPUTERS
Learn to write short stories with memorable characters, strong conflicts, vivid settings, and satisfying resolutions. We'll read model short stories, from the fantastic to the realistic, to inspire our own. Helpful critiques of ongoing work will make this writing lab a true collaboration.