Science & Engineering
Alchemy
Re-create alchemy experiments and demonstrations from throughout time. With a focus on history and the origins of science we will perform experiments in electro-chemistry, including changing base metals into gold. We’ll explore the first periodic table by Dimitri Mendeleeve, investigate endothermic reactions and use flame tests to identify metal ions and elements.
Archeology: Uncovering the Past
Through the eyes of an archeologist, the world can be seen as a collection of time capsules. People who lived 1,000 years ago, 200 years ago, and even 50 years ago have left clues about their lives buried underground. This class will explore how archaeologists use science, math, and history in their excavations and laboratory work to uncover information about our collective past. You will have a chance to analyze artifacts and interpret clues from an archaeological excavation to tell a story.
Biodiversity
Explore the amazing variety of life on earth.
Individually or in pairs, you will dissect a sponge, earthworm, squid, and crayfish, and then observe the dissection of a shark. Our adventures into comparative anatomy, examining body systems, functions of organs, and the differences between phyla will help us discover what leads to such diversity and how form and function are similar yet different throughout the animal kingdom.
Biogeography
Combine geology and biology as you explore the connection between
planet earth and the organisms that live here. We will take a
biogeographical journey from the birth of our planet 4.6 billion years
ago up to today. A hands-on session in the Nuclear Science laboratory
will show you how scientists calculate the age of the earth through
measuring the half-lives of radiation. Then we will follow the
continental plates through time, watching as the shapes of land masses
and oceans change. Next we add organisms and watch as they adapt to
the ever-changing conditions of the planet. When we arrive back to
2010 we will have a much better understanding of the current diversity
of life, and how it is related to the fossils of the past.
Biotechnology: Introduction to a New Frontier
Investigate biotechnology, a new frontier in science, and gain an understanding of its methods and uses.
In this hands-on class explore the structure of the genetic materials, DNA and RNA, and learn about patterns of inheritance in the lab. Examine cells under the microscope, identify cell structures, and discuss their functions before performing a DNA extraction. Learn the principals behind DNA replication and restriction-digest. See how these processes are used in cutting-edge biotechnology: stem cell research, cloning, genome sequencing, genetic testing, and genetically modified crops and explore the ethical issues surrounding biotechnology.
Chemistry of the Elements
Explore the building blocks of chemistry as you analyze the elemental composition of almost anything.
Learn the techniques, while working in a chemistry laboratory, of separating each chemical element from all the other elements of the periodic table, and then proving the presence of each of those elements. You will have time to separate and identify about a dozen elements by observing color changes of solutions and precipitates in test tubes when a series of various chemicals are added.
Digital Engineering: A Modern Revolution
Digital products that didn’t exist 20 years ago are now everywhere and used every day. Learn skills engineers use to create cutting-edge digital technology, from cameras to ipods. We will explore binary systems, the practical aspects of computer systems, design, construction, and testing of significant digital subsystems, and microprogramming.
Dinosauria
Walk with the dinosaurs as we go on an expedition to the Mesozoic era and find out how paleontologists use the clues from the past to bring these beasts to life. Learn how we can tell what a dinosaur looked like and who its closest relatives were from the re-mineralization of their bones. Discover how can we interpret from a walkway what type of animal was there, if it was walking or running, how tall it stood, or if it was stalking prey. Explore how paleontologist excavate a dig site and how fossils are extracted from the earth.
Epidemiology: Disease Detectives
Every infection is a race between microbes and the host. Travel back in
time to study the world's great epidemics, the Bubonic Plague, Small
Pox, Cholera and influenzas. . Learn how epidemiologists trace disease
sources, outbreaks, and transmission. Learn how scientists developed
vaccines and cures to combat human's microbial foes. Discover how new
biotechnologies will help us develop cures for present and future
disease outbreaks.
Forensics: From Sherlock Holmes to CSI
It’s elementary my dear Watson! Learn how crime solving has changed through time.
DNA analysis has revolutionized crime solving, but although the tools crime solvers use have changed, the methods remain the same.
Travel back in time and compare how Sherlock may have solved a crime to how CSI uses chemistry today. Here is your chance to learn the methods and use the same tools as forensic experts through the years. We will work in a university chemistry lab and investigate a mock crime scene. You will learn basic fingerprinting, how atoms now help us with fingerprinting and how ultraviolet and infrared light help determine the properties of unknown chemicals. Then you will solve a crime, using the tools and techniques appropriate to the era when it was committed. Once you have analyzed your evidence, collected witness statements, and reviewed all the data, you will present your conclusions and see if you can retrace the events of the crime.
LEGO Robotics: Power Puzzle Challenge
Learn robotics and engineering as you explore alternate energy and design problems and solutions.
Working in engineering teams, you will design, build and program your robot using LEGO NXT Mindstorm software. Begin by learning the basics of building and programming robots, and investigate the use of levers, cams, gears and sensors to make your robot competitive. Then discover the links between science, people, resources and communities as your robots compete in real world challenges: moving power lines, discovering fuel sources and investigating green solutions.
Modern Physics
Over hundred years ago Professor Phillip von Jolly advised a young student against studying Physics: "In this field, almost everything is already discovered, and all that remains is to fill a few holes." he said.
The student, his name was Max Planck, went into Physics anyway and managed to fill one of the holes and discovered Quantum Mechanics.
A small clerk at a patent office in Berne named Albert Einstein managed to fill another hole and discovered The Theory of Relativity.
Physics has changed over the last 100 years in ways that Professor von Jolly would have never dreamed of. In this class we want to look a little bit closer into some of the new Physics and try to understand obscure phenomenon like the particle-wave duality, talk about ghostly particles like the neutrino or maybe even see what our options for time travel could be.
Nanotechnology: Teeny Tiny World
Explore the science of the future with nanotechnology.
Just how small is the nano world? Do things work differently as they get smaller? From cutting-edge medical devices to environmental clean-up, nanotechnology and nanoscience are revolutionizing the world and changing many aspects of our daily lives. Go beyond the usual microscope observations to discover the basic chemistry behind the innovative applications being created in this new area of scientific exploration. Conduct experiments and observe demonstrations in a university lab to gain a practical understanding of the underlying principles of chemistry and how they relate to nanotechnology.
Star Trek Physics
“Beam me up Scotty.” Learn how the science fiction of the 20th Century has morphed into the science of the 21st Century.
We will investigate the physics behind common Star Trek phenomenon, including parallel universes, time travel, phasers, teleportation and anti-matter. Then discover the impact on our modern lives of Star Trek-related discoveries and what scientists are working on right now, the ability to become invisible, have unbeatable lie detectors, and teleport objects with our thoughts.