Summer 2013 Explorations Course Descriptions

A minimum of eight students enrolled is required for Explorations classes in order to be viable. The class size maximum for all programs is typically 14 students.

The OPPTAG program does not keep a waiting list for any summer courses. In our experience students rarely cancel participation, and we do not want to set false expectations for students and families.

Session I

EXPLORING COMPUTER ENGINEERING [ENTERING GRADES 8-12: 9am - 4pm] [July 7 - July 13]

Students will explore the world of embedded computer systems by learning to program an Arduino Esplora. This innovative platform integrates a multitude of sensors and an easy to use programming environment into a game controller form factor.  We will learn the basics of the C language, event loops, state machines, and simple circuits useful for projects and robotics.

Instructor: Dr. Tom Daniels, a Sr. Lecturer in Electrical and Computer Engineering, is an innovator in teaching first year problem solving.  He has won numerous teaching awards for his work in using Nintendo Wii Game Controllers for education.

 

GROWING UP IN GRAPHIC NOVELS [ENTERING GRADES 8-12: 9am - 4pm]

NOTE: Growing Up in Graphic Novels is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.

PSYCHOLOGIST FOR A WEEK: EXPLORING CAREER PATHS IN PSYCHOLOGY! [ENTERING GRADES 8-12: 9am - 4pm]

NOTE: Psychologist for a Week: Exploring Career Paths in Psychology! is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.

THE HISTORY, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF GARBAGE [ENTERING GRADES 8-12: 9am - 4pm]

NOTE: The History, Present and Future of Garbage is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.

Session II

EXPLORING COMPUTER ENGINEERING [ENTERING GRADES 8-12: 9am - 4pm]

NOTE: Exploring Computer Engineering is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.

HUMAN ECOLOGY [ENTERING GRADES 8-10: 9am - 4pm] [July 14 - July 20]

This course will introduce students to the field of human ecology, including the basic theoretical foundations as well as modern applications of these ideas.  Topics of discussion may include community capitals framework, ecosystem services, climate change, and biofuel production.  Land use management in the Midwest will be highlighted, with particular attention directed towards agriculture issues.  Rural and urban community interactions will also be analyzed, as well as the recent emergence of localized food systems and economies.  Students will be expected to produce a group research assignment addressing a question of their choice revolving around a current issue of natural resource use in the Midwest.

Prerequisite: This course is geared towards students in grades 8 – 10 with a very basic understanding of the fields of ecology and sociology.  Students should have interest in the natural and social sciences, as well as a desire to formulate questions which integrate these fields and develop critical thinking skills necessary to utilize the scientific method to answer them.  Students should be analytical thinkers, and confident about voicing their opinions in the form of classroom discussion.

Instructor: Adam Wilke is currently a Masters student in the Department of Sociology and Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. He has several years of experience teaching medical certification courses through the University of Minnesota, as well as restoring native prairies and organic farming in Southwest Wisconsin. His interests are in natural resource and human interactions, specifically involving rural land management issues.

MODERN VS TRADITIONALISM: ART IN PARIS, 1888-89 [ENTERING GRADES 8-12: 9am - 4pm] [July 14 - July 20]

This Reacting to the Past module allows students the opportunity to learn by doing as they take on the personas of famous artists and critics in late 19th century France.  Students will learn to interpret and evaluate art like the critics.  They will also learn the history of important cultural transitions that took place with the shift to Modernism and how those transitions met with resistance.  Just like the figures of the past, students will have to persuade, plan and sometimes trick others into agreeing with their point of view.  The class will culminate with the Universal Exposition of 1889!

Prerequisites:  Interest in history, culture, and/or art.

Instructor: Angie Gumm graduated from ISU with a PhD in Agricultural History and Rural Studies. Angie currently is a history lecturer at Friends University and Wichita State University. She is also working on a manuscript on the resource recovery of garbage which will be published by the University of Massachusetts Press.

PSYCHOLOGIST FOR A WEEK: EXPLORING CAREER PATHS IN PSYCHOLOGY! [ENTERING GRADES 8-12: 9am - 4pm] [July 14 - July 20]

Being a “psychologist” can mean very different things depending on who you are talking to, which can seem overwhelming if you are interested in psychology but uncertain about what career options are available to you. The purpose of this course is to introduce you to four broad areas of professional psychology and explore the options you have within each area. You will learn about the many career paths available to you, what they are all about, and what you can do now to prepare yourself for a possible future in this field. Even if you are unsure about what you will study in college or whether psychology is right for you, this course will present fascinating information that will be useful as you continue your education and eventually transition to college.

Course Prerequisites

  • ACT-Composite score of 20 or higher and ACT-Science Reasoning score of 22 or higher; OR Combined SAT-Math and SAT-Verbal score of 930 or higher.
  • 3.50 (on 4.00 scale) or higher high school or middle score GPA.
  • Proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking standard English.

Instructor: Stephanie Carrera holds Bachelors degrees in Psychology and English Literature from the University of Illinois. She is currently pursuing her Masters and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Iowa State University. Stephanie has served as an academic coach at the ISU Academic Success Center and a teaching assistant for Developmental Psychology.

Instructor: Kathryn Pesch holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota. After working in residential and inpatient mental health care, she began pursuing her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at ISU. Kathryn was a teaching assistant for a psychology research methods course, and currently manages a psychological

STAND BACK! I'M GOING TO TRY SCIENCE COMICS! [ENTERING GRADES 8-12: 9am - 4pm]

NOTE: Stand Back! I'm Going to Try Science Comics! is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.

Session III

GROWING UP IN GRAPHIC NOVELS [ENTERING GRADES 8-12: 9am - 4pm] [July 21 - July 27]

Have you ever wondered how a comic book writer decides to tell their story?  Or how to layout their panels to show their story?  In this interactive class you will learn the basics of comic book writing, use the comic book form to explore issues that many young adults face, such as search for identity and cultural awareness, and then create a mini comic book based on your own experiences.  Each session is divided equally between the basics of comic book writing and select young adult issues. Discussion will include topics such as anorexia, adoption, discrimination, and life in wartime. Artistic talent not required.

Prerequisites: An interest in expressing yourself through a uniquely visual and verbal medium.

Instructors: Laura Sweeney has a BA in Communications, and an MS in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies and Public Administration.  She holds certificates in Community Leadership and Social Justice.  Laura has over ten years of arts based research experience and has taught for the ISU Honors College.  She recently represented the Iowa Arts Council as a delegate to the First International Teaching Artist Conference held in Oslo, Norway. This fall her first published essay appeared in the anthology Farmscape: The Changing Rural Environment.

Jason Arbogast has a BA in Elementary Education, and an MFA in Creative Writing and the Environment.  He has several years of middle school teaching experience.  Among Jason’s publications is his short story collection, Lost and Found in Kalamazoo.  He is an Iowa Arts Council Teaching Artist and has taught for the ISU Honors College.  This fall his first published essay appeared in the anthology Farmscape: The Changing Rural Environment.

INTRODUCTION TO CELL BIOLOGY [ENTERING GRADES 8-11: 9am - 4pm] [July 21 - July 27]

This class will provide students with a basic understanding of the components of a mammalian cell, how they are organized, and how the cell functions.  It will provide an overview of DNA replication, transcription and mRNA translation.  It will describe proteins and how they interact inside a cell.  In addition, cell structures and processes will be presented via microscopic images and videos. A variety of mammalian cell types will be presented to illustrate the vast similarities as well as differences among cells from different tissues.

Instructor: Jennifer Walker-Daniels earned a B.S. degree in cell and molecular biology from Missouri State University in 1995 and a Ph.D. in cell biology from Purdue University in 2002.  She has been at Iowa State University since 2002 and has worked as a postdoctoral scientist and a research associate.

SO MUCH DRAMA! [ENTERING GRADES 8-12: 9am - 4pm]

NOTE: So Much Drama! is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.

THE POLITICS OF FOOD [ENTERING GRADES 8-12: 9am - 4pm]

NOTE: The Politics of Food is closed for registration as it may have reached capacity or not have enough students registered. In the event that this course has been cancelled all registered students will be notified.