If you love playing games and enjoy winning, this course would be a great choice for you! As an important branch of economics, a social science that studies how people make decisions, Game Theory supplies powerful tools of predicting people's behavior. Just like in a common game, what we do in studying Game Theory is to find out the best "strategy" mathematically of playing a game given the knowledge about the outcome of one strategy and your opponents' possible choices so that we can "win." During this course, you will be exposed to plenty of classic and challenging games such as "Prisoners' Dilemma," "Battle of Sexes," "Boxed Pigs" and "Meeting in New York" and so on. By studying these famous games you will learn the basic concepts in Game Theory, essential types of games and methods to "solve" a game. Meanwhile, you can also get a taste of the Nobel Prize winners' way of "playing" a game and develop even stronger logical thinking. At the end of the course, we will apply what we learn to explain social and economic phenomena such as "Bank Runs" and "The Tragedy of Commons."

Instructor: Ruiqing Miao holds a Master degree in Economics and is a Ph.D. candidate of Economics at Iowa State University now. His research interests lie in the fields of Industrial Organization, Environmental and Resource Economics and Agricultural Economics. Ruiqing’s teaching experience includes undergraduate level Microeconomics and Macroeconomics and graduate level Macroeconomics. This is Ruiqing’s first year teaching with OPPTAG. His contact email is: miaorong@iastate.edu

Textbook: Martin J. Osborne, An Introduction to Game Theory, Oxford University Press, 2004.

 

Date		Topic
July 13, 2009 (Mon.)	a.m.	Introduction: What is game theory? Where is it coming from and going to? Why is it important?  How should we study it? Rational choice, Winning, Elements of a game.
	p.m.	Some simple games: Prisoner’s Dilemma (PD), Battle of the Sexes (BoS), Matching Pennies (MP) and Stag Hunt (SH). Definition of Nash Equilibrium (NE). Computing NE for the PD, BoS, MP and SH games.
July 14, 2009 (Tue.)	a.m.	The tragedy of the commons. Symmetric games and symmetric equilibrium. Symmetric equilibrium for the n-person tragedy of the commons game. The war of Attrition.
	p.m.	Introduction to mixed strategies. Mixed strategies in the matching pennies game and BoS game. Mixed Strategy Nash Equilibrium (MSNE). MSNE with many players and “reporting a crime” game.
July 15, 2009 (Wed.)	a.m.	Extensive games with perfect information. Game trees and the extensive form. Strategies, outcomes and Nash Equilibrium. Entry game. Concept of Backward Induction.
	p.m.	A variant of entry game. “Burning a bridge” game. The “rotten kid theorem.” “Strategies” vs. actions. Subgame perfect Nash equilibrium (SPNE). Backward induction as a procedure for finding SPNE. Ultimatum game. Hungry lions.
July 16, 2009 (Thu.)	a.m.	Introduction to Bayesian Games. “Incomplete” vs. “Imperfect” information. Variant of BoS with imperfect information. Finding the NE of the Bayesian game. States, signals and types of a Bayesian Game.
	p.m.	Bayesian Nash Equilibrium. More information may hurt. The “lemons” problem as a Bayesian game.
July 17, 2009 (Fri.)	a.m.	Bargaining games.
	p.m.	Auctions.
July 18, 2009 (Sat.)	a.m.	Common knowledge. Open house

 

This course offers an opportunity for you to explore the very building blocks of modern robotics. You will start by investigating how and why basic mechanisms, such as motors, gears, pulleys, etc., work together to complete a task. You will be able to build examples of these machines to test the theory. Next, you will be introduced to how these machines can be controlled by electronic circuits, and again will be able to build real circuits. Finally, you will be shown how to make a computer control for the electronic circuits that control the machines. At the end of the week, you will be guided in selecting, designing, and building a project, utilizing all of the principles you have mastered during the course.

 

Instructors: Rachael Baethke will complete her bachelors in Liberal Studies in July 2009, with a minor in psychology. This is Rachael's first time teaching the Robotics Class.

 

Philip Goodman is currently enrolled as a freshman in materials science and engineering at Iowa State University.  He has assisted with the summer outreaches for the past two years under the guidance of Mr. Matthew Goodman and Dr. Lawrence Genalo. This is Philip's first time teaching this course.

Lawrence J. Genalo is professor and assistant chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Iowa State University. He received a Ph. D. in applied mathematics with systems engineering emphasis in 1977, has served as chair for Freshman Programs and DELOS Divisions of ASEE, and has extensive experience in engineering outreach to K-12 programs. He runs the Toying With TechnologySM Program at Iowa State, started a distance education class for high school students to interest them in engineering, started a summer internship program for female high school students, and often participates in recruitment and enrichment events. This will be Lawrence’s fourth year teaching with OPPTAG.

 

NOTE: Technology and Society 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.

Hear ye, hear ye! Join us now as we look back to the time of castles and kings, of knights and noble ladies! In this week-long journey into medieval Europe, we will examine a fascinating world that still holds our imagination today. Students will participate in a variety of learning activities, both as a group and individually. Hands-on learning will be stressed; there will be films, stories, and documents to examine. Learn how a castle is built and defended, behold the splendor of the Gothic Cathedral, go on a crusade with Richard the Lionheart, and try on a suit of chain mail! While learning about the medieval world, students also examine history as a discipline and explore the connections between medieval Europe and our world today. Keen insight, careful examination, and thoughtful analysis are needed. Come explore the world of the middle ages! Huzzah!

 

Instructor: Michael Jury is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the history department at Iowa State University. He received his master’s degree in history from Iowa State and has taught at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) for a number of years. This is Michael’s seventh year teaching this course for OPPTAG.

 

NOTE: Electronics & Robotics 101 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.

This course will allow students to take a look at the things around them that have a great influence. We’ll look at the popular literature, movies, and web interests of teens.  Analyses of emerging themes, in depth discussions, and creation of different products (digital story, papers, and videos) will transpire. Depth of learning is much greater through hands-on experiences.  This course gives students the opportunity to read contemporary literature, explore web-based applications, write about their experiences, work collaboratively within a group context all while shaping a fun and memorable experience to expand each student’s creativity.

 

Instructor: Jennifer Redd is a PhD candidate in the Curriculum and Instructional Technology program at Iowa State University.  She received her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction: Technology Integration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  Previously, she was an English teacher.  Jennifer’s interests lie in maximizing the educational benefits of technology.  Her experiences so far at Iowa State as a research assistant, faculty technology supporter, tutor and mentor, and webmaster keep her up-to-date and involved with her passion: teaching and technology.  This will be her first year teaching with Explorations.

 

In this class we will read Plato's dialogues having to do with the trial and death of Socrates and some selections from the larger Republic. Questions that we will deal with include: What was the nature of Socrates philosophizing and why was he brought to trial? How can we understand Socrates' life in the context of Athenian Democracy? Is there an immortal human soul? Are we obliged to obey the law? Does sense perception really give us the best insight into the nature of reality?

 

Instructor: Gordon Knight is a lecturer in philosophy. He received his Ph.D from the University of Iowa and his teaching and research interests include metaphysics and philosophy of religion. This will be Gordon’s first year teaching with OPPTAG.

 

Adventurers wanted! In this week- long adventure, students will be learning about the history of a fascinating culture that has captured the world’s imagination for centuries. Students will participate in a variety of activities, both as a group and as individuals. Hands-on learning will be stressed, and students will see films, learn legends, and develop analytical thinking. Learn to write your name in hieroglyphics and see what is inside the Great Pyramid! Explore tombs in the Valley of Kings and examine the reasons the ancient Egyptians mummified their kings. While learning about the history and culture of this glorious civilization, students will learn about history itself and how the achievements of the past affect us today. Keen insight, careful examination, and thoughtful analysis of facts will be needed, as well as an adventurous spirit! Come explore the wonders of Ancient Egypt!

 

Instructor: Michael Jury is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the history department at Iowa State University. He received his master’s degree in history from Iowa State and has taught at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) for a number of years. This is Michael’s seventh year teaching this course for OPPTAG.

 

This program will provide an overview of computer security, educate students on computer networking security concepts, explore uses of different types of cryptography, and gain a general understanding of how information warfare is conducted. This will be a hands-on lab-orientated program that will provide students an opportunity to work with state of the art equipment and to learn from industrial and academic leaders. Students will work with current technology like firewalls, virtual private networks, and intrusion detection systems. Students will set up security systems, analyze attacks, and see equipment in use. Our expectations of the program are that you will gain interest in the area, broaden your knowledge of computer security, have fun, meet faculty and experts that are able to answer questions about their occupations, and give you insight as to what the future could hold for you in a computer security field.

 

Instructor: Benjamin Blakely is a graduate student in Computer Engineering working towards his Ph.D.  He has been working with Information Technology systems since junior high as a network administrator, and has been working at the ISEAGE lab at Iowa State for five years.  He is a two-time winner and four-time director of the Iowa State Cyber Defense Competition and has experience working on cyber security projects for the state and federal governments.  This is his second year teaching OPPTAG.

 

Batter up! This Explorations course examines our national pastime both as an integral part of American History and an environment for exploring the numbers inside the game. What do the statistics really tell us about the game? Using mathematics, logic and creativity, we will ask (and maybe answer) some of the questions posed by sports writers, statisticians and writers like Bill James. Students will examine the history of the game from its roots in our nation’s early history through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Through creative exercises and computer simulations, we will also explore probabilities and how we can derive meaning from numbers. Explore this fascinating sport both as a fan and a student of the game! We’ll also view some past games and see how the game has changed and changed us in turn. We’ll also use hands-on learning to simulate the nineteenth century game as it was played in towns across Iowa. It’s part history, part logic, part mathematics, and part philosophy. So bring your gloves and your thinking caps, and let’s explore the game that has fascinated Americans for more than two centuries!

 

Instructor: Michael Jury is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the history department at Iowa State University. He received his master’s degree in history from Iowa State and has taught at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) for a number of years. This is Michael’s seventh year teaching for OPPTAG.

 

Media psychology is a “hot” topic in the field of psychology given the number of hours that children, teens, and adults watch TV, listen to music, play video games, and browse the Internet. This class will apply psychological theory to the mass media in an attempt to teach students about the numerous positive and negative consequences of media exposure and to provide knowledge to make students more media savvy and aware of the powerful effects of the mass media. Some of the topics covered in the course include: research methods and psychological/communication theory, media violence and fright, prejudice and stereotyping, educational programming, body image, and individual differences in media experiences. During the morning students will learn about the aforementioned topics using a wide array of lecture, group activities, and discussion. For the afternoon students will watch a variety of age appropriate media. Students will then carefully analyze and discuss from the perspective of a media psychologist.  

 

 

Instructor: Christopher Barlett holds a bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree from Kansas State University in experimental psychology. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in experimental social psychology with an emphasis on aggression. Chris’ teaching experience includes teaching general psychology and experimental research methods in psychology at the undergraduate level. Chris has published a variety of papers and book chapters related to media psychology.This will be Chris' first year teaching with OPPTAG.

 

Build your own 4.5” f/8 Newtonian reflecting telescope (i.e., diameter of 4.5” with a focal length of 36”).  You will be introduced to the design of astronomical telescopes as well as wood construction methods.  The telescope you build will include two eyepieces and provides sufficient resolution to observe lunar craters, the bands of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn.  In addition, the telescope will provide sufficient aperture to see a host of celestial objects, including galaxies that are 60 million light years from Earth (e.g. Virgo Cluster).  The class will include sessions in the ISU planetarium as well as a “Star Party” where you will observe the night sky at the ISU telescope observation deck.  By the end of the week you will have constructed a working telescope and have gained a basic knowledge of how to use it under the night sky for many years to come.

Required Prerequisites: 

·        Attention to detail and previous experience working with you hands

·        High degree of comfort with math

Suggested prerequisite:

·        Algebra

 

Instructor:  Rich Schuler is currently a lecturer in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Iowa State University, and holds Masters Degrees in both Physics (specialization in telescope optics) and Civil Engineering (specialization in structural analysis).  He has eight years of experience in teaching at the university level, and a decade of experience as a structural engineer in the aerospace, naval and civil engineering fields.  He has worked as the Optical Mechanical technician at the Hobby-Eberly Telescope operated by the University of Texas (4th largest optical telescope on Earth).  He has eleven years of K-12 outreach experience, including statewide outreach with the Science Center of Iowa.  He is currently working with the Des Moines Public School System where he develops and executes Middle School after-school programs.  This will be Rich’s first year teaching with OPPTAG