COURSES
Here you'll find a list of our eight available courses and their curriculum. We prefer that you sign up for the three classes that you are most interested in. When you sign up, make sure that you pick the week that has the most favorable timing for you. Each course lasts for one week.
*NEW!* US Goverment 101 by andre nguyen and ryan wang
In this course, we will familiarize ourselves with the necessary role that government plays in society, with a primary focus on the American governmental system. Firstly, the concept of government is introduced, and the foundational underpinnings of the US government are discussed. Then we delve into each of the individual three branches of the US government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branch. Finally, we look in a broader scope to the world, comparing different governmental systems of different countries. At the end of this course, students will gain a deeper understanding of their relationship with government and how to better actively engage in politics.
*NEW!* Fundamentals of Competitive math
by katia krishtopa
This course is designed to teach fundamental concepts prevalent in middle school math competitions. We will cover simple statistics and probability, special triangles and other geometric figures, and pattern analysis. Each concept will be taught and the students will be presented with practice problems to solve from previous math competitions such as ACM8, CML and MathCounts. This course is a highly interactive experience for all students and those who want to strengthen their competition math performance or just enjoy math are encouraged to sign up! There are no required prerequisites, however, an understanding of pre-algebra is recommended.
Introduction to Genetics: What makes you you?
Have you ever thought about why you and your siblings look different from each other even though you have the same parents? Or why the animals we see today are different from the ones from a few hundred years ago? All of this has to do with genetics. In this course, students will explore how species evolve through Darwin and his finches. Along with this, they will learn about how genes are inherited through the use of Punnett squares. This course includes small activities, both online and on paper, demonstrating how traits are passed down and how certain species can go extinct because of how they look. Come explore genetics with us and have fun along the way!
Physics: The Science behind the Egg Drop Test
Have you ever wondered what happens to an egg when you drop it off an 8-story building? The answer lies in the fundamentals of physics! In this course, we will explore how objects move (kinematics) and why they move (dynamics). Students will learn through real life and computer-based simulations, such as projectile motion and forces to help them better understand physics concepts. We will then apply these physics concepts to the egg drop. To finish the course, we will show you how to make your very own egg drop test package which you will be able to replicate on your own. Join us as we explore kinematics, Newton’s laws of physics, forces, and momentum!
*Prerequisite: One year of pre-algebra.
Coding: Introduction to python by shaan lehal
Since programming requires a lot of self-teaching, the biggest obstacle in a computer science career is getting started. In this course, students will use Python to understand the fundamentals. We'll go through the rules (syntax, the "grammar") of coding, if conditions, while & for loops, functions, and a couple of small problems & projects, like making a calculator. By the end of the course, students should be self-sufficient enough to become an advanced programmer!
Game theory by shaan lehal and diego pasani
When you think of a game, what comes to mind? Chess, poker, Monopoly... Yes, these are all games, but game theory and statistics apply so much more than just simple board games. The stock market, financial transactions, and company competition are all games as well. In this course, we will cover these concepts with examples and games played by the students. Some of these examples will be the prisoner’s dilemma, how casinos make millions, and what is going on behind the scenes when Costco has a 20% sale on Ritz Crackers. Students will develop familiarity with some major concepts of game theory including independent and dependent events, dominance, mixed strategies, probability matrices, the Nash equilibrium, and much more. This course will give a taste to students on the importance of statistics and probability in the world today and in what ways to apply it.
Chemistry and cookies
We all love cookies. But how does a simple clump of dough become the classic confectionery treat? We can answer this through chemistry! We will learn about the fundamentals of chemistry, such as chemical reactions. Students will explore these topics through virtual experiments and simulations. Then, we will apply these concepts to the real-life example of cookie baking and students will leave the course with a thorough understanding of the chemistry behind cookies and how to apply it to other scenarios. Join us to explore cookies, to learn chemistry, and most importantly, to have a great time!
introduction to economics
At the foundation of all micro- and macroeconomics are basic economic principles. This course provides a fascinating introduction to high-school-level economics, including the economic perspective, utility maximization, competition, supply and demand, and market failures. Employing their previous experiences and intuition, students will develop rational decision making skills that are applicable to their own experiences as young consumers. Over the course of the week, students will create their own budget lines, achieve consumer equilibrium, read fundamental economic texts, and collaborate to construct a basic market model.
Introduction to the biology of cancer
Students will learn about cancer on a cellular level and gain a basic understanding of the mechanisms responsible for making this disease so devastating. At the end of this course, students will be able to define cancer, recognize the hallmarks of cancer, understand that cancer is a genetic disease, and explain how cancer is treated and how it can be prevented. This course is relatively advanced and fast paced, so it is recommended that students who opt to take this course have some background knowledge of basic concepts in biology (or at least an avid interest in the subject).
Financial Literacy by rahil kakar
This camp teaches the fundamentals of financial literacy to students in an easily understandable and enjoyable way. Having a financial understanding is critical for all ages, but especially for middle school students. We will start with the foundation of proper money management and responsible financial decision-making which are critical life skills. We will then focus on key financial topics such as budgeting, saving, and investing. Lastly, we will cover newer topics, such as, “What are cryptocurrencies or NFTs?”. After this course, students will understand the financial literacy topics needed to navigate and succeed financially in the modern world.
web dev by ryan rana
In this course, students will learn how to create a fully functional and decorative web site. We will start from the ground up by learning how to create a simple website using HTML. Then we will explore functionality in the website and be able to create interactive features using the extremely powerful and popular language, Javascript. Last but certainly not least, we will learn how to customize your website by adding color, images, and effects. By the end of the week, you will have created your very own website, and with the resources and content you will receive throughout the week you can continue your studies of web development long after the week is over.