Splash On Wheels Winter 2008
Course Catalog
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Computer Science
Web App Programming with AppJet
In this class, we will teach you how to build interactive web applications and give you a place to host them for free.
This class is a prerequisite for our other class, "Facebook App Programming with AppJet".
We will be using a new online programming tool called AppJet. AppJet is designed to make it really easy to write a hosted web application. With AppJet, you write your entire program using JavaScript. (For those in the know: AppJet runs your JavaScript on its servers and has a JavaScript object database).
We will also provide free hosting at {yourchoice}.appjet.net.
Prerequisites
Some experience with programming and HTML is recommended.
This class is a prerequisite for our other class, "Facebook App Programming with AppJet".
We will be using a new online programming tool called AppJet. AppJet is designed to make it really easy to write a hosted web application. With AppJet, you write your entire program using JavaScript. (For those in the know: AppJet runs your JavaScript on its servers and has a JavaScript object database).
We will also provide free hosting at {yourchoice}.appjet.net.
Prerequisites
Some experience with programming and HTML is recommended.
Facebook App Programming with AppJet
We will teach you how to build Facebook Apps! We will also give you a free place to host them, using AppJet.
We recommend you attend our other class first, "Web App Programming with AppJet", though if you are an advanced programmer you may be able to take this class without the previous one.
Prerequisites
The class "Web App Programming with AppJet", a Facebook account.
We recommend you attend our other class first, "Web App Programming with AppJet", though if you are an advanced programmer you may be able to take this class without the previous one.
Prerequisites
The class "Web App Programming with AppJet", a Facebook account.
"Turtle Graphics" and Functional Programming with Logo
Teachers:
Geoffrey Thomas
Logo is a computer language where you tell an on-screen "turtle" to move around and draw patterns. Learn how to write short programs that make the turtle draw simple and complex geometric shapes and perform various calculations.
Logo was the first computer language designed for students (rather than for scientists and mathematicians). Despite its simplicity, Logo is a dialect of the powerful and famous computer language Lisp, first developed in the 1950s and still influencing computer science today. While you watch the turtle draw what you tell it, you'll see for yourself some of the fundamental principles of real-world software design, such as abstraction, recursion, and higher-order functions.
Prerequisites
At least one semester of geometry is recommended but not required.
Logo was the first computer language designed for students (rather than for scientists and mathematicians). Despite its simplicity, Logo is a dialect of the powerful and famous computer language Lisp, first developed in the 1950s and still influencing computer science today. While you watch the turtle draw what you tell it, you'll see for yourself some of the fundamental principles of real-world software design, such as abstraction, recursion, and higher-order functions.
Prerequisites
At least one semester of geometry is recommended but not required.
[Deprecated] Hobbies
Crash Course Beginners' Swing
Teachers:
David Zou
As the course title suggests, this is a quick introduction to the basics of swing as well as an abundance of moves. Swing is fun, easy, and very useful (especially for you guys out there). "I don't/can't dance" is not a valid excuse not to take this class.
Prerequisites
no experience necessary
Prerequisites
no experience necessary
Introduction to European Games
Teachers:
Catherine Havasi,
Rob Speer
Tired of Monopoly, Taboo and Trivial Pursuit? This class will introduce “European-style” board games, which range from monks in a monastery trying to solve a murder mystery to settling an island to building Arabian palaces. These games are social, fun and themed while still incorporating interesting strategy. We'll explore several varieties of European games, including some specific examples, and examine sources for these games. This class will include, of course, a “games tasting” session, where we will break into groups and play some of these games.
Elite/Top College Admissions Information Conference
Teachers:
Steven Mo
How good should my SAT be? How important are leadership and extracurricular activities? Is financial cost really a problem even if I get in? How does MIT (Ivy League, Stanford, etc) select students? How do I write my essays? Is there any chance for a B-average student? How do legacy and connection work? Should I even bother to apply? Is the college ranking really overrated? How about liberal arts schools vs. national universities? And, most importantly, any questions you want to ask will be answer in details!!!
Prerequisites
You want to go to a top-notched college or want to know if you are qualified enough to do so!
Prerequisites
You want to go to a top-notched college or want to know if you are qualified enough to do so!
How to Create A Langauage
Teachers:
Maid makta dain melkin dama? Dalketelanda majikoren kam’tja, nai’am!
(Why would you invent your own language? So you could write things like this, of course!)
Come learn the fun art of conlanging!
Prerequisites
At least one year's worth of any foreign language
(Why would you invent your own language? So you could write things like this, of course!)
Come learn the fun art of conlanging!
Prerequisites
At least one year's worth of any foreign language
Wikipedia: Behind the Scenes
Teachers:
Rob Speer
Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit. It's an incredible source of information on millions of topics, but it can be bewildering at times, especially if you venture onto the editing side.
How do you edit Wikipedia in a way that won't just be undone by another editor? Who decides what belongs in Wikipedia and what doesn't? How can you tell whether to trust what's written in an article?
Rob Speer, a Wikipedia admin, will answer these questions and more. This class will make you a more informed user of Wikipedia, and show you how you can contribute to it yourself as well.
Prerequisites
Some computer skills
How do you edit Wikipedia in a way that won't just be undone by another editor? Who decides what belongs in Wikipedia and what doesn't? How can you tell whether to trust what's written in an article?
Rob Speer, a Wikipedia admin, will answer these questions and more. This class will make you a more informed user of Wikipedia, and show you how you can contribute to it yourself as well.
Prerequisites
Some computer skills
Nethack!
Teachers:
Nelson Elhage
Come, take on the role of a bold `@', and descend into the depths of the Dungeons of Doom, where you will face the likes of the vicious `x', the fearsome `h', and the mighty `D'. Collect $, % and !, and equip your [ and ) for battle.
nethack is one of the most classic text-based computer games of all time. A forerunner of Diablo, Neverwinter Nights and their ilk, it contains far more depth and complexity than nearly any modern game, with none of the pointless graphics, and still draws many devoted fans. Come find out what the craze is about!
nethack is one of the most classic text-based computer games of all time. A forerunner of Diablo, Neverwinter Nights and their ilk, it contains far more depth and complexity than nearly any modern game, with none of the pointless graphics, and still draws many devoted fans. Come find out what the craze is about!
The Art of Chain Mail
Teachers:
Jacky Chang
A long time ago, when things were more hardcore, people actually tried to kill each other with swords. Those who didn't want to be killed defended themselves with things like armor and chain mail. Come learn a few of the weaves they used for this, and a few that they didn't. You might even get to try out a few cooler things.
[Deprecated] Liberal Arts
The Medieval Era and the Renaissance
Teachers:
Michelle Bentivegna
This class designed to give people an introduction to a pivotal moment in European History: the transition from the Middle Ages to the modern era. We will start off by discussing the culture of the Medieval Era and the great crises of this era such as the Black Plague and the Hundred Years War, and how this gave way to the Reinaissance. We will then go on to discuss direct causes of the Renaissance and the culture of the Reinaissance.
Learn Ancient Greek!
Teachers:
Dygo Tosa
Ancient Greek is an amazing language with its very own alphabet that is very much alive in our world today. While you may not hear anyone speaking Ancient Greek fluently, it is a language that you can find buried in English words everywhere. Many science and medical terms are based on Greek roots and learning Greek can really improve your vocabulary- which might come in handy the next time you’re playing a trivia game or taking a standardized test! Greek is also the beautiful language Homer’s epics are written in, among many other great works of literature.
This course begins by learning the Greek alphabet, goes on to explore some elements of how the language is put together, and finishes by students reading lines from Homer’s Odyssey. No previous knowledge of Greek required.
This course begins by learning the Greek alphabet, goes on to explore some elements of how the language is put together, and finishes by students reading lines from Homer’s Odyssey. No previous knowledge of Greek required.
Introduction to American Sign Language
Teachers:
Alice Ohlson
This class will be a brief introduction to American Sign Language (ASL), a language used by over half a million Americans. I hope to show you what a unique, fascinating, and beautiful language ASL is.
Drawing the fantastic
Teachers:
Alana Rivera
This class is a workshop for practice in drawing the fantastic. If you like fantastical mythical creatures or have an eye on science fiction, then this is definitely for you. If you have a passion for nature drawing, you should also consider giving this class a shot, as it will be a lot of fun. Reinvent the mermaid, bring a new twist to fairies, or try out some other fantastical creature you're never heard of before. You'll be provided with some images and ideas to play with, and then you'll be creating something all your own. Students will work on pieces, and then we'll look them over as a group to share ideas.
Prerequisites
Love for drawing, comfort in sharing your art with others, creativity.
Prerequisites
Love for drawing, comfort in sharing your art with others, creativity.
How to Read a Poem
Teachers:
Lance Ozier
Have you ever read a poem and wondered what the heck is going on? Or, to paraphrase the poet T. S. Eliot, have you “had the experience but missed the meaning”? In this class you will learn some simple ways to help you make more sense of the poems you read.
Prerequisites
Interest in poetry, writing, words, language.
Prerequisites
Interest in poetry, writing, words, language.
The Sonnet
Teachers:
Lance Ozier
The sonnet is one of the oldest and most durable forms of poetry. It’s been used by great poets from Shakespeare to e. e. cummings. Because it has certain rules, it poses creative challenges for any poet, but as a result can yield poems that astonish and delight. Come see how poets have met the challenges and reaped the rewards over the past 400 years.
Prerequisites
Interest in poetry, writing, words, language.
Prerequisites
Interest in poetry, writing, words, language.
Discussion on Ethics
Teachers:
Steven White
This class is a new idea, I have no idea how well it will work out but I have high hopes.
The idea is to have a short survey on some big meta-ethical questions and some specific applied ethical questions and then discuss why we answer the questions the way we do.
The main point is to help people question some ingrained beliefs that they have but may have no reason why to to reexamine them, and also to reinforce and clarify beliefs we are firmly committed to (e.g. maybe equality or racial diversity or life).
In theory will also contribute to a true "diverse" understanding of the world, where we can understand why other people believe different things, even what we consider clearly wrong.
The idea is to have a short survey on some big meta-ethical questions and some specific applied ethical questions and then discuss why we answer the questions the way we do.
The main point is to help people question some ingrained beliefs that they have but may have no reason why to to reexamine them, and also to reinforce and clarify beliefs we are firmly committed to (e.g. maybe equality or racial diversity or life).
In theory will also contribute to a true "diverse" understanding of the world, where we can understand why other people believe different things, even what we consider clearly wrong.
Prufrock and Other Poems
Teachers:
Cory Smith
"Let us go then, you and I, / When the evening is spead out agains the sky"
We will read over and discuss Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." Assuming we have time, we will also discuss "The Hollow Men" and "Gerontion."
Prerequisites
It is recommended that participants read "Prufrock" (and "The Hollow Men" or "Gerontion" if you're interested).
We will read over and discuss Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." Assuming we have time, we will also discuss "The Hollow Men" and "Gerontion."
Prerequisites
It is recommended that participants read "Prufrock" (and "The Hollow Men" or "Gerontion" if you're interested).
Philosophy Discussion
Teachers:
Katya Radul
Come talk about philosophy! We'll sit around and talk about topics that interest you. Bring your favorite philosophical questions (skip the tree falling down in the forest.) We can talk about philosophers and their theories if you want to, but that is not the intended focus of this class; its basically just a free style discussion.
Mathematics
Multivariable Calculus
Teachers:
Laura Schuhrke
Learn the basics of vectors, partial differentials, Lagrange Multipliers, multivariable integration, and more!
Prerequisites
basic knowledge of calculus encouraged, but not required
Prerequisites
basic knowledge of calculus encouraged, but not required
Math through a Kaleidoscope
Teachers:
Zandra Vinegar
This small discussion course will dive headfirst into the the key concepts of Fractals including Symmetry, Expressible Infinity, and Chaos. Specifically, we will take an in depth look at the Sierpinski Triangle (briefly covering the difference between fractal dimension and topological dimension), the Lorenz Water Wheel (illustrating the ideas of the Butterfly Effect and Strange Attractors), and the well-known Mandelbrot Set. If you want to see mathematics from a completely alien perspective, this class is for you.
Prerequisites
none, but algebra is necessary to understand some of the components of the class. Most material, however, is complicated conceptually but requires little or no prior knowledge.
Prerequisites
none, but algebra is necessary to understand some of the components of the class. Most material, however, is complicated conceptually but requires little or no prior knowledge.
Trigonometry With Pictures
Teachers:
Andrew Geng
Not satisfied with the confusing algebraic proofs of trigonometric identities in your textbook? Come see some terrific geometric proofs of your favorite formulas from trig!
Prerequisites
Familiarity with geometry, particularly similar triangles and the meanings of sine, cosine, and tangent.
Prerequisites
Familiarity with geometry, particularly similar triangles and the meanings of sine, cosine, and tangent.
SAT I Math Boot Camp
Teachers:
Steven Mo
An intensive training for SAT I math. You will learn many math tricks how to solve problem faster, more accurately, and raise up your SAT I math score!
Prerequisites
High school-level algebra I and geometry...if you haven't taken these classes yet, you are not ready for SAT I math. Those who have completed these classes can sign up.
Prerequisites
High school-level algebra I and geometry...if you haven't taken these classes yet, you are not ready for SAT I math. Those who have completed these classes can sign up.
The Optimal Strategy
Teachers:
Zandra Vinegar
Will two prisoners separately offered deals to betray their parters remain loyal to minimize total loss of liberty, or will one of them, trusting the other to cooperate, betray him so as to go free? What is each prisoner's optimal strategy.
As an intro to game theory, this class will answer this question and others, exploring several of the major analysis techniques used in game theory. Think you're good at strategy? Come and prove it!
As an intro to game theory, this class will answer this question and others, exploring several of the major analysis techniques used in game theory. Think you're good at strategy? Come and prove it!
Real Math
Teachers:
David Farhi
Why is the Pythagorean theorem true? Why is the square root of two irrational? How big is infinity?
Come learn the answers to these and other mathematical questions, and get a taste of the way in which mathematicians actually think (no rote memorization allowed!).
Prerequisites
Some high school algebra
Come learn the answers to these and other mathematical questions, and get a taste of the way in which mathematicians actually think (no rote memorization allowed!).
Prerequisites
Some high school algebra
[Deprecated] Performing Arts
Diabolo
Teachers:
Joshua Velson
Diabolo, or Chinese Yo-yo, is a circus art that is practiced the world over for performance and enjoyment. This class is meant for absolute beginners to those with an intermediate working knowledge of single diabolo tricks. All props will be provided.
Diabolo
Teachers:
Joshua Velson
Diabolo, or Chinese Yo-yo, is a circus art practiced the world over for performance and enjoyment. This class is intended for absolute beginners to those with an intermediate working level of single-diabolo tricks. All props will be provided.
Where the Musical Scale Comes From
Teachers:
Rob Speer
Why does the musical scale we know consist of 12 notes, and why are they those notes in particular? Are there other scales that would sound just as good if you had been listening to them your whole life? (There are, because people throughout the world play music on many different scales.)
It turns out that scales arise from some simple mathematical rules about when notes sound good together. This class will show you how the Western musical scale arises from those rules, and how with some different choices we could have ended up with 5, 19, 22, or even 53 notes. You'll hear what music sounds like on unfamiliar scales, and even get the opportunity to play a piano keyboard with 19 notes in each octave.
Prerequisites
You should understand how to multiply fractions and raise numbers to a power. It will also help if you are familiar with musical intervals -- for example, what thirds and fifths sound like.
It turns out that scales arise from some simple mathematical rules about when notes sound good together. This class will show you how the Western musical scale arises from those rules, and how with some different choices we could have ended up with 5, 19, 22, or even 53 notes. You'll hear what music sounds like on unfamiliar scales, and even get the opportunity to play a piano keyboard with 19 notes in each octave.
Prerequisites
You should understand how to multiply fractions and raise numbers to a power. It will also help if you are familiar with musical intervals -- for example, what thirds and fifths sound like.
Science
Linear Systems and Audio
Teachers:
Michael Price
What's really happening when you adjust the equalizer settings on an MP3 player? Audio signals, like any other information stream, can be manipulated by circuits and computer programs in many different ways. In this class we'll learn about "linear systems" - the most common type of signal processing - and experience how different linear systems alter sounds.
How to Make Ice Cream!
Teachers:
Stephanie Bachar,
Mel Hunt
All you need is a little bit of milk, ice, vanilla, sugar, and salt. Voila! Ice cream! Why salt, you ask? In this class we'll go through the chemistry behind freezing point depression. Then we'll spend the rest of the class making yummy ice cream!
I will bring some basic toppings but if you want something more exotic, feel free to bring a small baggy of crushed oreos, crushed strawberries, or whatever you can think of to put in your ice cream.
Prerequisites
Bring winter gloves! Without them, your hands will get very, very cold!
I will bring some basic toppings but if you want something more exotic, feel free to bring a small baggy of crushed oreos, crushed strawberries, or whatever you can think of to put in your ice cream.
Prerequisites
Bring winter gloves! Without them, your hands will get very, very cold!
Human Vision
Teachers:
Zandra Vinegar
From the physics of optical lenses, to parallax, to the chemistry of rods and cones, this class will explore, in depth, the mechanisms of human vision. Three 30 min lecture segments will be broken by two 15 min blocks of lab. The first lecture will be an introduction to the eye biologically and to the physics of the eye's lens . The first lab will be on the mathematics of how parallax gives you depth perception. The second lecture will dive into the chemistry of the rods and cones which lead to our experiences of light and color. The second lab will be a series of experiments on the associated phenomena of "primary colors." And the final lecture will introduce some of the neurological components of sight, specifically those which lead to our experience of optical illusions.
Prerequisites
None, but we will move quickly as to cover a huge amount of material. Come prepared to be focused and responsive for the full two hour period. Bring questions.
Prerequisites
None, but we will move quickly as to cover a huge amount of material. Come prepared to be focused and responsive for the full two hour period. Bring questions.
Fire!
Teachers:
Katya Radul
We've all seen a lot of fire: candles, camping, cooking. Fire is part of our everyday lives; we're used to it. But if you think about it, fire is very different from most other things you know about. It's clearly not a solid or a liquid, and if it's a gas it's certainly a strange one. Most gases don't really have a shape, especially not the pointy, sharp shape fire has. And...it glows! You've got to admit that's pretty weird.
What is fire? Come find out.
Prerequisites
If you don't know anything about chemistry, you might not get much out of this class. If you are familiar with combustion reactions, great!
What is fire? Come find out.
Prerequisites
If you don't know anything about chemistry, you might not get much out of this class. If you are familiar with combustion reactions, great!
The Dark Universe
Teachers:
Andrew Geng
The universe is full of darkness! You might have heard that there's this mysterious "dark matter" that holds galaxies together and an even weirder "dark energy" that's accelerating the expansion of space.
It's no joke! Come see the evidence that this stuff actually exists and some predictions about what it's going to do to our universe. We might even talk about a few guesses at what some of it actually is.
It's no joke! Come see the evidence that this stuff actually exists and some predictions about what it's going to do to our universe. We might even talk about a few guesses at what some of it actually is.
Physics and Our World
Teachers:
Hiro Miyake
Have you learned Newton's laws of motion? Do you know Maxwell's law of electromagnetism? Are you curious what quantum mechanics is all about? Or perhaps you've even heard of string theory, the alleged "theory of everything." We will explore how physics explains natural phenomena we observe, its relationship to other disciplines in science and engineering, and what still needs to be explained by physics in our known universe. (There will hardly be any math involved, unless students ask for it.)
Prerequisites
Some understanding of the physical world we live in and/or (more importantly) an interest in understanding it.
Prerequisites
Some understanding of the physical world we live in and/or (more importantly) an interest in understanding it.
Agreeing about Places and Times: A Glimpse of Special Relativity
Teachers:
Ian Leroux
Starting from the seemingly simple question of how two observers can agree about where and when something happened, we will derive the Lorentz transformation of Special Relativity and look at some of its mind-bending implications. The math will be straightforward (nothing worse than an occasional square root) and no steps will be skipped, so you should be able to follow the argument in detail.
For a much more complete and sophisticated treatment of Special Relativity, see the Hardcore introduction.
Prerequisites
As long as you can read an algebraic equation like x' = x - v t and aren't afraid of square roots, you should be all set.
For a much more complete and sophisticated treatment of Special Relativity, see the Hardcore introduction.
Prerequisites
As long as you can read an algebraic equation like x' = x - v t and aren't afraid of square roots, you should be all set.
Crazy Questions
Teachers:
Nicholas DiBella
Is time travel possible? Was there a beginning of time? Will there be an end? Are there extra dimensions of space and time? Are there extra $$\emph{types}$$ of dimensions? Is the Universe deterministic? Is the Universe infinite? Are there parallel universes? Do aliens exist? Is immortality possible? Is a "theory of everything," in principle, possible? Are we even real?
Obviously, we won't be able to completely answer all of the above questions in one class (maybe not even in one lifetime...). But I want to show you that, with recent advances in physics (as well as philosophy), we've finally been able to make some headway in these questions that have stumped our ancestors for thousands of years.
Obviously, we won't be able to completely answer all of the above questions in one class (maybe not even in one lifetime...). But I want to show you that, with recent advances in physics (as well as philosophy), we've finally been able to make some headway in these questions that have stumped our ancestors for thousands of years.
Social Science
Avoiding Drama (The Emotional Kind) 101
Teachers:
Michael Lin
The traditional thrashing-of-the-emotions is viewed by most people as an inevitability of interacting with other people. That may be so, but with luck, this short discussion-style class will offer a reason to look more closely at the phenomenon known as "drama" and how you can minimize its impact on your life.
Non-linear Thinking in a Linear World
Teachers:
Josh Shaine
Linear vs. Non-linear. Is it really that simple? Nope! We will examine a half-dozen different ways that people look at the world - while knowing that there are bound to be dozens more. Knowing how you learn makes it easier for you to take command of your own education, to make it work for you! (And it is pretty entertaining, too...)
The TRUTH!
Teachers:
Josh Shaine
American political dialog is filled with people who know the truth about what America needs, and who are happy to tell us all about it.
How much of what they say really IS the truth, how much is manufactured, and how much of it depends on how you look at it?
Bring your biases, your presumptions, and your own political dogma, but be prepared to have them challenged or at least examined very closely.
Warning - both individual candidates and political parties of all stripes are likely to come under fire.
Prerequisites
Thick skin and the ability to listen.
How much of what they say really IS the truth, how much is manufactured, and how much of it depends on how you look at it?
Bring your biases, your presumptions, and your own political dogma, but be prepared to have them challenged or at least examined very closely.
Warning - both individual candidates and political parties of all stripes are likely to come under fire.
Prerequisites
Thick skin and the ability to listen.