Spark 2024
Course Catalog
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You can register for Spark until March 5th at esp.mit.edu/learn/Spark/2024/studentreg!
Visual and Performing Arts
A15955: Adventures in Piano Tuning Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Nicolas Tanaka,
Grace Tian
Have you ever played an out-of-tune piano that made you sad?
Have you ever wondered how pianos are tuned?
Did you know that it's mathematically impossible to perfectly tune a piano?
Come learn the principles of piano tuning and hear some fun stories! We may also do a demo or give you a chance to tune. Stay tuned for more info ;)
Class Style
Activity
Have you ever wondered how pianos are tuned?
Did you know that it's mathematically impossible to perfectly tune a piano?
Come learn the principles of piano tuning and hear some fun stories! We may also do a demo or give you a chance to tune. Stay tuned for more info ;)
Class Style
Activity
A15968: Let’s Reconstruct and Innovate the Design Method. (Here’s How.)
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Steven Faerm
What does it mean to “innovate” design? More importantly, how do designers “design” the design process so that innovative, creative outcomes can emerge?
This presentation will explore what it means to “design” the design process—arguably the most important phase of the creative process. This stage of design directly follows research development, yet precedes any and all design iteration. It is where designers “get creatively messy” by physically and conceptually deconstructing images, materials, texts, and other forms of preliminary research so that they can re-construct them in a more creative and authentic manner. Ultimately, a concept and design narrative are revealed, both of which ground the ensuing design development, final curation, and even the format(s) of final presentation.
Through the analysis of undergraduate-level projects, this presentation will show you how you can innovate your own creative processes in design and art.
Please note, this is a lecture presentation and not a workshop.
Presented by Steven Faerm, Associate Professor, Parsons School of Design.
Class Style
Lecture
This presentation will explore what it means to “design” the design process—arguably the most important phase of the creative process. This stage of design directly follows research development, yet precedes any and all design iteration. It is where designers “get creatively messy” by physically and conceptually deconstructing images, materials, texts, and other forms of preliminary research so that they can re-construct them in a more creative and authentic manner. Ultimately, a concept and design narrative are revealed, both of which ground the ensuing design development, final curation, and even the format(s) of final presentation.
Through the analysis of undergraduate-level projects, this presentation will show you how you can innovate your own creative processes in design and art.
Please note, this is a lecture presentation and not a workshop.
Presented by Steven Faerm, Associate Professor, Parsons School of Design.
Class Style
Lecture
A15996: How to Make Dubstep Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kai Van Brunt,
Reece Yang
Want to learn how to make music like your favorite dubstep artists? Join our class and we'll break down how dubstep music works - from sound design and synthesis to arrangement and composition. At the end we will all collaborate to make a dubstep track. No music experience needed, just a love of dubstep!
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
A15990: DIY Jewelry Making ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Amanda Chung,
Jue Gong
Ever seen those DIY jewelry on Pinterest or Insta after doomscrolling for hours? Wanna try making them? 🌸🌱☁️🦋
In this class, we will learn to work with:
- tools like pliers and cutters ✂️
- connecting pieces like chains/wires/hoops ⛓️
- and materials like beads (we’ll have different styles ranging from metallic to cottage-core!) 🍄
You’ll design, craft, and take home your own bracelet, earrings, or necklace! :)
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
Nothing in particular! but it'd be great if you are comfortable with using tools like pliers.
In this class, we will learn to work with:
- tools like pliers and cutters ✂️
- connecting pieces like chains/wires/hoops ⛓️
- and materials like beads (we’ll have different styles ranging from metallic to cottage-core!) 🍄
You’ll design, craft, and take home your own bracelet, earrings, or necklace! :)
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
Nothing in particular! but it'd be great if you are comfortable with using tools like pliers.
A16011: Hip Hop Dance Workshop Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Sarah Wang
Learn how to griddy and sturdy $$\textit{at the same time}$$?? (not actually, unless..)
Come learn a cool dance routine that you can show off to all your friends! Whether you wanna throw it all on the dance floor or just vibe, join us for this 1 hr workshop!
No dance experience required ;)
Class Style
Activity
Come learn a cool dance routine that you can show off to all your friends! Whether you wanna throw it all on the dance floor or just vibe, join us for this 1 hr workshop!
No dance experience required ;)
Class Style
Activity
A15966: Introduction to Design Education (Book Talk) Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Steven Faerm
Award-winning author and educator Steven Faerm discusses his recent book “Introduction to Design Education: Theory, Research, and Practical Applications for Educators.” Following a short introduction about the book, Faerm will explain how and why the US design industries are evolving. Particular focus will be given to examining the future role of designers, no matter their industry sector or expertise; how these shifts will impact design school programs and curricula; and what it means to be a design student/design educator in the second quarter of the 21st century. In conclusion, ideas for how we can best prepare for the futures of design education and the design industry are presnted.
This talk is aimed at anyone who is considering careers in the design industries. Presented by Steven Faerm, Associate Professor, Parsons School of Design.
Class Style
Lecture
This talk is aimed at anyone who is considering careers in the design industries. Presented by Steven Faerm, Associate Professor, Parsons School of Design.
Class Style
Lecture
A16008: Making AR Murals with Borderline! Full!
Difficulty: ***
Have you ever wanted to paint on the walls? With over 65 murals covering the 200-foot-long tunnels beneath MIT, Borderline aims to use both art and technology to make these liminal spaces a destination. Join us in making a new mural piece -- learn to design, paint, and maybe even animate your own mark on MIT!
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
A15967: What is music (to you)? Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Vanessa Liang
Quick, think of a piece of music! Do you immediately think of a hit piece by one of your favorite artists? A Western classical symphony or choral piece? Other forms of world music, like Gamelan or Bulgarian folk melodies?
What if someone told you they thought of a song that didn't have any instruments, but was instead a compilation of various real-world and natural sounds? What if they thought of four minutes and thirty-three seconds of silence, or 100 metronomes going off at the same time until they all stopped? Would you consider all of this music?
We'll listen to various audios during the class to challenge and expand our personal definition of music. Bring an open ear and mind, and be ready to chat with your peers!
Class Style
Seminar
What if someone told you they thought of a song that didn't have any instruments, but was instead a compilation of various real-world and natural sounds? What if they thought of four minutes and thirty-three seconds of silence, or 100 metronomes going off at the same time until they all stopped? Would you consider all of this music?
We'll listen to various audios during the class to challenge and expand our personal definition of music. Bring an open ear and mind, and be ready to chat with your peers!
Class Style
Seminar
A15909: Intro to Madhubani art! Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Christy Ly,
Vidya Ranjan
Madhubani painting (also known as Mithila art) is one of India's great traditional art styles, with a history dating back over 2,000 years. Artists are able to create magnificent, extremely intricate works of art, and yet at its core the style boils down to only a few simple geometric patterns!
In two hours, we'll start from the complete basics and go through the history and principles behind this unique art style. By the end of the class, you'll be able to make your very own painting to take home with you!
Class Style
Activity
In two hours, we'll start from the complete basics and go through the history and principles behind this unique art style. By the end of the class, you'll be able to make your very own painting to take home with you!
Class Style
Activity
A16007: Throat Singing Workshop
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Jason Li
Dive into the centuries-old art of Turkic-Mongolian throat singing! We’ll learn about throat singing cultures and the acoustic and anatomical secrets behind these deep growls and high whistles that sound like magic. Of course, this includes live demos and interactive tutorials, and you'll get to try out some techniques for yourself! No prior experience in anything is required.
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
Languages and Literatures
B15937: Speak some German
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Simon Henniger,
Rhea Karty
Hallo! Sprichst du Deutsch? Do you speak German?
This class is a language cafe for everyone interested in speaking or learning German! We will be grouping people based on their language ability, so if you already speak some German, you can talk to others at your level. If you don't speak any German at all, we will teach you some!
Class Style
Seminar
Prerequisites
None, all levels of German welcome.
This class is a language cafe for everyone interested in speaking or learning German! We will be grouping people based on their language ability, so if you already speak some German, you can talk to others at your level. If you don't speak any German at all, we will teach you some!
Class Style
Seminar
Prerequisites
None, all levels of German welcome.
B15970: -onym: Everything You Need to Know about Names
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Adam Simkins,
Emilia Szczepaniak
Do you have a name? That’s all you need to take this class-onym! Join us in a deep, profound, meaningful exploration of the linguistic properties of all kinds of names. Why do we say NASA, but not N-A-S-A? Why are the people of Wisconsin called Wisconsinites? Have these questions answered and more in this -onym expedition!
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
B15993: Learn Chinese in One Hour!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Vivian Hir,
Anna Liu
Do you want to learn how to speak the most widely spoken language in the world? In this class, I will go over some basic phrases as well as some tips on how to pronounce certain sounds correctly. Tones, hanyu pinyin, greetings, phrases, and grammar structures not found in English.
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
Computer Science
C16001: Making art with Robots 🤖🎨 Full!
Difficulty: **
Interested in code? art? robots? What about the union of all these? Together, we’ll learn the basics of coding and robotics through coding beautiful unique sketches and then… seeing them live!? with our drawing machine 🤖!! And learn how you can get your own (free) drawing machine too! Please bring a laptop if possible.
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
None / Some experience with JavaScript can be helpful.
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
None / Some experience with JavaScript can be helpful.
C16023: Linux and open source software Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Gabriel Rodriguez Castillo
Did you know that Mac and Windows are not the only choices for your computing needs? Did you know that there are apps that everyone can help make better without having to beg Facebook or Apple? Come learn about Linux and open source software!
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
C15972: Introduction to Programming in OCaml
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Simon Henniger,
Rhea Karty
OCaml is a functional programming language specifically suited for math and science. In this class, we will introduce you to the language and work on a small project.
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
None. Please bring your laptop if you have one.
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
None. Please bring your laptop if you have one.
C15978: Better Coding with Vim: Intro to Keybinds and Configuration Full!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Alberto Mora Trinidad
Vim is simply the best coding software out there. In use since 1991, it is still being updated and contributed to by the best of the open source programmer community, and for good reason too. Based on a no mouse philosophy, Vim prioritizes your productivity by keeping your hands near the home row with a command line and key bind system ironed out over 30 years. Join me as I guide you through installing and configuring Vim from plugins to your own custom shortcuts on your computers (or just absorb the info for later use) so you can become the coding gigachad you are meant to be. As someone to made the jump to Vim, trust me: it will change your life.
Class Style
Seminar
Prerequisites
Programming and command line experience recommended but certainly not required as I will assume zero knowledge.
Class Style
Seminar
Prerequisites
Programming and command line experience recommended but certainly not required as I will assume zero knowledge.
C15987: Web Development Crash Course
Difficulty: **
There are tons of websites out there but how are they made? This class will give you a broad introduction of all things web development. Things like HTTP, HTML, Code, Design, etc. and you will build (aka code) a simple PAGE! By the end, you will know how to get started making any website you want. How cool is that now, c'mon!
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
Engineering
E15975: Tales of the Americas through biology and genetics Full!
Difficulty: **
What is the common point between milk, giant sloths, Chihuahuas, and sweet potatoes? This is not the start of a terrible joke nor the strangest ingredients list ever made, but evidence and stories that archaeologists and biologists are using to retrace the journey of people in the Americas.
Join us as we unravel the mysteries surrounding the first humans to set foot in the Americas, decrypt Vikings' legends on their early discovery of the continent, and learn about the marvelous navigation of a tuber over hundreds of miles in the ocean.
Class Style
Lecture
Join us as we unravel the mysteries surrounding the first humans to set foot in the Americas, decrypt Vikings' legends on their early discovery of the continent, and learn about the marvelous navigation of a tuber over hundreds of miles in the ocean.
Class Style
Lecture
E15939: It's Not Rocket Science (Wait, Yes It Is!) Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Ariella Blackman,
Pari Rajesh
You always see the phrase "it's rocket science" thrown around constantly, but when have you actually thought about what that is? In this course, taught by MIT Rocket Team, you'll see the real mathematics, physics, and engineering involved with building an ACTUAL rocket! No dumbing down, no non-applicative simplifications: just hardcore rocket science taught in a way younger students can understand :)
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
E15985: CAD Croc Creations: Make Your Own Jibbitz!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Grace Hutter,
Liane Xu
Want to learn how to CAD? Want some snazzy, personalized addition to your crocs? Register for this class! We will teach you some CADing basics using Fusion360 software, give you time to customize your design, and have your jibbitz 3D printed and ready for pick-up by the end of the day. NOTE1-- if you will not be on-campus the full day, you will not be able to pick up your jibbit, though you are still welcome to participate in this workshop; NOTE2-- We will provide laptops that have the Fusion360 software downloaded, but you will need to have your own email to sign up / log in.
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
N/A
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
N/A
E15950: How to Run an Airline
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Ryan de Freitas Bart
Right now, there are about 10,000 aircraft flying around the world, each traveling hundreds of miles per hour, carrying people in a manner safer than driving a car. This amazing feat is the work of a global airline industry which is a marvel of our time. But how is this done? Also, why are flights always delayed and how can you get the best price when taking a flight? In this class we will answer these questions by delving into how airlines operate from a technological and business perspective. We will start by looking at an overview of the US domestic airline industry and the business models of different airlines. Next, we will cover ticket sales/distribution, the timeline of a typical flight, and airport operations. Finally, we will explore the process for becoming a pilot and how to identify common plane types.
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
E15952: Extreme Engineering Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Michael Bichnevicius,
Shomik Verma
Have you ever wondered why rockets don’t melt when they take off? Or what about airplane engines, how do the blades survive combustion temperatures? Or maybe you’ve used a cast iron skillet and wondered how it was made?
Welcome to Extreme Engineering! In this class, we’ll talk about how people design and manufacture things that are meant to be used at high temperatures. We’ll first motivate why certain applications require high temperatures. We’ll then introduce some different materials that are commonly used, explain why these materials are unique, and discuss how they react to heat and oxygen. Finally, we’ll explore some fun applications of high-temperature materials like rockets and nuclear reactors! Join us to learn about some hot topics in engineering.
Class Style
Lecture
Welcome to Extreme Engineering! In this class, we’ll talk about how people design and manufacture things that are meant to be used at high temperatures. We’ll first motivate why certain applications require high temperatures. We’ll then introduce some different materials that are commonly used, explain why these materials are unique, and discuss how they react to heat and oxygen. Finally, we’ll explore some fun applications of high-temperature materials like rockets and nuclear reactors! Join us to learn about some hot topics in engineering.
Class Style
Lecture
E15956: Engineers Without Borders: Projects in Global Development
Difficulty: *
Interested in global development? Water? Engineering? Helping communities?
Learn about the exciting work MIT Engineers Without Borders is doing in global development! In this class, you'll learn about the projects we're working on – renovating a healthcare clinic and building a fully irrigated garden – and the engineering and social challenges that come along with it. Then, we’ll do a hands-on building activity on water and irrigation, so you can experience the work we do.
No experience is required, and all are welcome!
Class Style
Activity
Learn about the exciting work MIT Engineers Without Borders is doing in global development! In this class, you'll learn about the projects we're working on – renovating a healthcare clinic and building a fully irrigated garden – and the engineering and social challenges that come along with it. Then, we’ll do a hands-on building activity on water and irrigation, so you can experience the work we do.
No experience is required, and all are welcome!
Class Style
Activity
E16015: How do cars work? Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Christian Duessel,
Henry Smith
Have you ever wondered how an engine works? What happens when the driver presses the gas pedal? Or the brake? What really happens when you go around a turn, or over a bump?
We'll teach you the basics of how cars work. We'll show you the workings of the different subsystems (engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, steering) with hands on models and demonstrations.
After hearing about the different parts, we'll show you where they are on a real car. And you’ll learn about 4 quick tests to check on your car’s health!
Class Style
Activity
We'll teach you the basics of how cars work. We'll show you the workings of the different subsystems (engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, steering) with hands on models and demonstrations.
After hearing about the different parts, we'll show you where they are on a real car. And you’ll learn about 4 quick tests to check on your car’s health!
Class Style
Activity
E15928: How To Build A Road Legal Solar Car Full!
Difficulty: *
Interested in sustainability? ♻️ solar energy? ☀️ cars? 🚗 engineering? Learn how to build a solar car from the ground up! We will cover our design process, the different technical projects on the car, manufacturing, and racing! Topics include solar cells, welding, steering system, battery design, PCB population, composites, CAD and FEA validation of mechanical systems, carplay development, and more!
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
None
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
None
E15979: Watt's the solution? Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kirby Heck
What keeps the lights on in our home? In this activity, you will learn about the electricity grid and different ways to produce power. You’ll play a hands-on game to simulate the global transition to clean renewable energy, and discuss challenges and opportunities for the future of electricity generation.
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
E15953: Explore ZeroE Aviation! Full!
Difficulty: *
Embark on a journey through the eco-friendly skies with Explore ZeroE Aviation, an introductory course that takes you into the world of sustainable flight. Throughout this class, we'll explore key ideas, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), hydrogen combustion aircraft, and electric aircraft. To cap off our exploration, we'll engage in a paper glider competition! Join us as we discover the exciting possibilities of a greener future above the clouds!
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
E15974: Tales of Antiquity though engineering
Difficulty: **
Embark on a captivating journey into the mysteries of Antiquity in this lecture on archeology and engineering. Learn how machine learning techniques are transforming the restoration of broken early Roman pottery, unravel the secrets hidden within the charred Herculaneum scrolls, explore the celestial marvels of the Antikythera mechanism, marvel at the color-changing phenomenon of the Lycargius cup, and discover the remarkable strength behind Roman concrete.
Join us as we uncover the ingenuity and brilliance of ancient civilizations and the technological advancements shaping our understanding of history!
Class Style
Lecture
Join us as we uncover the ingenuity and brilliance of ancient civilizations and the technological advancements shaping our understanding of history!
Class Style
Lecture
Humanities
H16017: The Evolution of Writing
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Yale Zussman
Students in this class will take notes on the evolution of writing using a stylus and a clay tablet. We will proceed from the earliest plain tokens through pictograms to the emergence of cuneiform. After copying some Old Assyrian text, students will sign their work by writing their name in Old Assyrian. The tablets will be fired into stone, with an expected half-life of millions of years.
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
Lunch
L16036: Lunch Period
Difficulty: None
Teachers:
Enjoy a break for lunch with your friends! Please register for at least one lunch period on each day of the program.
L16037: Lunch Period
Difficulty: None
Teachers:
Enjoy a break for lunch with your friends! Please register for at least one lunch period on each day of the program.
Mathematics
M15999: Beyond Numbers: The Adventure After Calculus
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Jake Chuharski
Ever wondered why you learn math and where it all goes? Maybe you have heard of calculus or even linear algebra but what are the big ideas that mathematicians study in the modern day? In this class we present a "map" of modern mathematics and give the big ideas of what YOU might study past the high school level.
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
Should have taken at least algebra 2, knowledge of the existence of calculus preferred so ideally 8,9,10th grade students
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
Should have taken at least algebra 2, knowledge of the existence of calculus preferred so ideally 8,9,10th grade students
M15951: Intro to Japanese Soroban
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Samantha Belleman
Do you want to be able to do computations really fast? Make your mathematics life much easier by learning the basics of Japanese soroban! Soroban helps you visualize calculations and solve problems faster and more effectively.
In this class, we'll be learning how an abacus works, addition, and subtraction. If some people are up for a challenge, we'll delve into multiplication, division, and flash anzan!
Make your future self happy by saving time on tests and impress your friends by taking this class!
Class Style
Seminar
In this class, we'll be learning how an abacus works, addition, and subtraction. If some people are up for a challenge, we'll delve into multiplication, division, and flash anzan!
Make your future self happy by saving time on tests and impress your friends by taking this class!
Class Style
Seminar
M15962: Geometry and Beauty of Soap Bubbles
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Harsh Bhundiya,
Wenyuan Hou
Did you know that soap bubbles always take on a shape which minimizes surface area? And that soap films have inspired engineering concepts for structures in space? Come find out in this class on the geometry and beauty of soap bubbles, with an engineering twist. Plus have some fun blowing bubbles of your own!
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
M16006: Mathematical Matchmaking Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Sophie Vulpe
Come one, come all, to Mathentine’s Day! Celebrate the discount (and platonic) version of Valentine’s Day that is so close yet so far from Pi Day by meeting some new friends and secretly doing some math in the process. Like dating apps, we’ll use a super secret algorithm to pair you up, but unlike dating apps, we’ll eventually explain how the algorithm works. All you need is a willingness to learn about people and numbers alike!
Note: The activity we have planned requires an even number of participants, so it is important that if you sign up for this class, you show up. Some sweet treats will be provided.
Class Style
Activity
Note: The activity we have planned requires an even number of participants, so it is important that if you sign up for this class, you show up. Some sweet treats will be provided.
Class Style
Activity
M15986: High Speed Mathematics Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Kalpit Kamal Jain
Remember MIT's motto? Mind and Hand. In this class, I will train your minds to perform multiplication, determine squares, and calculate square roots faster, all by hand.
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
It will be helpful if you (a) remember multiplication tables from 1 to 10, (b) remember the squares of numbers from 1 to 9, and (c) understand what a square root is.
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
It will be helpful if you (a) remember multiplication tables from 1 to 10, (b) remember the squares of numbers from 1 to 9, and (c) understand what a square root is.
Pop (and not-so-pop) Culture
P15921: The Critically Acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy 14 (And Its Decade-Long Story)
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Andie Zhou
You've probably heard the copypasta - a free trial up to level 60! Includes the first expansion Heavensward! No restrictions on playtime! What is this game and why is it all over your Twitter timeline? (Also, the free trial goes up to level 70 now.)
Memes aside, the game's 10th anniversary was last June - and its rags-to-riches development process from its initial disastrous launch serves as one of the most incredible examples of how good developers can turn a dumpster fire into what is arguably one of Square Enix's most successful games.
**This class will largely be an overview of FFXIV's continued development process and will not contain any major story spoilers. New and curious players are more than welcome!
Class Style
Lecture
Memes aside, the game's 10th anniversary was last June - and its rags-to-riches development process from its initial disastrous launch serves as one of the most incredible examples of how good developers can turn a dumpster fire into what is arguably one of Square Enix's most successful games.
**This class will largely be an overview of FFXIV's continued development process and will not contain any major story spoilers. New and curious players are more than welcome!
Class Style
Lecture
P16029: History of Soccer Tactics since the 70s
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Joshua Curtis Kuffour,
Diego Urena
Come learn about soccer tactics! From tiki-taka to joga bonito to Italian dominance in the 70s, and more! Come learn and have fun
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
If you like soccer or are intrigued why people obsess over it, you'll enjoy it!
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
If you like soccer or are intrigued why people obsess over it, you'll enjoy it!
Science
S15961: Cosmology: The Universe at Large Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Jared Machtinger,
Kiran Mak
Do you have questions about the universe? Do you want answers to some of those questions? Join us for a guided discussion about cosmology and maybe some of them will be answered. Topics may include: the expansion of the universe, its large scale structure, and how we measure the properties of the universe.
Class Style
Discussion
Class Style
Discussion
S15998: Seeing is Believing? The Science of Optical and Auditory Illusions
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Jake Chuharski,
Nicholas Dow
Can your eyes and ears lie to you? Have you ever argued with a friend about how something looks different to you than to them? What if you are both right! This course offers a whirlwind tour through the captivating world of visual and audio illusions, providing students with a rare opportunity to challenge their perceptions and discover the secrets behind why illusions work. Experience an array of mind-bending illusions for both your eyes and ears. Through live demonstrations, we will explore the mechanisms that allow these illusions to work, providing insights into how our brains process the world around us. If you’re interested in learning about how the brain processes reality, or if you just want to sit back and have us play tricks on your brain, this class is for you!
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
S16020: Introduction to Global Health
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Emmi Mills
How do we guarantee medical care for all? Should vaccinations be mandatory? How should we distribute resources if our medical system is under stress? Is it possible to balance protecting our economy, our environment, and our citizens? Physicians, scientists, politicians and advocates work tirelessly to promote global health equity—but how? In this class, we’ll learn about how we can work towards achieving equal, accessible, and quality care for all—and what that means globally.
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
S16014: Traveling at the Speed of Light
Difficulty: **
Ever wondered what’s inside a black hole? Or what happens when you try to travel at the speed of light? In this class, we’ll give a brief tour of the postulates of relativity, and some surprising results that follow. Make yourself shorter or make time run slower? Turn red flags green or the other way around? While we won’t get to go faster than the speed of light or travel to the past, we will get to learn about clocks, rulers, light and gravity, and maybe even what’s really at the center of a black hole.
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
S16005: Using ChatGPT
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Zhiling Zheng
Ever wondered how to strike up a conversation with an AI that can mimic human-like responses? Curious about what sets ChatGPT-4 apart from its predecessor, ChatGPT-3.5, and how these advancements could benefit you? Imagine a world where AI not only assists with your daily tasks but also becomes a source of creativity and learning. From helping you through complex math problems, guiding you through the intricacies of chemistry, to even teaching you the basics of coding, this course unveils the potential of ChatGPT to transform the way you learn and interact with technology. But how can you tell if the answers you get are reliable or just convincingly fabricated? And did you know that ChatGPT can also help you unlock your creative potential by assisting you in drawing or generating unique artistic ideas?
This course is designed to explore these fascinating questions, offering a comprehensive guide to using ChatGPT in various aspects of your life and studies. Without requiring any prior experience, we invite you to discover how ChatGPT can simplify tasks, enhance your learning, and inspire your creativity.
Class Style
Lecture
This course is designed to explore these fascinating questions, offering a comprehensive guide to using ChatGPT in various aspects of your life and studies. Without requiring any prior experience, we invite you to discover how ChatGPT can simplify tasks, enhance your learning, and inspire your creativity.
Class Style
Lecture
S16009: Flaming Fruit Fusion
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Charis Ching,
Fiona Shangguan
Welcome to "Flaming Fruit Fusion," where young scientists embark on a fiery adventure into the world of chemistry! In this exciting class, kids unravel the mysteries of Strawberry DNA, explore the fascinating states of matter, and witness the magic of caramelization.
But hold on to your taste buds – it's not all about theory! Our junior chemists will become culinary wizards as they concoct their own sugar glazed fruits, turning the kitchen into a playground of flavors. Get ready for a hands-on experience as we play with the enchanting dance of flames and fruity delights, making science a delicious and unforgettable adventure!
Class Style
Activity
But hold on to your taste buds – it's not all about theory! Our junior chemists will become culinary wizards as they concoct their own sugar glazed fruits, turning the kitchen into a playground of flavors. Get ready for a hands-on experience as we play with the enchanting dance of flames and fruity delights, making science a delicious and unforgettable adventure!
Class Style
Activity
S16013: Nuclear Engineering Crash Course Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Emilio Ahuactzin-Garcia,
Jordan Parker-Ashe
Start with forces in the atom and end with nuclear fission and fusion! Come to a hands-on crash course in nuclear science and engineering.
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
none
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
none
S16021: The AI Revolution and What it Means for Public Health
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Emmi Mills
Artificial intelligence is one of the most revolutionary technological innovations of our time, and is now found in everything from smart cars to Snapchat. However, what does the rise of AI mean for the world of public health? How may it be an unprecedented tool for innovation- and how may it create entirely new obstacles? In this lecture, we will cover everything from the societal implications of AI to the cutting-edge public health solutions that MIT students are developing right now.
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
S16010: The Fascinating Physics of Solids Full!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Karen Lei,
Jared Machtinger
Have you ever wondered what is happening within a material on an atomic level? Why can electrons move through metals but not insulators (like wood)? Come learn about the exciting field of condensed matter physics, which has led to the development of numerous technologies and innovations, such as semiconductors, transistors, and microelectronics. In this class we will cover the main conceptual ideas needed for understanding solids and introduce some advanced topics in quantum mechanics (wavefunctions, Schrodinger’s Equation, and more).
Note: No knowledge of advanced physics will be assumed - we will build up everything along the way.
Class Style
Lecture
Note: No knowledge of advanced physics will be assumed - we will build up everything along the way.
Class Style
Lecture
S16024: The Strongest Force in the Universe Full!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Karen Lei,
Jared Machtinger
The nucleus of an atom has a stable mixture of protons (with positive charge) and neutrons (with no charge).
But hold on, positive charges repel each other, and neutral charges should have no effect on protons, so why aren't the protons just flying away from each other? This class will examine the strongest force of nature - the one that allows protons and neutrons to exist in the first place, binds protons and neutrons inside atomic nuclei, and constantly evades high school science curricula.
Class Style
Lecture
But hold on, positive charges repel each other, and neutral charges should have no effect on protons, so why aren't the protons just flying away from each other? This class will examine the strongest force of nature - the one that allows protons and neutrons to exist in the first place, binds protons and neutrons inside atomic nuclei, and constantly evades high school science curricula.
Class Style
Lecture
S15994: Let's Explore the Periodic Table! Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Alex Stoneman
You’ve probably heard of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen, but how about mendelevium, neptunium, or tennessine? When Dimitri Mendeleev laid the foundation for the modern periodic table in 1869, he likely never expected that it would eventually contain 118 elements, especially one named after him! Incredibly, even after a century and a half of new discoveries, the patterns in the periodic table still hold today. The exact same reference you see in classrooms and textbooks informs everyone doing chemistry-related work, from designing cosmetics to testing medicines.
In this course, we will go over a brief history of the periodic table and learn about some of the information it contains, such as the details of each element and “periodic trends” of chemical properties. If there’s time, we’ll also cover electron orbitals and how they relate to the periodic table.
Class Style
Lecture
In this course, we will go over a brief history of the periodic table and learn about some of the information it contains, such as the details of each element and “periodic trends” of chemical properties. If there’s time, we’ll also cover electron orbitals and how they relate to the periodic table.
Class Style
Lecture
S16004: Digging Deeper: 4.65 Billion Years in 150 Minutes Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Markey Freudenburg-Puricelli,
Becca Mastrola
Schist happens! Metamorphically speaking.
"How did the Earth form?"
"What is Earth even made of?"
"Can we predict an earthquake?"
"Is California going to fall into the ocean?"
"How do we know what's underground without seeing it?"
"Where did the dinosaurs go and what was life like before they walked the Earth?"
"How do we know when extinctions happened?"
"Is the Yellowstone super-volcano overdue to erupt? And will it be the end of life as we know it?"
These are just a few of the most common questions we hear as geologists. And we're ready to explore them, and so much more, with you! Tag along on our journey to explore the past 4.65 BILLION years in Earth's history in just 150 minutes! You won't take what we have to say for granite ... except, of course, if it's granite!
Class Style
Lecture
"How did the Earth form?"
"What is Earth even made of?"
"Can we predict an earthquake?"
"Is California going to fall into the ocean?"
"How do we know what's underground without seeing it?"
"Where did the dinosaurs go and what was life like before they walked the Earth?"
"How do we know when extinctions happened?"
"Is the Yellowstone super-volcano overdue to erupt? And will it be the end of life as we know it?"
These are just a few of the most common questions we hear as geologists. And we're ready to explore them, and so much more, with you! Tag along on our journey to explore the past 4.65 BILLION years in Earth's history in just 150 minutes! You won't take what we have to say for granite ... except, of course, if it's granite!
Class Style
Lecture
S16018: 3,2,1 Beyblade Physics!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Joshua Curtis Kuffour,
Alberto Mora Trinidad
Beyblade is a great show from the early 2010s! Cartoonish explosions, fast revolutions, fun rotations, and more importantly physical explanations!
Yay physics come learn about why physics can actually be fun.
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
Some knowledge of AP Physics 1 may be helpful.
Yay physics come learn about why physics can actually be fun.
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
Some knowledge of AP Physics 1 may be helpful.
S15934: What's in a Nuclear Reactor?
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Yichen Gao,
Li Xuan Tan
Come learn what goes on inside a nuclear reactor! We'll talk about the physics behind how it produces energy, how we control this energy and keep it safe, and how to do useful things with it!
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
S16000: How to be a Linguistic Detective Full!
Difficulty: **
Ever wondered how many languages there are in the world (and why Google won’t give you a direct answer)?
Dive into the fascinating world of linguistics, the scientific study of language, in this fun and interactive course! We'll go beyond "grammar rules" to explore the science behind how we talk and make meaning. Learn to analyze your own speech and languages around the world through puzzles and games based on real-life examples. Uncover what you know when you know a language.
By the end of this course, you’ll have a sense of how to crack the code of language using he linguistic tools of morphology (word structure), syntax (sentence structure), and phonology (sound structure). Get ready to be amazed by human language!
Class Style
Activity
Dive into the fascinating world of linguistics, the scientific study of language, in this fun and interactive course! We'll go beyond "grammar rules" to explore the science behind how we talk and make meaning. Learn to analyze your own speech and languages around the world through puzzles and games based on real-life examples. Uncover what you know when you know a language.
By the end of this course, you’ll have a sense of how to crack the code of language using he linguistic tools of morphology (word structure), syntax (sentence structure), and phonology (sound structure). Get ready to be amazed by human language!
Class Style
Activity
S15973: Let's Talk about the Weather! Full!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Avery Nguyen,
Sarah Weidman
Have you ever wondered how hurricanes or tornadoes form? Or why thunder snow exists? What is a Nor'easter, and why do they occur?
Together, we'll explore the basic physics that create the weather we observe every day, as well as look into some ways to forecast weather yourself! May involve a short walk outside to see what we can learn from the sky!
Class Style
Lecture
Together, we'll explore the basic physics that create the weather we observe every day, as well as look into some ways to forecast weather yourself! May involve a short walk outside to see what we can learn from the sky!
Class Style
Lecture
S15997: Making Waves : An Introduction to Phonetic Speech Analysis Full!
Difficulty: **
What is the difference between sound and noise? What about speech? Phonetics, a sub field of linguistics, is the scientific study of sound as applied to human language. Every time you say something, you are coordinating a very complex series of physical movements from your diaphragm all the way to the tip of your tongue and lips. These movements result in audible sounds that we can then interpret with incredible accuracy, all without thinking.
By studying these sounds we can learn a lot about how language works, from physiology to perception. This is the work of the phonetician. In this class we will use the tools of phonetic analysis, namely sound waves and special diagrams called spectrograms, to think critically about the following question:
By looking into the waves of our own speech, what can we learn about our language(s) and about human language in general?
Class Style
Discussion
By studying these sounds we can learn a lot about how language works, from physiology to perception. This is the work of the phonetician. In this class we will use the tools of phonetic analysis, namely sound waves and special diagrams called spectrograms, to think critically about the following question:
By looking into the waves of our own speech, what can we learn about our language(s) and about human language in general?
Class Style
Discussion
S15964: "The Psychology of Superheroes: Understanding the Minds of Fictional Heroes and Villains"
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Jayashabari Shankar
Do you want to be a superhero psychologist? Whether you are interested in comics and TV (Ironman went to MIT btw!) or the biology and the depths of how the human mind works (and how authors and artists depict it!), this class is for you! Unravel trauma-fueled origins, dissect psychological disorders, and delve into nature vs. nurture debates. Witness therapy's power, empathize with redemption stories, and engage in character analyses. Whether you enjoy comics, biology, psychology, or just new things, check this class out!!
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
Walk-in Activity
W15984: A CONTEST! Entrepreneurship, personal finance, and economics triathlon.
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Janet Liu
Step right up to the ultimate test of economic powers! Introducing our thrilling multiple-choice contest: the Entrepreneurship, Personal Finance, and Economics Triathlon! Open to all 7th to 10th graders, this walk-in activity invites participants to showcase their knowledge in economics, personal finance, and entrepreneurship. With questions spanning a wide range of topics, from supply and demand to budgeting and business strategies, contestants will race against the clock to select the correct answers. Prizes await the top performers, so don't miss your chance to prove yourself as a master of the economic domain! Join us for an exhilarating challenge where every choice counts!
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
W15940: Launching Rockets with MIT Rocket Team
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Ariella Blackman,
Pari Rajesh
Learn to launch your own paper rockets!
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
W15995: Lakes, Ice, and Everything Nice
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Eldar Urkumbayev
Have you ever wondered what goes on below the surface of your nearby river, pond, or lake? Would you like to learn more about the water you splashed around as a kid? If for any of these questions you respond with "yes", this activity is for you! We are going to do hands on demonstrations of how water works underneath its glistery face, and learn a bit about the rules it follows and why they matter!
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
W15935: Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Eugeniya Artemova,
Matthew Cox,
Christy Ly,
Jared Machtinger,
Ella Sheffield,
Li Xuan Tan,
Vi Trinh
Want to watch some cool chemistry and eat some cool liquid? Come join us for a delicious treat!!! Lactose-free options are available.
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
W16016: Cross Stitching!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Angelica Chin,
Hilary Zen
Come learn how to cross stitch with a needle and yarn! All skill levels welcome.
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
W16038: Make Balloon Dogs!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Angela Kim
come learn how to make squishy dogs ;))) learn the ins and outs of customizing your own balloon dog (*bark bark*)
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
W15949: Holograms and Anamorphic Art – Mathematics behind the Illusions
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Tanya Huffman
In this walk-in activity, participants will use mathematical concepts as a framework for creating their own math/art projects. In one project, participants will build a hologram pyramid projector and create an image hologram with a tablet or a mobile phone. Another project uses translations and reflections on a square grid and circular grid to create an anamorphic art picture. The word anamorphism refers to a distorted projection or drawing which appears normal when viewed from a particular point or with a suitable mirror. Participants will create their own anamorphic art.
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
W16039: Ruby Red Appreciation
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Joshua Curtis Kuffour
Come learn about the wonders of one of the best juices to grace human kind, ruby red
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
W16040: Not Ruby Red Appreciation
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Janet Guo
Ruby Red is bad! Fight for the glory of Not Ruby Red!
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
not ruby red
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
not ruby red
W15908: Arbitrary Rankings of Arbitrary Things
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Vidya Ranjan
Come rank things with us! Have a strong opinion about which is the best shade of green or what is the ideal banana ripeness? Now is your time to shine!
"A 10/10 experience--would highly recommend"
"This activity is S-tier; the best part of my weekend"
"On a scale of 7 to 17, I'd give this walk-in a 17!"
Class Style
Activity
"A 10/10 experience--would highly recommend"
"This activity is S-tier; the best part of my weekend"
"On a scale of 7 to 17, I'd give this walk-in a 17!"
Class Style
Activity
W16027: Create Your Own Shrink Art!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Anne Gvozdjak,
Kate Lu
Come make shrink art with us! Shrink art, also known as shrink plastic, begins as a colored drawing on a thin sheet of polystyrene plastic; the plastic is then baked, causing it to shrink and thicken, resulting in a hard plastic object approximately half its original size. Come have fun making custom keychains, ornaments or jewelry!
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
W16031: Kiwis Down Under: Real or Fake?
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Janet Guo,
Gilford Ting
spot the difference between australia and new zealand! featuring Real Natives of these far away lands
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
W15971: Learn to Juggle!
Difficulty: **
Did you know Claude Shannon juggled? One of the most esteemed members of the MIT Juggling Club, he came up with the famous Shannon’s Juggling Theorem
$$(F+D)H=(V+D)B$$
where
F (flight) is the time a ball spends in the air
D (dwell) is the time a ball spends in a hand
V (vacant) is the time a hand is vacant
B (balls) is the number of balls juggled
H (hands) is the number of hands
Math isn’t necessary to learn to juggle, however. Learn the basics of juggling with three balls and other juggling props like diabolos and clubs from the MIT Juggling Club, the oldest "drop in" juggling club in continuous operation in the world! This class is suitable for beginners, and no prior juggling experience is required.
Class Style
Activity
$$(F+D)H=(V+D)B$$
where
F (flight) is the time a ball spends in the air
D (dwell) is the time a ball spends in a hand
V (vacant) is the time a hand is vacant
B (balls) is the number of balls juggled
H (hands) is the number of hands
Math isn’t necessary to learn to juggle, however. Learn the basics of juggling with three balls and other juggling props like diabolos and clubs from the MIT Juggling Club, the oldest "drop in" juggling club in continuous operation in the world! This class is suitable for beginners, and no prior juggling experience is required.
Class Style
Activity
W16019: Intro to Soldering
Difficulty: **
Ever wanted to learn how to assemble circuits? Come to this walk-in and learn basic soldering! Circuit boards and electronic components will be provided.
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
W16026: Ambigrams :)
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Alex Jiang
Come to learn how to draw basic ambigrams.
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
W16028: Eclipses and Other Earthly Physics
Difficulty: **
Come learn about the science of eclipses and how you can observe the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8th!
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
Miscellaneous
X15957: Let's Talk About the NBA
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Paolo Adajar,
Ahaan Rungta
Come discuss storylines from this year's NBA season, predictions, statistics, etc. You'll get to shape the discussion based on what topics interest you most.
Class Style
Seminar
Prerequisites
Passion for Basketball and the NBA
Class Style
Seminar
Prerequisites
Passion for Basketball and the NBA
X15958: Boba 101: How to Make Boba!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Mingpei Li,
Natalie Tan
Tired of spending $7 on boba? Learn to make your own in this SPARK class! We'll first learn a little about the history of bubble teas, then make our own! If you plan to register, please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, as we will primarily be making milk teas with tapioca. We are super excited to explore the world of boba with you and hope you stop by!
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
X15988: Elementary Starting (Introduction to Beginning)
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Lilian Zhu
It's not about what you know; it's about how fast you learn. In this class, learn about learning: find out why so many New Year's resolutions fail, how to improve your productivity, and workaround for that blasted procrastination. Consider attending this class as a long-term investment in productivity...or just an opportunity to argue about what works and what doesn't. Bonus points if you can somehow cure *my* procrastination.
Class Style
Discussion
Class Style
Discussion
X15976: Introduction to Business and Finance x SBC Full!
Difficulty: **
Want to learn about what makes a good business? Want to learn about how to be a good investor? Come to Sloan Business Club's class at SPARK! We will teach you the basics of business and markets, and provide some insights into possible careers. If you are interested in learning business in college, some members will share our experiences. Anyone can be an entrepreneur or investor, so all are encouraged to attend.
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
X15948: Planning Party!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Elisabeth Sepulveda
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by everything you need to do in a day? Want to keep better track of your homework assignments, favorite coffee spots, watch list, and daily habits? In this course, we'll walk through how to "build your second brain", sharing options and giving you both paper and online Notion templates to get started. We know this can sometimes be stressful, so we'll make this a fun, relaxing space where you can create your dream planner and get closer to your goals. Note: We highly recommend bringing your own laptop or paper planner for our workshop time.
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
X15931: Tea!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Lisa Kondrich
What is tea? Aside from being the most popular beverage in the world... come learn about what tea is, its cultural significance in different cultures, some of the complex history of tea cultivation, and taste test some different types of teas!
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
X15960: Become an Expert Crossword Solver
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Alex Stoneman
What’s a 5-letter word for “What might keep a watch on you”? How about “Part of a bike helmet” or “Subway rider’s handhold”? These are all clues for “strap”! If you like clever wordplay and “aha” moments, then you’d make an excellent cruciverbalist (crossword solver and/or creator)!
In this course, we’ll talk about common conventions of crossword puzzles and strategies to help solve them. We’ll then put our skills to the test by solving some crossword puzzles ourselves! If there’s time, we’ll also touch on how crosswords are constructed.
Class Style
Seminar
In this course, we’ll talk about common conventions of crossword puzzles and strategies to help solve them. We’ll then put our skills to the test by solving some crossword puzzles ourselves! If there’s time, we’ll also touch on how crosswords are constructed.
Class Style
Seminar
X16012: How to Bark
Difficulty: ****
Teachers:
Janet Guo,
Espen Slettnes
Bark-ing, in the senses of both the noun and the verb. Learn about what it means to be a bark-er and perhaps learn something about yourself too!
past reviews (for real this time):
"this class changed my life"
"best class i've ever taken"
"🌲"
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
A maturity and willingness to embrace your inner barker
past reviews (for real this time):
"this class changed my life"
"best class i've ever taken"
"🌲"
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
A maturity and willingness to embrace your inner barker
X16025: Scrabble: How to Get Good Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Alex Jiang,
Lumia Neyo
Learn how to play the game of Scrabble in a way that nets you more wins than ever! We'll start by learning strategy by playing against some of the bots, while learning about parallel plays, bingo tiles, board dynamics, and endgame. We'll then analyze two games between top players to see how the pros do it. We'll end by exploring Quackle and Zyzzyva, two fantastic resources for upping your Scrabble game.
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
Know the basic rules of Scrabble. We'll go over specific rules in class, but you should at least have an idea of how the game works.
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
Know the basic rules of Scrabble. We'll go over specific rules in class, but you should at least have an idea of how the game works.
X15965: Hanabi
Difficulty: **
If you're all working towards a common goal, why would communication struggles matter?
Hanabi is a cooperative card game with a simple set of rules, where the goal is to share information efficiently to play legal moves.
We introduce participants to the basics of the game, and work our way up to emergent conventions: what is a save, a finesse, a bluff? What does it mean to 'trust in the me that trusts in you'?
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
Trust
Hanabi is a cooperative card game with a simple set of rules, where the goal is to share information efficiently to play legal moves.
We introduce participants to the basics of the game, and work our way up to emergent conventions: what is a save, a finesse, a bluff? What does it mean to 'trust in the me that trusts in you'?
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
Trust
X15969: Slide-ology: The Art of Crafting Stylish, Stunning Presentations Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Radha Patel
Learn how to turn boring presentations into jaw-dropping spectacles that'll have your audience on the edge of their seats (or at least not nodding off). We'll cover everything from color theory (no more "death by PowerPoint" with bland slides) to font selection (because Comic Sans isn't fooling anyone). Plus, we'll throw in some ninja-level tips for using images and graphics that'll make your audience go "Whoa!" Whether you're a seasoned presenter or a newbie looking to spice up your slides, this course is your ticket to presentation greatness. Get ready to unleash your inner slide-designing superhero and leave your audience begging for more. So grab your cape (or PowerPoint clicker) and let's make some magic happen!
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
X16030: How to Run a Spark
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Heidi Durresi,
Alex Jiang
Spark is run by undergraduate and graduate students at MIT. And beyond MIT, there are other similar educational programs at universities and high schools nationwide. How does it all happen, and what are some of the things behind the scenes that you don't usually get to see? Come learn about all of the intricacies that go into running a massive program like Spark and find out how you can do it too! We'll cover what goes into organizing Spark at MIT, as well as resources and next steps if you want to run something like Spark at your own school. Presented by former Spark directors :)
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
X16002: Intro to Puzzlehunts Full!
Difficulty: **
Puzzle hunts are a fun way to solve puzzles together with friends! The goal is to solve several puzzles that culminate in a final challenge, called a 'metapuzzle'. After a presentation teaching common solving strategies, you'll have the opportunity to work on a small puzzle hunt with others. You don't need any specialized puzzle-solving knowledge to participate.
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
X16003: puzzle writing workshop Full!
Difficulty: ***
Have you ever seen a crossword or sudoku puzzle and wondered how people make them? We'll teach you!
Class Style
Activity
Class Style
Activity
X15959: How to Never Lose an Argument (Basics of Debate) Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Alex Stoneman
Does pineapple belong on pizza? Is social media good for society? From silly banter to major modern issues, debates are everywhere. Learn how to convince anyone of your hottest takes!
This course will cover the fundamentals of debate. We’ll discuss how to analyze a topic, construct arguments, and respond to opposing points. We’ll then hone our critical thinking and communication skills by breaking into groups and having some debates of our own.
Class Style
Seminar
This course will cover the fundamentals of debate. We’ll discuss how to analyze a topic, construct arguments, and respond to opposing points. We’ll then hone our critical thinking and communication skills by breaking into groups and having some debates of our own.
Class Style
Seminar
Social Studies
Z15905: Learn to read Hindi in 2 hours - and get a crash course on Indian history along the way!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Joshua Curtis Kuffour,
Vidya Ranjan
The writing we use has a surprisingly complex history, carrying the remnants of a long and rich cultural history before us. In this class, we'll take a journey through Indian history, looking at the evolution of the Devanagari writing system (used to write Hindi, Sanskrit, Nepali, and many other languages!) from its origins over 2,500 years ago to a living script that hundreds of millions of people still use today.
No prior knowledge of Hindi necessary!
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
None!
No prior knowledge of Hindi necessary!
Class Style
Lecture
Prerequisites
None!
Z15981: MAKING AND SAVING MONEY: JOBS, TAXES, INFLATION . . . AND MUCH MORE! Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Melinda Liu,
Janet Liu
Through engaging discussions, interactive activities, and real-world examples, students will emerge from this course with a deeper understanding of money management, financial literacy, and the tools needed to make informed economic decisions. Join us on this enlightening journey as we empower ourselves with the knowledge and skills to thrive in an ever-changing financial landscape!
Class Style
Seminar
Class Style
Seminar
Z15992: What Makes Taiwan Taiwan? A Crash Course on Taiwan's History, Culture, and People Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Vivian Hir,
Anna Liu
Curious about what makes some aspects of Taiwan different from China even though this island is roughly 100 miles away? In this class, I will first go over Taiwan's history from its early days to the KMT to its current political situation. Then, I will discuss interesting aspects of Taiwanese culture from food to people to language (slang, accent, dialect) that are unique to this place and not found in Mainland China. Be prepared to be bombarded by lots of random fun facts!
Class Style
Lecture
Class Style
Lecture
Z15930: Help Solve Climate Change! Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
John Gage
We know the technical changes needed for a relatively safe climate future: reduce human-made greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050 and reduce CO2 in the air below 350 ppm by 2100. The cheapest, fairest, and most comprehensive way to address the underlying climate pollution problem is to fix the market's failure to account for the costs of pollution in prices with a three-part solution called Carbon Fee and Dividend. The fee makes it powerful, the dividend makes it equitable, and associated border adjustments will push our price around the world. Congress can move the world halfway to achieving its 1.5˚C warming limit goal with one piece of legislation.
This will fundamentally change incentives throughout the US economy, so there is strong resistance from those who profit from the status quo. Is it possible to break the logjam and save ourselves? Can any of us do anything to help address the most significant existential crisis human civilization has ever faced? Yes, we can!
Each of us can take effective action in this pivotal moment in humankind’s history, just as people in past generations achieved women's suffrage, civil rights, and gay marriage through collective action movements. Ordinary citizens advocating together for change is our last, best hope to avoid climate catastrophe. The CFD Movement has begun (bit.ly/cfdmovement-origin). Let's get started right now!
Class Style
Lecture
This will fundamentally change incentives throughout the US economy, so there is strong resistance from those who profit from the status quo. Is it possible to break the logjam and save ourselves? Can any of us do anything to help address the most significant existential crisis human civilization has ever faced? Yes, we can!
Each of us can take effective action in this pivotal moment in humankind’s history, just as people in past generations achieved women's suffrage, civil rights, and gay marriage through collective action movements. Ordinary citizens advocating together for change is our last, best hope to avoid climate catastrophe. The CFD Movement has begun (bit.ly/cfdmovement-origin). Let's get started right now!
Class Style
Lecture
Z15982: WHAT BANKS DO WITH MONEY: LOANS, INTEREST RATES, INVESTMENTS . . . AND MUCH MORE!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Melinda Liu,
Janet Liu
Throughout this course, we'll explore the ins and outs of banking, including loans, interest rates, investments, and more! Get ready for engaging discussions and interactive activities as we uncover how banks operate, their role in the economy, and how financial decisions are made. Join us as we demystify the world of banking and equip ourselves with valuable knowledge to navigate the financial landscape with confidence!
Class Style
Seminar
Class Style
Seminar
Z16022: Computer map-making in QGIS
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Gabriel Rodriguez Castillo
Do you want to learn how to make maps on your computer? Are you curious to look at a map that shows where the most people live? Come learn QGIS, a Geographic Information System (GIS) that you can install on your computer!
Please bring a computer if you have one, otherwise we have laptops that we can lend for the class!
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
None (using a computer)
Please bring a computer if you have one, otherwise we have laptops that we can lend for the class!
Class Style
Activity
Prerequisites
None (using a computer)