Splash Spring 2019
Course Catalog

Having trouble starting to draw an idea for a game? Want to learn about the basics of art techniques and how they apply to not only general art but also video game art? Find out more about the fundamentals of art, principles of animation, and basic ideas about user interface.

Learn how music goes from source to full digital production in one of U of R's recording studios. It will include hands-on activities and a recording/mixing demonstration. Students will work as a team to set up and run a recording/mixing session. Come ready to lay down some tracks to take back with you!

This class is a brief but detailed summary of spaceflight history since the Cold War to the current Space Industry. The class will cover both manned and unmanned spaceflight achievements and will show the challenges yet to be accomplished by mankind in space exploration.

In this class, you will learn all the different types of technology that we have available in order to join the maker movement and know the importance of rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing. This class will explore different types of machinery as well as manufacturing processes and how can these processes be applied to different industries, the household and what you can do with them.


Prerequisites
None

Enjoy a break for lunch with your friends! Please register for at least one lunch period on each day of the program.

Java is everywhere, in apps, appliances, robots, video games, and more. This course is an opportunity to dip your toes in computer programming. No previous experience required. If you have Java experience or intermediate experience in another language, this may not be the course for you. This course will cover the basics, including how to set up the IDE, creating a “Hello World” program, and concepts such as loops, conditionals, and methods. This class will be held in a computer lab, but if you want, you can bring your own laptop.


Prerequisites
None; computers will be provided.

Ever since people have had secrets to hide, there have been others who wished to uncover them. This course is an introduction to some of the most well-know early ciphers that people used to communicate in secret. There will be some history involved, but the main focus will be on how to encode, decode, and crack a message, as well as the mathematics behind it. We will be focusing primarily on classical cryptography (i.e. before computers), but if time allows we may also touch upon the German Enigma Machine and modern cryptography.
Note: This course is geared towards beginners who have little to no previous exposure to cryptography; if you already have a substantial background in the field, this class might not be for you.


Prerequisites
Some amount of mathematical maturity and familiarity with algebra.

Your parents probably told you that computers can’t solve all your problems. In this class we will investigate whether there is any truth to this claim. Spoiler alert: there is (who would have known?)

We will take a look at a model of computing called the Turing machine, what Turing machines can do and what they cannot. We will then use these models to draw a deep and surprising conclusion about the limitations of computing in general.


Prerequisites
Some computer science experience recommended. No programming required.

We spend a third of our days sleeping...that is around 25 years of time that we "waste" on sleeping. Why do we sleep and do we really need it? What causes sleeping disorders?


Prerequisites
Have experience in sleeping

What do you strive for in life? In 10, 20, 30 years where do you see yourself? This course will provide an introduction to Goal Contents Theory and also help students apply the theory to their own life. In doing this, we will be analyzing the American Dream as well as setting goals for long-term well being.
This class will be a mixture of lecture and small and large group discussions.


Prerequisites
None

Ever wonder how laws actually work? Where do they come from? What gives the people who make them authority to do so? These questions have more answers than you would think. We will cover them all, including the three branches of government/separation of powers, the Constitution, and federalism. We will particularly focus on the role of the judiciary.
As this course is introductory level and very short, we will not cover anything in serious depth, but instead give a broad overview to be used as a jumping-off point.


Prerequisites
None

In this course we will be discussing the diversity in the expression of gender and attraction. We will be looking at the split attraction model, as well as discussing the complexity of modern issues.

In this class, students will learn the basics of Carl Linnaeus's classification system for living organisms, or just get a refresher if they are already familiar with the topic. Students will then get the opportunity to apply what they've learned by assigning Pokemon to specific phylums within the animal kingdom based on physical characteristics. I feel that this class would be useful for students who might struggle in biology due to lack of interest by making it fun for them. It can also be a class to help reinforce Linnaeus's classification system if this is something students are currently struggling to understand in their current biology class.


Prerequisites
General knowledge of biology would be beneficial, but not required.

Curious about what it takes to become a doctor or healthcare researcher? Come find out all about the pre-requisites and expectations that medical schools have for students. Also, come learn about undergraduate research and how to get started!

In this class you will learn basic first aid skills taught by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in the U of R's Medical Emergency Response Team.


Prerequisites
None

What's happening in your brain that drives you to participate in the activities you love? In this class, we will learn about the neural basis of motivation - whether in sports, school, or any other endeavor you take on, and about the different biological factors that may affect your motivation. We'll explore the neuroscience research that aims to understand motivation and discuss ways for you to apply this in your life regardless of what field you want to pursue!

Animals, What do they know? Do they know things? Let's find out. This course will cover the study of animal cognition. In particular we will be discussing whether animals have conscious perception and how we can test it!

Explosive Chemistry will look at the science behind chemical reactions, especially ones with explosive outcomes. We will start with an explanation of different types of chemical reactions and explain briefly why some reactions are more explosive than others. This lesson will also involve several experiments/ demonstrations with explosive chemistry (Elephant Toothpaste, Exploding bags, and maybe some other ones).

Learn about the biological and psychological effects of stress and then get a small lesson about one of the most popular ways to de-stress, yoga! You also will be learning other tips and tricks to destress.