2012 MORNING CLASSES
Amazing Amusement Parks: A Scientist’s Playground
Your stomach is tensed up and you begin to sweat ever so slightly. You inch up the roller coaster’s steep slope; you are nervous and excited and hope the designers knew what they were doing. Amusement parks are a scientist’s playground. Thrill rides and midway games use basic laws of nature. Why do roller coaster cars stay on the track? Why do people get motion sickness? What are the odds of winning a game? Explore how forces, laws of motion, energy, and probability make the amusement park fun. You will investigate G-forces and why people throw up on coasters. Get ready to design and build your own roller coaster and midway games as we explore the science behind the fun!
Michelle Zaugg: BA Physics, BA Science Education, Bethel University. Currently teaching physical science and physics at Spring Lake Park High School.
The Art and Science of Special Effects
Ka-boom! Special effects help to make your favorite movies and televisions shows more exciting, suspenseful, and engaging. Have you ever wondered how special sound and visual effects are created? Some of the most appealing special effects reach back to the early stages of theater and are still fun to create today! Explore how to construct your own effects and the artistic and scientific principles behind them. Learn why medieval special effect artists were called the “Master of Secrets.” You will work with your fellow artist and technicians to create unique recordings, performances and the effects to support them. Discover the Master of Secrets within you!
Brenda Barrett: Brenda Barrett is a teacher at St. Pius X School in White Bear Lake. Brenda worked at CLIMB Theater using creative dramatics to teach a number of topics.
Creating Cool Chemistry
Have you ever looked carefully at the word chemistry and noticed the last three letters? TRY!!! To explore the mysteries of chemistry you will try many experiments in this hands-on class. Discover how the chemicals used on winter roads are used to make ice cream! Transform milk into glue! Implode a pop can without even touching it! Eat marshmallows frozen in liquid nitrogen! Extract iron filings from Total® cereal! Make hot and cold packs! Curious and intriguing results will be observed while improving your lab skills. Come discover chemistry concepts that will change the way you look at the world around you.
Tim Larson: BA Elementary Education (Minor in Chemistry), University of WI-Eau
Claire, M.Ed. from St. Mary’s University, Currently teaching 6th grade science at Fridley Middle School, Enjoys playing sports and spending time outside.
Crimes and Clues
Have you ever thought about becoming a forensic scientist? Would you like to learn more about DNA, fingerprints, blood, mystery powders, and the analysis of tracks, hair fibers, and handwriting? This is your chance to learn the basics of what it takes to become a forensic scientist. You will learn how to gather physical evidence, clues, and observations of crime scenes. After exploring the basics of crime science investigation you will use your skills to collectively solve a crime. Can you crack the case?
Angela Larson: Graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a bachelor’s degree in biology education and a minor in coaching. I am also a recent graduate from St. Mary’s University with a master’s degree in teaching and learning. I am in my fourth year teaching and currently working at Southwest Junior High in Forest Lake, MN.
History Scouts: Collecting, Curating and Making Sense of Things Through Museum Craft
What's the difference between a junk drawer—with its spare keys, lone marble, lost Lego guy and old rubber coated baby spoon—and a museum exhibit? Not as much as you think: Imagination and organization make the difference, the key components of the art and science of museum craft. As History Scouts, we will bring beauty, order and meaning to the collections of things we now have—or collect in the class. We will do this through the use of exhibit theory and display arts, and development of historical context. Field trips to the Minnesota History Center and local museums will ground you in using historical resources to make the most of your collections, and to prepare you for applying these same skills to creating winning National History Day projects in middle school. So plumb the depths of your messy drawers, check under the bed, bag it up and bring it in for a History Scout makeover!
Anne Brataas: Anne Brataas, M.S., M.En.S., is an award-winning newspaper reporter, writer, instructional designer and consulting history scholar who has coached five middle school students to state and national History Day medals since 2008. As president of The Story Laboratory, (www.thestorylaboratory.com) a St. Paul-based science writing firm, she specializes in bringing creative clarity to difficult ideas.
Picture This! (A.K.A. Turning A Negative into a Positive)
Do you like to take pictures? Then come and explore black and white photography. First, you will learn how to take pictures and experiment with various photo compositions. You will also explore different types of pictures. We will be taking fun field trips and nifty neighborhood excursions to find festively photogenic material. Next, we will develop our film, crop negatives, and enlarge photos. Finally, you will frame your best photos for exhibition in the annual Picture This gallery show. Note: Your own 35mm camera is helpful, but not necessary; if you have one you should bring it to the first day of class.
Tom Rodefeld: BA, History, Augsburg College; MA, curriculum & instruction U of MN, secondary education license…currently teaches social studies at Irondale HS in Mounds View, where he also coaches hockey, volleyball and track.
Sports: A Scientific Approach
Do you love science, sports and experiments? Do you wish you could run faster, throw farther, or score more goals? This is the class where it all comes together! In this hands-on, minds-on, and bodies-on class we'll use the scientific process to look at sports and analyze them from a scientific point of view. You will investigate the fascinating relationship between physiology, physics and sports, while enjoying the process of 'playing' with science. You will use formulas to calculate speed and acceleration while learning about and experiencing Newton’s laws of motion. You will ask questions about sports and discover the answers through investigations and experiments on the field or at the court. Invent a new sport or take your game to the next level. Discover the science behind the sports you see, play and cheer for.
Tony Sexton: BA, biology and psychology, St. Olaf College...MA, education, U of Saint Thomas...taught at Kodaikanal International School in India...coached boys' and girls' soccer...currently teaches science and coaches girls' and boys' tennis at Falcon Ridge MS, Apple Valley
Whose Line is it, Anyway?
Swing from the tangly vines of a Brazilian rainforest.......escape the wrath of a 14 foot lizard.......Become a rock star and perform for thousands of screaming fans! Anything is possible when you use your imagination! In this class, students will learn the basic rules of improvisation through theater games, vocal exercises and physical warm ups. Students will also learn how to create characters and build a scene. Zaniness will most likely ensue, so beware!
Ann Whiting: Hamline U, UMN, journalism. Performing Arts instructor, Highland Catholic School; Artist in Residence, Steppingstone Theatre. Composer of music and educational theatre. Has performed at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Troupe America, Mystery Café and in commercials and industrial films.
2012 AFTERNOON CLASSES
The AEROBIC Newspaper: Telling St. Paul Stories
Can you march, do squats or pushups while you write and type? Does your idea of summer fun include walking to research St. Paul’s historic neighborhoods such as Summit Avenue? Or sleuthing out the history of cookies in local bakeries? If so, we need you—and your active feet, hands, minds and imaginations—on our staff of The Aerobic Newspaper. We will engage mind and body in fitness learning while we tell stories in print, on the Web site we build and through an interactive iPad magazine we design with Adobe's Digital Publishing Suite. Walking 1-3 miles a day, we will report, research, interview, photograph, film, write, edit, design, lay out and publish while we apply a continuous-movement theory of metabolism known as NEAT, short for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis.
Anne Brataas: BA, English, Colorado College; MS, Zoology, UMN; MS, Environmental Science, Miami U; all MA coursework in History of Science, Technology and Medicine, UMN is president of The Story Laboratory LLC. She is an award-winning journalist; has worked at the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press, and created many scientific and children’s publications.
Creating Cool Chemistry
Have you ever looked carefully at the word chemistry and noticed the last three letters? TRY!!! To explore the mysteries of chemistry you will try many experiments in this hands-on class. Discover how the chemicals used on winter roads are used to make ice cream! Transform milk into glue! Implode a pop can without even touching it! Eat marshmallows frozen in liquid nitrogen! Extract iron filings from Total® cereal! Make hot and cold packs! Curious and intriguing results will be observed while improving your lab skills. Come discover chemistry concepts that will change the way you look at the world around you.
Tim Larson: BA Elementary Education (Minor in Chemistry), University of WI-Eau
Claire, M.Ed. from St. Mary’s University, Currently teaching 6th grade science at Fridley Middle School, Enjoys playing sports and spending time outside.
Crossing the River
Solve puzzles, crack codes, and deconstruct math games in this course on
mathematical puzzles and problem solving. Students will develop strategies for attacking tough puzzles and problems, solve classic insight problems and riddles, and get together for small- and large-group problem solving tasks. Aside from just being fun, this class will be great preparation for math competitions like Math Masters and MathCounts, and a challenging supplement to intermediate and middle school math courses.
Alex Ford: BA in Mathematics from Grinnell College, MEd in Mathematics Education from the University of Minnesota. Currently teaching Jr. High math at Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented Magnet School where he has coached the Jr. High Math League and MathCounts team for 8 years.
Exploring Electricity and Magnetism!
Have you ever felt static on a dry winter day and wondered why you sometimes get a shock when you touch the doorknob? Not only will we answer this question, we’ll play with simple electrical circuits, explore lightning on a small scale, build the world’s smallest motor and try to turn on a light bulb with just a battery and a couple of wires. We’ll build an electromagnet and determine how much power is used in simple, every day appliances. Finally, we will discover how a Van Der Graaf generator can make your hair stand on end! Become familiar with the “leaping” electrons - join us for a multitude of hands-on electricity and magnetism experiments!
Michelle Zaugg: BA Physics, BA Science Education, Bethel University. Currently teaching physical science and physics at Spring Lake Park High School.
Exploring Aerodynamics
Have you ever wondered how birds fly? Are you interested in understanding how something as large as an airliner is able to move through the air? Would you like to learn how to design and build successful hot-air balloons, gliders, propeller aircraft and more? This class is dedicated to the aspiring designer and pilot. We not only have planes that fly everywhere we also have craft that explore the farthest reaches of our solar system. We will explore the history of flight and we will be actively involved in designing and testing our own flying machines. Join us for a chance to build and test large hot-air balloons, paper gliders of all kinds, balsa gliders that you design, propeller-driven balsa aircraft, rockets and more.
Michael Thomsen: BA – Biology, MA.Ed Science Education, Hamline University. Currently teaching physical science, 6th grade science, Anatomy and Environmental Education at Mounds Park Academy.
Feel the Glee
"If you have always wondered what it would take to be an actor on the TV show Glee, or The Children's Theater Company, this is the class for you. Each day we will practice vocal exercises, physical games that train your body as a performer and of course we will be acting! Bring your voice and your body and you will learn how to use both.. ...??? You will have a chance to perform in a monologue, be part of an ensemble, or director others from scripts of your favorite plays, movies or TV shows. We will add to your acting arsenal and give you more tools on your way to becoming a performer."
Patty Hall: BA, Theatre, UMN…has taught and created theater courses in Minneapolis schools, directed Theatre for the Young in Duluth, MN…national award winner for performances at The Kennedy Center…currently works for children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis.
Mock Trial: The Best Defense Doesn’t Have To Be Offensive
Have you ever thought it would be fun to be a lawyer or a judge or to be part of a trial? Learn how to do an opening statement, objections and closing arguments. Learn how to lead witnesses and influence your friends. Perfect your public speaking skills, your persuasive skills and your problem solving skills. Perform such famous roles as judge, bailiff, lawyer and witness. You will learn basics of research and trial preparation as well as improve your ability to think on your feet. Our two weeks will culminate in a trial performed in front of a jury of your peers.
Tom Rodefeld: BA, History, Augsburg College; MA, curriculum & instruction U of MN, secondary education license…currently teaches social studies at Irondale HS in Mounds View, where he coaches hockey, volleyball and track.
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