2009 Demonstration Classes

Different Approaches to Experimental Design (DAED)

This course is designed to investigate scientific problem solving and reasoning techniques. In this class, we will focus on different approaches to solve problems rather than looking at only one approach to get the final answer. Each day we will put our scientific hats on and will explore different problems from various disciplines. Our activities include measurement, estimation, prediction, and analysis. As a cumulating activity, all students will develop a problem and solution using skills and methods they have learned and/or refined throughout the course.

Mathematical Applications

When you play a chord on a piano, why do those notes sound pleasant together? When you send a credit card number over the web, why do you feel secure?

A camera catches the license plate () of a car speeding through a stoplight. How do the police know who to give a ticket to? Do you know how to break codes? If these topics peak your interest you may be interested in this Demonstration class. The first half of the class will investigate generalization of algebra and their applications, such as music composition, cryptography, and game strategies. During the second half of the course, we will study other applications of mathematics that apply to the world around us.

Forensic Science

Everyone has seen at least one episode of CSI, right? Can you differentiate the parts which are scientifically accurate and which are media hype? In this course, we will examine several areas of practice that are associated with forensic science such as the roles of a medical examiner, crime laboratory analyst, crime scene examiner, and forensic engineer. Forensic science also requires academic assistance (psychology, social science, and statistics) as well as technical assistance (computer analyst, polygraph, and composite drawing). These areas of practice require substantial knowledge regarding how to manage and perform scientific investigations. Activities will include laboratory research and analysis.

Physics Phenomena

Science can be quite frustrating at times because there are some things in nature that science simply cannot explain. In this class we will use a hands-on approach to observe, investigate, and explain various concepts of the natural world. Some of the topics we will explore include: motion, force, rotation, equilibrium, energy, momentum, electricity, magnetism, and light. We will also discuss the impact of ideas and discoveries of Galileo, Newton, Kepler, Joule, Ohm, Clark, and Einstein.