Summer Discovery

@ CU Boulder

Course Catalog
STEM Academies

STEM Academies
ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING
Explore Engineering
This Academy provides students an introduction to engineering through a series of hands-on engineering design projects.
Working in interdisciplinary teams, students will learn fundamental engineering concepts and develop valuable skills,
including communication skills, how to work collaboratively in teams, and the basic steps in the engineering design process.
They will also work with a variety of computer tools, including dynamic modeling software, spreadsheets and computeraided design (CAD).
Possible Projects:
Hovercraft Using wood, fans and shutter controls, design and build a hovercraft that rides on air.
Water Pump Obtaining clean water can be a major challenge in many developing communities. Use inexpensive materials
to redesign a water pump that pumps and filters water.
Walking on Water Want to walk on water? Tackle buoyancy, stability and propulsion to design shoes that can walk on
water!
Rube Goldfish A Rube Goldberg machine is a complex machine that uses many playful steps to perform a simple task.
Design and build a Rube Goldberg machine that integrates mechanical and electrical features to complete a task.
Briquette Press Interested in developing appropriate technological systems for the developing world? Design a system to
produce usable energy from available materials such as discarded paper and sawdust.
Laboratory experience: This course is very hands-on, comprised of a series of team-based engineering design projects.

900-906-001 on M T W TH F from 9:30am to 3:00pm;

The Art of Engineering
Engineering and art are often treated as separate disciplines, yet they are often more tightly connected than you might think.
This course blends the two in order to teach key physics and engineering concepts through the design and production of
creative art projects. Morning and afternoon class sessions will focus on two core areas: Flow Visualization and Electronics.
Flow visualization is the process of making the physics of fluid flows (gases, liquids) visible. In this session of the course,
we will explore a range of techniques for creating beautiful images of fluid flows. Our work is motivated not just by the
utility and importance of fluid flows, but also by their inherent beauty. Clouds moving through the sky, milk flowing into
coffee and rising tendrils of smoke are all examples of fluid flows that can be visualized and better understood through
photography. As we learn the physics of flows, we will also practice photographic and photo editing techniques, in order to
create a personal Flow Viz portfolio.
The afternoon session of this course will focus on physical computing and electrical engineering to create interactive art
projects and installations. Students will learn basic concepts of electronics and engineering in order to integrate technology
components into their interactive art projects. This is a creative space for budding DIYers and Makers!
Learning Objectives: The overarching goal of this STEM Academy is to develop students appreciation of the connections
between art and engineering. The course is designed for both artists and engineers, and will be a richer experience if both
are participating! Students will leave the class with an improved understanding of flow and how it affects everything we
experience. Along with the science behind fluid flows, students will learn the best way to capture these phenomena and
practice how to use Photoshop to accentuate their photographs. Students in this class will also explore electronics and
become electrical engineers and Makers as they create collaborative and interactive art projects.
Laboratory experience: Experiments to observe the science of many different kinds of flow (laminar, turbulent, clouds);
photography techniques; PhotoShop studio; hands-on electronics and engineering design.

900-907-001 on M T W TH F from 9:30am to 3:00pm;

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Course Catalog for SD @ CU Boulder 2015

MATHEMATICS
MATHEMATICS
Visual Mathematics
In this three-week workshop, we will explore some creative and applicable areas of math that professionals in both
academia and industry frequently encounter. Among other topics, will explore the geometric properties of shapes in threedimensional space, ponder interesting probability puzzles, and examine the art produced by a Spirograph. By using a
combination of presentations and videos, group problem solving workshops, and hands on activities, we will see how math
can be creative, fun, and how it all fits into the world around us. We explore how math appears in nature, chemistry,
computer science, art, music, and logic. We will see math in action by creating giant snowflake fractals, measuring and
modeling sound waves, and finding the golden ratio in the great outdoors.
In this workshop, we will see how art, logic, and the physical world all come together in the form of mathematics
Learning Objectives: To foster a deeper understanding and awareness of the versatility, creativity, and practicality that
mathematics has to offer. We will encourage students to ask and answer interesting questions about the world around us
using the broad range of mathematical tools and ideas introduced here.

900-908-001 on M T W TH F from 9:30am to 3:00pm;

SCIENCE
SCIENCE
BioFrontiers: New Advances in the Biosciences
Over the past few decades, our improved understanding of molecular biology and genetics has enabled us to transform the
face of food production and to drastically increase access to human therapies. In the near future, biotechnologies will help us
diagnose and cure certain diseases and may help us mitigate the looming energy crisis. This Academy will explore current
frontiers in biotechnology through hands-on activities and experiments, guest speakers and laboratory tours. Academy
participants will examine the ways in which we can use molecular building blocks (bio-Legos) to develop new products
that may impact our society, assess their potential to confront the challenges that lie ahead, and delve into the biological
details of these products and how they are made. Throughout the course, students will visit different BioFrontiers (http:
//biofrontiers.colorado.edu/) laboratories to learn more about current life sciences research at CU Boulder.
Learning Objectives: Students will learn foundational concepts about genetics and biotechnology, examine processes used
to genetically modify organisms with new properties, and evaluate their risks, benefits and various alternatives. Students
will gain biotechnology lab experience, including pipetting, PCR and gel electrophoresis, and will learn about potential
applications of biotechnology in a variety of different fields, through guest speakers and laboratory tours.
Through independent projects, students will devise creative ways in which recombinant DNA technology can help us
address current and future global crises, and present these ideas to their peers to stimulate further discussion. Students will
practice examining different perspectives about an issue, formulating convincing responses, and clearly articulating their
ideas in both speech and writing.
Laboratory Experience: Using micropipettes, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Bacterial Plasmid minipreps, Gel
Electrophoresis, Restriction Digests, Gel Purification and Ligation of DNA fragments, Bacterial Transformation

900-900-001 on M T W TH F from 9:30am to 3:00pm;

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Course Catalog for SD @ CU Boulder 2015

SCIENCE (continued)
(continued)
SCIENCE
The Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience and Psychology
How does the brain control all that we do and how do scientists study this largely unknown frontier? This Academy will
dive into topics such as sensory systems, learning and memory, and behavior, and explore numerous questions about the
mind and brain from a variety of different perspectives, including anatomy and physiology, neuroscience, psychology, and
cognitive science. This course begins with an introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the brain, as we learn about
different brain structures and their related functions. Hands-on activities and experiments, together with laboratory tours and
guest presentations, will build on this foundation and develop our understanding of the brain. Well explore the topics of
intelligence and artificial intelligence, brain plasticity in the context of development, and the role that genetics may play in
behavior. Students will also engage in mini-experiments on topics such as memory, sensory processing, and cognitive load,
in order to learn how scientists conduct research on the brain.
Learning Objectives: Students will develop their understanding of brain anatomy and function and leave with a burgeoning
curiosity for neuroscience! They will learn about the different disciplines that study the brain (including anatomy and
physiology, neuroscience, psychology, and cognitive science), as well as career opportunities in these different fields.
Laboratory experience: Hands-on activities; Dissections; Experimental design in psychology and neuroscience; human
subjects issues; Hands-on experiments. This course capitalizes on CU Boulder research facilities and includes field trips to
relevant research facilities, including:
CU Language Lab
Cognitive Development Center
Institute of Behavioral Genetics
Intermountain Neuroimaging Consortiums fMRI scanning facility.

900-901-001 on M T W TH F from 9:30am to 3:00pm;

Scientific Podcast Production
This Academy brings science to life through still photography, audio and video. The field of journalism strives to inform the
public and a critical part of this mission is informing the public about the latest scientific advances and discoveries. Would
people wash their hands if they didnt know about the existence of germs? How do people make important decisions about
health, technology and the environment if they dont have the information required to do so? Journalism and science have an
interesting and important reciprocal relationship that we will explore throughout this course.
Learning Objectives: In this class, students will become part of the CU Science News team as we produce an episode for
CU-Boulders Emmy award-winning podcast series, CU Science Update. Well select a science news story that highlights
current research at CU Boulder, and learn how to write, shoot, record audio, frame photos and edit like a broadcast
journalist. Each participant will have an important role to play throughout the production process, as a writer, director,
reporter, interviewer or editor. Throughout the process, from initial planning and research to the final cut, we will meet with
local scientists and visit research facilities to learn more about current science at CU Boulder as we gather footage for our
video. After the course, share the production with friends and family via the website and iTunes U!
Laboratory experience: This course will tour research laboratories as appropriate to the selected news story. Students will
develop skills in still photography, filming video, and audio and video editing.

900-902-001 on M T W TH F from 9:30am to 3:00pm;

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Course Catalog for SD @ CU Boulder 2015

TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY
3D Design and Printing
In this Academy, students will apply the engineering design process to collaboratively create solutions to real-world
problems using 3D design software and 3D printing. Students will research a problem that they want to address, and then
design, plan, create and evaluate their solution. They will learn how to incorporate key design principles as they develop
their ideas, and then use modeling software such as Rhino and SketchUp to transform 2D images into 3D designs. They will
prototype their creations on 3D printers, refine their designs, and evaluate the pros and cons of different 3D printers and
filament materials. In the final week of the course, participants will use their new skills to design and produce 3D pages,
puzzles and toys for CU Boulders Tactile Picture Books Project.
Learning Objectives: Students will learn about the engineering design process through a series of 3D design and production
activities. They will learn about product development, rapid prototyping and product testing as they develop hands-on skills
in 3D design and printing.
Laboratory experience: This is a workshop-style course utilizing 3D design software (Rhino and SketchUp) and 3D printing.
Students will also visit related CU lab facilities and meet with the Tactile Picture Books Project team.

900-903-001 on M T W TH F from 9:30am to 3:00pm;

Sustainable Design Studio
This Academy provides students an introduction to Environmental Design. This hands-on design studio will offer students
an opportunity to complete an individual design project using passive design strategies. They will learn fundamental design
concepts, acquire proficiency in drawing and model making, experiment with a computer-aided design program (SketchUp),
and develop communication and presentation skills. This design studio is suited to any student interested in working at the
intersection between design and the environment.
Design Project: The Sustainable Design Studio will involve students in the design of a Writers Cabin. They will be
invited to visit and study the site in order to explore sustainable design concepts that consider daylighting, natural
ventilation, and solar energy. In the studio, students will develop these conceptual ideas into a more concrete design through
metric drawings and model making. Finally, they will have an opportunity to present and exhibit their work to professionals
in the field of architecture, planning and engineering.
Laboratory experience: This design studio contains a mixture of explanatory and hands-on activities to support an individual
design project.

900-904-001 on M T W TH F from 9:30am to 3:00pm;

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Course Catalog for SD @ CU Boulder 2015

TECHNOLOGY (continued)
(continued)
TECHNOLOGY
Technology & Physical Computing
At the intersection of technology and digital art, physical computing is the newest, most appealing way to get "hands on"
with your tech. Learn the fundamentals of programming, circuitry, and electronic communications in a lively, project-driven
environment. Team up and create something completely new: an electronic musical instrument, a kinetic art installation, a
piece of interactive clothing, or an computerized toy. Enjoy the autonomy to freely design, build, test, and interact with your
creations. Building awesome stuff has never been more fun, or more approachable.
The three main didactic focuses will be learning to programming Arduinos (a language similar to C++), learning to program
Max/MSP (a language similar to Pure Data), and learning to assemble the appropriate hardware to make awesome stuff. We
will go through the basics of DC circuitry, including batteries, switches, buttons, resistors, and servomotors. We will
investigate a wide array of variable resistors, including ones that sense bend, touch, pressure, temperature, rain, moisture,
twist, light, distance, stretch, and acceleration. We will investigate the Max/MSP application as a way of creating
meaningful interactions between hardware and software. Students will learn how to deal with data using the Processing
language (a combination of creating their own code, using pre-provided code, and altering pre-provided code). The students
will work with (and develop) a number of applications that create images, flash lights, and play and alter sounds using their
hardware. To do this, we will be talking at length about serial communications and formatting. The students will all have
some flexibility in what projects they want to work on, but they might include creating a drawing that acts like a keyboard,
building a monster out of pipe cleaners with moving arms and light-up eyes, creating a mobile of lights that flicker when
you walk under it, or a custom-built doorbell that lets you perform your own songs on it. There will be a heavy focus on
DIY work, and there will be lots of examples provided. No prior programming or computing experience is necessary, but
the more you have, the better off you'll be.
Learning Objectives: Students will learn to use Arduinos, wires, cables, and other basic electrical and computing equipment.
At the end of the class there will be a showcase of instruments created and students will be able to take their creations home
with them. This class will have some lecture components early on but will be heavily weighted towards supervised hands-on
engineering design time with the equipment.
Laboratory Experience: Arduinos, Music Theory, Programming.

900-905-001 on M T W TH F from 9:30am to 3:00pm;

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Course Catalog for SD @ CU Boulder 2015