Splash Spring 2018
Course Catalog

We'll be talking about a few major milestones in experimental quantum mechanics, including how LIGO beat the standard quantum limit, how quantum computers use superconducting circuits to make qubits, and showing how Bell Inequalities can be experimentally proven. Class is lecture-based with a few demonstrations and scale models. It will be mostly history, motivation, and results, with minimal derivation.


Class Style
Lecture

Come learn the fundamentals of chemistry using your favorite candies! Learn how Skittles, chocolate, and gum can teach us about density, solubility, and other concepts.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Please note that the candies used in these experiments may contain common allergens, such as nuts, milk, and wheat.

What is nanotechnology? Learn how nanotechnology can create beautiful colors, improve solar cells, and treat diseases!


Class Style
Lecture

Polymers are fascinating materials that can be found everywhere in our daily lives. From the plastics we buy at the store to the skin on our bones, polymers come in all shapes and sizes. Due to their interesting and special properties, polymers have many applications, from flexible materials to electronic devices to complex fluids. In this short course, taught by the Stanford Polymer Collective, we'll learn about polymers through fun hands-on activities that highlight some of their most interesting and exciting properties.


Class Style
Activity

Beyond the capability of the human eye, there exists an entire landscape accessible only through microscopes. Join us for an exploration of the invisible world at the nanoscale through scanning electron microscopy (SEM)!

In this class, we will cover the basic physics and functionality of this powerful tool and compare it to traditional optical microscopes. Afterwards, we will take a field trip to the Stanford Nano Shared Facilities to visit the SEM and image some samples. Get excited to see everyday objects, such as hair and flowers, in a whole new light!


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
Basic understanding of what an electron is

All of matter is made from elementary particles that are smaller than atoms. But wait, if these particles are so small, how can we possibly study them?

This class is an introduction to how physicists detect and study subatomic and elementary particles. We'll first discuss some properties of different subatomic particles and how they interact with each other. Following that, we'll use the LArIAT detector at Fermilab as a case study of detector techniques and technology.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Some basic knowledge about electromagnetism and chemistry is good, but it's not absolutely required.

In this class we will learn all of the basics of particle physics! There are no prerequisites for this class, you just have to want to learn about the smallest known things in the universe! We are going to discuss all fundamental forces and particles and even learn some of the rules of Feynman diagrams. Higgs Bosons! Supersymmetry! We will talk about them all!


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
None!

Chemistry is exciting and it happens all around us every day. In this class we will talk about the states of matter, a little about polymers (like plastics), and really anything else that gives us a chance to do cool demos for you all! You may get a chance to make a souvenir to take home, too. You'll just have to come and find out!


Class Style
Activity

Where does color come from? In our everyday lives, we get color just by adding dyes, pigments, and inks to things, but have you ever wondered how we get those colors in the first place? We'll examine color on the molecular level and see how changes in a molecule result in changes in what we see. Finally, we'll scale up a bit and talk about how material structure can also create different colors.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
High school chemistry

What is slime, and why is it slimy? In this hands-on, interactive class, we'll teach you everything you need to know about the science of slime--from non-Newtonian fluid dynamics to cross-linking chemistry. Join us! We'll make sure you leave the class with some insta-worthy slime!


Class Style
Activity

What makes lightning bugs glow, and why do they light up in the first place? In this class, we will learn about living glowsticks, bioluminescence, and the many applications of light to life. We will explore the chemical basis of interactions between light and biology. Students will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations of these interactions and connect them to real-world phenomena. Join us for an exLIGHTing time! (Sorry, we had to.)


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Introductory biology and/or chemistry preferred

Special relativity describes the behavior of systems moving at speeds close to the speed of light. Once you start moving so fast, a lot of weird stuff starts to happen.

We will discuss Einstein's postulates, the two statements which form the foundation of special relativity. Then we will introduce time dilation - the bizarre idea that "moving clocks tick slower."


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
An understanding of algebra would be helpful, but is not necessary.

Have you ever thought about building tiny structures atom by atom? Nanochemistry is concerned with just that! We will be learning about the differences in molecular behavior on the nanoscale that make nanomaterials so unique and useful, as well as some cool recent applications of nanotechnology, such as nanobiosensors and quantum dot solar cells.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
knowledge of some chemistry (atoms, photons, fluorescence, molecular bonding)

Einstein's theory of special relativity is based off two basic principles: the speed of light is always the same, and physics is the same in every inertial frame. In this class, we will discuss and show how these assumptions lead to time dilation, length contraction, and the loss of simultaneity. By the end of class, you will be able to solve the famous "pole-barn" paradox, and gain some intuition into the most famous formula in physics: E=mc^2.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Strong algebra skills and familiarity with mechanics will be useful when we derive relativistic quantities, but definitely not necessary to learn about the effects of relativity. Familiarity with energy and momentum will be useful when deriving mass-energy equivalence, as well as some knowledge of Taylor expansions; however, calculus is not necessary to enjoy and learn about relativity!

Learn about what chemical changes happen when you mix and heat food. Some hands on activities and demonstrations will be planned!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Allergy warning: in this class we will be serving aioli, eggs, strawberries, and pickles.

The Earth is constantly being hit by high-energy particles from space. Although invisible to the eye, these "cosmic rays" hit the atmosphere and erupt into a shower of lighter partices, which can be seen by specialized, ground-based detectors. These muons in these cosmic rays have been some of the most energetic particles we have ever seen. In this class, we will discuss cosmic rays, and from them learn about both particle physics and astrophysics.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
While there are no formal prerequisites (other than a desire to learn!), past students have suggested that some familiarity with physics is helpful. In particular, concepts like conservation laws will appear in the lecture, and while I will certainly introduce them, seeing these for the first time can be intimidating.

The universe contains mind-boggling amounts of "stuff" in it - quarks, leptons etc which organize into atoms, proteins, and you and me! How do the properties of life come from the interactions of this matter? How can we model some of the most interesting questions in Biology (thought, self replication etc) by understanding these simple building blocks? Please join us! This will be an active learning environment!


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
Enthusiasm. An interest in the most fundamental questions in the universe.

Ever wondered how black holes work? Why do they do the things they do, and what do they actually do? What's a singularity, and why are they important?

Or perhaps you've wondered about what our world is made out of. How many dimensions are there, and how do they work? What is the heart of our space made out of?

And imaginary time?! What is that?

Well, if any or all of these topics interest you, then you're in for a treat. This class will give you a solid introduction and understanding of how our world works and the tools we can use to study theoretical physics and the cosmos.

This class will be challenging, but if you are at least the tiny bit interested please attend! I can most definitely work with you and ensure you leave Stanford with a comprehensive understanding of the material. I look forward to meeting you!

NOTE: this class will not take up the entire 105min block. You'll be dismissed early, but feel free to stay to ask questions.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Integral and differential calculus. Physics I and preferably preliminary understanding of AP Physics C. Multivariate differentials preferred, but not required.

Glean citrus fruits on campus while learning how food waste is weaved into our modern agricultural & consumer systems. We will be picking and eating loquats and various citrus.


Class Style
Activity

Do you like cooking? Would you like to save our planet? This lesson will explain how we can save water and energy with waste food. We will explore some recipes and compute the amount of energy and water saved. You can come with and share your own recipes using food waste. Diversity is the best way to end up with yummy recipes to save our planet.


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
In the class, we will transform food. Some can trigger allergies, such as nuts. Please, inform us about your food intolerance when registering.

This class will teach students about sustainable agriculture on the O’Donahue Family Stanford Educational Farm. Students will get a taste of the fascinating science behind mulching, compost, cover crops, and other aspects of the organic farming operation there. Mainly, though, students will be learning what it’s like to implement these ideas and techniques. Students should be ready to get their hands dirty and may not want to wear white clothes, but it is not expected that students will be doing particularly difficult or dirty work. With such a beautiful venue and interesting lesson, students to have a great time learning about something that urban culture typically lacks.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
none! just be ready to get a little dirty

At such a divisive time in our country, it's important to bridge the gap between people when discussing key issues such as climate change. Through this class, you will learn how to utilize strategies to effectively communicate the causes and impacts of climate change to people you encounter in your everyday life.


Class Style
Lecture

The natural world around us full of amazing things, from the critters in the sky to the grass on the ground. But how do they all come together? Let's explore how organisms and environmental factors fit together like puzzle pieces! In this class, we will create living terrariums to model tiny ecosystems.


Class Style
Activity

Ever wondered where your food comes from? Billions of chickens, cows, pigs, and other animals are raised in the US each year for food, mostly on enormous farms. Come learn about what effects this has on the animals, the nature around them, and us as humans!


Class Style
Seminar

Lets brainstorm together and explore the variety of ways we can engage
both life and in climate preservation. From personal choices to hobbies,
diet to activism from career choice and job choices to family choices, from
housing to commuting and travel. We all leave a carbon legacy and a life
legacy. We can start exploring positive alternatives for both.


Class Style
Discussion

Are we alone in the universe? How can we know? If we do find life, where can we find it and what will it look like? Will it be microbial or multi-cellular? Will life on other planets even have cells?

In this class we'll discuss these questions and the modern attempts to answer them in a brief overview of the Search for Life in the Universe!


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
basic biology (recommended)

Glaciers are an exciting component of the climate system! Understanding how these features interact with the ocean and atmosphere is important for predicting sea level rise. Here we introduce glaciers and ice sheets, explain what we know about their behavior, and discuss the different ways scientists are able to study these remote features in extreme environments.


Class Style
Lecture

How do you interpret rocks and extract stories from mountains? This course will give you the geologic tools necessary to truly appreciate the magnificence of California's geology! Come learn about the towering granites of Yosemite, the state gemstone benitoite, the looming threat of the San Andreas Fault, and why studying the earth sciences has been and will continue to be pivotal to the golden state.


Class Style
Seminar

Have you been inspired by or curious about movements like #NODAPL and the Flint water crisis? Want to talk about how climate change and racism are connected? In this class, we will explore the history of the environmental justice movement and dive into a discussion of how systems of oppression are tied to the environmental degradation we see throughout the world today. We will workshop ideas for how we can all fight environmental injustice in our own communities and learn from each other how to build a more equitable world. No experience or prior knowledge of this topic is required - just an open mind!


Class Style
Discussion

Chances are, soil is not something that's frequently at the top of your mind, but if you drink water, eat food, breathe air, or live in a building, you rely on it for your daily life. Soils may seem fairly simple, but they actually contain their own ecosystems of microscopic life, serve a vast array of roles, and come in countless different forms. In this class, you'll learn what soil really is, some of the why you should care about it, and how to tell different types of soil apart. Be prepared to get dirty!


Class Style
Lecture

For this class, we'll be heading over to Stanford's very own Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. We'll take a look at some of the unique ecosystems and native plants present at the preserve on an hour-long, easy walk. We'll also see and discuss some of the active research being conducted at Jasper Ridge by Stanford faculty across many schools and departments. Transportation is provided!

Note: Students should bring shoes that are comfortable to walk in. Suggestions for other things to bring include: a water bottle, hat, sunscreen, and bug spray, if desired.


Class Style
Activity

Come learn about a necessary resource we often take for granted! This class is designed to introduce students to where your water comes from and ways to purify it for reuse. The class will discuss the various engineering technologies needed to increase clean drinking water resources in California. There will be an in class demonstration on how water can be purified through low-cost filter materials and discussions on real life case studies on ways these filters are implemented in the field.


Class Style
Lecture

We will do some fun biomechanics experiments using wearable sensor technology and simulation, and learn about how biomechanics is used to study and better understand different sports.


Class Style
Activity

You know about solar panels and wind turbines. But what about concentrated solar, pumped hydro storage, and energy management? Join us for fun conversations and engaging demonstrations about emerging clean energy options!


Class Style
Lecture

How do earthquakes cause buildings to collapse? What kind of earthquake damage can we expect in California? Come learn about earthquakes and how engineers design structures and experience shaking first hand! The class will cover the basic physics behind tectonics and structural engineering. We will focus especially on the risk of earthquakes in California. Important concepts will be explained using informative videos and in-class demonstrations.


Class Style
Lecture

Come hear from current Stanford students what it's like to study engineering in college! A variety of disciplines and interests will be represented.


Class Style
Panel

In this hands-on class, learn about how batteries work by building a replica of the world's first battery, the voltaic pile*. Learn about where electricity comes from inside a battery, what can go wrong in building one, and why it's so hard to build a smartphone battery that lasts all day!

Batteries have transformed our world in unbelievable ways From portable electronics, to electric vehicles, to storing renewable electricity from solar panels, batteries are essential for building a brighter, greener future.

*no toxic materials will be used in the hands-on activity.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
High school basic physical sciences or chemistry class.

In this class, you will learn about electricity and sound! We will discuss how electric signals get magically converted into sound waves in a speaker. And the best part, we will build our own speaker!


Class Style
Activity

Students engage in hands-on projects to reinvent traditional notebooks and create an original programmed paper circuitry project. Using introductory programming electronics, circuitry, and art supplies, students design and prototype a notebook made alive with beautiful electronics.


Class Style
Activity

Learn about how parachutes are designed and manufactured. We will discuss parachute shapes and why these different shapes are used, as well as the function of a parachute system during a rocket launch. You will construct and test your own scaled model of a parachute!


Class Style
Activity

You'll learn how scientists and engineers make teeny, tiny electronic devices on the microscale and nanoscale. Understand these techniques so you can fabricate your own wafer using cookies!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
In this class we will be serving cookies, chocolate, sprinkles, and frosting. Common allergens include eggs, milk, wheat, and food coloring— products may have been manufactured in a facility that processes tree nuts.

Ever wonder how Gollum was animated? Or how your facial expressions can become Animojis? Motion capture is a way to record movement. It is used in movies, video games, hospitals, and research labs. Come to this class to learn more about this cool technology and experience it for yourself!


Class Style
Lecture

Cities are complex. They must balance built, natural, and human systems. Explore the nuances of defining and measuring important characteristics of urban spaces.
Collaborate with others as we brainstorm, analyze, and create a sustainable city of the future!


Class Style
Activity

How can a car reach speeds of 200+ mph and still be controllable? How can a 3,000 lb hunk of metal even accelerate uphill? How can a trailer weighing over 100,000 pounds even move forward? The answer lies within transmissions and gear ratios.

This short course focuses on the importance of two systems in motor vehicles: transmissions and suspension systems. The basic operation of both systems will be explored and discussed with models. No experienced required.


Class Style
Lecture

It's a bad day if your phone screen cracks, but it's something else entirely if your airplane falls out of the sky. Learn about the science and engineering behind materials failures in history through demonstrations and hands-on experiments. Emphasis on HANDS-ON demonstrations, not a boring lecture! We'll experience first-hand how liquid metals can catastrophically destroy structural materials in applications like space exploration and aerospace. We'll explore how many materials can change dramatically with changes in structure, temperature, and other conditions. You'll walk away from this class with greater knowledge of the atomic structure of materials and a deeper appreciation for the diverse properties of the materials that surround our everyday life.


Class Style
Activity

Ever wonder about how a car actually works? Don't know where to start? This short class will teach you the basics about how a car engine works as well as how automotive brakes work. No experience required!


Class Style
Lecture

Ever wanted to build robots but don’t know where to start? This class is a no knowledge assumed crash course on sensors, controllers and actuators used in robotics. We will also briefly cover how to those components interact to result in autonomous behaviour. The class is taught by members of the Stanford Robotics Club


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Basic electronics and programming helpful but not required

Interested in learning about Humanities at Stanford? Come hear from current Stanford students about their experience!


Class Style
Panel

This history class is all about the Vietnam War. We will learn about the war start to finish, focusing on American military involvement and unrest at home, specifically on College Campuses. This period was a defining moment in American History and by starting to learn more about it, we can look forward to today and America's military involvement abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
An Interest in History and very basic knowledge of 20th Century History

Have you ever wondered how music can be a force for social change?
Join us on a tour of 1960s folk songs that were used to protest the Vietnam war, featuring artists like Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, and Peter, Paul, & Mary!
This class will include lyric analysis, discussion about the role of music in the antiwar movement, and of course a sing-along component!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
No music experience required, although a basic understanding of the Vietnam era will be useful.

Do you have a passion, curiosity, or ambition to improve the quality of life for others and to make an impact through acts of social justice? Come learn more about the many roles/responsibilities that social workers engage in and how you can make an impact now.

Class Objectives

1. Defining What Social Workers Do, Why Become a Social Worker, and The Process of Becoming One. To See if This Field is for You.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of oppressed, underserved, and underprivileged populations and of community resources for meeting the needs of clients.

3. Social Workers are Everyday Heroes: Learn How to practicing Social Work in Everyday Life Today.


Class Style
Discussion

A fundamental aspect of storytelling is developing a dynamic character.

In this class, students will examine a selection of characters in popular media and understand what makes them so compelling. From these examples, students will craft their own original characters and immerse them in one of multiple fictional worlds. The class will culminate in a reflection on the newly created characters.

The class will touch upon topics of philosophy and literature, raising questions of ethical authorship and the power of creation.

The class consists of three parts: a lecture, a workshop, and a concluding seminar.

Potential characters that the class will analyze may come from media like Game of Thrones, Gravity Falls, Frankenstein, and more.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Interest in creative writing is required. A basic understanding of character archetypes is beneficial.

The Jesuit priest Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889) is widely viewed as one of the most influential poets of the Victorian era. In this seminar-style class, we will read and discuss Hopkins' poetry, primarily focusing on the sonnet "The Windhover" - described by Hopkins himself as "the best thing I ever wrote." We will also explore how Hopkins influenced the work of later poets, including Dylan Thomas. Finally, we will consider the question of why Hopkins died virtually unknown, despite enjoying worldwide fame today.


Class Style
Seminar

We will be watching Wild Strawberries by director Ingmar Bergman, a movie ranked among the greatest ever made, and engaging in an hour of discussion about the film and its related themes, form, and philosophical questions afterwards.


Class Style
Discussion

I will debate you about anything, as long as it doesn't make anyone uncomfortable. Bring case topics to argue and I will support or oppose them. The weird is welcome here.


Class Style
Discussion

We will lead an interactive lecture on some of the basics of American constitutional law.


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
Basic understanding of civics

In one of the most iconic historic battles for housing rights, a united front of Manilatown residents and surrounding communities fought to protect the existence of their home: the International Hotel. The International Hotel was a residential hotel that housed many elderly Filipino and Chinese workers in San Francisco, who were evicted in the city’s attempt to expand the Financial District. Through the 60s and 70s, community membersresidents marched, protested, and barricaded the building to delay the evictions. The community rallied around these tenants in a struggle that has now been dramatized and sensationalized, inspiring other struggles for housing rights nationally.

As many Bay Area communities face a growing housing crisis, and cultural communities face continued gentrification, the narrative of the I-Hotel remains deeply relevant. Whether you are interested in local activism, housing policy, cultural preservation, or historical narratives, we would love to have you join us in conversation and remembrance.


Class Style
Discussion

Have you ever wondered how music can be a force for social change?
Join us on a tour of 1960s folk songs that were used to protest the Vietnam war, featuring artists like Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, and Peter, Paul, & Mary!
This class will include lyric analysis, discussion about the role of music in the antiwar movement, and of course a sing-along component!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
No music experience required, although a basic understanding of the Vietnam era will be useful.

Have a paper due about the symbolism of the "green light" in The Great Gatsby? Need help parsing out the fine details within the lines of Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken"? No fear! We will start from the beginning and teach you how to read and analyze any piece of literary work that you may encounter in your high school English classes. From alliteration to onomatopoeia to synecdoche, we got you covered. We will spend the beginning of class discussing general terms and strategies on how to close read works of literature. Then, we will spend a good portion of class discussing two works of literature and allowing you to practice your skills. This class involves a lot of active participation in order to be effective, so please come ready to share your ideas! We will create an open, safe space for people to share their thoughts and expect you to do the same. Come ready to learn, explore, and have fun!


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
willingness to engage in the class

What do Power Rangers, Pokemon, and Godzilla all have in common? They came from overseas, but became popular in America! Through localization, we can explain how media moves from country to country and why we sometimes make changes to the source material.


Class Style
Lecture

Where did science come from? Who were the heroes who invented it? Why wasn't it invented sooner?

In this class, we'll talk about the exciting story of how we went from alchemy to chemistry, from astrology to astronomy. We'll talk about the epic debate about whether it was the earth or the sun in the center of the universe, discussing the discoveries and politics involved. You'll hear about popes and kings, monks and bishops, and even a few professors.

If that's not enough, I'll tell you:

*Why practically nobody thought the earth was flat
*How Galileo accomplished the greatest troll of all time
*Why it's really hard to prove that the earth revolves around the sun (without satellites)


Class Style
Lecture

Logical fallacies are all around us. They're in our commercials, in popular science literature, in the speeches of our leaders. In this session we'll discover how to identify these logical fallacies and how to counter them.
This is a skill that will serve you for the rest of your life.


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
None

Calling all map lovers! Join me as we learn about the history of cartography, by looking at some of the most unusual (and fascinating) maps from the ancient world to today! We will talk about sea monsters on Renaissance maps, mapping cholera in nineteenth-century England, and the commercialization of cartography at worlds fairs— among other exciting topics! There will be lots of maps (and fun facts!).


Class Style
Lecture

Are you curious about language? Have you ever wondered about what we say and why we say it the way we do? Do you want to learn more about headlines like “Gator attacks puzzle experts”, whether a “stone lion” is really a lion and a “fake gun” is really a gun, and why “get well soon” isn’t a command?

In this course, we’ll take a look at fun and humorous case studies of different kinds of linguistic occurrences. Through in-class experiments and group discussions, we’ll dive into the science (and art) of linguistics together. This class is about you and what you’re interested in, so bring your opinions to the table. We hope you’ll walk out of here excited about language and its quirks and amazed at the intricacies of the way we communicate regardless of the language we speak!


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
An open mind and a healthy curiosity for words and language!

Wanna be a lawyer? This class introduces you to jobs you can get with a law degree, from public defender to legal counsel for McDonald's. This course is open to all grades and ages!


Class Style
Lecture

When you hear the word “medieval,” what usually comes to mind? Do you know why the Middle Ages were given that particular name? More importantly, have you ever wondered whether these so-called “Dark Ages” were actually dark at all? What most people know about this fascinating period of history comes from either film or TV. For this reason, the word “medieval” typically brings to mind castles, knights, crusades, feudalism, and Christianity, to name a few. The Middle Ages, however, were about much more than that. In this seminar, we will examine three objects—medieval manuscripts, medieval maps, and medieval relics—in an effort to probe into the medieval world more seriously and more deeply. Ultimately, we will make these elusive and strange 1,000 years of European history both relevant and exciting to our lives today.


Class Style
Seminar

Do you enjoy writing? Is there a story idea you've simply been waiting to discuss or put onto the page?

In this short creative writing workshop, we’ll be exploring how you can turn "the egg" of an idea into the beginnings of a fully-fledged short story, using Andy Weir’s 2-page short story “The Egg” as an example.

Everyone is welcome! All you need to bring is a willingness to learn and your imagination! And reading the story before class is recommended -- it's quite short, but we'll do it in class anyway! :D


Class Style
Seminar

How do science and religion see each other? Is there a fundamental conflict? Do they interfere in each other?
In this course, we review the history of science and analyze how its relationship with religion was, namely with the Roman Catholic Church.
We will talk about medieval science, Galileo and the Inquisition, the conflict thesis, the influence of the Jesuits, the Big Bang theory, genetics and evolution, and we end up talking about the two great philosophical assumptions of science and how they relate to Christianity.
Cheers!

PS: the true duration of the course is 1:00, the rest is for questions and for a surprise


Class Style
Seminar

As far as poetry goes, TS Eliot's masterpiece "The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock" is as obtuse as it gets. But as my old English teacher once said, the weird parts are where meanings lie.

To me, Prufrock is a song of humanity, a statement of purpose, a cry of ambition, a lament of loneliness.

What is it to you? Only you can say. In this course, you will read, analyze, and critique this poem with the goal of deriving a life lesson for yourself.


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
Enthusiasm, awakeness, and a desire to better understand the human condition are all I require. The class has a 5-star difficulty rating not because I expect any literary background, but because I expect you to participate actively and push yourself to comprehend and synthesize challenging ideas.

92 symbols, 2200 characters, and 4400 pronunciations. That’s about the bare minimum any native Japanese speaker knows.

Japanese is notoriously difficult to learn, and its writing system is understood to be one of the most complex in the world. But it is this complexity that makes Japanese flexible in a distinct way compared to its linguistic cousins. Why does Japanese use both alphabets (like Korean) and logographs (like Chinese)? How are new words introduced? And how can we use that to understand Japanese culture?

Using the Japanese language as a unique lens, we will explore the role of language as both a symbol of power and a living part of history. We will take a journey through time, hunting down idiosyncrasies of the Japanese language and how they came to be.

We will conclude with interesting (and tasty!) real-life examples of Japanese words that have evolved through time and cultures, extending even beyond the Japanese language.

Familiarity with basic Japanese and/or Chinese helpful, but no prior experience needed.


Class Style
Lecture

An Introduction to Philosophy

ever think about STUFf??
QUESTIONS about WHY we're here???
WHO we are??
what is LIFEE?

"How Can Mirrors Be Real If Our Eyes Aren't Real?" -Jaden Smith

"Slowly, his eyes adjust to the light of the sun. First he can only see shadows. Gradually he can see the reflections of people and things in water and then later see the people and things themselves. Eventually, he is able to look at the stars and moon at night until finally he can look upon the sun itself ... Only after he can look straight at the sun "is he able to reason about it" and what it is." -Plato


Class Style
Seminar

In this course we will first briefly go over the history of nuclear weapons, secondly we will explore some common arguments about the stability of nuclear states and proliferation, and lastly we will examine where the threats of nuclear war exist today and how the international community has responded.


Class Style
Lecture

In many ways, the world has behaved as if nuclear weapons went away after the end of the Cold War. Unfortunately, some 12,000 warheads still exist around the world - especially in a world of rising China and belligerent North Korea, understanding nuclear technology, strategy, and history is essential to any informed thinker.

Our class will cover topics including, but not limited to:
1) Basic weapon technologies, (Warhead types, missile types, MIRVs, and decoys)
2) Strategic concepts, (Targeting, Mutually Assured Destruction, Command and Control, and more)
3) And the Modern Nuclear Balance.


Class Style
Lecture

What's the point of all this anyway? Life is futile, and this vast, ageless universe of ours is indifferent to our menial daily activities.

In high school, I used to be really worried about this type of question. Existentialist writing drove me up the wall. Maybe you're in the same boat; or maybe you have some answers for us. All perspectives welcome.

To put my cards on the table: As a senior philosophy major, I honestly am not so worried about these questions anymore. It's nothing revolutionary, but do come to find out why!


Class Style
Discussion

Do you want to get a head start on application essays? Does the thought of talking about yourself in an essay make you nervous? Do you just want general essay-writing advice? This is the class for you! We'll start with a seminar-style discussion of how to write a good personal statement (and a good essay in general), which will lead into a Q&A session. Finally, we'll leave some time to workshop essays together. Bring a personal statement (finished or unfinished) to work on. Or, if you don't have one, we'll brainstorm and start one together!


Class Style
Seminar

Jazz can sometimes feel like a foreign language, but with just a little exposure to the elements of jazz, it's easy to develop a deep appreciation for the art. Join me in exploring a few of the things that make jazz great!


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
A love for music, but no playing experience required!

We will enjoy reading and writing poetry and reflections inspired by beautiful plants and flowers of our outdoors classroom at Stanford.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
All are welcome :)

You may have heard of Leonidas and the 300 Spartans who faced the Persians at Thermopylae. You might have learned about the famous Greco-Persian battles in the straits of Salamis and on the plains of Marathon. But have you heard that the original Ionian Greek revolt was started by a secret message transmitted by head tattoo? What about the story of the Persian who captured Babylon by cutting off his own nose and ears? If not, you haven’t been reading from the original source. Histories by Herodotus is not only the first work of Western history, it is also an astonishingly rich mixture of geography, ethnography, political science, fact, myth, rumor, and pure gossip. Come learn about the sweeping historical scope of Herodotus’s masterwork, its unique literary structure, its accuracies and its mistakes, and its various themes, allegories, and random anecdotes. I’ll also talk about a few of my favorite stories that are just too good to pass up. Warning: I am a complete amateur who just finds ancient history incredibly cool. If that sounds at all like you, you might enjoy this course.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Interest in history is encouraged. Curiosity is a necessity.

Why are we here? More importantly, what is the point of us even being here? Is it worth it? Is anything worth it? What is worth? Where are we going, and why are we going to begin with?

The philosophical and realistic implications of scientific discoveries have stricken many with great dread, depression, and insecurity regarding the purpose of life and the world around us.

In this discussion seminar, we will seek to explore these issues and concerns to try and find answers within ourselves. A great goal of this class is to share your perspective with others and learn from others' perspectives so that you may enrich your view of your place in the world.

Be warned that this class openly and freely challenges in discussion topics like religion, purpose, and morality. This class will also deal with dark subject matter. However, by treating these subjects with gravitas we will learn and explore a lot about our existence.

NOTE: this class will not take up the entire 105min block. You'll be dismissed early, but feel free to stay to ask questions.


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
Must have an open mind. Must be able to discuss and challenge topics like religion, purpose, and morality. Must be able to handle discussing dark subject matter. No prior knowledge regarding philosophers or their works is required, as none will be used.

This class will discuss the meaning of life, human flourishing, virtue, and the pros/cons of living a life centered around academia, industry, or politics. By the end of this class, you will know what the goal of all civilization is, what The Good is, how the concept of happiness came to be, and why we innately find virtue more wholesome than fame, status, or wealth. In all, you will gain the tools necessary to critique your own life and mold it to your desire.


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
Be prepared to have your mind blown.

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

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

Ever wanted to learn how to program computers? In this course we'll teach an introduction to computer programming in Ruby. Ruby is one of the world's most popular programming languages and is widely in demand in startups and industry. More importantly, if you're curious about programming, or just looking to have fun with code, Ruby is the language for you!

This is beginner-friendly and we encourage anyone and everyone to sign up. Please come with questions and enthusiasm!






Class Style
Seminar

In this hands-on class, we will explore how computer music is made from the software side. This class teaches the basics behind creating music with code. Along the way, we'll touch on a couple of fundamentals of programming and acoustics.

Come create the sonic masterpiece you've been dreaming of!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Prior programming experience would be very useful

In 1843, Augusta Ada King-Noel, Countess of Lovelace, published a paper that has earned her the distinction of the "world's first computer programmer." But who was Ada Lovelace? What program did she construct in 1843? What did she envision for the future of computing, and how has she shaped the world we live in today? In this class, we'll explore Ada's life amidst the very origins of computers and understand her remarkable vision.


Class Style
Lecture

Humans have been drawn to making and breaking codes for millennia. Try your hand at breaking codes using basic statistical tools, and see how these concepts extend to the advanced codes used in security systems today.


Class Style
Activity

We will introduce and investigate several interesting mathematical problems and games. We will look at some of the following problems:

1) Prime spirals and other regularities in their distribution
2) Fractals and how to generate them as attractors of simple systems
3) Turing's Halting problem
4) Collatz conjecture and its variants
5) Curve shortening flows
6) The Monty Hall problem
7) Infinite sums and 1+2+3+... = -1/12
8) Proofs of e^pi > pi^e
9) Proofs of irrationality of nth root of 2 for n>2 using Fermat's last theorem
10) The combinatorics of postcards in a bag and binary necklaces
11) The volume of an n-dimensional sphere
12) A proof that there are two points exactly opposite each other on Earth that have exactly the same temperature and pressure
13) A proof that an apple with two spots on it can always be divided into two halves such that both spots are on the same half.
14) And maybe some more.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
A keen interest in mathematics.

Imagine a world in which machines can read, speak, write, and listen. Could they extract important meaning from all sorts of texts, from novels to online reviews to song lyrics? Could they translate languages real-time? Could they make judgments about sentiments of tweets or generate captions for images? Could they intelligently hold a conversation with you?

In some ways, that world is already here.

Come with us to learn about many different applications of natural language processing, and analyze the sentiment of your own piece of text through our workshop! Please bring your own laptop if you have one!


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
A desire to learn more about natural language processing and sentiment analysis!

Not all art is created with paint and a brush. Welcome to the world of algorithmic art, where every pixel is created by a set of rules - described by lines of code.

During this class, we will go through a brief history of algorithmic art to provide a brief glimpse into what kinds of art are enabled by code.

Next, we will learn to make our own art with code. We will use a web-based version of Processing, which is very similar to Java, and aim to make some really cool art before the class is over!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
AP Computer Science or equivalent (being currently in APCS is okay)

Typically in computer science, the human comes up with the algorithm to solve a problem. With deep learning, things are changing. Instead of the human coming up with the algorithm, the computer comes up with the algorithm based on data.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
knowledge of programming

What kind of problems can we solve with a computer? (What even is a computer and what does it mean to solve a problem?) In a whirlwind tour of theoretical computer science, we’ll start from simple models and see how far the limits of computation go. Along the way, we’ll look at applications to protein folding, cryptography, and more, culminating with an unsolved question in computer science with a literal million dollar bounty.

The style of this class will be pretty casual - we'll share some ideas we think are cool, solve some puzzles together, discuss philosophy, who knows?


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Some experience with computer science may be helpful but is not required. The only real prerequisite is an interest in problem solving and a sense of curiosity!

How do politicians win elections?
Why do people procrastinate?
How do companies determine product prices?

At the heart of game theory is the study of decision-making. We’ll apply mathematical models to real life situations in order to understand strategy optimization. Learn about Nash equilibriums, and walk away with the ability to pinpoint smart solutions!


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Algebra

Come learn about what it's like to study Computer Science in college! Taught by a panel of Computer Science students at Stanford.


Class Style
Panel

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications are all around us: the voice behind our phone assistants, the search and recommendation engines on the internet, and most recently, the self-driving cars we are beginning to see on our roads. Besides providing these services, how else can AI and ML improve our planet?

In this class, we will look at some of the most exciting advances of AI/ML in the pursuit of sustainable development. These are 17 goals recognized by the United Nations, and include poverty, hunger, health, education, climate change, water, energy, and environment. The class will consist of two case studies (and demos) in light of these goals. With each of these studies, we will lay special focus on how to model these problems from a computational perspective. Finally, we will devote the last half of this class to open challenges and how each one of us as citizen scientists can contribute to these worldwide efforts in using artificial intelligence and machine learning for building a sustainable planet.


Class Style
Lecture

Computers can now learn. We have taught our computers to recognize language, imagery, scenery, and more. Unlike the brain, we completely understand the computational device that is a computer. And so learning is no longer an abstract concept but a mathematical process.

In this talk, I'll introduce the student to optimization, the mathematics of computer learning. I'll show some optimization techniques of increasing sophistication, demonstrating how we can make computers learn faster. Finally, we'll use these techniques to solve some interesting problems.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Precalculus

This class will cover basic logical concepts in computer science. We will use the Java programming language and code in an online IDE.

We will be working with "hard code" as opposed to something graphics-based like Alice, Scratch, Greenfoot, etc. because I feel I can best teach with code, not drag-and-drop graphical interfaces.To clarify: We will be writing code and reading textual output; not making mini graphical games or building websites.

Due to our highly limited time, we will move quickly. My goal is to give you exposure to many fundamental programming concepts (and their Java syntax) such as variable declarations, I/O, for and while loops, and if statements. I will also briefly address more general ideas in computer science such as other programming languages, IDEs, APIs, comments, and debugging. We will not cover object orientation due to time constraints.

This class is designed to give beginners a taste of the logic and mechanics involved in entry-level computer programming. Those with prior CS experience are welcome but should note that I will be starting from the beginning. Due to our limited time, we will not be able to do exercises on every concept I cover, so this class is probably *most* useful to someone who is going to continue studying CS after this class so they can solidify their understanding of the concepts I introduce. I will address avenues for continuing CS study (e.g. online MOOCs, high school classes, etc.) in class as well.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
familiarity with algebra is highly preferred

What do maps, Facebook, and power grids all have in common? They can be studied with graph theory! These aren't the graphs you're used to - instead, these graphs help us study things that have connections with one another. In this class, we'll learn about some basic concepts in graph theory and how it can be applied to problems in our daily lives.


Class Style
Seminar

One of the most fundamental problems in computer science is that of efficiently sorting a long list of elements. It might not be something you've really thought about - is there a faster way to put a deck of cards in order than the technique you've used your whole life? If you're anything like most people, you use selection sort, one of the most intuitive and most time-intensive methods. This course will cover insertion sort and selection sort, mergesort and heap sort, radix sort and counting sort, and yes, even President Obama's least favorite, bubble sort.


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
While a small part of the analysis will require some mathematical abilities (knowledge of the logarithm and arithmetic series), the vast majority of this class should be accessible to all.

There are 43,000 trees on Stanford's campus — and they're all beautiful, unique, and intricate. How can we possibly capture their infinite detail?

In this class, we'll use big ideas from computer science to help us draw trees that we couldn't possibly draw by hand. Along the way, we'll unravel a powerful concept that relates fractals, fugues, and flying horses: recursion.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
None — beginners are welcome! In fact, if you already have some experience with programming, you might not learn as much as you'd hope.

Machine learning using convolutional neural networks (deep learning) allows computers to recognize faces and read hand-writings. A recent break-through in deep learning called generative adversarial networks (GANs) allows computers to go beyond the simple task of image recognition and classification by creating new images based on what it has seen before, bestowing them with the gift of imagination. Come to see how this concept works, and see what computers have learned about our world!


Class Style
Lecture

In 1843, Augusta Ada King-Noel, Countess of Lovelace, published a paper that has earned her the distinction of the "world's first computer programmer." But who was Ada Lovelace? What program did she construct in 1843? What did she envision for the future of computing, and how has she shaped the world we live in today? In this class, we'll explore Ada's life amidst the very origins of computers and understand her remarkable vision.


Class Style
Lecture

The 3n+1 problem, also known as the Collatz Conjecture, is one of the more perplexing problems in mathematics. It is simple enough that you can explain it to someone with no knowledge of mathematics but there is no known solution. We will discuss the problem and the attempts to solve it while learning about some modern mathematical techniques along the way.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
None.

I collect five-minute math snippets to share with my friends. For this class, I'll present a few of my favorites, ranging from probabilistic paradoxes to the Soviet Russian version of Cantor's diagonalization argument.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Familiarity with probability.

When most people think about computer science and programming, they think about websites and video games. However, in the age of Big Data, programming has become a vital tool for researchers (such as myself) that need to analyze lots of data. In this class, I will introduce R, an open source programming language for statistical computing and graphics. We'll start at the basics (2 + 2 = 4), and by the end you should be able to analyze any dataset and visualize your results with pretty graphs.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
No programming experience is required. Some statistics knowledge may be useful but is not required.

Have you ever wondered how the iPhone X face recognition works? Did you know that 10% of the internet is secured using lava lamps?
In this class, students will learn how these systems function, and how cryptography is used in industry, online, cryptocurrencies, messaging apps, and more!


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Basic familiarity with modular arithmetic

We'll talk about virtual reality, augmented reality, and the applications for active gaming. If you're excited about immersive media or the power of real-time interaction, come experience it firsthand. We'll play games where you'll have to get out of your seat, and discuss them afterwards!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Willingness to move and play games

Computers are increasingly able to create art that most people, and sometimes even experts, cannot differentiate from that made by people. Understand the premises underlying art generation including music, literature, visual art and see them in action. We will focus on cutting-edge developments in an accessible way, mainly drawing from the preceding months and weeks.


Class Style
Lecture

Ever wondered what it takes to build a video game from the ground up? Yeah, it may take some coding experience, but building a game involves far more than that. Come listen to us talk about how to brainstorm, design, code, and redesign video games. We'll use our own video game, Meteor Shower, as a case study of what to do (and what NOT to do) when you're looking down the road of game development.


Class Style
Seminar

Ever wanted to build your own website? Ever wanted to easily advertise for something? Ever wanted to create a business? You're going to need to build a website to do all that!

You'll learn how to create a static webpage very quickly and the basics of web development -- and, most importantly, how the basics aren't too bad. We'll make a fun, little homepage for someone/something to demonstrate that!


Class Style
Lecture

The class covers human vision, computer image representation and manipulation, image recognition, and deep learning with convolutional neural networks. We'll use Python, Jupyter Notebooks, OpenCV, and TensorFlow. The class is taught in a lecture style and the focus is on exposing the students to these topics generally but concretely in the hope that they continue to explore these concepts after the class. For example, we'll actually train a neural network to recognize handwriting during the class, but won't go through all of the behind-the-scenes math and computation. We'll also look at examples of cutting-edge startups that are using computer vision in healthcare, farming, and other applications. Handouts will give students pointers to online resources and open source software.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
none

No coding experience necessary! This class will be teaching basics of coding, as well as general code design principles and most intriguingly, what beautiful code might be like.


Class Style
Activity

This class provides a hands-on introduction to the mathematics of group theory through a geometric analysis of a hexaflexagon. Students will build their own hexaflexagon (which they can keep) and learn about the properties of groups and symmetry groups of simple polygons and of hexaflexagons.


Class Style
Lecture

The mathematical theory of knots has applications throughout mathematics, physics, chemistry, and even biology! It is used to understand the way DNA behaves, attempt construction of quantum computers, determine chirality of molecules, and more! We will explore the basic concepts of knot theory (borrowing from the 2013 PUMaC Power Round), and by the end of the session you will have enough knowledge under your belt to impress everyone at your next dinner party! So do knot hesitate to sign up, you will knot be disappointed!


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
Algebra 1, particularly knowledge of polynomials.

Ever wanted to learn how to program computers? In this course we'll teach an introduction to computer programming in Scheme. This class will be mathier and a little more theoretical can the Ruby class. It's also gonna be a ton of fun.


Class Style
Lecture

How do computers and people make deductions about whether a person will pay back a loan or want to watch a particular movie? We'll try to make predictions about people, and see if we can out-perform a computer's machine-learning predictions.


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
Some knowledge of statistics (average, median, normal distribution) will be useful, but not necessary

Vinyasa is a style of yoga characterized by stringing postures together so that you move from one to another, seamlessly, using breath. In this Vinyasa Flow class you will synchronize breath with movement. Students will focus on linking conscious breath with a mindful flow. In a Vinyasa class, students awaken their strength, energy, and flexibility in a fun atmosphere.


Class Style
Activity

Experience the sweaty and fast plus the more mental and slow styles of yoga from a long time practicer.


Class Style
Activity

Are you a baller? Do you wanna be? Come learn what it takes to be a playmaker on the basketball court. No matter what position you are, you'll develop the skills to beat your defender every single time. At the end, there might just be a special skills challenge!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Some basketball experience is preferred - all you need is a basic understanding of the game! Students of all genders are welcome!

Want to learn how to play a cool new sport that's part dodgeball, part basketball, part soccer, and part tag? Ever wonder if Quidditch from Harry Potter could work in reality? (It does, and colleges across the USA play it!) We'll provide the answers to those questions, and you'll have the chance to play real-life, outdoor Quidditch!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
No athletic experience or knowledge of Harry Potter required. However, be prepared for doing physical activity outside (with breaks). Bring athletic clothes, shoes, and water if you can.

Why should I exercise? What kind of exercise should I be doing? How do I maintain my workouts?

This short class will shed some light on these questions and more about the reasons for and types of exercise. This includes talking about lifting, cardio-training, sports and other activities.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
An interest in any kind of exercise, or a desire to learn more about fitness.

Come learn about sports and recreation in college! Whether it's Varsity, club, intramural or just pick-up games, there's something for everyone. We will have a panel of 4-5 students share their experiences and take questions from you!


Class Style
Panel

A combination of dance styles from around the world implemented into fitness. Over the course of an hour, you will mirror one of Stanford's Zumba Instructors, Jay Gonzalez, in dance. Together, we will dance to these rhythms and have a good time.

"If you can walk, you can zumba." ~Beto Perez

Come, dance, and leave happy.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Exercise clothes and comfortable shoes to dance in

I argue that all acting is deception. In this class, you will learn the basics of performance, including but not limited to: voice control, emotion selection, body awareness, and "human mockery".


Class Style
Activity

Do you want to take really awesome (perhaps even…Insta-worthy?) photos, but don't know where to start? Wondered what goes into a good photo? Want to use those cool, bulky cameras but feel a bit intimidated? Do you just need a new profile picture??
In this class, you'll get an informal, hands-on, and fun introduction to photography. As a beginner in the photography learning process, you'll be exposed to different photography styles and basic concepts like framing, lighting, exposure, aperture, and shutter speed, and how you can tweak all those knobs to crank out some amazing photos.
After discussing the basics of photography and taking some practice shots indoors, we're going to go on a walking field trip around Stanford's breathtaking campus to take some awesome shots of your own to bring back with you. Whether you're interested in portrait, nature, still-life, abstract, black-and-white, landscape, or wildlife photography, or just want to explore, there's a place for you in this class!
Cameras will be provided, but if you have your own DSLR camera from home, PLEASE bring it with you!! That way, you'll have practice with the camera you have regular access to, which is a huge bonus and makes it easier to take photos at home again next time.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Just a curiosity about all things photography :)

Come learn an easy-going partner dance!

Cross-step waltz developed during the early 20th century, evolving into an easy to learn yet endlessly innovative dance. Starting from the basics, students will learn a variety of different moves that they can show to their friends at home. No partner necessary!


Class Style
Activity

Come learn the diverse style of Bollywood fusion dance. Bollywood refers to the indian film industry centered in Bombay. Bollywood dance is known to be an energetic, freestyle dance, fusing a variety of other dance styles - from indian classical and indian folk, to hip hop, and contemporary. A short choreography will be taught - beginners are encouraged!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
None, other than being excited to dance and willing to learn! All dance backgrounds (including none!) welcome :)

Have you ever wondered what makes good music sound...well, good? Have you ever wanted to make your own music, but don't have a music background?

Don't you worry! Come to this class to learn all about it from a music composition aficionado and an a cappella singer. We'll discuss the fundamentals behind the language of music, harmonization, and composition and put them to use in your own pieces (which you'll get to make in class)!


Class Style
Activity

An introduction to the Western music canon and the symphony, and especially from Haydn until the twentieth century.The class will go over basic aspects of music history, instrumentation, music criticism, and expose students to major symphonic literature so that they can better appreciate it.


Class Style
Lecture

Bollywood dance is a highly energetic and vibrant form of Indian dance! With upbeat music and fun choreo, this class will introduce any interested students to a super fun dance form! No experience with any dance necessary - just bring lots of energy :)


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
None :)

"What do you mean my friends are in the cafeteria as ants trying to retrieve an ant-sized diamond?" True story. This class is all about building up your energy then diving into awesome scenarios where you can be whoever you want, wherever you want, whenever you want and express whatever you want. We're going to focus on unwinding and having fun.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
You must be ready to become wacky.

If you’re interested in learning to DJ, or just curious about what a DJ really does behind the decks, your are more than welcome to join!

The course breaks down all the creative possibilities of Traktor Pro software from Native Instruments. We will look at everything you need to get you started mixing quickly, then move on to the more advanced features.

By the end of this course you should be able to create on-the-fly remixes with powerful cueing and looping.

Please feel free to bring your laptop and headphones. However, students who do not have a laptop or headphones will be able to fully participate in the activity.

You can easily download Traktor Pro 2 which offers demo version free of charge from the native-instruments.com website.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
No prerequisite is required.

With the rise of a cappella groups like Pentatonix, there has been a newfound interest in vocal percussion. Here, we will go over the basics on vocal percussion in a hands-on workshop.


Class Style
Activity

I would like to teach students about the history of the electric guitar, different type of guitars, and styles played.

I will also show them some techniques that can be helpful when playing the electric guitar, and hopefully instill in them a lot of interest in wanting to play the instrument.


Class Style
Lecture

Stanford Talisman is a singing group that aims to share world music that tells stories. We love music and believe that it can be powerful as much as it can be fun. Join members of Stanford Talisman to talk about music and storytelling, and learn a song together. We'll also perform some of our favorite pieces for you. Come sing - it'll be fun!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Good attitude and a willingness to learn! No previous music experience necessary.

Interested in fine arts? Want to learn more about a day in the life of a visual or performing artist? Come hear from a panel of Stanford students about their experiences and tips for success!


Class Style
Panel

In this class we'll make a short film from start to finish! We'll teach the basics of screenwriting, how to use film equipment (DSLR cameras, sound, lights), and how to edit, so students can go out and make their own movies after the class is over!


Class Style
Activity

Want to learn to play the steelpan (steel drums)? Interested in Caribbean music like calypso or soca? Excited to learn a new instrument?

Join members of Stanford's steelpan ensemble, Cardinal Calypso, for a fun steelpan workshop! We'll introduce you to steelpan culture & history, then of course, we'll teach you to play a song on pan!

Check out our website for more info and videos: https://cardinalcalypso.stanford.edu

We hope you'll join us!


Class Style
Activity

Are you into DIY culture? Like collaging and putting pen to paper? We'll take a quick dive into the history of zines, look through a few for inspiration, and then dive into making and bind our own.


Class Style
Activity

Do you love dancing? Come move and groove to some sassy jazz, then let out all the feels in an ooey-gooey contemporary combo.

Class format will be a short warmup followed by a combination - either upbeat jazz or slower contemporary (depends on how the class feels!). If we have time and willing dancers, we can do both!

No dance experience is necessary, but the class will be geared toward an Intermediate level. PLEASE WEAR SOMETHING YOU CAN MOVE IN. Dance shoes, athletic shoes, or socks recommended.


Class Style
Activity

Ever dreamed about being on Broadway? Together we will refine our technique in rhythm, musicality, and muscles you never knew you had voluntary control over. This workshop will focus on the skills necessary to sing a cappella.

Learn how to sing A Cappella with Stanford O-Tone! No experience required :)


Class Style
Activity

In this class, we will discuss the art of rapping including the basics of writing lyrics, recording, and performing. We will listen to some music as well as talk about why you want to be a rapper/learn about rapping.


Class Style
Activity

According to the Washington Post, public speaking is America's greatest fear--scarier than the dark, heights, claustrophobia, or even drowning. However, when it really comes down to it, there's nothing that scary about speaking in public; it's all about convincing the audience that you know what you're doing. Join us for a crash course on public speaking, where you learn some tips, tricks, and methods to make you the most convincing version of yourself that you can be.


Class Style
Activity

Like bad puns? Fake deaths? Love triangles? Secret twins??? Come join StanShakes and learn all about the original soap operas.

Shakespeare is ridiculous and beautiful, but also super confusing and weird. (Godgigoden! Gramercy! 'Sblood!) We will teach you how to understand and perform Shakespeare so you can impress your friends. No acting experience is required, but a willingness to be silly is highly recommended.


Class Style
Activity

With over five thousand years of history, China has had plenty of time to perfect its dance techniques and widen its range. As such, Chinese dance, in both ethnic and classical forms, is one of the most versatile dance forms in the world. A quick Google search of “Chinese dance” turns up with flowing sleeves and colorful skirts – and a lot of fans.
In this class, we’ll work with fans, one of the most popular Chinese dance props. In Chinese history, the versatile fan has played the role of not only cooling device, but also art canvas, deadly weapon, and, important for our purposes, dance prop, and is an excellent tool for expression through movement. Class format: short warmup followed by introduction to basic movements unique to Chinese dance, before moving into a short combination.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
None necessary! Beginners are welcome

This class introduces students to principles of design thinking in order to prepare the future generation of designer-engineers. First, we will do some fun drawing exercises to warm up the muscles, and then we will go outside to observe a public spot (ex: a cafe, the quad, the bookstore) and draw observations of how people use a space. We will then gather back together to synthesize our findings, and break out into activities to mimic real design thinking processes of brainstorming and prototyping solutions or design interventions. This class will mainly teach students to go outside, slow down, and observe what's going on around them, and learn how to translate these observations into effective documentation and design recommendations.


Class Style
Activity

Class will explain the advance tools to identify disease.


Class Style
Lecture

Feeling drained? Having a hard time focusing? When was the last time you took time to do something nice for yourself in all the hustle and bustle of everyday life?

What is your self-care strategies? Do you truly know how to prioritize your self-care?

Come through, Drop-in and allow yourself to let go of the goals, expectations and standards you've been told to live by, JUST for a designated period of time, in order to recharge, reward, and honor your self-worth.

Engage in fun and creative activities that will enhance your well-being, revamp your resilience and relieve stress, before throwing yourself back into the grind.


Class Style
Activity

Drop by to solve some fun and challenging logic puzzles! We will be working through puzzles with a variety of difficulties. Puzzles can be done individually or collaboratively.


Class Style
Activity

Think you're good at solving problems? Work in a group to suspend a gummy bear above the edge of a table as far as possible using some sting, tape, and spaghetti sticks in under 20 minutes. Will your group take home the glory of the record distance?


Class Style
Activity

Join this class to learn about the essential part of life that is DNA! Ever wondered what DNA looks like in real life? Walk in to this activity and extract DNA from fruits to see it with your own eyes!


Class Style
Activity

This activity class will explore fundamental improvisational techniques surrounding the creation of environments and characters. Through hands on activities, students will practice active listening, supporting their fellow improvisers, and developing their creative abilities to take risks.


Class Style
Activity

Build sculptures with nothing but the nature around you! You will surely obtain inspiration from taking a walk outside, enjoying the beautiful nature and figuring out what you can use for your own artwork!

*Note: students will have to gather their own materials for building their sculptures. Only hot glue guns will be provided for speeding up the building process.


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Want to learn how to become a magician? The magic formula is practice, practice, practice! But before that, you must first know the fundamentals. This lesson on prestidigitation (sleigh-of-hand) is a start for anyone interested in learning card tricks. This lesson is tailored toward newcomers/beginners without much experience, but there are techniques that intermediate level cardists can practice, too.


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Calling all math speedsters! This activity simulates one of the most exciting parts of the MathCounts competition: the countdown round. In each game, two players compete head to head, attempting to answer tricky questions in under 45 seconds each.


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Come learn some general math competition problem solving techniques! There will be activities for all math levels


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You will experience and understand different components that makes up virtual reality devices today. You will also gain exposure to several hacks that our brain plays to create the reality that we perceive.


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