Splash Fall 2024
Course Catalog

This course provides an introduction to genetic algorithms, an optimization technique that mirrors how natural selection and evolution occur in real life.

Genetic algorithms have been used in a variety of settings: routing autonomous vehicles, teaching computers how to speed run Mario, and breaking the TikTok algorithm.


Class Style
Lecture

You may have heard about quantum computing in the news, but have you ever wondered what a quantum computer is? How it works? How it's different from your laptop? In this class we'll explore what makes quantum computers special and promising, and you'll get to write your own quantum algorithms with IBM's quantum composer! Join us to explore our quantum future.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Algebra 2 and some knowledge of Trigonometry.

Everything, from chemistry simulations to modern AI transformers, is heavily dependent on hardware accelerators and highly optimized linear algebra functions.

In this course we give a high-level overview and beginner-friendly introduction to modern high performance computing architecture and algorithms.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Basic understanding of programming and computer science, as well as how computers work at a high level

Ever wonder why sneakers sell out fast or how Uber prices surge? Markets aren't just buying and selling — they're complex systems driving everything from stock exchanges to sports leagues!

In this class, we'll play iconic game theory games to get an intuitive sense of strategy, and then explain some math to prove optimal strategies, ensuring markets are fair, efficient and competitive.

From auctions to college admissions, you'll explore how supply, demand, and human behavior shape markets. Think you've got the right strategy? Join us and find out!


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Basic Probability

Ever wondered if you could create a chatbot or build your own app? Have you ever wanted a personal assistant that can answer limitless questions for you? In just an hour and a half, we'll create a web app that can do exactly that—and no coding experience is required. This course is designed to show students with little to no programming background that creating and deploying your own AI-powered applications is much easier than you might think.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Basic familiarity with programming (this should not be your first time seeing code, but it can be your second).

What can dolphin trainers teach us about the cutting edge of artificial intelligence? Surprisingly, animal training and AI training share many of the same pitfalls, and it is easier to understand technical challenges through their natural counterparts. In this interactive class, I will tell you stories and insights from my time working with the U.S. Navy dolphins in San Diego. You will become the trainer and try to train your classmates too, illustrating challenges of exploration, causality, and robustness.
Ultimately, after this class, my hope is that you will have a newfound appreciation for the bidirectionality of engineering. Nature inspires new designs, but these new designs can also lead to a better understanding of nature.


Class Style
Seminar

Are you ready to dive into the world of AI, large language models (LLMs), and startups? In this exciting course, you'll discover how cutting-edge technologies like GPT and OpenAI are revolutionizing industries and sparking new opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Learn how visionary entrepreneurs from Stanford are harnessing AI's potential to build groundbreaking companies backed by top venture capital firms like Sequoia and Y Combinator.

We’ll explore the power of open-source models, dive into AI-driven product development, and uncover the steps to turn your tech ideas into successful startups. Whether you’re dreaming of launching the next big thing or just curious about how AI is shaping the future, this course will equip you with the knowledge and tools to start your journey. Ready to unlock the power of AI? Let’s go!


Class Style
Lecture

Have you ever played a game and wondered how the developer(s) created it? From the smooth move-and-jump physics of Cuphead to the animated slam of a card onto a table in Hearthstone—this class aims to demystify the gaming process that players (like you and I) typically take for granted.

Throughout this course, we will explore the Unity Engine, which has played a part in many signature titles (in addition to those mentioned above!), like Among Us, Hollow Knight, Genshin Impact, Pokemon Go, Beat Saber, and many more. We will break down Unity’s seemingly complicated user interface and get a taste of scripting in the C# programming language to interact with objects in our game. We will also work with pixel art, utilizing the Piskel website to create digital assets to import into these games!

NOTE: Enrolled students MUST download the Unity Hub (https://unity.com/download) and install a version of the Unity Engine within the Hub *before class* if they would like to participate in programming! (Otherwise, more time may be allocated to art/ideation.)


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
If a student wants to participate in Unity development/C# coding, they should have a computer that can download software (specifically, the Unity Hub and Unity Engine) with around 2GB of free storage to accommodate this. Previous background in any programming language (Scratch, Python, Lua, Java, C, etc.) is helpful but not required.

With the rise of virtual assistant technology like Siri and Alexa, as well as large language models like ChatGPT, we have to ask: how did we get here? How did computers learn how to speak human language?

This course gives an introduction to natural language processing and its applications.


Class Style
Lecture

Fashion and engineering may seem like two different worlds, but they are closely connected in many ways. Engineers use their knowledge to help fashion designers create new fabrics and clothing that are both functional and fashionable, while fashion can inspire engineers to create new technologies and devices that enhance the functionality and aesthetics of clothing. By exploring the intersection of these two fields, we can discover exciting new ways to create sustainable and innovative clothing that meets the needs of people and the planet. No previous knowledge of either fashion or engineering is assumed.


Class Style
Activity

We'll build biomimicry-based engineering solutions (mini solar-panel rovers, boats, trains, wind turbines, etc).
For decades, biomimicry has helped scientists and engineers create solutions to address climate change. From the invention of solar panels from plant cells, less fossil-fuel dependtent transportation from bird beaks, to more efficient wind turbines from fish/whale fins... these inventions have revolutionized the way we use solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy for a more sustainable future.


Class Style
Activity

It's not not rocket science! Come learn some cool insider info on how both rockets and satellites work. We will have some hands-on activities and a presentation.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
None.

How does SpaceX land rockets? How does NASA build self-flying planes? How does the military build hypersonic missiles?

We live in an exciting era of autonomous drones, reusable rockets, space habitats and hypersonics. Come to learn about some cutting edge aerospace technologies, where the industry is going, and how to get involved!


Class Style
Lecture

This course will explore Materials Science Engineering and Nanotechnology concepts using one of the ~coolest~ chemicals on campus- liquid nitrogen! Students should come prepared for several interactive science demos as we explore what it means to be a Materials Scientist, how engineers design and create new materials atom by atom, and what happens when you freeze materials to very, very, very cold temperatures.


Class Style
Activity

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

A 2019 study found that one of the most popular 'dream jobs' for children is 'YouTuber.'

Maybe you have also thought of getting string your own TikTok or YouTube channel but aren't sure where to start.

This course gives a brief overview into how to get started with social media content creation, how to grow an audience, and the many doors that it opens.


Class Style
Lecture

Learn about movement through Pilates! You will learn how to perform effective core exercises with just a mat!


Class Style
Activity

Want to pick up a new hobby? Interested in refining your hand eye coordination?

In this course, you will learn the basics of juggling three balls. No experience necessary -- in fact, if you already know how to juggle, this course will not be useful for you!


Class Style
Activity

Want to take photos like NASA? You've come to the right place! In this class, you will learn the basics of astrophotography – the art of taking pictures of space objects like galaxies, nebulae, and planets.

We will discuss the entire process, from picking a target to processing the final image. Topics covered include telescopes, general astronomy, manual camera settings, tips for taking night-time photos, image processing, and more!


Class Style
Lecture

The world needs great leaders to tackle its biggest problems… and that starts with YOU! This class will inspire and teach you how to position yourself as a leader in high school, college, and beyond. Come learn about relevant leadership skills such as effective negotiation and clear communication that will help you excel in a variety of academic, personal, and professional situations. More importantly you will also learn how to put these skills into practice starting today --including securing dream mentors, finding internships, navigating the college application process, and getting on the right trajectory for career achievement early on. The instructors for this class have extensive experience leading and making innovative contributions to their fields. They also have a passion for helping students achieve their leadership potential, which you can learn more about at www.missceo.org.


Class Style
Seminar

Each student will have the opportunity to create 2-4 unique art prints while exploring light, shadows, and cyanotype techniques. Get ready for hands-on fun under the sun as we dive into the chemistry behind it all, and leave with your own blue-tinted masterpieces!


Class Style
Activity

In this interactive workshop, students will learn the basics of cultural and community-engaged storytelling. As future members of civil society, it is important to reflect on how our identities, experiences, and relationships shape our unique perspective on the world. Sharing these personal stories broadens one’s ability to compose and express themselves – a skill essential for college applications, artistic expression, and more!

Through hands-on exercises, students will create and share their own personal stories. Additionally, the course will provide specific techniques on how best to structure and reflect on future writing. Contact Mark Allen Cu (mallencu@stanford.edu) for any questions!


Class Style
Activity

If you know a language well, great! If you know two or more languages, even better! Explore how translation goes beyond throwing words in Google Translate. How do we preserve meaning, length, style and even rhythm and culture in the original language? What are the different school of thoughts and techniques people use regards to translation?
I will give some lectures at the beginning to give some context, then we would do some activities together in class! Examples and demos will be given in languages I know the best: English, Mandarin, Vietnamese and a tiny bit of Japanese. Therefore, I'm excited to hear how you apply and incorporate different translation techniques for different languages too!


Class Style
Lecture

Join us as we engage in some across-the-aisle conversations about the 2024 election. Any viewpoints are welcome!


Class Style
Seminar

During the lecture we will talk about the Classical period in music, discuss its most prominent representatives (such as Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven) and, of course, understand the inconsistencies between the musical works of this era and its generally accepted name: why was the music of that time not so classical?


Class Style
Seminar

You've probably gone into a museum and wondered, "How is this art?" Well, in this class, we attempt to answer that question. We'll notice that a central thread that ties all of this art together is its experimentalism--the way it innovates, revolutionizes, and breaks the rules. We'll look at all sorts of experimental art (historical and modern), ranging from the written, spoken, performed, visual, musical, and the ones that can't even fit into these categories. You'll come out of this class with a deeper understanding of how and why artists "break the rules," but ultimately, to discover this experimental drive in yourself and your life.


Class Style
Seminar

Antisemitism, defined as prejudice against or hostility to Jewish people, has been a form of hatred for millennia. Since 2022, the number of Americans who harbor antisemitic views has raised from 20% to 24%, according to the ADL. Even closer to home -- on Stanford's campus -- over fifty percent of the school year's identity-based crimes in 2022-23 were antisemitic. Where is this hatred stemmed from, where do we see it now, and why is it rising? Learn the roots of misinformation and stereotypes and modern examples you have certainly seen. This is not a class on the current conflict in the Middle East, but rather on how antisemitic tropes are affirmed and spread in the media we digest. We welcome students of all backgrounds looking to be more informed on this issue!


Class Style
Lecture

The Stanford Daily invites you to our Intro to Journalism weekend workshops! In this first course, students will be given the opportunity to learn more about The Stanford Daily, the oldest independent news outlet serving our university community. This panel-style discussion will introduce students to different types of journalism, storytelling, and media creation.

Following the completion of this panel-style course, students will continue their immersion into journalism with an activity facilitated by one of our section editors. Whether it be data, creative nonfiction, opinions, sports, news, or multimedia, these activities will give students hands-on journalism experience and more focused instruction from our editors.


Class Style
Panel

What separates poetry from prose—and vice versa? Is there a hard and fast differentiation between the two, or do they seep into one another? In this workshop, we will primarily be observing the prose poem, exploring how the two forms work together in conversation rather than contrast. By the end of the workshop, we will have our own prose poems, teeming with the intricate wonders of both genres.


Class Style
Activity

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 wondered how animal populations change over time? How a hurricane moves through a region? Or why heat dissipates over time? At the heart of all of these questions is Euler's number, $$e$$.

The aim of this class is to understand why $$e$$ is important, why it appears everywhere, and why it is 2.718....

We will start with finding the value of $$e$$, look at how it is applied in math, and move our way up to proving "the most beautiful equation in math," $$e^{i\pi} + 1 = 0$$.


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
Be prepared to think critically and move fast! Recommended Knowledge: Trigonometry, Algebra, Calculus (derivatives) I will go into some calculus concepts (namely taylor's series), but this class encourages those curious about math!

We live in the information age in which the world economy, and indeed our very lives, are dominated by information technology. But what exactly is information in the first place?

Information theory, pioneered by Claude Shannon nearly 80 years ago, answers this question and much more - it is the mathematical foundation underlying how computers store and communicate information. It has only become more relevant over time, finding applications in areas including artificial intelligence, physics, and biology.

We will provide a very brief introduction to information theory, focusing on its applications in digital communication, and build up to at least stating one of the most remarkable theorems of the past century: Shannon's noisy-channel coding theorem.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Know what a probability distribution is (e.g., flipping a coin or rolling a die). Familiarity with basic algebra.

Are some infinities bigger than others? What does it mean for one infinity to be bigger than another infinity?

These may sound like crazy questions. After all, infinity is infinitely big. Nothing could possibly be bigger than it. Or is it so?

In this class, we'll explore these questions and some implications that arise from them. It turns out that this question is fundamental to modern mathematics and to knowing the limits of computation!


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
Some knowledge of exponents(e.g. $$2^2=2\times 2$$) is the only hard prereq. Otherwise, an openness to think through logical arguments/participate in discussions will help you have a good time!

In "Health is Wealth," students will explore essential aspects of health and wellness, including CPR training and awareness of water-borne diseases. This course covers nutrition, fitness, and mental health, equipping students with practical skills and knowledge to maintain their well-being and contribute positively to their communities. Join us to learn how to make informed choices for a healthier lifestyle!


Class Style
Activity

Why does every major United States city have a Chinatown, and why were they constructed? Discover the history of Chinese immigration in the US, from the mid-19th century gold rush to now. We will examine the social, cultural, and economic factors that shaped these unique urban enclaves, as well as the challenges and contributions of Chinese immigrant communities. Through a discussion of landmark events, including the Chinese Exclusion Act and the impact of urban renewal, participants will gain insight into the evolution of Chinatowns as centers of resilience, cultural preservation, and transformation in American cities.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
N/A

So much of our life is about efficiency, about doing the most as fast as possible. Take this class to appreciate the unexpected joys of doing things you never would have done — or, as Robert Frost would put it, taking the road less traveled by.


Class Style
Activity

College admissions are getting increasingly competitive every year, with many schools’ acceptance rates falling into the single digits. In this class, students will learn about effective strategies for approaching college applications, based on real-life case studies.

A Q&A will follow a short lecture, so bring any and all questions you have!


Class Style
Lecture

How does the next photo, video, or ad get chosen in your social media feed? Is your phone really listening to you? Bring your phone* and be prepared to learn the secrets of social media! In this interactive course, we'll cover topics like the psychology and strategies driving advertising, how algorithms capture and keep your attention, and how to spot misinformation.

Demystify how social media works and leave this course with the skills to critically evaluate the messages you see on these platforms every day. *If you do not have a phone and/or social media accounts, you can still participate and learn a lot in this class!


Class Style
Seminar

Whether it comes to fighting social inequalities, outcompeting other businesses, researching effective public policies, or just trying to predict future events, this course explores many different ways economics can fail us. We learn instead how to pair psychology with economics to better understand both the behavior of others and the world around us. The course explores many of these stories to make a larger point about the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving in the social sciences. This class is for anyone who is even a little bit interested in the social sciences or just wants to play some fun games!


Class Style
Lecture

From giant robots to slice of life stories, anime is an incredibly diverse medium. In this class, we will examine the expressive power of anime by looking at thematic and aesthetic elements present in many key examples. In particular, we'll also see how anime differs from conventional Western media.


Class Style
Lecture

Are you ready to enter a whole new era? Meet your best self? Just by building simple yet effective habits, and shifting your mindset, you can live a more positive and fulfilling life. Let's all work together to curate a life well-lived!


Class Style
Panel

Many people associate self-love with self-care activities like warm baths and face masks, but this class takes a deeper look at what it truly means to love yourself. We will explore fundamental questions like: What is self? What is love? Through personal narratives and reflective exercises, students will explore concepts related to self-love and discover how to cultivate it on a more profound level. This class offers tools and insights to help you navigate what it means to love oneself on a deeper layer.


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
Be receptive and open minded. This topic could be emotionally charged so please take the time throughout the presentation to engage in any self care needed. Ultimately, this course is designed to help you and perhaps introduce a new perspective and approach to the way you engage in self love. All are welcomed and encouraged.

Learn about Shakespearean performance, tech, and dive into the most famous playwright in the last 500 years! We'll work on monologues, discuss power dynamics, and maybe even get to perform them O.O


Class Style
Seminar

Explore the science of slime by making your own alginate slime! Join us in a workshop where we'll explore why polymers (large molecules) are so important in everyday life. Learn about viscosity, elasticity, and viscoelasticity, and how polymer interactions give rise to fascinating material behavior through a hands-on experiment.


Class Style
Activity

Explore the fascinating world of human anatomy in Body Blueprint: The Art and Science of Anatomy. This course combines artistic expression with scientific knowledge, focusing on the body’s structures and functions through detailed lectures and visual presentations.

Students will examine the relationship between form and function, learning how anatomical designs support movement and health. Topics will include anatomical illustration and advancements in imaging.

By the end, you’ll appreciate the human body as both a scientific wonder and an artistic masterpiece. Perfect for anyone interested in anatomy, art, or healthcare!


Class Style
Lecture

During this class, you'll delve into cutting-edge and breakthrough methods of energy generation, uncovering the latest innovations that are shaping the future of power. We'll also explore the pivotal role of heat storage technologies, examining their transformative potential in revolutionizing renewable energy systems. From harnessing next-generation energy sources to addressing the global energy crisis, this course offers a fascinating journey into the promising future of sustainable energy solutions.


Class Style
Seminar

Exploring the politics of modern American healthcare by understanding the most prominent controversies in health today:

- The Affordable Care Act
- High Prescription Drug Prices
- Reproductive Health
- Healthcare in the 2024 Election

Presented by editors of the Stanford Journal of Public Health // pre-med and pre-law students


Class Style
Seminar

What is the nature of light? How and where does light go? We will explore how we can control light to achieve fascinating phenomena, using only a simple concept: refractive index. There will be videos and demonstrations. After this class, you will begin to see how everyday objects can manipulate light!


Class Style
Lecture

Why did pirates wear eye patches? Is pink a real color? This seminar covers the physics of eyes and relates to modern topics such as phone displays, cameras, eye surgery, and color blindness. Come and join to see what vision is all about!


Class Style
Seminar

How does a gloopy flour mixture turn into a soft and delicious angel food cake? What prevents your delicious guacamole from turning into a brown, gooey mess by the next day? Have you ever wanted to transform cream and sugar into mouth-watering ice cream? In this class we’ll be able to answer all of these questions and more! Join us to learn about the chemistry behind some of your favorite foods (and get a snack out of it)! [Please be advised that those with allergies to fruit or dairy may not be able to participate in all class activities.]


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Will discuss concepts generally covered in a high school chemistry class.

In this class we will discuss the implications of Einstein's postulates, and see how two basic assumptions created an entirely new way of looking at the world. We will also use these postulates to derive the concepts of time dilation and length contraction.


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
Trigonometry

Is that dress blue-black or white-gold? Is the dancing Ballerina spinning left or right? Is that picture an old or young lady? Duck or rabbit? Discover the mechanisms of how we perceive color, motion, depth... etc. through famous optical illusions. Why are we so good at assessing environment information? How our brains see things, or sometimes, don't?!


Class Style
Lecture

Have you ever wanted to learn about the most extreme objects in the universe? Look no further than neutron stars, which are the incredibly dense remains of collapsed stars. These objects are about the mass of the sun, but are only about the size of a city. A teaspoon of their matter weighs as much as Mount Everest, and if you stood on their surface you would melt into a puddle from the sheer force of their gravity! In this class you will learn about neutron stars, including pulsars (rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit beams of electromagnetic radiation from their poles) and magnetars (neutron stars with incredibly strong magnetic fields and sometimes produce bursts of energy called "giant flares"). By the end of this course, you will be familiar with how different types of neutron stars form, theories describing their interiors, gravitational wave detection methods using pulsars, and how collisions between neutron stars are responsible for creating many of the chemical elements in the universe.


Class Style
Lecture

Welcome to a hearty conversation about the heart, cardiothoracic surgery, and cardiac emergencies! Come learn how to use tourniquets, do infant CPR, and poke a pig heart. We hope you join our class! With heart, Gabrielle, Puja, and Rachel <3
Disclaimer: This class includes images of real organs and surgical procedures.


Class Style
Activity

Stop by to learn about issues and disparities in Asian-Pacific Islander health ᕙ(`▿´)ᕗ

Presented by members of Stanford Pre-Med APAMSA (Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association).


Class Style
Seminar

Ever heard of Mad Cow Disease? Kuru? Prion Diseases are rare, incurable, and almost entirely fatal. Starting with a misfolded protein that goes rogue and induces misfolding in other proteins, PD wreaks havoc on the nervous system of humans and animals. This course is a beginner-friendly look into the biochemistry of Prion Disease and its implications for health. Familiarity with basic chemistry/biology is useful, but not required.


Class Style
Lecture

Want to make an impact on communities in need? Come to learn about health disparities in the US so that we can better serve the communities we care about!

Presented by the Cardinal Free Clinics, two student-run health clinics operated by Stanford School of Medicine that provide free transitional primary care to adult residents of Santa Clara County and San Mateo County.


Class Style
Lecture

Where does the fungi kingdom end and where does human society begin? From yeast in bread to penicillin, fungi have become so intertwined with our human lives.

This class will be an introduction to fungi and their biology and will examine the many roles fungi play in human society.


Class Style
Lecture

One of the greatest wonders of the natural world is the sheer diversity found in the forms and functions of life on planet earth. While much of this is easily seen by the naked eye, the vast majority is hidden in the microscopic world right under our noses, in the kingdom of bacteria. In this class we’ll be exploring some of the craziest species we know of, and how to borrow their powers through bioengineering and synthetic biology!


Class Style
Lecture