This online summer science program, designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience in various scientific disciplines, is brought to you by high schoolers who aim to teach young, excited students a broad range of science topics not usually covered in school curricula through online lectures in a Splash-like marathon manner. We want to help you enjoy science, enhance your understanding, and prepare you for contests such as Science Bowl and Science Olympiad. Most importantly, we want to show you that science is fun!
This year, we will also be running some very chill classes that are only tangentially related to science (e.g. art). Go ahead with whatever floats your boat!
Teachers:
General Topics: Each of the following subjects will receive a focus on a specific area of that subject, to be explored in-depth during the length of each lecture series. More will be added in the future, check back for more details.
Click on any underlined text to get more information!
High school students in Lexington High School are here to answer any questions you might have about the high school life, and to share advice and our own experiences!
Time: Monday, July 17th, 9am - 10am
Teachers: Various
Prerequisites: none!
Recommended for: anyone!
This intro lecture will feature the basics of aerodynamics in relationship with its appliance to planes. This information will then be applied to the engineering of planes.
Time: Monday, July 17th, 10am - 11am
Teacher: Nalini Datta
Prerequisites: a base of algebra
Recommended for: older middle schoolers and rising freshman
Unveil the Mysteries of Matter and Harness the Magic of Molecules in Our Enthralling Introduction to Chemistry Course. Plunge into the Wonders of Chemical Processes and Unleash the Astonishing Influence of Chemistry on Your Everyday Life through Mind-Blowing Experiments and Enlightening Concepts. (Capitals Matter These Days!)
Time: Monday, July 17th, 11am - 12pm
Teacher: Nishtha Chhabra
Prerequisites: none
Recommended for: fifth graders and older
In this course, we will touch on the basics of Kinematics including the four kinematic equations, and how to derive these formulas. After that, we will talk about how to apply these to the real world, including 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, and even 4-dimensional motion. Prepare for a fun and an exciting class that will cover the fundamental laws of motion, and may even include a couple of watermelons!
Time: Monday, July 17th, 12pm - 1pm
Teachers: Jai Bhalla and Owen Jiang
Prerequisites: basic understanding of right triangle trigonometry (SOH-CAH-TOA) and ability to do basic algebra
Recommended for: all grades
Unlock the door to captivating discoveries in the realm of life itself with our Introduction to Biology course. Delve into the enigmatic secrets of cellular structure and explore the intricate web of interconnected ecosystems. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty and invaluable knowledge that comes from unraveling the governing principles of all living beings.
Time: Monday, July 17th, 1pm - 2pm
Teachers: Ben Yin (Rising 11th) and Nishtha Chhabra
Prerequisites: none
Recommended for: fifth graders and older
Ignite your chemical prowess with our Intermediate Chemistry Course! Journey beyond the basics and unlock the secrets of chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics, and molecular mastery. Embark on a captivating expedition through the intricate web of chemical interactions, as you forge a sharp analytical mind ready to conquer real-world challenges. Join us and elevate your knowledge and skills to new heights in the enchanting realm of chemistry.
Time: Monday, July 17th, 2pm - 3pm
Teacher: Nishtha Chhabra
Prerequisites: a basic understanding of chemistry
Recommended for: fifth graders and older
Yes, like I said, number theory is not name. It's analyzing numbers, but it's actually quite cool.
Time: Monday, July 17th, 3pm - 4pm
Teacher: Evin Liang
Prerequisites: none!
Recommended for: sixth graders and above
Welcome to CS Surprise! Held multiple times throughout the week, we'll teach a new and interesting CS topic each time, including competitive programming, cybersecurity (involving fun topics like SQL injection, XSS, steganography), AI, and general coding practices! Classes will be beginner-friendly, but we'll dive into some pretty complex topics. What will you get? Come to find out! It's a CS Surprise :)
Time: Monday, July 17th, 4pm - 5pm, Thursday, July 20th, 9am - 10am, Friday, July 21st, 9am - 10am
Teachers: Stephanie Wan and Eric Zhang
Prerequisites: none
Recommended for: anyone
Embark on a thrilling adventure through the enigmatic realm of the nervous system with our captivating biology course. Unlock the mysteries of perception, cognition, and the mind-blowing complexity of the human brain as you unravel the intricate tapestry of neurons, synapses, and neurotransmitters. Get ready to expand your mind and dive into the extraordinary depths of neurobiology!
Time: Tuesday, July 18th, 9am - 10am
Teachers: Nishtha Chhabra and Bella Yu
Prerequisites: none
Recommended for: fifth graders and older
Coming Soon
Time: Tuesday, July 18th, 10am - 11am
Teacher: Evin Liang
Prerequisites: none yet
Recommended for: none yet
In this thrilling biotech course, you'll discover how to manipulate DNA, engineer new organisms, and delve into the exciting world of biotechnology. Get ready to unleash your inner scientist and embark on an extraordinary journey where innovation meets the building blocks of life!
Time: Tuesday, July 18th, 11am - 12pm
Teacher: Ben Yin (Rising 11th)
Prerequisites: basic DNA and genetics knowledge
Recommended for: seventh graders and older
This session is a dive into ecology; specifically, it views organismal interactions through three lenses: population ecology, community ecology, and ecosystem ecology. In population ecology, we look at what affects the size and composition of populations. In community ecology, we will look at biodiversity, symbiotic relationships—paying special attention to competition—and trophic levels (a fancy word that describes relationships within food webs). In ecosystem ecology, we will explore nutrient cycling and the benefits that ecosystems provide for humans. Throughout the lesson, we will step into the shoes of conservation biologists to begin to understand why this field is so critical today.
Time: Tuesday, July 18th, 12pm - 1pm
Teacher: Caroline Ehmann
Prerequisites: none
Recommended for: seventh graders and older but all are welcome
In this captivating finance course, you'll become a financial wizard, mastering the art of saving, investing, and budgeting. From deciphering the secrets of stocks and bonds to understanding the power of compound interest, you'll embark on an exhilarating adventure that will transform you into a savvy money manager.
Time: Tuesday, July 18th and Wednesday, July 19th, 1pm - 2pm
Teacher: Ben Yin (Rising 11th)
Prerequisites: seventh-grade-level math
Recommended for: seventh graders and older
In this course, you will learn the basic chemistry behind biological molecules and reactions. By understanding the interactions between proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids, you will gain a deeper understanding of the "why" behind cellular structure, metabolism, and so many more biological functions vital to life on this planet.
Time: Tuesday, July 18th, 1pm - 2pm
Teacher: Jerry Xu
Prerequisites: none yet
Recommended for: none yet
Learn about the defining features of our planet, the internal processes, and the rocks and minerals that form our Earth! Prepare for an exciting, gem of an adventure! (Both days will featuer different topics.)
Time: Tuesday, July 18th, 2pm - 3pm, Wednesday, July 19th, 11am - 12pm
Teacher: Eric Zhang
Prerequisites: has seen a rock
Recommended for: everyone!
Coming Soon
Time: Tuesday, July 18th, 3pm - 4pm
Teacher: Evin Liang
Prerequisites: none yet
Recommended for: none yet
Or, where you find out what fluids actually are, how waves move through the world, and why it's really hard to compress air with your hands. A physicist would call this "Fluids and Oscillations".
Time: Tuesday, July 18th, 4pm - 5pm
Teachers: Owen Jiang and Damon Gurvich
Prerequisites: none, but a basic understanding of kinematics is recommended
Recommended for: sixth graders and older
What constitutes a disease? What are types of epidemiology? What are modes of transmission? And why are statistics so intertwined? Hop in to this class on epidemiology to find all of that and more!
Time: Wednesday, July 19th, 9am - 10am
Teacher: Stephanie Wan
Prerequisites: none
Recommended for: anyone
This lecture will cover the basics of general relativity geometrically. We’ll cover spacetime as 4 dimensions, reference frames, its connection to gravity, gravitational time dilation, and the ways in which it applies to our lives. Students will be expected to understand Newton’s laws of motion and the basics of gravity. For this reason this lecture is ideally meant for 7th and 8th graders but anyone is welcome.
Time: Wednesday, July 19th, 10am - 11am, Friday, July 21st, 11am - 12pm
Teacher: Nalini Datta
Prerequisites: an understanding of Newton's laws of motion and gravity
Recommended for: ideally meant for seventh graders and older but anyone is welcome
Embark on a thrilling journey through the hidden wonders of the human body's masterful design in our captivating biology course: Unveiling the Secrets of the Skeletal and Muscular Systems. Delve into the intricate mechanics of bones, joints, and muscles, unraveling the extraordinary science behind movement, support, and unmatched flexibility that empowers you to conquer the world with strength and elegance.
Time: Wednesday, July 19th, 12pm - 1pm
Teachers: Nistha Chhabra and Bella Yu
Prerequisites: none
Recommended for: fifth graders and other
In this course, we will touch on the basics of Optics, including the topics of refraction and reflection. We will explain concepts like Snell’s Law, the law of reflection, and other important concepts related to Optics, and we will explain how to apply these formulas to the real world. By the end of this course, you will have a basic understanding of the concepts that govern light.
Time: Wednesday, July 19th, 2pm - 3pm
Teachers: Jai Bhalla and Owen Jiang
Prerequisites: basic understanding of right triangle trigonometry (SOH-CAH-TOA) and ability to do basic algebra
Recommended for: all grades
In this course, you will learn how your body defends against foreign pathogens via a variety of localized and systemic responses. Exploring the "how" of inflammation, fever, leukocyte circulation and the fascinating ability of the body to remember prior pathogens, this lecture will explain why we are able to stay alive in this hostile world of microscopic invaders.
Time: Wednesday, July 19th, 3pm - 4pm
Teacher: Jerry Xu
Prerequisites: none yet
Recommended for: none yet
Hello and welcome to Crumb of Art! Crumb of Art is a fragment of Slice of Art held multiple times in the week of July 17th. In this class we will be teaching about color theory, perspective, anatomy, art theories and much more! The classes will be beginner friendly.
Time: Wednesday, July 19th, 3pm - 4pm, Thursday, July 20th, 4pm - 5pm, Friday, July 21st, 10am - 11am
Teachers: Nishtha Chhabra and Angie Zhang
Prerequisites: none
Recommended for: sixth graders and older
Or, what happens when you try to do things forever. Perpetual motion machines, as it turns out, are not a thing.
Time: Wednesday, July 19th, 4pm - 5pm, Thursday, July 20th, 1pm - 2pm
Teachers: Owen Jiang and Damon Gurvich
Prerequisites: ability to do algebra and use inequalities
Recommended for: sixth graders and above
Coming Soon
Time: Thursday, July 20th, 10am - 11am
Teacher: Evin Liang
Prerequisites: none yet
Recommended for: none yet
In this course, we will first explore basic concepts in Electromagnetism such as circuits, and the attraction between particles. We will then explore the basics of waves, and the formulas that govern how waves work. Discuss how these two topics relate to each other, and how apply these two concepts in the real world.
Time: Thursday, July 20th, 11am - 12pm
Teacher: Jai Bhalla
Prerequisites: basic understanding of right triangle trigonometry (SOH-CAH-TOA) and ability to do basic algebra
Recommended for: all grades
Join us in the virtual organic chemistry lab, where you'll uncover the fascinating world of carbon compounds and their endless possibilities. From funky fragrances to mind-boggling reactions, you'll dive into the realm of molecules and discover how they shape our daily lives.
Time: Thursday, July 20th, 12pm - 1pm
Teacher: Ben Yin (Rising 11th)
Prerequisites: basic biology and chemistry knowledge
Recommended for: sixth graders and older
Join us in this delightful course as we journey through the twists and turns of your tummy. From munching marvels to stomach rumbling tales, you'll uncover the incredible journey your food takes from plate to potty. Discover the secret powers of enzymes, unravel the mysteries of digestion, and become a master of the marvelous gut.
Time: Thursday, July 20th, 2pm - 3pm
Teacher: Ben Yin (Rising 11th)
Prerequisites: none
Recommended for: all grades
Coming Soon
Time: Thursday, July 20th, 3pm - 4pm
Teacher: Evin Liang
Prerequisites: none yet
Recommended for: none yet
In this course, you will learn how the kidneys and accessory organs of the urinary system work to maintain the homeostasis of water volume, osmolarity, solute concentration, pH, blood pressure, and so much more. Focusing on the processing of blood in the nephrons of the kidney, this course will explore the flexible filtration of fluids in the blood plasma and how it's regulated intrinsically by the kidneys and by higher centers in the brain and endocrine glands. Along the way, you'll also gain a deeper insight into the many pathologies affecting the urination process.
Time: Thursday, July 20th, 4pm - 5pm
Teacher: Jerry Xu
Prerequisites: none yet
Recommended for: none yet
In this course, you will learn how the anatomical structures of the heart and blood vessels work together to systematically pump nutrients to all cells in the body. Covering topics from the basic anatomy and physical laws that govern blood flow to the electrical coordination of heartbeats, this comprehensive lecture will dive into the inner workings of the cardiovascular system and its pathologies.
Time: Friday, July 21st, 10am - 11am
Teacher: Jerry Xu
Prerequisites: none yet
Recommended for: none yet
Coming Soon
Time: Friday, July 21st, 11am - 12pm
Teacher: Evin Liang
Prerequisites: none yet
Recommended for: none yet
Touching grass is overrated. You should touch water. And simultaneously learn about all the intricacies of ocean life, geology, and gold in the ocean, and why the Bay of Fundy is absolutely nuts.
Time: Friday, July 21st, 12pm - 1pm
Teachers: Owen Jiang and Eric Zhang
Prerequisites: none
Recommended for: all grades
Get ready to take a breath-taking voyage into the world of respiration! In this exhilarating course, we'll unravel the mysteries of your body's air highways. From the magical dance of lungs to the rhythmic symphony of breathing, you'll discover how oxygen fuels your every move. Get set to inhale knowledge and exhale pure excitement in this lung-tastic adventure!
Time: Friday, July 21st, 1pm - 2pm
Teacher: Ben Yin (Rising 11th)
Prerequisites: none
Recommended for: all grades
Coming Soon
Time: Friday, July 21st, 2pm - 3pm
Teacher: Evin Liang
Prerequisites: none yet
Recommended for: none yet
This lecture is essentially a broad overview of all things plant. We will begin on the cellular level and briefly discuss plant cell structure plus a crash course on photosynthesis. Then, delving into plant anatomy and physiology, we'll look at the structure and function of plants' organ systems. We will quickly look into plant nutrition on a macro level and how they get those nutrients. Fourthly and finally will be an run-through of the different classifications of plants. My goal by the end of this is to show you the mountain of reasons why trees are simply amazing, invaluable, and just loveable organisms.
Time: Friday, July 21st, 3pm - 4pm
Teacher: Caroline Ehmann
Prerequisites: none
Recommended for: seventh graders and up recommended, but all are welcome
High school students in Lexington High School are here to answer questions pertaining to STEM in high school and in general, and to give advice on any topics people want answers to: including, STEM competitions, clubs, and opportunities for further exploration.
Time: Friday, July 21st, 4pm - 5pm
Teachers: Various
Prerequisites: none!
Recommended for: anyone!
Show up and ask us questions about anything, what you've heard about today, what you learned about, or even just general questions about life!
Time: Monday, July 17th - Friday, July 21st, 7pm - 8pm
Teacher: Sam Wang
Prerequisites: none!
Recommended for: anyone!
Format: As has been the case in previous years, we will be running this program online over Zoom. Each class will last one hour. Both students and parents should check this website for updates on the next classes and will be sent emails with Zoom links whenever a class they registered for is happening. Though we have previously done experiments and demonstrations in-person, these will likely not be happening. For more of a hands-on experience, see Science Outdoors!
New addition this year: from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, office hours will be held, and any student who has signed up for any of the classes can come, free of charge
Requirements: Although we believe anyone can learn something at our programs, we do have some prerequisite knowledge that is strictly necessary to understand our material. Prerequisites include
Cost: $15/day attended, 20% discount if all days are attended (that's $60), office hours and the first and last session are free as long as you register for another class (just show up), details for payment will be given in the form.
Registration Deadline: Sunday, July 16th, 2023 at 11:59 PM EDT
Zoom links have been sent to your email!