Summerscape Classes

2013 Summerscape Classes

Morning Courses

Afternoon Courses

Summerscape Morning Courses

The World of Business

Always coming up with new and creative ideas? Love working on teams to solve real world problems? Wonder how top entrepreneurs turn great ideas into real world success? In this course you will work in small groups to tackle real world business issues, discuss and evaluate real world business issues, learn from some great local real world entrepreneurs, visit a successful start up and even develop a modified business plan. If you enjoy working in teams, have a competitive spirit, and are interested in a career in the business world, this class is perfect for you.

Instructor: Seth M. Botts, Ernst & Young, Dallas, TX

Geocaching and GPS

We will explore the newest technology of hand held global positioning systems and the sport of geocaching. It is an international treasure hunt that uses GPS receivers to locate hidden caches. We will weave the history of Springfield through our discovery of geocaches located in and around Drury and downtown. Internet research time will uncover the history of Bonnie and Clyde, Route 66, The First People, The Cobra Scare of Springfield, Pythian Castle, and Doling Park. Pack your walking shoes, a water bottle, and your sense of adventure as we cache our way through Summerscape.

Instructor: Debbie Clary, Phelphs Center for Gifted in Springfield

Crime Scene Investigator

A crime has been committed, and it was one of your classmates! How do we find out who it was? Use a lie detector? No. Not reliable enough. Torture? No. Too messy. Have a line up? No. Many of the Summerscapers look alike and could be falsely accused as the criminal. Ah ha!! Let’s use forensic science techniques to solve the crime and correctly identify the guilty person. It has been proven reliable, is not too messy and is easy to collect and analyze the evidence. We will be usingthesameforensictechniquesandscientificanalysistosolveourownclassroommystery. PleasejointheCSIteam and help me to uncover who committed the crime. FEE $10

Instructor: Eric Wilbur, Kickapoo High School, Springfield

Goldberg & His Crazy Contraptions

Do you like the sound of pounding hammers, the feel of sticky duct tape, or the sight of marbles rolling down a tube? You will put your creative imagination to work and experience many hands-on activities as you learn about Rube Goldberg, the man who invented crazy contraptions that made simple tasks very complicated. As you build two Goldberg contraptions of your own, your imagination will come to life as balls roll, dominoes tumble, and levers tilt.

Instructor: Darlene Taylor, Phelps Center for the Gifted, BRIDGES

Hitchcock

Do you love movies? What about classic movies of suspense or modern thrillers like Sixth Sense, Signs,
and Flight Plan? If so, you’ll love the work of the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. We’ll view many of Hitchcock’s best and sometimes perplexing films. The students will analyze and discuss each film in detail, exploring the films’ structures, hidden meanings, and weaknesses. If you’re a movie buff, this is the class for you.

Instructor: Michael Butcher, Kickapoo High School, Springfield

Bizarre Cultural Cuisine

Do you have an appetite for international culture and cuisine? Do you like to travel and experience new things? Me, too!! Join me as we learn about other countries. We will travel to local markets to purchase supplies so we can learn how to cook a dish from that country (and get to eat it!!). At the end of the class, you will have a recipe book to take home, and the skills to cook the food, too! Travel to countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East for a truly international experience. Yum! I could go for some crêpes or baklava right now! $30 LAB FEE.

Instructor: Catia Gilpin, Phelps Center for the Gifted

Digital Image & Design

We will use digital software such as Photoshop, CorelDraw, Quark Xpress, and tools such as digital cameras and scanners to explore the integration of visual design principles and digital technology. We will study the design elements of line, balance, rhythm, color theory, texture, and value to create a wide variety of digital collages. Your friends and family will be amazed at the masterpieces you create.

Instructor: Gary Strunk, Central High School

Summerscape Afternoon Courses

Bodyworks for the Medical Mind!!

Does the human body fascinate you? Are you considering a job in a health or medical field? Do you like to work with your hands? Attend Body Works! This class is packed with hands-on projects, labs, and field trips about the human body. We will explore careers in this field by talking to experts and people currently in the medical workforce. Some special class activities are a field trip to tour a local hospital, a dissection lab, creating models of the body systems, a visit to The Springfield Discovery Center, and so much more! This course is ideal for students considering the medical field for a program of college study. FEE $30

Instructor: Sarah Gurney, Willard Schools

MINDSTORMS: The Robotic Mayan Adventure

How can robotics be used in practical settings? How does modern technology give us a deeper understanding of ancient times? MINDSTORMS attempts to answer these questions and more! This course will explore the theory, technique, and practice behind robotic systems. You will study robot design and construction techniques and software design while exploring the mysteries of the Mayan civilization. You will navigate a series of obstacle courses designed to simulate the ruins of an ancient Mayan temple. At the same time, you will learn about Mayan culture, art, architecture, and more. Through research, lab work, and personal and group projects you will bring the past, the present, and the future together.

Instructor: Meredith Burstin, Phelps Center for Gifted in Springfield

Summerscape Webpage Design and Research

In this course, you will learn the basics to webpage design, critique current webpages, and launch your own website. We will explore basic to advanced HTML code writing and use web based products to build a webpage. We will share resources and knowledge with classmates about our own experiences with websites. This course will be a collaborative venture that everyone will gain some new knowledge and be challenged in doing the projects.

Instructor: Doug Greek, Springfield Schools

Caves: The World Below Our Feet

Caves are a unique and special window that allows us to look into the Earth’s history. Come explore our planet in a way very few people ever get to, from the inside out. For Millions of years caves have been a home to many strange and exotic animals as well as humans. Through our explorations we will get hands on with rare animals that only survive in the harsh environment of caves. We will also look at the prehistoric beasts that once called the caves of Missouri their home and how their extinction allowed humans to begin to use caves for shelter. FEE $30

Instructor: Matt Forir, Missouri Institute of Natural Science, Springfield, MO

Whose Line?

"Whose line is it anyway?" If you've ever seen the show, you now know what this class is all about. These theater games will sharpen your improvisational skills and help you develop the following fundamentals: imagination, concentration, ensemble-building, confidence, observation, and creativity. So, the answer to the question is: "It's your line!" Come and join in the fun.

Instructor: Michael Butcher, Kickapoo High School

Whose Line?

"Whose line is it anyway?" If you've ever seen the show, you now know what this class is all about. These theater games will sharpen your improvisational skills and help you develop the following fundamentals: imagination, concentration, ensemble-building, confidence, observation, and creativity. So, the answer to the question is: "It's your line!" Come and join in the fun.

Instructor: Michael Butcher, Kickapoo High School

Game On!

Do you like to play board, card, logic, RPG and other types of games? Have you always wanted to invent your own game? This might be the session for you! We will start by playing different kinds of games and analyzing what makes them work; including looking at some math applications such as probability and game theory. You will then have the opportunity to design, create and play your own game with the help of the other gamesters. If you like games and analysis, and you like being creative this will be fun! This could be your start of a career in gaming.

Instructor: Catia Gilpin, Phelps Center for Gifted Education in Springfield

The Science of Doctor Who

Do you like stories about adventure? How about robots? Or robot dogs? Scary monsters? Time travel? Wait! What about romance? Aliens? Cowboys and cyborgs? And bowties! (hey, bowties are cool). Do you like dinosaurs in space ships?! If you do, this class is for you! Each episode of Doctor Who is so bizarre and exiting that it’s no wonder the most commonly used word in the series is “RUN!” And this is the unbelievable part...ready?...this is a science class! You get to watch Doctor Who and then learn the science behind those amazing stories!

Instructor: Jackie Carl, Central High School, Springfield