Come Join the Summer Program at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science

Mobile, Alabama

Who: Students entering 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th grades.

What: In-depth, hands-on learning in a variety of subjects. 

When: June 14-18, June 21-25 and June 28 – July 2, 2004 

Where: The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science in historic Mobile, Alabama. 
Everyone lives in the dorms and is supervised by program counselors.

Meals: Provided by ASMS cafeteria service, Sodexho.  Sunday dinner through Friday lunch.

Class Size: Average of 15 – 20.

Admission: Selective.

After Class: Free time at the pool, on the court or in the Student Activity Center. 
Group activities after dinner.

Curfew: 9:00 p.m.

Tuition, Room & Board: $300 per week including a $75 nonrefundable deposit. 
Students who choose more than one week may stay on campus the weekend between classes
for an additional $50 per weekend.

 

AIMS 2004 COURSES

Who Am I?”  The Psychology of Self

Instructor:  Barbara Ensminger, M.S., L.P.C.

Week One Only

     Investigate who you are through pencil and paper exercises as well as group interactions.  Each class period will involve an activity and discussion that will encourage you to explore who you are and how what you do affects others.  We will also investigate your learning style; will give you the opportunity to help improve your academics.

 

Chemical Forensics   (Sessions A&B)

Instructor:  Barbara Booker, M.S. 

     A terrible crime has been committed!  Evidence and samples at the crime scene have been carefully collected by forensics experts.  Four suspects have been apprehended. According to evidence found at the crime scene, only one of the suspects is guilty.  Each of the suspects has in his or her pockets certain items that may or may not match what was found at the crime scene.  How can the guilty party be determined?  Will innocent people be convicted of a crime they didn’t commit?  Will justice be served?  Join us and experience how modern-day forensics experts sort through evidence.  Join the ASMS Forensic Team and help nab the culprit.

 

Creative Writing  

Instructor:  Jeffrey Goodman, Ph.D.

     Twelfth year for this popular and enjoyable class, which develops the student’s creative and verbal talents.  Students will receive instruction in how to write a poem, a short play, and a “professional” story.  Some class time will be spent in instruction, some in conference with the teacher (who is himself a professional writer), and some simply writing.  Often students like to put together a class anthology.  This is great fun, and each student will take home a copy of the anthology – perhaps even a copy autographed by a soon-to-be-famous author!

 

Ceramic Sculpture and Pottery

Instructor:  Orren Kickliter, M.A.

     This course will introduce students to basic and intermediate ceramic hand building techniques.  Students will make pinch pots, functional and sculptural objects from slab and coil forms, and a figurative sculpture.  In addition to building techniques, students will learn about and use high and low fire glazes.

 

FUNdamentals of  Physics 

Instructor: Garvin Wattuhewa, Ph.D.

     This basic physics course is designed for students to learn answers to some fascinating questions and to give a head start for their science classes.  Topics include:

Ø       Can magnetic and electrical energy change our life?

Ø       What is an optical illusion?  Is the rainbow an optical illusion?

Ø       Working with lenses and mirrors and campfire without match boxes.

Ø       Defects of the “human eye” -  can we correct them, if so how?

Ø       Why does nature make lightning?  Can we make it inside the classroom?

Ø       Learn to make a hologram of your favorite toy.

Ø       Students learn to use computers; do “Virtual Labs” to understand physics concepts.

This class is full of hands-on activities and computer applications. 

Adobe Photoshop 7.0  - Tricks, Tips, Special Effects

Instructor:  Susan Rouillier, M.S.

     Learn to use the latest and most popular image-editing software, Adobe Photoshop 7.0, the professional industry standard.  Some of the activities will be professional-quality photo retouching and restoration, logo creation, text effects, and digital image manipulation.

                           

Flash

Instructor:  Susan Rouillier, M.S.

     Come and learn how to build Flash animations, buttons and interactive files. Topics covered with time permitting are: the Flash Interface, Using Color Tools, Using Drawing Tools, Animation Basics, Shape Tweening, Symbols and Instances, Motion Tweening, Bitmaps, Buttons, Movie Clips, Text, Sound and Publishing. 

 

Microscopes & Computers

Instructor:  Susan Rouillier, M.S.

     Go into a different world! Use the Intel® QX3™ Computer Microscope! You will be able to take pictures from the microscope and immediately see them on the computer. We will do some time-lapse photography and movies from the microscope and manipulate images in the computer.

    Here are some of the topics we will investigate:

Ø       Lighting

Ø       Microscope controls

Ø       Collecting and viewing specimens

Ø       Magnifying

Ø       Making movies

Ø       Making time-lapse movies

Ø       Using paint tools

Ø       Adding special effects

Ø       Making a slide show

 

Field Biology   (Sessions A&B)

Instructor:  Barry McPhail, M.N.S.

    Students will learn how organisms interact with their environment and with each other.  Students will go on field trips to nearby natural habitats, collect biological data using a variety of methods, analyze the samples taken, learn the scientific principles necessary to interpret their results and practice the writing and speaking skills necessary to effectively communicate those results to others. 

 

Research and Decision Making Using Geographic Information Systems 

Instructor:  Barry McPhail, M.N.S.

     Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer programs for organizing and displaying geographical data.  GIS has created a revolution in the way fire and police, utilities, delivery companies, resource managers, zoning authorities, scientists, business concerns and others store information and make decisions.  Students will be introduced to GIS basics, learn how to make maps, edit geographic data and use that data to discover trends and make decisions.

 

Exploring Solar Energy with Challenge

Instructor: Garvin Wattuhewa, Ph.D.

     Have you ever wondered how your solar calculator seems to keep working forever without batteries? Or been curious about how future cars will run without gas?  Or thought about energy use for space exploration? You can unlock these secrets of solar energy by learning about the physics behind how solar cells convert the sun’s energy into electricity.  You can even put your knowledge to use by building your own solar- powered racecar and racing it against your peers.  Join the physics department for a fun- filled preview into the future!

 

Basic Guitar

Instructor:  M. R. Megginson, M.M.E.

     If you have always wanted to play the guitar but never taken the time to do so, do it now by learning “Basic Guitar” this summer.   Learn the chords and style of folk and ballad music that is easy and fun to

play and sing.  You will not come out of this class as a rock star, but you will have the basic ability to play some well known popular songs and under -stand the chord progressions and how music is composed.  However, you just might be on your way to being a rock star.  The school owns several acoustic guitars which you may use, but you may also bring your own. 

 

Radio Plays

Instructor:  Donald Bloom, Ph.D.

     For many years network radio dramas, action series, and situation comedies, were a staple of American culture (since replaced by television, of course). They required specialized playwrights, actors who could read well, and sound effects technicians. In this project we will replicate at least one short drama, and more if practical. Actors, writers and people who like to fool around with special effects are welcomed. It should be fun – and let us travel back in time 60 years or so.

Pop Music

Instructor:  M. R. Megginson, M.M.E.

AIMS: Pop Music:

     Do you like to sing?  Do you play the guitar or piano?  Do you want to develop that ability in order to perform better?  Do you have the ambition to be an "American Idol?"  Pop Music is a week of listening, learning, and performing music that is current and up-to-date.  You can bring in your own music, or we can work with you to learn new material that you can take home with you.  During the class time, you will learn songs, find new ways to present the song, and then make a tape that you will take home with you. 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE:  Classes listed as Session A&B are two part classes.  You must take the class in both Session A and Session B.