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During Summer Session each student will take one choice class and participate in one research group.  Please indicate your preference for the class and research group you would like to take.  The staff will attempt to give you your first choice, but that may not be possible in all cases. 

Choice Class Preference

In addition to his or her core classes, each student selects one choice class to take this summer.  Each class is limited to 10 students.  The staff will attempt to give you your first choice, but that may not be possible in all cases.    Please rank your choice class preferences by numbering them 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ect. 

 Art: This course is an exploration of the materials used in drawing and painting.  Emphasis will be on “hands on” experiences.  Students will explore several mediums used in both traditional drawing and painting methods.  They will be encouraged to use materials in new and creative ways.  

  Astronomy: (Note:  Students taking this class must have already completed Algebra I.)  What is parallax?  What is an analemma?  What is the celestial sphere?  How did Erastosthenes calculate the diameter of the earth?  How did the Aristarchus estimate distance of the earth to the Sun and the Moon?  In this introductory course in astronomy, you will discover answers to these and many other questions.  On appropriate evenings, the class will observe selected celestial objects (i.e., Moon, planets, nebulae, and galaxies) using binoculars a reflector telescope, and a refractor telescope.  Students will also build a pinhole camera and use it to estimate the diameter of the Sun and its distance from Earth.  Students need to understand that this is course is heavily based on trigonometry. 

  French:  This summer class is designed to develop skills in spoken and written French, including comprehension, structural exercises and oral practice. It is for students without prior knowledge of the language (or beginner’s knowledge). The final project is to plan a trip to Paris (finding a hotel, shopping for food, sightseeing) with another student.

   Hero’s Journey:  Study the Eight Steps of The Hero's Journey through the eyes of the hero himself/herself!  This literature course will delve into the journey of ridding our society of its injustices and spreading tolerance.  Follow-up from last year's Holocaust unit or a fresh start with a new novel focus! The course will study a theme of inhumanity inflicted by one person onto another based on one's race, culture or religion.  Hitler-no, but does this sound familiar? You will want to be a part of this!

  History:  Transportation Technology in the 20th Century:  From the Model T to NASCAR; From the Wright brothers to the Space Shuttle.  This class will place special emphasis on the development and impact of transportation technology in the U.S. and Arkansas during the 20th Century.  In addition to learning in the classroom, students will conduct their own research and share their findings on a topic of special interest to them (e.g. flying aces of WWI, barn storming, the first transcontinental auto race, classic cars of the 1950s, etc.)

  Digital Photography:  This class will teach students practical, real-world applications of basic digital photography, including how to use a digital camera, basic uses of Adobe Photoshop to manipulate images and how to properly light and frame subjects and scenes.

Research Group Preference

Each student will participate on one research group this summer.  Each group is limited to 10 students.  The staff will attempt to give you your first choice, but that may not be possible in all cases.    Please rank your research group preferences by numbering them 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ect. 

  Aquatic Biology:  Students will study the dynamics of a small reservoir ecosystem (man-made lake).  A hands-on approach will be incorporated in the collection and analysis of selected biological, chemical and physical features of this ecosystem.  Students will develop skills in data analysis, interpretation and presentation.

  Biospeleology: Life in caves.  Students will explore one or more local caves, and determine the organisms that live there.  Students will document their findings in field and lab notebooks, and will use Excel to consolidate and graphically visualize their data.  Students also will learn about how caves influence the above-ground environment, and vice-versa. This is a dirty job, but you might be the one to do it.  (Students should bring sturdy shoes and a layered set of clothes that will never be completely clean again).

  Biology-Collection and Classification of Nymphs of Dragonflies:   Students will take field trips to area streams and ponds to collect specimens of naiads (nymphs) of dragonflies.  They will use aquatic nets of several types to capture the various species.  In the laboratory, students will use dissecting microscopes to identify species.   Some specimens will be preserved.   

  Chemistry (Board): Students will conduct experiments in the laboratory to test the speed of chemical reactions by using variables such as catalyst, temperature and concentration.  The project involves making solutions, calculation of moles, how to use and dispose of chemicals and correctly timing the reaction. 

  Chemistry (Grafton): Join us as we use computers and software to understand chemical bonding and predict the color of molecules.  In our group, you’ll get to generate and interpret nifty models and awesome 3-D images of molecules and orgitals.  This is an ideal research group for someone who wants to know why things work the way they do.  No special computer skills required.

  Physics & Engineering: Medieval Siege Weapons.  Students will design and build medieval siege weapons from common or readily available materials that can launch a ping-pong ball at various angles and for various distances.  Each device must include a release mechanism that provides for consistency in the range of the projectile.  The performance of each weapon will be evaluated through simulation.  Students will learn about real-life applications of physics principles.

  Math: Don’t really understand the X,Y,Z’s of algebra?  This project will help you understand symbolic expressions, tables and graphs used in algebra.  Students will: model situations with symbolic statements; determine if different symbolic expressions are mathematically equivalent; interpret the information equivalent expressions represent in a given context; solve linear equations involving parentheses; use equations to make predictions and decisions; analyze equations to determine patterns of change in the tables and graphs that the equation represents; and understand how and when to use symbols to display relations, generalizations and proofs.