Introducing STEM & Welcome Remarks
What is STEM? STEM is more than a school subject; it is a philosophy and new approach to learning! It is an approach to the world, which helps students understand, explore, and engage with the world, so that they have the ability and the capacity to change that world… STEM education prepares young people to think deeply and to think well, to become the innovators and leaders who can deal with and solve world challenges, both today and tomorrow.
Designing and 3D Printing – Visualizing Mathematics
The main purpose of the course is to help students visualize ideal mathematical objects working in a highly motivating environment. The students become “tailors” of their own knowledge investigating the properties of a 3d dimensional object taken from the real world, designing it and finally printing it. The procedure consolidates students’ mathematical skills and creates bridges between empirical and theoretical nature of geometry. In this context, the students self-correct their construction errors; they discover mathematics with activities that involve three cognitive processes: visualization, constructing and creating reasonable assertions. All activities take place in an active social environment where communication between equal members is active and lasting and is done in the style of «scientific» culture where the student feels as a scientist. Learning is not individual but is a social achievement. Furthermore, students understand the application and potential of this type of technology, getting prepared for the future world. In this summer course students will be actively engaged with designing and printing parts of Acropolis of Athens or/and ancient fictional temples and artifacts.
Digital Media Lab Sessions
The digital media lab workshop aims to use new technologies and technological tools in an engaging and playful way in order to approach STEM topics. The workshop consists of several autonomous projects of varied durations. During these projects the students will have the chance to experiment with different technological tools such as makey-makey, conductive ink, etc. as well as getting to know techniques such as video and sound editing, stop motion animation, green screen, image editing, video mapping, etc. All projects will require an interdisciplinary approach on knowledge gained from math, science and other courses while they will apply this knowledge to the real world. The aim is to provide a platform in which students will creatively engage with technologies while acquiring skills, such as problem solving, out of the box thinking, analytical and critical thinking.
From “Microbiology to Anatomy”
Students that will choose to attend the specific sessions are provoked to develop critical thinking, cooperative attitude and unfold skills relevant to biological lab experiments. Particularly, they will be challenged to work in Biology lab as microbiologists, handle microscopes, practice in microscopic observation and develop skills concerning preparation of their own samples, as well. They will experience carrying out a specific scientific protocol, working in groups (simulating researchers’ groups) and present their experimental results to their classmates. Moreover, they will be given the chance to learn more about mammals’ anatomy and physiology following anatomy sessions. During lab classes, they will perform dissections with the appropriate equipment and have the opportunity to study different organs’ structure and function (for example brain, heart, eyes, kidneys).
CSI, Forensic Science
Do bones talk? What information our DNA hold? How unique are our fingerprints? Answers to those questions will help students to gain insight in Forensic Science. Modern Forensic Science draws from the disciplines of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. A mix of guidance teaching and hands-on approach will enable students to understand the essential role of those sciences in solving crime cases.
Activities based on real world scenarios where students are expected to actively participate:
- Fingerprint taking from crime scenes. Comparison and matching of fingerprints.
- DNA fingerprinting, DNA matching and relationships testing.
- Forensic Anthropology, sex determination and age estimation from bones.
- Isolating and identifying substances from crime scenes.
Besides bones, DNA and fingerprints, a fundamental idea behind this course is to acquaint the students with the practical application of science in real world problem solving.
General Principles of Drone Design
The goal of this course is to familiarize the students with the general principles of drone design procedure. Drone design is a task involving many domains of operational, scientific and technical knowledge. Operational requirements, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, propulsion systems, energy sources and material technology and manufacturing techniques are the main topics involved. At a first step, a specific mission will be decided with the corresponding requirements. Based on this, the onboard items required to fulfill the specified mission will be found in the open market. The choice criteria will be the dimensions, weight, energy requirement, cost and availability of these items, which compose the payload. The knowledge of the payload characteristics will permit a first guess of the maximal takeoff weight of the drone and its type (fixed or rotary wing), geometry and size. This will permit to choose, based on the same criteria as before, an adequate energy source and a propulsion system, always existing in the open market. The final deliverable will be a first design approach of a drone able to fulfill the specified mission.
Space Application Development
Join us for an exciting workshop designed to introduce students aged 13-17 to the fascinating world of remote sensing and the development of space applications. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to leverage satellite data, cutting-edge software tools, and machine learning techniques to create important environmental maps.
The workshop will start with an engaging introduction to remote sensing, explaining how satellites capture valuable data about our Earth’s surface from space. Participants will gain insights into the Sentinel satellite program, one of the leading sources of Earth observation data, and learn about its applications in environmental monitoring.
Using freely available Sentinel satellite data, the workshop will focus on two critical scenarios: mapping burned areas and mapping floods. Students will be guided through the step-by-step process of accessing and preprocessing satellite imagery using QGIS, a popular open-source Geographic Information System software.
Next, participants will dive into image analysis techniques and explore how to identify events such as burned areas and flooded regions from the satellite data. They will learn how to apply image classification and machine learning algorithms, such as supervised classification, to extract valuable information from the imagery.
As part of the workshop, students will also have the opportunity to explore Python, a powerful programming language widely used in the field of remote sensing. They will discover how Python can be utilized to automate data processing tasks, perform advanced analysis, and enhance their understanding of the acquired satellite data.
Throughout the workshop, experienced mentors will be available to provide guidance and answer any questions that arise. Participants will gain hands-on experience by working on practical exercises, allowing them to apply their knowledge in a real-world context.
By the end of the workshop, students will have a solid understanding of remote sensing principles, the ability to process and analyze satellite imagery using QGIS, and a basic familiarity with Python and machine learning techniques for advanced analysis. They will also gain insights into the creation of impactful space applications for environmental monitoring.
Whether you are passionate about space, environmental science, or technology, this workshop provides an excellent opportunity to explore the intersection of these fields and discover the potential of remote sensing and space app development.
Join us on this exciting journey into the world of remote sensing and space applications, and unlock your potential to contribute to solving real-world environmental challenges.
Note: The workshop duration, specific tools and techniques covered, and any prerequisites can be customized based on the available time and participants’ prior knowledge.
Mind Games
Dive into the captivating realm of cognitive conflicts, optical illusions, and more in “Mind Games.” This interactive course explores how the brain processes information, navigates conflicting stimuli, and perceives reality. From classic experiments like the Stroop Test to mind-bending optical illusions, students will gain insights into attention, perception, and cognition.
Building a Wind Turbine from Simple Materials
Students will design and build their own functional wind turbine using simple and recyclable materials, while exploring the principles of renewable energy and sustainable technology through hands-on learning.
Through an approach that combines STEM, environmental awareness, and creative entrepreneurship, participants will be introduced to concepts such as clean energy production, zero-waste design, and the circular economy (closed-loop production).
The program encourages collaboration, innovation, and the transformation of a simple idea into a real technological product with a positive environmental impact.
Artificial Intelligence through Robotics
How does a robot “learn”? Can a machine recognize patterns and make decisions?
In this experiential workshop, students will explore the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and neural networks through the use of next-generation educational robots.
Participants will experiment with real data, train robots to recognize information, and discover how AI connects to the modern world of technology, automation, and innovation. They will also focus on the differences between supervised learning and reinforcement learning.
The program combines programming, robotics, and creative problem-solving, giving students hands-on experience with the technologies shaping the future.
Bioethics
The rapid growth of Biological science and the potential of intervene in various biological procedures made it a necessity for Bioethics to arise. Bioethics involves with moral issues that arise in the field of Medicine, Biology and research in general. Bioethics combines various Biological subjects, such as Genetics, Biotechnology, Biomedical sciences, with Law, Philosophy, Sociology and Religion.
The course aims to familiarize students with the main principles of Bioethics, concerning decision making and human rights as far as who is responsible for judging specific human actions and procedures. In particular, there will be an approach in issues that have to do with the beginning and the ending of human life, assisted reproduction, surrogate mother, designer babies and the critical issue of abortion. Moreover, euthanasia with its various implications will be analyzed accordingly to the ethical theories that seek to judge human action.
Public Speaking
This interactive workshop helps students build confidence in public speaking while developing essential leadership skills. Students learn how to communicate ideas clearly, think critically, and speak with confidence in front of an audience through practical applications. The course also explores key aspects of leadership, including teamwork, active listening, persuasion, and responsible decision-making, empowering students to become effective communicators and emerging leaders in school and beyond.
Technology in Class – Technology in the Classroom
The course introduces students to modern technological applications that can be creatively used in the learning process and in the classroom. Its aim is for students to become familiar with practical tools and innovative technologies, understanding how they can support learning, creativity, exploration, and collaboration.
As part of the course, the following topics will be presented:
- Basic principles of 3D design, with an emphasis on the creative use of digital design tools.
- VR – Virtual Reality, as well as its potential applications in education, through examples of applications and virtual experiences.
The course combines theory and practice, giving students the opportunity to engage with technologies that enhance experiential and interactive learning.
Summer School Day Trips
Over the course of the three weeks, students will visit places and locations within and outside the Attica region.