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.
The Chemistry of Breakfast
Cereals, fruits, and juices, various types of bread and biscuits, honey, and milk are some of the most common and basic components of a nutritional breakfast, which for some is considered “the most important meal of the day». Their consumption provides the human body with a variety of essential chemical compounds that are required for both growth and conservation, and are present in foods either as main ingredients and/or as food additives. Food companies are required to provide the names and respective quantities of such compounds on food packages, to inform the public of their presence and nutritional contribution.
Students will perform a series of analytical experiments and derive qualitative and/or quantitative results on the ingredients of some of the most commonly consumed foods, usually served during breakfast. Their results will be compared to the information appearing on food packages and statistical analysis will elucidate the precision and accuracy of the experimental results. Furthermore, students will become familiar with the E-number coding system for substances that are permitted to be used as food additives in the industry. Finally, a simulated Food Traceability system, similar to the one that the food industry uses, will be applied to a mock production line in the lab.
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).
Leadership Stories
In this workshop, students will learn great lessons of leadership through stories of leaders in Ancient Greece. These stories link the experience of Ancient Greek leaders to the modern corporate reality and attempt to bring value to different traits of Leadership such as building high potential teams and company culture, leading in crisis, talents and succession planning, Women Leaders and innovation.
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.
Waste Not, Want Not
The Maker Lab consists of a series of small team building workshops and competitions among students that promote teamwork and reduction of waste. Students will split up into small teams and over a short period, will compete with other teams and work together towards achieving a common goal. This program is designed to expose students to an eco-friendly environment that encourages cooperation and critical thinking as well as recycling.
Life is Balance
The module “Life is Balance” aims to create, in the students, an understanding and knowledge of the alternative potential of materials; that would normally end up in landfill sites. Creating an awareness for recycling, adaptation and creativity. Using this theme the pupils will – collect and use/repurpose suitable materials to design and make a product that meets specified needs/requirements.
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.
Ask Wonder Design
The ‘Ask Wonder Design’ module focuses on the connection of digital fabrication with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM). Students through collaborative projects and a process based on design thinking will have the opportunity to experiment with CAD / CAM (Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Manufacturing) technologies and combine them with creative electronics, construction tinkering, etc. to jointly provide solutions to real “problems”. They will use state-of-the-art machines (such as FDM and SLA 3d printers, laser cutter, CNC Mill, etc.) and driven by their curiosity they will embark on a journey of creation and construction!
Chemistry in Motion
Memorizing moments
We encounter situations that create an experience basis for our memory and mind every day. Via digital tools, we can enhance our memory process by creating interesting projects worth remembering as time passes. During this lab, participants will have the opportunity to use a specific online platform. Based on their attendance at the Pierce Leadership Academy, they will be encouraged to use useful tools to create a digital, full of joyous memories project.
Summer School Day Trips
Over the course of the three weeks, students will visit places and locations within and outside the Attica region.