2000 Course Descriptions

[First Year Courses]
Seminar: H. Lineberger, S. Michaud, S. Fuerst, C. Payne Seminars involve in-depth research and observations. Seminars focused on Primate Behavior or Water Quality. One student group gathered data at the Duke Primate Center and learning about the behavior of lemurs and other small primates. The other two groups focused on usingthe CBL (Calculator-Based Labs) and TI-83 graphing calculators to analyze water samples taken at points along the Eno River to Falls Lake. After data collection, a short paper is written about their studies. Some examples of written papers are available. Biology I: Mrs. Suzanne Michaud Students gained experience in microbiology and DNA through laboratories, discussions, educational videos, and model building. The course included learning general bacterial culturing techniques like swabs and streak plating and bacterial enumeration and characterization. Students also used microbes to make yogurt and old-fashioned root beer. The young scientists explored the blue-print for life by constructing molecular models of DNA and extracting it from plant cells. They also debated the ethics of DNa technology and the Human Genome Project. Computer Applications: Mrs. Margery Enberg Emphasis is on desktop publishing. Students create a one-page newsletter by creating a nameplate in Aldus Superpaint (a paint/draw program), writing their articles in Microsoft Word, and using the digital camera and clipart to add graphics. Then, these elements were brought together in Pagemaker (a page layout program). Students also make a "yearbook" of the Summer Institute. If time allows, students use the Internet for a scavenger hunt. Language Arts I: Ms. Yolanda Tate Students learn study skills in preparation for their new high school experience. Graphic organzation, effective listening, and critical thinking are just some of the skills emphasized. Vocabulary development and is also covered in order to improve the research papers written for the Seminar course.
	Math I: Ms. Karen Vandersea In Math I, we use skills from algebra to learn more about real-life situations and events. We use data from Olympic Swimming and Track & Field, population growth, and financial growth. We use the data to find lines and curves of the best fit, to make conclusions and predictions, and to relate the data to the real world. Physics I: Ms. Tyhesha Goss During this two week class, students studied basic physics. In the first week students studied Newton's Laws of Motion using model rockets. Students learned about thrust, the flight of a rocket, and how to measure the height of a rocket using trigonometry. During the second week, students designed and built their own bridges and towers. Their challenge was to build a structure that weighed the least but could hold the most mass. Webpage Design: Joseph Bufanda Students learn the HTML language used to create webpages. Topics include basic structure, text formatting, lists, tables, and graphics. These language skills are then applied to construct a personal webpage dealing with their activities at the Summer Institute. Students are then able to post the site onto the internet. Past work is available under "Projects" on the main page. Aside: Immunology: When Webpage time allowed, students were introduced to the basic aspects of immunology, virology, and their social impact on the public.

[Second Year Courses]
Earth Science: Mr. Sam Fuerst Students are introduced to earth science in preparation for it being a future requirement for graduation in the North Carolina Public Schools. Instruction is coordinated around the Neuse River Basin with field experiences and sediment analysis. The conditions of the Eno River and the Coastal Areas are performed along with a general overview of NC geology. Electronics: Mr. Charlie Payne The students learn digital electronics by constructing an electronic digital counter on a prototype board. A discussion of logic gates, specific devices such as resistors, capacitors, and diodes, and general elements of digital electronics led to an understanding of the workings of integrated circuits. This developed into a working base-10 counter utilizing a seven-segment digital display that illustrates the translation of binary representations of numbers to decimal numbers. Computer Applications and Robotics: Mrs. Margery Enberg Two components - Robotics and Hyperstudio - are emphasized. In Robotics, students use Lego Dacta Control Lab equipment to build and program mechanical models that are controlled from a computer. Students write program that direct models through a series of movements. In Hyperstudio, students learn to create multi-media story stacks that include text, graphics, sound, movies, animations, and other special effects. Chemistry: Mr. Howard Lineberger Students observed several types of chemical reactions, while learning about the concept of a mole (6.022 x 1023). Ball-and-stick molecular models were created to better visualize the different substances. Students then learned how to write balanced equations representing reactions. Math II: Joseph Bufanda This course introduces topics in Algebra II, such as the real and complex number system, factoring, functions, and matrices. Students implemented their TI-83 graphing calculators after learning the main points and perform data analysis involving linear functions and residuals. Aside: Poetry: After hard work at Algebra II, students were given a day to explore poetry in a way they might not have had before.
"SAT Prep is an excellent class and has changed my outlook on the test. It has even given me more confidence, training, and better strategies to use." _ Jessica Murrel "In Programming Class we had so much fun. We learned how to use many programs. I now know what it feels like to be a mouse trying to run through a maze or running through a mine field. Great feats have been accomplished." _ Lisa Punt "It was very informative and I enjoyed it." _ Albert Ren	Programming A (C++): Dr. Ken Brooks A lighthearted introduction to computer programming in C++ using hands-on graphics from the very outset. Emphasis on making the process exciting by making beautiful images. The class covers functions, variables, parameter passing, and basic looping control structures. Programming B (Karel++): Mr. Julian Cochran Students work using Karel++, a "robot" language that is very similar to C++, which is object-oriented computer programming. The idea is to familiarize students with topics that parallel concepts in C++ but provide a fun and "safer" way to learn the ideas. Language Arts II: Ms. Yolanda Tate Resumes are created by second year students to better place them in an appropriate internship their third year. Creating resumes is a vital skill in the technological workplace. Organization and content is discussed and the final draft is typed and submitted for review. SAT Prep: Mr. Steve Flores During Week 1, students took the 6 parts of the SAT pre-test. Tests were scored to determine strengths and weaknesses. In Week 2, students used Princeton SAT CD-ROMs to work on adjusting to the math and verbal parts of the test that they needed to improve on.

Last update: July 31, 2000