Spring Intensives 2020

List of 13 items.

• Biology III: Anatomy & Physiology

  For Anatomy and Physiology this year, students learned about anatomical terminology, the patterns of structure and function with regard to cells and tissues, as well as transport and communication. They were then able to dive into a particular body system in a multi-stage project. They researched the specific A & P of their body system, exploring how their system interacts with others, and then how homeostasis is maintained. They ended the term with what happens when the system doesn’t work (by exploring a particular disorder) and how we medically attempt to restore function (treatments for the disorder).

• Chinese Martial Arts

  There are more than 170 martial arts in the world. Our intensive course mainly focuses on "Taiji'. Taiji is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training, its health benefits, and meditation. By the end of this intensive, students will be able to demonstrate the basic 4 Form Tai Chi (Level 1).

• Cooking & Booking: A Study of Italian Culture & Cuisine

  This course offered students the opportunity to explore Italian cuisine, literature, and culture. Students studied works by various Italian writers and also engaged in an in-depth study of Italian cuisine and culture. Students enjoyed a (virtual) culturally immersive experience and interacted with the literature, cuisine, and culture of various regions of Italy.

• Devised Student Film

  Students served as writers, actors, and designers for a student film. Beginning from a single word, MUSIC, as a theme, the students created a film from scratch. From writing dialogue to filming at home, and editing a final product, the students collaborated to create a world premiere film.

• Digital Photo

  In this course, students learn the basic principles of digital photography and explore the photographic process from pre-visualization to taking images, to adjusting and manipulation of digital images. Students will be investigating how to use photography to tell a story and will explore narrative both through individual images, series, and incorporation of text. This course will emphasize learning the design principles, composition, and fundamental history and theory of photographic media. Students will approach various subjects and narratives to create images and projects that are personal and expressive.

• Environmental Management/Assessment

  This course focused on human-generated climate change in the United States and the cyclical exchange of chemicals that have been affected. Students were given a geographic region from which they chose an urban or rural community to frame their knowledge and research around while comparing this to Toledo’s predicament. By exploring the climates, economies, and needs of their communities and how these cycles have affected human necessities, a climate change conference was held as if they were delegates from their community.

• Geography of Bliss

  In "The Geography of Bliss," students studied the metrics of happiness as they've been applied to various societies. Reading a book of the same title, students explored the impact that different countries have on their citizens' happiness. They also learned about different historical and cultural perspectives on happiness, the physiology of happiness, principles of Environmental Psychology, and correlations between different government systems and happiness. Students interviewed peers in Sweden to get their perspectives on the connection between happiness and lifestyle, and conducted a Personal Happiness Project to test out ideas about happiness in their own lives.

• Health

  Health Education is a course that will empower students with the knowledge and skills needed to make responsible decisions and contribute to a healthy and safe society. Students will engage in the following topics: Human Anatomy & Organ Systems, Nutrition & Physical Activity, Substance Use/Abuse Education, Healthy Relationships & Intimacy, and Stress Management.

• Hispanic Cultural Studies

  Students were given the opportunity to explore a variety of cultural topics in a specific region or country within the Spanish-speaking world. They wrote daily blog entries documenting their findings and learned from each other by interacting with each other's blogs and during class activities. Then, they completed projects based on topics they wanted to explore further, research, and better understand. 

• Intro To Probability and Statistics

  Students did probability experiments and simulations using the calculator and explored probability through tree diagrams by using counting techniques. We estimated populations means and proportions using confidence intervals and used Plinko to help explain binomial expansions.

• Modern Graphic Novel

  In Modern Graphic Novel, students read important graphical works from the past few decades, including Maus I and II by Art Spiegelman, Dropsey Avenue by Will Eisner, and Batman: Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. We also spent time learning how comics work through studying Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud. Students translated scripts to comics, comics to fiction, and finally produced an in-depth analysis of a comic or graphic novel of their choosing, explaining how prominent features and the language of comics enhance the storytelling.

• Physics II: Electrical Engineering

  In this course, students begin by learning foundational concepts from electromagnetism. They will investigate current, voltage, resistance, energy, and magnetism. Students apply their conceptual understanding as they draw and analyze series and parallel circuits, using mathematical tools such as Ohm’s Law and Kirchoff’s laws. They then design and construct their own circuits, working with resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and transistors. Students examine electromagnetism applications to practical, everyday devices such as motors, lifting magnets, and stereo speakers. Finally, students are exposed to cutting edge topics in the field, including the physics behind solar cells and solid-state electronics. Students will leave the course with a better understanding of electrical engineering and its many applications to everyday life.

• Race In America

  This course will provide an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of how "race" is constructed in the context of the United States society. Throughout the course, students will examine multiple movements for racial justice. Students will be challenged to explore multiple narratives for examining issues of power and privilege. Some of these topics may include, protesting, police brutality, white privilege, and how race intersects with other identities. After having conversations about what it looks like to be White in America and what the reality is for People of Color, students will leave with a deeper understanding of their own identities and their own capacity to make a change.