Fall 2009

The Foundations Program - Fourth - Fifth Grades

(Students are required to take two courses - one in math/science and one in humanities.)

All courses offered on Saturday or Sunday unless otherwise noted.

(AFS01) Mathematical Logic & Probability: This course is designed to strengthen students' conceptual understanding of mathematics and developing ability in problem solving techniques. Students working individually, and in small groups ,will be provided with a variety of problem situations that can be approached by several modes of solution using probability studies, strategy games, word problems, and puzzles. Emphasis is on presentation of enjoyable problems that provide opportunities for intuitive and inductive reasoning, mathematical discovery, reasoning skills, creativity and originality of thought. Instructor (Saturday): Cynthia Sanchez Instructor (Sunday): Abby Hersch

(AFS02) Introduction to Algebra: Begin to explore the world of algebra in this class. Become familiar with the basic operations of signed numbers, algebraic language, linear equations, and operations with polynomials and factoring. An excellent introductory course for students who have not yet had algebra. Instructor (Saturday): Levina Sequeira Instructor (Sunday): Franc Lacinski

(AFS03) Experimental Chemistry: Students experience and observe the chemical and physical behavior of atoms and molecules through hands-on experiments and demonstrations. Students use laboratory equipment to gain real-life knowledge of chemistry. Experiments introduce such concepts as acid-base chemistry, synthesis, purification and analysis, crystallization, distillation and stoichiometry. A great first course for students in the laboratory! Instructor: Hani Awadallah

(AFS04) The Wizard School: Are you a Harry Potter fanatic? Then this is the class for you. Muggle school was never like this! Potions (chemistry), Herbology, Divination (astronomy), Care of Magical Creatures (zoology), Quidditch and a Tri-wizand Challenge are just some of the classes you will attend. This is for advanced wizards only. So put on you robes, bring your cauldron and your passion for all things Potter to this enchanting experience. Instructor: Wanda Rodriguez

(AFS05) Zoology & Veterinary Science: Attention future veterinarians! The animal kingdom is vast and often mysterious. Participants learn the basics of animal biology related to structure and physiology. Students investigate evolutionary mechanisms that lead to the diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. While conducting hands-on and virtual dissections and field work, students identify, compare, and contrast the critical features used to classify animals into major groups. Instructor: Tom Koehler

(AFS06) Marsville - Saturday Only: Space Colonization: Students create a positive vision of the technological society of the 21st century and of their role in making it a reality. Examining and learning from the historical experience of their home planet's development, students will be asked to create a new human world, a multi-national settlement on Mars, and become pioneers of the space frontier. Teams will create specific biological and social systems for their space colony. They will construct a physical habitat to house their systems. Through creative problem solving, cooperative learning and responsible decision-making skills, students will solve a colony crisis. Instructor: Jim Verrengia

(AFS07) Aviation Science-Saturday Only: Explore the exciting world of flight.  Learn about the physics that make modern flight possible, through a variety of fun aviation projects. All students build model airplanes that really fly (using paper, styrofoam and balsa wood). By applying a knowledge of angles, control surfaces, weight and balance, force, Newton’s laws, and Bernoulli’s principle, students discover how to effect a desired outcome. We illustrate many facets of aviation, including occupations, history (kites, hot air balloons, dirigibles, gliders, helicopters, planes, rockets and key individuals), plus other practical references that relate their school studies to the activities they enjoy doing. All students will exercise critical thinking and applied understanding to the planes they build (skills that will have applications throughout their lifetimes). We invite individual exploration, and each student will construct and fly a few different airplanes or gliders, including an experimental one of his or her own design. Instructor: Mike Twomey

CLOSED(AFS08) Things that Move-Sunday Only: Students will enjoy being “artistic scientists” when they construct their own toys, mobiles and wind chimes.  We will paint, glue, and string creative masterpieces using various materials.  When the projects are done, there will be lots of fun… playing with their creations that roll, spin or twirl in the breeze. Instructor: Marcy Madden

CLOSED(AFH01) daVinci Mode-Sunday Only:Leonardo da Vinci had ideas and inspiration that made him much more than an artist – he was also an engineer, inventor, scientist, and, some people thought, a magician! He left us some wonderful notebooks that show us what a brilliant man he was. He invented many kinds of machines, including war tanks, gliders, a kind of camera, a copying machine and even a kind of ancient computer that have been built into working models by today’s scientists and engineers. So let’s take a walk through the life of Leonardo and learn about stretching our imaginations to envision a picture of the future by using Leo’s methods and ideas. We’ll make our own paint, create a “Secret Notebook” like Leo did, learn how to make portraits like the Mona Lisa and even paint a great big “Last Supper” of our own, showing our favorite foods and self portraits. We’ll also design our own futuristic machines and in the process make some amazing discoveries of our own! Instructor: Eyleen Faust

(AFH02) Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Club:-Saturday Only: Enter a world where aliens, space exploration, vampires, monsters, wizards and magic become part of our class. This course will focus on the many aspects that make up the science fiction genre. Students will explore fantasy, science and horror by doing critical readings and analysis of the subject matter. Reflective journals will be used for exploratory introspection and critical thinking based on the readings. Some of the authors will include J.R.R. Tolkien, Ray Bradbury, J.K. Rowling, Terry Brooks, and Orson Scott Card.  In addition to reading, the course will include samples of film, technology, creativeness and lots of fun. Come and explore wondrous worlds and fantastic creatures where only your imagination is the limit! Instructor: Brian Saccomanno

(AFH03) Historical Mysteries-Sunday Only: A course guaranteed to fascinate and challenge both history and mystery lovers alike.  Subjects covered include the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, the explosion of the Hindenburg, the “death” of Beatle Paul McCartney, the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, the mysterious life of Princess Anastasia, the true meaning of the “Wizard of Oz” and, of course the J.F.K. assassination.  In short, we will investigate the most fascinating and thought-provoking events of all time.  Armed with film, speculation and actual historical artifacts, this course promises to be an entertaining and unique opportunity to study, learn and enjoy the pursuit of historical truth. Instructor: Jim Woods

(AFH04) A Picture is worth a Thousand Words: Writing and Art -Saturday Only - Create written works of art from art! Develop stories and poems from the inspiration of different art forms (paintings, illustrations, music, dance, etc). Delight your senses and explore the power of the "muse" while discovering what inspires your best writing! Instructor: Rachel Kim

(AFH05) Ancient Civilization: The Science of History-Saturday Only: Technology, Science and History unite to create a dynamic exploration of ancient civilization. Students, acting as ancient people, will tackle complex technological and logistical challenges. Traveling to Egypt, students analyze approaches to move a large stone overland from a dig site to the river bank for transport. Students will experiment with sand and water to solve this ancient problem. How will they lift the heavy granite blocks as they construct the pyramid? Students will prepare a site for the construction of a pyramid and discover ways of lifting the stone blocks using mobile lifting engines. As ancient Romans, students will build a ten foot long, eight foot high, three tiered arched arcade which is the everlasting symbol of the Roman aqueduct. The Romans are historically applauded as the ancient world’s best bridge builders. Using two water stations, students will build a floating ‘pontoon’ bridge and a stick built, 'pile' bridge. Very detailed teamwork and communication, using task booklet instructions, guide them to success in these challenges. Model soldiers, horses, and carts pose as logistical questions for movement from one shore to another. The Infantry capabilities of the Roman Army were the foundation of all massed troop warfare, making the study of their troop formations and battle tactics essential to understanding the power and grandeur of the Roman Legions. Students, dressed in replica uniforms, are arranged and massed as legionnaires in formations, are taught to march in battle order, and use large wooden shields and faux spears to simulate battle techniques. Instructor: Lawrence Kenny

(AFH06) Balloon Sculpture - Sunday Only: This class is designed to give the students a fun way to express their creativity and explore part-time income possibilities. Learn the skill to bring excitement to parties and create sculptures limited only by your imagination. Have fun twisting balloons into animals and sculptures by creating and locking basic balloon bubbles. You'll learn how to create: a dog, rabbit, cat, octopus, starfish, mouse, giraffe, swan, bumblebee's and hummingbirds. Create a parrot on a swing, palm trees with coconuts, flowers, swords, hearts, baskets and more! The possibilities are limited only by your imagination and skill level. Instructor: Beverly Suzan

(AFH07) Study Skills: Improving your grades may not require you to spend more time studying: you may only need to study more efficiently.  This course will offer a wide variety of study skills, with an assortment of useful strategies, while directing students toward academic self-sufficiency.  Learn to manage time, improve concentration and remember more of what you study.  Note-taking techniques, test-taking skills, memory tricks, presenting effective oral and written reports and winning strategies for specific kinds of classes are among the topics that will be covered. Instructor: Kathryn Kuebler

CLOSED - SUNDAY ONLY: (AFH08) Thinking on your Feet: Public speaking with eloquence and confidence - The ultimate on-camera commercial training, public speaking, improvisational training, all rolled into one. If you have ever had secret ambitions of starring in national TV commercials, want to wow them as a public speaker in your school, or perform an acting scene without a script, this is your chance. The instructor acted in national commercials and Broadway Shows to backup his extensive teaching and training background. Instructor: Gary Martin

(AFH09) Graphic Novels-Sunday Only: Award-winning author/illustrator of the graphic novels Blindspot and Katman, both published by Henry Holt for Young Readers, Kevin C. Pyle, will teach you how to create characters, build worlds and tell your stories with words and pictures. This class will introduce students to all the narrative tools unique to graphic novels and take them through the process of creating their own self-published mini-comic. Special focus will be spent on the visual representation of complex emotions, the identification and use of literary devices, and classic three-act plot structure. All drawing levels are welcome as comics provide an excellent foundation for budding writers, animators and film makers. Instructor: Kevin Pyle

CLOSED -(AFH10) Playwriting-Sunday Only: Have you ever seen a play and wondered what it would be like to write one? In this course, students will be taken through the process of playwriting with step-by-step exercises such table readings, character games and in class writing workshops. Students will also receive one-on-one help and will learn new writing skills and techniques along with a new understanding of playwriting.  Students will be able to see their work come together with a theatrical reading at the end of the course. Instructor: Morgan Gertler

(AFH11) Legendary Figures-Saturday Only: Find out what Robin Hood, King Arthur and Indiana Jones were really like.  From the high sea adventures of the Vikings, to the forest of Sherwood, on to the battlefields of Europe with Richard the Lion Hearted, to the scary Transylvania home of the real Count Dracula; the Middle Ages provides us with the most interesting and fascinating people, places and events in history.  Through extensive use of film, literature, folklore and the professor’s collection of medieval weapons, incredible stories of mystery, intrigue, romance and adventure will come to life. Instructor: Jim Woods

CLOSED(AFH12)Will America Accept You?-Sunday Only: This course is a history-infused-theatre-residency exploring the passage that millions of immigrants endured on their way to the United States.  By using theatre improvisation exercises this interactive experience will take participants through a personal Ellis Island journey that provides an understanding of the people who lived it. Will America accept you?  Do you have what it takes to enter the land of the free?  Today is April 17, 1907.  It will be remembered as the busiest day in Ellis Island history.  Your bags are packed.  Your family is with you.  You are one of 11,747 people attempting to gain citizenship on this day alone.  Put on the shoes of an American immigrant and journey with us, through the ELLIS ISLAND Experience. Instructor: Margo Hammond

CLOSED(AFH13) Magic - Saturday Only: Magic enables the student to find their individuality and gives the apprentice a means to express their own personality. Be the popular friend that's having fun creating magic and you'll amaze your family and friends. This hands- on course is about the secret ways of the magician. Tricks taught will bring an understanding into this exciting art. You learn what makes magic...magic! Why it happens and how to make it happen.
This is a fun and rewarding course that through the tricks provided you will learn aesthetics, creative ways of thinking, sleight-of hand, magic history, psychology, self-confidence, drama and acting. Instructor: Beverly Suzan

(AFSD1) Electronics for Kids 1 - Sunday Only: Children, and parents too, will find this class interesting and exciting. Build projects in the classroom with everyday materials while learning about electronics. Students will experience, firsthand, the development of electricity, how sound can be stored and how color television pictures are produced. Build a phonograph speaker from paper that actually works. All these, and lots more fun things to do. Instructor: Jeff Jones

(AFSD2) Electronics for Kids 2 - Saturday Only: This class offers an opportunity for personal observation and experience of how electrical charges can be used to solve practical problems. By constructing basic electronic circuits, applying mathematical procedures that are integral to the study of electronics, and utilizing a variety of electronic components (transistors and other semiconductor materials), students will develop the grounding necessary to pursue an education in Electronics Engineering. Those students who took Electronics-I will remember that the class was a fun, exciting experience. Instructor: Jeff Jones