Courses for Middle & High School Students
Life Sciences
Beyond ER
Get a hands-on look at the medical field. This half course simulates diagnosis, patient education and surgery for heart disease. In the “pre-op” stage, you’ll learn about heart disease, its causes and diagnosis. Then you’ll put on an operating room gown and goggles and investigate anatomy of a cow heart. You’ll perform a heart operation by using tubing to stitch a bypass onto a coronary artery. You’ll also learn about reproductive health and fetal distress, and you’ll perform fetal surgery in a bovine uterus. Recommended for rising 8th through 12th graders.
Fun with Biology
Immerse yourself into the world of biology, from single cells to large animals to forensic science. You'll start by learning about prokaryotes and eukaryotes. You'll learn the basic principles of microbiology, such as Gram staining and growing bacterial cells in culture. You'll discuss tissue culture, cloning and stem cell research. Next, you'll explore anatomy and physiology by dissecting rats, human hearts and octopuses. On a field trip to the Clemson Dairy Farm, you'll learn about dairy animals, milk production and feeding. After examining protists living in the digestive system of a cow and algae from a dairy pond, you'll learn why ruminants can digest cellulose. Then, you'll investigate a simulated crime sceneand paternity case. You'll end the week by learning about genes, inheritance, karyotypes, the development of diseases and cancer. Recommended for rising 8th through 12th graders.
DNA Science
Both seasoned scientists and beginning students approach the abstract nature of molecular genetics by asking questions and conducting experiments. The DNA Science class introduces you to the tools of modern biotechnology with lessons presented by the S.C. DNA Learning Center. The class is for students who have little or no experience in molecular genetics. You'll conduct experiments that teach you about human, plant and bacterial genetics. You'll also learn the basic techniques needed to construct and analyze recombinant DNA molecules, including DNA restriction/ligation, bacterial transformation and plasmid isolation. Recommended for rising 7th through 12th graders.
Junior Master Naturalist
Hike, scavenge, forage, experiment, learn and be amazed by nature. Experience hands-on activities to interpret or "read" the wilderness, understand geography and geology, identify organisms and observe ecological processes. Learn conservation strategies and how human activities affect plants, animals and the environment. Most of the class will be taught outdoors, on the Clemson campus and in the surrounding Clemson Forest. By the end of the class, you'll be well on your way to becoming a master naturalist! Available for all students 7th through 12th grade.
What Are You Afraid Of? Getting to Know Wildlife That Scare Us
Here's your chance to explore the natural areas on and near the University as you study the biology and life history of snakes, bats, rats, spiders, and owls. Activities will include field trips and field studies of each species, trapping and handling of some animals, and creative classroom activities. You may be required to keep a journal. Some outdoor walking/hiking under medium physical rigor is required. Available for rising 8th through 12th graders.
Earth and Physical Sciences
Everyday Chemistry
This is a laboratory study of common chemicals and the everyday application of chemical concepts. Specific experiments will interest those who have had little or no science experience, while other experiments will challenge those who have taken a physical science course. A friendly, relaxed atmosphere is encouraged, although strict safety rules are enforced as you learn about chemical reactivity and how to use chemicals safely in the lab, at home and in the workplace. Recommended for 7th to 9th grade students.
Earth and Planetary Science
You'll examine minerals, rocks and gemstones, and view moon rocks and surface features o fthe moon and selected planets. You'll learn about volcanoes and meteorite impact craters in our solar system and make your own impact craters and lava flows. You'll go on a field trip to a nearby steam to measure its steam flow. Visits to the campus planetarium and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum are also included. Available for all students 7th through 12th grade.
Mathematics
Secrets!
Learn the mathematics behind code making and code-breaking, from the earliest codes used by Roman military commanders to modern public-key Encryption algorithms used to keep financial transactions secure on the Internet. Recommended for 9th through 12th-graders who have completed Algebra I or equivalent.
Building Homes of Our Own I
Explore the mathematics involved in designing and building a new home, from selection of an appropriate lot, through the planning and design process, to the selection of building materials. Mathematical topics will include budgeting, loans, compound interest, percentages, and ratios. Recommended fro rising 7th through 9th grade. We encourage students to take the second week of this class, Building Homes of Our Own II.
Building Homes of Our Own II
Build a scale mode of the house you designed in Building Homes of Our Own I, then you will market and sell it! Mathematical topics will include scale factors, budgeting, and percentages. Recommended for rising 7th through 9th grade. Students must have completed Building Homes of Our Own I in the previous week.
Let the Games Begin!
Learn strategies and solutions to some of today and yesterday's popular games from Rubix cube to sodoku. Impress your friends with your ability to win with ease and speed. Recommended for rising 8th - 12th grade students. June 14-20.
"Excel"erate!
Learn how to use Mircrosoft Excel to generate spreadsheets, databases, calculate math equations, and even play games! Learn the basics of this valuable software and have some fun creating graphs and charts. Recommended for rising 7th - 9th grade students. June 21-27.
Engineering
Exploring Engineering and Technology
In this all-day class, you'll explore technology systems. You'll engage in active learning and hands-on experiences with systems such as design, manufacturing, construction, communication, transportation, and biotechnology. All activities and class organization will employ problem-solving, teamwork and cooperative learning. Class meets all day. Recommended for rising 7th through 9th grade.
Engineering Graphics: Computer-Assisted Design and Prototyping
Imagine that you have a new design idea. You can picture it in your mind, and you want to create it so others can see it and benefit from it. This course will take you through the steps involved in the design process. You'll create design sketches and use engineering software to make 3D computer models. You'll also produce a plastic model of what you've designed using rapid prototyping. Available for all students, rising 7th through 12th grade.
Communications
Communication Skills
Become more effective at communicating with your friends, family and teachers. You’ll be able to think critically, write coherently and speak effectively. The first part of the program is divided into four sections — creating and varying perspectives, formulating and testing hypotheses, recognizing assumptions and evaluating values. From this critical-thinking base, you’ll learn to use invention heuristics and to formulate, develop and organize ideas. You’ll participate in a number of activities, from role-playing and writing to preparing speeches on specific topics for delivery to a variety of audiences. You’ll also spend time in the library learning to use computer systems for research. Available for all students, rising 7th through 12th grade.
Intercultural Communication Skills
This is an exciting two weeks in late July when you'll share the classroom with students from Toho Academy, an all-girls' school in Tokyo, Japan. You'll not only spend time learning the principles of good communication, but you'll also gain valuable experience learning to communicate with people of another culture. You'll spend time learning about the differences in communication codes and social norms. You'll also plan, research, write, and deliver speeches about cultural issues and how they vary between Western and Eastern communities. Available for all students, rising 7th through 12th grade.
Stage Performance
Have you ever wanted to be an actor? A performance study is the basis upon which all acting careers are built. In this class, you'll learn to develop the voice for stage through proper breathing techniques and intonation. You'll learn to analyze literature as poetry, narrative and dramatic works for the purpose of performance. You'll also gain practical experience in the art of Reader's Theater where you make literature come to life. No interest in being an actor? That's okay because this course is an excellent way to improve your public-speaking skills. Available for all students, rising 7th through 12th grades.
Computer Science
Introduction to Computational Science Using Visual Basic
Explore the interdisciplinary nature of computational science, which combines computer science, mathematics and science. You'll learn the concept of integrals from calculus and how a graphing calculator integrates a function and displays the area under a curve. You'll use Visual Basic to write a program that finds the area under a curve using the rectangle and trapezoidal rules. In addition to comparing your output with the output from a graphing calculator, you'll analyze the differences in the accuracy of the two visualizations resulting from your implementations of these two numerical methods. Recommended for rising seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders.
Social Science
Psychology
Would you like to know why humans behave the way we do? In this course, you’ll learn about psychology, a broad field of study that focuses on both normal and abnormal human behavior. The class is taught using a team approach, which gives you a chance to learn from several professors who are active researchers and practitioners in the clinical, social, physiological, experimental and human-factors areas of psychology. Some lessons may deal with the brain and behavior, sleep and dreams, perception, nighttime driving, personality tests, bullying, psychopathology, memory, problem-solving, intelligence and relaxation techniques. You’ll participate in a wide variety of both individual and group activities that help you learn by doing. Available for all students, rising 7th through 12th grades. The July class is recommended for high school students.