Winter 2012 Courses at Monmouth University

January 2012 – March 2012

 

Click here for a brochure on our Winter 2012 courses and here for a video that describes our program.  These courses are taught at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. 

 

The courses we’re offering in Winter 2012 are below. 

·         6th Grade:  Forensics by Ms. Shirley Hui.  It looks like this course is full.  Please go ahead and fill out the application and we'll put you on the wait list.  Thanks.

·         7th Grade:  Is it Science or Magic?  by Mrs. Roseann McCarthy.

·         7th and 8th Grade:  Explore, Imagine and Build by Mr. John Valente.

·         8th Grades:  Explore the Universe! by Mr. Marc Coe.

·         Key Dates

o        December 22, 2011:  Application deadline.  Applications. 

o        December 30, 2011:  Notification of acceptance by email.

o        January 4, 2012:  Tuition due.

o        Week of January 9, 2012:  Classes start.

 

 

Winter 2012:  Short Course Descriptions   

January 2012 – March 2012

  • 6th Grade – Forensics
    • Did you ever wonder how investigators solve crimes?  Do you enjoy watching episodes of CSI?  Well, this course is for students who love solving mysteries.  Each session will provide students an opportunity to build investigative skills and work like a crime scene investigator.  Students take active roles as characters in the mysteries.  Student-sleuths will analyze physical evidence and debate possible hypotheses.  We will learn how to use evidence to reconstruct a crime scene.  Labs will show students how to analyze lipstick samples, fiber samples, and mystery powders.  If mysteries have always intrigued you, and you would rather be actively solving them than just reading about them, then this forensics course is perfect for you.  More…
    • Check out the pictures from previous courses (2007, 2008, 2009M, 2009W, 2010M, 2010Th, 2011).
    • Ms. Shirley Hui is a science teacher at Cedar Drive School in Colts Neck.  She holds a BS in Education and an MS in the Elementary Science and Environmental Program from the City University of New York at Brooklyn College.  Ms. Hui believes in a "hands-on" approach to learning and knows the importance of helping her students make connections between science and their every day lives.  More…
    • The course will be offered on Monday evenings from 6:00-8:00 PM at Monmouth University starting January 9.
    • The tuition is $500.  Application.

 

  • 7th Grade – Is it Science or Magic?
    • Did you ever wonder why jello jiggles?  Why oil floats on water?  Why cabbage juice turns some liquids green and some red?  Why ice cream won’t freeze until it’s below zero degrees?  Why bubbles are spherical not cubic?  Why Alka Seltzer fizzes?  By observing, questioning, and experimenting, students will investigate the field of chemistry.  They will study the gas laws, acid and bases, as well as the properties of solids, solutions, and polymers.  Join us for this exciting course and learn how chemistry makes this science, not magic.  More…
    • Check out the pictures from previous courses (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).
    • Mrs. Roseann McCarthy is the winner of national science teaching awards.  She is the winner of the Luminary award from the American Chemical Society.  She has presented to teachers and students at numerous state and national conventions.  She teaches AP chemistry at Ocean Township High School and has an MS from the University of Pennsylvania in Chemistry Education.  When she is not working in the lab, she spends her time in the kitchen, mostly making desserts, or at the gym where she works off all her favorite desserts.  More…
    • This course will be offered on Monday evenings from 6:00-8:00 PM at Monmouth University starting January 9. 
    • The tuition is $500.  Application.

 

  • 7th and 8th Grades – Explore, Imagine and Build
    • While watching your favorite television show, a news alert flashes a warning about possible tornadoes or electrical storms sweeping across your town.  How will you protect yourself, your family and your house?   Why are roller coasters so much fun?  Why can’t you walk on a planet ten times the mass of the Earth?  Why would space travelers be crushed if a spaceship accelerated to almost the speed of light (even though you see this all the time at the movies)?  How does a karate expert break boards with their hands? You’ll find out by taking this course.  Each week you’ll investigate and discover the rules that govern one or two physical principles.  Then you’ll explore the ideas yourself, create a device that illustrates the ideas, and build it.  You can take these devices home and amaze your friends with your new brainpower and use them to compete in the class competitions.  The prizes are donuts! More…
    • Check out the pictures from Mr. Valente’s earlier courses (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011).
    • Mr. John Valente is a teacher at the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST).  He teaches physics, with an emphasis on physical oceanography, and AP physics.  He is also the Vice-President of the New Jersey American Association of Physics Teachers and conducts frequent workshops for physics teachers with the goal of improving physics teaching.  More…
    • This course will be offered on Monday evenings from 6:00-8:00 PM at Monmouth University starting January 9. 
    • The tuition is $500.  Application.

 

    • “I learned that you can never dream, think, or imagine too big when it comes to the universe.  With all that is unknown in our vast, vast universe, at least one of my crazy ideas is bound to be real.”  This quote by one of our students captures the essence of this astronomy course. You’ll ask the questions that have puzzled you as you look into the vastness of the night sky. As you discover answers, you’ll find that more questions will arise.  In this hands-on course, students will explore astronomy and physics, including the nature of light and ballistics.  Lasers and mirrors will be used to probe the properties of light.  We will use telescopes on The Great Lawn at Monmouth University to observe the planets, stars and constellations.  We'll use slingshots to simulate meteor impacts (always a messy activity) and use Bunsen burners to simulate space craft re-entry through the earth's atmosphere.  More…
    • Check out the pictures from earlier courses (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).
    • Mr. Coe is an experienced educator with many years of math and science instruction experience.  He was recognized by the New Jersey State Systemic Initiative Program for innovative use of technology in the classroom.  He has presented workshops at Rutgers University.  Mr. Coe believes that successful science instruction involves critical thinking and problem solving using real world situations.  More…
    • This course will be offered on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 PM at Monmouth University starting January 10. 
    • The tuition is $500.  Application.