Teacher Fellow: Debra Hacker, Armijo HS

This cluster will cover such diverse areas as the sciences behind biotechnology, its history, the current state of biotechnology, and concerns about biotechnology as it changes our society. Students will have an opportunity to use core laboratory techniques that are used in both academia and the biotechnology industry. Planned outings include tours at the animal cloning facility at UC Davis, the Joint Genome Institute in Walnut Creek, and several biotechnology companies such as Genentech in Vacaville.

CORE COURSE A (4 WEEKS)

Biotechnology Laboratory Techniques
The four-week course will focus on some of the common molecular biological techniques used in biotechnology, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), protein expression in bacteria, and DNA sequencing. Students will use such diverse materials as bacteria, bacteriophages, DNA and protein while working on several projects through out the four-week course. Students will also learn the theory behind these techniques. This course will give the students a taste of what it is like to work in an academic or industry laboratory.

SUPPLEMENTARY COURSE B1 (FIRST 2 WEEKS)

Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry
This course will introduce the students to molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry as well as other sciences that touch on biotechnology. A brief history of these sciences and their effects on this emerging field will be discussed. This course is intended to give all of the students an appropriate background in the science that underlies biotechnology.

SUPPLEMENTARY COURSE B2 (LAST 2 WEEKS)

Biotechnology
This course will focus on the current state of biotechnology. Examples from both animal and plant biotechnology from academia and industry will be used. Applications of biotechnology to medicine and social aspects of biotechnology, such as the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment and the use or misuse of genetic information by insurance companies will also be discussed.

CORE COURSE (4 WEEKS)

Great Physical Science Ideas and Applications
This course will investigate the very foundations of western scientific techniques in physical science. Students will explore how and why we have come to develop the "scientific method", what it means to do basic and applied research, and how the principles of Newtonian mechanics, quantum mechanics, and special relativity are linked directly to the centerpiece of the Cluster: the relationships between observation, physics, and technology. We will discuss specific core applications, from optics and lasers to radiation and nuclear weapons, as well as important scientific and technological problems, such as different types of power production. This course will include outings to, e.g., University of California National Laboratories in Northern California and an overnight trip to Los Alamos National Laboratory* in Northern New Mexico including a visit to the Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos.

*Special thanks to Los Alamos National Laboratory for generous support of this activity.

SUPPLEMENTARY COURSE B1 (FIRST 2 WEEKS)

The History of Understanding Planetary Motion
This section will explore the history of man's understanding of mechanical and planetary behavior from the ancient Greeks to Newton's equations of motion. We will illuminate how simple observations can produce remarkable revelations of the world around us, and how theoretical considerations can be developed from observations to eventually provide reliable and important explanations and predictions that can be used in science and technology.

SUPPLEMENTARY COURSE B2 (LAST 2 WEEKS)

Optics and Lasers -- Optical Communications
This course will cover the theoretical foundations of the most important components used in optical communication links. Laboratory activities will provide hands-on experience with components that constitute a link such as lasers and optical detectors. Simple electric circuits will be constructed in the laboratory to perform the modulation and detection of optical beams. In addition, we will measure the optical properties of some materials.

How do planes fly? What will the cars of the future look like? This cluster will explore the fundamentals of engineering mechanics and see how they are applied, from bicycles to rockets.

COURSE A1 (FIRST 2 WEEKS)

What Makes Airplanes Fly?
This section will cover airplane configuration and properties of air as well as characteristics of wing selection, lift generation and dependence on angle of attack. Three dimensional effects in terms of Aspect Ratios, compressibility effects in terms of Mach numbers, viscous effects in terms of Reynolds numbers, and stability of airplanes will also be discussed. In addition to discussions and computer assignments, activities include smoke and water tunnel experiments to demonstrate tip vortex, flying airplane models, and visiting the United Airlines Engine Center in San Francisco and McCllelan Airforce Museum in Sacramento.

COURSE A2 (SECOND 2 WEEKS)

Rocket Science
This section will introduce students to Orbital Mechanics and the two-body problem. Trajectories of satellites in terms of conic sections, thrust generation, and derivation of the Rocket Equation as well as Launch Vehicle Dynamics will be covered. This course will also discuss flow through convergent-divergent nozzles, transfer of internal energy to kinetic energy, and both solid and liquid propellant rocket engines. Activities include experiments using a water table to demonstrate wave patterns analogous to shock waves in supersonic flows, flying model rockets, and outings to Space Camp at NASA AMES Research Center in Moffett Field and Aerojet Company in Sacramento.

COURSE B1 (FIRST 2 WEEKS)

Sensors, Actuators, & Smart Machinery
As a result of the computing revolution, we are surrounded by microprocessors: in cars, aircraft, hospitals – even in our washing machines. For these microprocessors to perform a useful task in a real-world application, they must be connected to sensors that allow them to collect information, and actuators that allow them to act on their surroundings. Sensors perform the vital task of taking physical information and converting it into an electrical signal that can be recorded or processed. Actuators convert electrical signals into physical actions, such as opening a valve or rotating a control rudder. Sensors and computer control systems help to keep our houses temperature-controlled and make sure that the air-bag deploys at precisely the right moment (and not when we drive over a pot hole).

This course will cover the technology used to make sensors and actuators. Students will learn how these devices work and how they are constructed. Students will experiment with sensors for basic parameters such as temperature, pressure, acceleration, and position. Fundamental concepts such as sensitivity, resolution, and accuracy will be introduced. Finally, the methods used to design computer controlled machinery will be described.

COURSE B2 (SECOND 2 WEEKS)

Future Cars
This section will cover car components (body, engine and fluids), including basic statics, strength of materials, car dynamics, vibrations, stability, and control. A study of the various types of vehicles will also be conducted including vehicles powered by internal combustion, fuel cells, hydrogen, electrical, and hybrid engines. Activities include racing remote control cars and visiting the Mercedes Center in Sacramento.

COURSE A (4 WEEKS)

California's Natural Environment
The natural environment of California is more varied than that of any other state. With this variety comes a broad array of natural hazards and a host of real and potential issues relating to pollution and conservation of natural resources. In this course, we will look at California's natural environment and the problems associated with it. After obtaining an overview of basic earth science processes, we will examine various hazards that threaten California, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and floods; important natural resources that are vital to the state, such as water, soil, and air; and significant threats to the health and welfare of California's citizens from air and water pollution and from contamination by solid, liquid, toxic and radioactive waste.

COURSE B (4 WEEKS)

California's Climate and Ecosystems
The diversity of California’s physical environment translates into a diversity of climates and ecosystems. In this course we will first examine the current interrelationship between the land and the climate, and the biomes and ecosystems that they support. We will then look at the methods that are used to determine climates in the past and will study how climate patterns in California have changed through time. Finally we will explore how future climate change could impact everything from the availability of water and power in cities to the kinds of crops that can be grown in key agricultural regions in the state.

Field trips
There will be two all-day field trips each week to see and understand the concepts presented in the course. Planned excursions include visits to the Bay Area to look at risks from earthquake, flooding, landslides and coastal erosion and how people do (and don’t) cope with them; to the Napa Valley to see the influence of volcanic activity on the land and the crops that can be grown on it; to the Sierra Nevada foothills to visit gold deposits and caves formed under different climatic conditions; and to the Sacramento Valley to learn how people deal with waste disposal, flood control, gravel mining and power generation.

COURSE A (4 WEEKS)

Computational Physics in Molecular & Planetary Motion
This course will develop students’ ability to use a computer to do interesting problems in mathematics and physics. It begins with some basic computer science, including C programming, the basics of Linux operating system, and how to use a plotting package. After using these tools to perform familiar mathematical tasks (ones for which we know the answers), they will be applied to more complicated problems. These include chaotic motion and simulations of satellite orbits which have unexpected and fascinating behavior. In the laboratory students will assemble a cpu/motherboard/disk drive/etc. into a working computer and install an operating system. The course includes field trips to Schilling Robotics and the Virtual Reality Laboratory of the UC Davis Visualization and Graphics Research Group.

COURSE B (4 WEEKS)

Computer Science - Intro to Robotics
This course is an informal introduction to computer science using Lego Mindstorm™ robots. The course teaches the basics of a first semester college computer science course, using NQC, a variant of the C programming language, developed for the Lego robots by Dave Baum. Standard programming concepts covered include: variables, loops, arithmetic functions, function calls, data/file manipulation, and random number generation. In addition, mechanical aspects of the robot such as the building bumpers and feelers, playing sounds, locomotion, gears, pulleys, and communication will be covered. Since programs for the robot are written on a personal computer (and then downloaded to the robot via an infra-red port), students will also learn the basics of the Unix operating system (either Linux or OS X) running on the personal computers. Each student in the course will be assigned their own robot for the duration of the course. This course will focus on the basics of designing, building, and programming the robots.

Teacher Fellows: Adam Russ, Esparto HS & Lola Muldrew

This cluster is designed to introduce students with a strong interest in mathematics to several different advanced topics. Many of these topics would ordinarily only be seen at the graduate level, but all lend themselves to an introductory course at the high school level. NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN ANY OF THESE TOPICS is expected, but enthusiasm for and interest in mathematics is essential. Therefore this cluster available as a FIRST CHOICE OPTION ONLY.

CORE COURSE A (4 WEEKS)

Doing Mathematics - With a Computer at Your Side
What if computers had been invented 300 years ago? How would this affect the mathematics we learn at school? Spreadsheets and graphing calculators will be used to develop answers to these questions. After casting new light on topics from arithmetic and algebra, these familiar forms of computer technology will enable us to engage in some realistic mathematical modeling. Here we will develop "rules for change" and encounter contemporary concepts such as chaos theory, fractal images, and cellular automata.

SUPPLEMENTARY COURSE B1 (FIRST WEEK)

Biogeometry
Most living organisms are complex assemblies of cells, the building blocks for life. Each cell can be seen as a small chemical factory, involving thousands of different players with a large range of size and function. Among them biological macro-molecules hold a special place. These usually large molecules serve as storage for the genetic information (the nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA), and as key actors of cellular functions (the proteins). As the function of these molecules is directly related to their structure and shape, we have seen recently the emergence of a new partnership between mathematics, computer science and biology, namely bio-geometry. In this course we will show how classical and advanced geometric techniques are applied to the study of macromolecules, and more generally to biological process. Our goal in this class is to bring awareness to the students of the critical need of interdisciplinary approaches to study biological problems, focusing on mathematics.

SUPPLEMENTARY COURSE B2 (SECOND WEEK)

The Secret Life of Polyhedra
Polyhedra are familiar objects from our childhood. Indeed, cubes, pyramids, and triangles are common staples in all kindergartens! Unknown to most people, polyhedra, in their high-dimensional version, are also widely used in applied mathematics (e.g. operations research, finances, computer networks, and more). Their beauty and simplicity appeal to all, but very few people know of the many difficult unsolved mathematical problems that hide behind their beauty.

In this mini-course we will take a short tour of the land of polyhedra. This will not be your standard math course; the emphasis will be on developing high dimensional intuition and getting to appreciate several open problems.

SUPPLEMENTARY COURSE B3 (THIRD WEEK)

Public Key Cryptography and Zero Knowledge Proofs
New mathematical techniques allow us to carry out procedures which at first seem impossible. We can publicly exchange passwords and then send coded messages. We can show that we know how to prove a theorem without revealing the proof. This course will introduce these amazing ideas, which have already found application in the encryption of internet financial transactions.

SUPPLEMENTARY COURSE B4 (FOURTH WEEK)

The Topology of the Universe
Is the universe flat? We thought the earth was flat for a long time...what about the 3-dimensional universe we live in? If we send a rocket off into space programmed to go "straight", will it eventually come back to where it started, like what happens if you go "west" long enough starting at a point on the equator? No-one knows the answers to these questions. This course will look at some of the possibilities by studying the geometry and topology of graphs and surfaces, and looking at what is known of the topology of space.

Prerequisites: None (This cluster has many more applicants than space and is therefore available as a FIRST CHOICE only.)

CORE COURSE A (4 WEEKS)

Medical & Veterinary Responses to Infectious Diseases
Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites far outnumber the human and animal inhabitants of planet earth. Most of these microbes are innocent grazers and bystanders and generally do us no harm. Some are even beneficial like those used in making bread, yogurt, cheese, etc. Those that cause disease, although in the minority, occupy a large part of a physician’s or a veterinarian’s professional career. This course will provide hands-on experience in identifying and characterizing disease-causing agents of humans and animals. Students will play the role of doctor, veterinarian, or research scientist in learning the diagnosis and treatment of selected infectious agents. Students will read X-rays, study anatomy and pathology specimens, observe surgical procedures, and learn how antibiotics work and observe their effect on pathogens. Field trips will include visits and tours of the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital, the UC Davis Medical Hospital, the Primate Center, Raptor Center, Equine Center, the Center for Companion Animal Health, and the Center for Comparative Medicine. Guest speakers representing the broad diversity of specialty careers within these professions will present talks and answer questions.

SUPPLEMENTARY COURSE B1 (2 WEEKS)

Veterinary Medicine
Infectious diseases of importance in veterinary medicine will be investigated. Students will participate in diagnosing, identifying, and determining the proper management and treatment of these pathogens. In addition, students will demonstrate microbiology techniques used in clinical laboratory diagnostics with hands on participation. Students will tackle actual clinical case projects combining anatomy, pathology, radiology, and infectious diseases.

SUPPLEMENTARY COURSE B2 (2 WEEKS)

Human Medicine
This course will focus on infectious disease agents of the human host. Students will utilize and refine the techniques described in supplementary course B1 with exposure to differences and similarities used in human medicine diagnostics and treatment regimes for pathogens. Students will create a life size human subject determined by measuring a single bone from the human body. The students will also draw to scale the circulatory system, digestive tract, and vital organs.