In 1976, Richard Dawkins, an English evolutionary biologist, proposed an idea in his book The Selfish Gene. What if ideas are like organisms, where they could breed and mutate? These ideas, he claimed, are actually the basis for human culture, and they are born in the brain. Dawkins called this concept "meme", shortened from the Greek "mimeme", meaning "that which is replicated".

Memes are the building blocks of a new kind of evolution. They are copied by our brains and our behavior and are passed from person to person. They are more than passing fads: they are titanic. They can modify the world and revolutionize life.

In this class we will look at memes as the basis for the intellectual revolution of the digital age. How do memes work? How do they spread ideas? What controversies can/does this cause? How are memes present in your life, and how do they influence your thoughts and opinions?


Prerequisites
An interest in memes and memeology.

With two years of serving as an assistant for a HS college office, Kevin has tremendous experience in college application
and financial aid as an independent college student.

College-bound students with concerns in any of the following topics are highly encouraged to enroll in this class:

- Public vs private university applications
- Personal statement, resume, ECAs and supplemental materials.
- Federal, state and financial aid; fee-wavier; scholarship
- Specific knowledge in school in journalism, media and communication studies
- Early decision, early action, etc
- Transfer application
- NYS EOP/ HEOP Programs
- Personal tips (w/ experience of application to 27+ college applications)

HS Juniors & Seniors: I could not weigh in on standardized testing and specific high school GPA questions, you may ask general questions. And I still highly encourage you to attend my session and connect with me.


Prerequisites
As many as possible: - Pre-college questions - Questions about college and residential life - Career readiness and internship Concern

Can I really make a 3-D bird out of a flat piece of paper? Why, yes you can, along with flowers, animals, boxes and much more! In this 50 minute class we will uncover the secrets of the ancient art of paper folding. Starting from the basics, we will learn how to take a flat piece of paper and breathe some life into it, by creating works of art!

Scent is the most undervalued sense in the Western world. But to people in Arab countries, fragrance is a quintessential element of their cultural identity. Learn the role that perfume plays in the Middle East and other parts of the Orient, and receive simply instruction in the art of perfume compositions, including a live demonstration. Course will cover history of perfume use, basics of perfumery, and aesthetic and spiritual significance of fragrance to Eastern cultures.

Disclaimer: plant-based fragrances will be actively used during this session. If you are allergic to particular oils or chemicals, it is recommended you check with the instructor before registering for this course.

Need a fun card game to play with a couple of friends? Learn how to play Euchre - a four-play, trick taking card game involving memory and tactics. In class, learn about the basic rules and strategies, then engage in a couple games with three other friends!

What do the Matrix, Gattaca, and Star Trek have to do with our future? Are these movies purely fictional, or do they contain a sliver of truth? Inspired by these ideas, scientists look at the knowledge we have today to make predictions about future technology. Is it possible to control our genes, and if so, how will that change our society? Is it possible for humans to explore deep space, and if we can, will we colonize other planets? Look at the science with us and make your own predictions!

Have you ever noticed how strikingly different some buildings look from each other? Wondered what exactly makes old buildings look "old" or new buildings look "new"? Or heard a building described as "Gothic" but didn't know what that really meant? In this class, you'll learn to identify the features of buildings that make them unique and interesting. In addition, you'll see how buildings with similar features can be grouped into named categories, such as "Victorian Gothic" and "Art Deco." Next time you're walking through a college campus or a historic downtown, this class will help you recognize the architectural styles you see around you.


Prerequisites
Curiosity and interest in the appearances of buildings.

Most of us know or have heard about people who need new organs, whether it be a heart, a kidney, or a skin graft, and through this, have learned about how difficult (and expensive) it is to attain them. However, doctors, scientists, and engineers are currently on the brink of developing the technology needed to eradicate this problem completely.

In this class, we will talk about current research on and applications of tissue engineering and artificial organs, and what the future of biomedical engineering looks like. We will also look briefly at the feasibility of related fictional technologies in the real world.


Prerequisites
High school biology will be helpful, but is not necessary.

Ever wanted to create a Web application that helps distribute food to where it's needed in India, or a browser extension that identifies misinformation on news websites? In the first part of this course, you'll learn about ways companies, non-governmental organizations, and governments have used technology to solve real-world social problems. In the second part, you'll work with a group to design and present a technology project that addresses a social issue.


Prerequisites
A passion for technology and social issues is all you need. Previous experience with creating technology projects is a plus.

Project management is a career path growing in popularity. This soft skill set is applicable to numerous industries as firms are realizing the value-add to organizational strategy. We will learn about the significance of the project manager in building a strong team and leading a project from inception to completion. (Will include role-playing exercises)

Do you like problem solving? Are you interested in engineering? Do you want to win some cool prizes? Come to Instant Invention!

Instant Invention is a hands-on class for students interested in engineering problem solving. A challenge will be announced for teams of students to solve using everyday materials. The winning team will receive a cool prize at the end of class. A few concepts will be discussed that may be useful to your designs, but you have free reign on how you want to solve the problem. There is no “right” way!


Prerequisites
A basic understanding of physics may help the design process, but all are welcome as relevant topics will be reviewed in the class.

Join a tour to explore one of Cornell Engineering's biggest project teams! You can get to see all the machines and tools common in an Engineering lab and also get a special view of a drinking water treatment plant running at Cornell!

There will be some walking involved to the Engineering lab!

A brief introduction course on the design of space missions from motivation to operation. Material will span mission objectives, measurement instruments, rocket equations, orbital mechanics, and sending data back.

Synthetic biology is awesome, and no, it doesn’t just have to do with genetically modified organisms. Come learn about biobricks, DNA cloning, retroviruses, CRISPR, bioethics, synbio applications, and more! Not only will you be able to come up with the ideas for your very own DNA plasmid, but also you will be able to extract strawberry DNA. The class will be taught in hands-on stations by members of the award-winning Cornell iGEM (Genetically Engineered Machines) team. From space travel to smart cells to hydroponics – if there’s a problem out there, synthetic biology has a solution!

This course focuses on the ingenuous ways physicists and engineers devise to launch objects. In looking at these we will cover some basic physical mechanics such as momentum and energy conservation. We'll also delve into the clever electromagnetic tricks used to launch probes (rail gun mechanics). These engaging concepts require relatively little knowledge coming in and illustrate the most fundamental of physics concepts.


Prerequisites
Only an understanding of addition, multiplication, and algebra is needed for this course.

Political philosopher Hannah Arendt is one of the more unique thinkers of the 20th century, frequently remembered for her writing on totalitarianism and the concept of the "banality of evil." In this course, we will look particularly at her writings on Jewishness and Jewish identity, compiled in recent years in a book entitled The Jewish Writings. Through these writings, spanning from Arendt's time in pre-Holocaust Germany in the 30's to her writings as an established academic in the US during the 1960's, we will explore her unique view of what it means to be Jewish and what a political program for the Jewish people could look like. We will examine her view of the conditions of Jews in pre-WWII Europe, her critiques of both Zionism and assimilationism, her potential vision for what a "Jewish state" might look like, and the potential implications of her critiques and ideas for modern questions of nationalism and minority rights pertaining to all nations and people.


Prerequisites
Some background in European history and/or political theory would be helpful, but not required.

Do you love to read and write? Book reviews are the perfect outlet for the enthusiastic reader to get their thoughts out into the world! In fact, becoming a reviewer or blogger creates opportunities for you to get free advanced copies of books. In this class, you will learn about different platforms for publishing your reviews, strategies for writing critical analysis, and creative ways to write for your target audience.

Do you want to be able to impress your friends the next time you go to an art museum?! Alternatively, do you want to create work fit for the style of what you might find in an art museum?! We will do an introduction to some topics in art history--discussing works that you can see in Cornell's very own Herbert F. Johnson Museum--and then we will do an art project of our own!

Enjoy a break for lunch with your friends! Please register for at least one lunch period on each day of the program.

We will be reviewing scientific literature that explores how quality time in nature benefits students in a multitude of ways including decreasing stress, inducing feelings of social connectedness, boosting physical health, creating better sleep, improving mood, increasing cognitive functioning and focus, and more! In addition to reviewing these studies, we will discuss how to incorporate the benefits of nature exposure in our own lives and how various species of plants can be used to boost our health in specific ways. We will also take part in a group mindfulness meditation outside to experience the health benefits of nature together!

We will be walking to the Cornell Botanic Gardens as a group.

Come for a fun workshop to learn about coding, taught by Women in Computing at Cornell. For this workshop, we will be learning how to create a small program. Come learn some of the problem solving skills that computer scientists use everyday!


Prerequisites
No prior knowledge necessary.

Prime numbers remain one of the most interesting subjects in number theory, with many open questions despite knowledge about primes since antiquity. In this course, we will cover the basics of prime numbers and learn a little number theory. We will cover important properties of primes and composites, the proof of Euclid's theorem, and discuss possible constructions of primes.


Prerequisites
None!

Have you ever wondered what $$\sqrt{-1}$$ really is? Mathematicians call this number imaginary, but is it even a number at all?

In this course, we'll explore imaginary numbers and how they arise from arithmetic operations. We'll trace the development of different number systems as we try to gain intuition about how imaginary numbers work.


Prerequisites
Algebra Knowledge: polynomials, exponentiation, logarithms, trigonometry (ex: sine, cosine, tangent), vectors

Curious about how people make choices? Want to make more optimal choices in your daily life? What to “Game” your challenges? Come join us for a brief introduction of game theory and how we can make better choices based on simple facts and a few logical assumptions about probability and minimizing risk!

The course will include discussions on game theory, its applications and implications, as well as brief discussion about intelligent, rational decision making. We will include lecture, case studies, and application of the material in a fun and interactive environment.


Prerequisites
Basic algebra skills, an inquisitive mind, no previous knowledge required about game theory

You probably use the Internet every day, but do you know how it really works? How do you access your favorite stuff online? What's the reason your service sometimes works great and sometimes is painfully slow? What even is 'net neutrality' and why is it such a big deal?

Find out through a short lesson, discussion, and interactive activity where you get to BE the Internet! Also, you'll learn Internet jargon (IP address? router? ISP? etc.) so you can easily learn more about the topic.

No prior knowledge necessary (your use of the Internet is enough!). If the fact that the Internet is a physical structure blows your mind, definitely take this class!

Calculus is only hard if we make it hard. This class offers a strictly intuitive understanding of concepts in calculus so students without any background in it can get a sense of how it works, making it a little easier when they learn it in school.

We're going to try to understand every important formula in calculus. You will hopefully learn not only what they do, but why they work.

If there are any questions about higher-level math and math in Cornell, I'll take those too.

Bitcoin is a big thing recently. Want to create your own multibillion dollar cryptocurrency? Come on by to learn how to make an ERC20 token on the Ethereum Blockchain!


Prerequisites
Have seen code before Know how to edit code

Do you like video games? Let's remake the Nintendo classic Mario! You'll be able to program your own enemies and your own hero.


Prerequisites
No programming experience required

How do APIs work? I can call them to do stuff, but how do people access them?

We'll explain all this and more at the building an API for dummies class.


Prerequisites
Know what an API is and what they're used for

Whether you think they're cool or scary, reptiles are an amazing group of animals. In this class, you'll learn about their natural history, their shared characteristics, and traits that make this diverse group unique.


Prerequisites
Be comfortable with LIVE reptiles!

Come learn about the physics of magnets! Starting out from charges and electric fields, we will develop a simple theory of electromagnets with the help of special relativity. From that, we will discuss magnetic dipoles and finish with permanent magnets and a bit of quantum mechanics.


Prerequisites
Math (vectors) and curiosity about physics!

Have you ever thought about how trains turn? Train wheels are usually connected by a fixed axle, so the wheels on both sides of the train rotate at the same rate. However, when rounding a corner, the outside wheel must travel a longer distance than the inside wheel, which is a paradoxical result.

In this class, we aim to answer this paradox and other interesting physics puzzles. Students will work independently or in groups to try to solve these paradoxes. The instructor will provide hints along the way and discuss solutions at the end of class.


Prerequisites
Knowledge of introductory physics is required.

Have you ever had cool ideas about how you think the universe works? Like physics, but hate math? This course is a non-mathematical intro on how you can take an idea you have about how things work and turn it into an even better one.

The topics & structure of the course will be largely decided by student curiosity, but expect discussions on how to do theoretical physics interspersed with interesting examples of strange physical phenomena!

Questions that may or may not be answered in this course include:
-Why are scientists no fun at parties?
-How is the universe out to drive me nuts?
-Why does everyone keep getting math involved?
-How hot would the Sun be if it was made out of gerbils?

If you want, come prepared with an idea/question about physics and we'll discuss it!


Prerequisites
The only course prerequisite is to be curious about the world around you.

Serves as an introductory level of scientific explanation in communication among human beings in sexual, interpersonal and romantic nature.

Sexual Communication and its related studies is an innovative study in many prestigious national universities including University of Illinois-UC, University at Buffalo, University of Southern California, etc. Many of these courses are extremely popular (often a full class) for undergraduate and graduate students. Content of this course is based on actual published research, though many topics still require deeper and more inclusive investigation.

Course topics including but not limited to:
- Bio-physiological sexual communication
- Kissing and its evolution
- Sex and the internet
- Sexual Health Communication

Students with pre-enrollment concern should contact Splash! staff or email lecturer at yl595@cornell.edu.


Prerequisites
Requires high level of maturity and socio-scientific thinking skills. Class content includes sensitive topics that pertain to human sexual behavior, students will be warned in the beginning of class and prior to being shown to sensitive topics. Discussion must be conducted in respectful, open-minded and non-discriminatory manner.

Are you interested in entrepreneurship and applying your start-up passions to capitalize on an increasingly digital business landscape? Are you not sure what that even means? Join us for a class that will help you explore your leadership potential as we learn about different digital business models - e.g. open source, software as a service, cognitive solutions, etc. This class will be 25% lecture- and 75% discussion-based.

In a world under threat of destruction by catastrophic pollution and man-made disasters, what role should financial institutions play in helping with sustainable development goals? The current goal for banks is to deliver competitive market returns and satisfy shareholders' needs. Delivering positive social impact is often used as a marketing ploy. Can we find a bridge in which helping one's community translates to gains that aren't limited to monetary profits? In this course, we will learn about the ethics of sustainability, corporate morality, and responsible investing.

Let's say your friend is in a predicament. What's the difference between telling them that their situation sucks and that you understand what they are going through? Empathy, of course! Empathy is the experience of putting yourself in a specific mindset such that you are able to understand what someone else is going through from their perspective. It is an integral part of strengthening relationships, and is important to prosocial behavior in humans. In this class, we will discuss empathy and how it manifests across different cultures, in addition to exploring research related to its biological basis and its varied psychological and sociological implications. Hopefully we can understand how truly important it is to be empathetic to those around you along the way!

The U.S. is a leader among many issues, but did you know that the U.S. also leads the world in percentage of people behind bars? What are the reasons behind this?
Come learn about the different issues within mass incarceration, such as mandatory minimum sentencing, private prisons, recidivism, and more. No prior knowledge needed. All are welcomed! Note: This topic may be sensitive to certain individuals.

What is the psychology behind pop culture trends? We will be talking about topics like why reality TV is so addictive, why pop music is so catchy, and why people feel the urge to binge watch certain TV shows over others. If you are interested in answering all these questions, then this class is for you! Clips from your favorite TV shows and your favorite pop songs will be played!

This course will delve into basic supply and demand economics, explaining where prices come from, how companies compete, how people purchase goods, and even a quick mention of taxes. This course requires only a very basic understanding of math and describes important and applicable concepts through engagement (simulation of goods and services with apples and peelers).


Prerequisites
Only an understanding of addition, multiplication, algebra and plotting is needed.

I will teach you the basics of solving a Rubik’s cube


Prerequisites
None really