2017 Middle School Strand Selections

For students finishing Grades 6, 7 or 8

The AIG Students' Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse
Are you prepared to face the world's most deadly diseases? Does the ENIGMA of zombies thrill you to the core? In this week-long simulation you will learn to battle against biological and structural threats as your team struggles for survival. Understanding the history of epidemics and biological processes will guide you through the rigors of this course. Bring your "A" game and be prepared. Your first mistake could cost your team everything!

Biomimicry: Invent and Design with Nature in Mind
Have you ever thought about how inventors propose a new idea? Leonardo Da Vinci, created the first flying machine by observing birds! Come explore the world of biomimicry by learning how innovators such as biologists, architects, and engineers use nature as a source of inspiration to build our world! In this class you will have the chance to become both an innovator and a designer by designing a product that mimics, or copies, an animal's characteristic(s)! Let me give you an example. A group of college students have invented a special sticky adhesive called Geckskin that can hold up to 700 pounds! The innovators looked to the gecko, a type of lizard, to gain inspiration. If you are ready to be innovative and follow nature’s design then this is the class for you! Get ready to change the world with a bio-inspired design!

​Global Investigators: Unveiling of the Truth
“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” - George Orwell. Are you interested in unveiling the truth behind today’s best kept global secrets? Learn how to investigate and crack open the enigmas of current global crises by becoming a reporter of the truth! Interact with issues through online games and research to understand the perspective of the unheard and underrepresented. Avoid the traps of fake news by developing skills in factual storytelling. Challenge yourself to think outside of your comfort zone and dive into the world of reporting. What better mysteries to solve through investigative reporting than the ones affecting your future?

Go Small and Live Big: The Tiny House Movement
Millennials, families, and retirees alike are joining the movement and trading in traditional homes for the opportunity to live big in a small home.  While a typical home in America averages 2,600 sq. ft., a tiny home offers a mere 100-400 sq. ft. of living space. Why are so many people offering up space, a traditional mortgage, and ample storage? It’s an ENIGMA!  Join us to discover how a limited living space actually offers more. Those who have joined the movement believe tiny homes offer less expensive living expenses, increased mobility, and a simpler life. We’ll learn more about the tiny house movement, design your own tiny home, and discover the true economic impact of going small and living big. 

Iron Man Strong: Bioengineering Meets Fitness
Good day camper! Your next mission, should you choose to accept it, will require you to reveal the true ENIGMA behind Iron Man. Self-constructed questioning and complex problem-solving is a necessity for any camper brave enough to take on this mission! You must become a double clinician and combine your biomedical engineering and fitness understanding to divert power into making a superior, playground-fitness video. Should anyone become injured, it is your responsibility to have a biomechanical device available to help speed up recovery. By thinking, acting,and designing like a master biomedical engineer, you will uncover the nutritional and physical aspects of a true Iron Man.

Plagued by Eras: Medical Pioneers Seeking Answers
Dropped in an era plagued by extreme infectious disease and harsh times, what are you to do? Are you equipped with the knowledge and the tools to be able to understand the dark realities of what you’d see? Consider the reality of the undesirable measures that would surround you…...thinking on your feet is a must. What era has you plagued with confusion? Better yet, where would you turn to for answers to understand the past and the present impacts of medicine? Gear up to join us as we travel through time and are dropped into the 14th century where millions of people have met their unfavorable death due to disease. We will explore the possible eras connected to infectious disease, investigate how disease did/can spread from area to area and thoroughly research how disease spreads through the body. Then we will enter another wormhole and go forward through time to attempt to diagnose and hypothesize cures to prevent future plague. Consider the Enigma! Come along, dip your toes into the infectious pool of theory, facts and information. We’re sure you’ll survive the trip! Are you ready pioneers?

You Say You Want a Revolution? Start a Movement, See a Change, Inspire Others!
Our past is a puzzle that determines our future. Past and current movements, from the American Revolution to the current Black Lives Matter Movement, are important pieces to that puzzle. Movements and revolutions are an enigma. They are difficult to understand and complicated to explain. Are you curious how social media and propaganda have played a role in our nation’s past movements? In this course, you will learn from our past to help our future! Do you have a cause you are passionate about? Do you want to make a change in our world? If so, prepare to be inspired as you learn about our past revolutions/movements and how they started in order to start your own!  This is your chance to make a difference in the world!