Take a dive into the world of Structural Engineering!
This course will offer an overview of the structural engineering field including the sub-disciplines of this field, roles and responsibilities of a structural engineer, and project considerations. We will also dive into some project case studies to review engineering concepts and take a look at a day in the lives of engineers out in the field.

From Apollo to Artemis, humans have tried to explore our place in the universe. Recently, SpaceX launched astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the ISS where they safely came back down to Earth, reigniting interest in space exploration. Columbia Space Initiative, in the spirit of human exploration, would like for you, the Artemis Generation, to join us in this excitement!

In this lecture series, CSI members will be presenting their student mission progress and how each of those missions relates to space and science.


Prerequisites
Basic math and science

Do you hear about climate change in the news and feel scared and hopeless? It turns out there is plenty of hope and optimism to be found in a number of solutions to climate change!

In this class, we will talk about the causes of climate change and environmental destruction (like increased agriculture and demand for electricity), and proposed solutions (like wind turbines, solar energy, and plant-based diets). We will discuss the pros and cons of these solutions, obstructions in implementing them, and reasons for hope.

This class will be part lecture and part discussion. You are invited but definitely not required to participate.

What am I feeling?! What do I do about it?!

We will discuss what emotions are, what functions they serve, and how to identify which primary emotion(s) you're feeling. Then we will talk about what to do with those feelings.

This class will be part lecture (me talking at you) and part discussion (typing in the zoom chat or speaking). You are invited but definitely not required to participate.

One of the most fascinating topics in Physics is Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle: It states that there is a limit to the level of accuracy with which we can know both the momentum and position of a particle. In this class we will explore how the underlying principles of the Fourier transformation help explain this incredible phenomenon!


Prerequisites
Polar Equations Complex Numbers Calculus helpful but not required

LaTeX is an incredibly useful professional typesetting software, particularly for mathematics, computer science, and engineering. This course will serve as a gentle introduction to programming in LaTeX. Student will be provided with templates, learn math mode, text formatting, and image / table displays.

In this course, students will be given an overview of the various topics that are typically covered in an Abnormal Behavior course. We will begin by learning about research methods in psychology, the history of abnormal behavior, the process of conducting assessments and making diagnoses, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia. Topics are subject to change depending upon students' interests.


Prerequisites
None

Have you ever been intimidated by scientific writing? Struggled to parse through jargon, or unsure of what ‘jargon’ even means?
Taught by the editorial board of the Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal, this course will explore how to effectively communicate in science. You’ll learn how to identify strong scientific writing and simplify challenging concepts through guided readings of published articles. We’ll also cover strategies for most accessibly and effectively presenting cutting edge research. Whether you’re just getting your feet wet, or this isn’t your first scientific rodeo, we welcome all!


Prerequisites
None

Curious about scientific discoveries? Confused about how to understand them? If you answered yes to any of the questions, join our course! You will learn how to read and understand all aspects of scientific paper, from the abstract to the conclusions. We will also cover how to interpret data commonly seen in papers.

In this course, we'll go over all things COVID vaccine-related, including how they work, how they were developed so quickly, and why the concept of "long-term side effects" is so misleading. Come with questions!


Prerequisites
It will be helpful if you are familiar with transcription and translation (how DNA is used to make RNA and then protein).

Already an apathetic pessimist, or bursting with optimism about the future of technology? In this crash course on the titular book by Tom Murphy, we'll explore how the one-time rocket ship of fossil fuels we've been riding for the past few centuries has led to a "dangerously distorted impression of what 'normal' looks like on this planet." Using physics and math, we'll remedy our intuition, setting quantitative bounds on the present era and using them to inform future visions. Topics include energy, economics, population, and space colonization, viewed through both quantitative and social lenses.

This course goes over the myths that we hear about or even have been taught in our sex education curriculum. This includes how to have safe sex, consent, orgasms, and masturbation. This is meant to normalize conversation about sex without any of the perverse associations with it.

An overview of current agricultural methods, specifically that of large agribusiness and the impact on small-scale farmers and the planet, followed by sustainable innovations and alternatives.

In 1989, now-Columbia Law School Professor Kimberle Crenshaw changed our approach to social justice by coining the term "intersectionality", which refers to how our different identities overlap and form levels of both oppression and privilege. From race to sexuality to immigration status, there are many identities you carry that sometimes, you don't even recognize influence your every action. In this course, we will dive deep into the term "intersectionality" and at the end, you will be provided with the tools necessary to inclusively create an impact in your community.

COLLEGE IS NOT A HARDER VERSION OF HIGH SCHOOL,
I can't say that enough to both students in high school and their parents,

I'm going to describe 5 differences to think about as you make a list of Good Fit College options.

Good Fit means a college you know and feel is a place you'll stay with through both fun and challenging times. When you understand these differences it'll help you know what type of college is a good fit for you.


Prerequisites
You've looked at the website for, or visited, 3 colleges.

When you begin high school the schoolwork is different from middle school.

Learning how to do this schoolwork successfully is a big deal.

I'm going to break it down here.

Have you ever wondered what goes into electing a public official? From finance to communications to massive field teams, political campaigns are full of hardworking people fighting to implement shared values and improve their communities. This course, taught by an organizer who worked in the Georgia Senate Runoffs last winter, will outline the basic structure of campaigns and will provide resources on how to get involved in local, state, and national elections.

When you're in high school it can be really hard to be heard, correctly, by adults.

It's not because of the mask you're wearing. Come to How to Be More Successful, and learn to claim your space and ask questions that are easier to answer.


Prerequisites
SPLASH may not require you have your computer screen open but to get the most out of this class it's best if you do.

Your life becomes more manageable when you have an organizational story. One tool you can use to be organized is a planner.

Let's face it--you're not going to use a tool unless it benefits you. And, to benefit you it's relevant to how you live your life.

Come to How to Set Up and Use a Relevant Planner to figure out your organizational story and lhen how to use it to manage your life.


Prerequisites
1)Watch Choosing the Best Type of Planner for You 2) Get that planner 3)Complete types of information exercise before the class

The difference in work between high school and college is a big reason why 1st year college students become stressed and may even drop out.

You can prepare for this while you're still in high school so it's not so much of a shock.

You've got this!


Prerequisites
1) Bring whatever planner you currently use, or contact me before the class begins. 2) Choose a college, go to it's website, choose a class you're interested in taking.

To many young Americans, the Constitution may seem like an ancient artifact filled with legal jargon that has little impact on their daily lives. This document, however, may be more accessible than you think, and it surely impacts your life every day. This class will break down the Constitution to a level that all citizens can (and should) understand, from the Preamble to the 27th Amendment. More importantly, it will demonstrate the key role that each of plays as citizens in our constantly evolving democracy.


Prerequisites
None