Splash Fall 2022
Course Catalog

Love solving problems? Playing games? This class is for you!

We'll explore a few interesting puzzles/games and how you can write code to hack them!


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
Basic Python knowledge

From Google to Meta, big tech companies have given AI the possibility to express its imagination by creating stunning images and videos just from a couple of words. When the painter Salvador Dali and the cute Pixar’s robot Wall-e are merged, the result is Dall-e, the jaw-dropping AI created by OpenAI, able to create images on-demand. Although the result is already insane, researchers from Meta are already moving on to the next level: AI text-to-video generators. But can AI be as creative as humans? How does it generate these out-of-the-world images? Should we be worried about this kind of technology?

Come to this course to discover the cutting-edge tools for creating images and videos from AI and to learn how the heck AI is able to do that. We will discuss both the exciting possibilities and the potential dangers of these technologies!


Class Style
Lecture

A whirlwind tour of cryptography! We will go over the different types of problems cryptography tries to solve and the cryptographic primitives used to solve them. The class will focus on giving insight into the mathematical foundations of each primitive, as opposed to diving into particular mathematical constructions.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Familiarity with algebra and probability. Some programming/computer science background is helpful but not required.

What are minds? What is computation? Can computers be truly intelligent? How do people and technology interact, and how might they do so in the future?

Minds and Machines is crash course in the first class in the Symbolic Systems major


Class Style
Seminar

Whitelisted. Scrum master. Grandfathered.

By exploring such socially-charged expressions and gendered language, discover how tech companies are rethinking the way we program. In this interactive seminar, you'll learn the ins and outs of making code inclusive and utilize hands-on activities to help shape your perspective.


Class Style
Seminar

Why is it that machine learning models can beat chess grandmasters, and yet not a single robot can reliably pour water between two arbitrary cups? The challenges behind machine learning can be pretty counterintuitive. As it turns out, we can learn a lot from what animal trainers struggle with!
In this interactive class, you will become the trainer and try to train your classmates (and the instructor)! We will use these exercises, as well as stories from the wet n’ wild world of orca trainers, to formulate the key challenges of machine learning. Some examples include exploitation vs. exploration, distribution shift, and causality. These challenges continue to influence cutting-edge robotics research at Stanford.
Ultimately, after this class, my hope is that you will have a newfound appreciation for the bidirectionality of engineering. Nature inspires new designs, but these new designs can also lead to a better understanding of nature.


Class Style
Lecture

Have you ever been curious about Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and other cryptocurrencies? Are they just a fad or are they actually ground-breaking technologies that will drive the future of our economy?

In this class, you will learn about the foundations of blockchain and cryptocurrency systems. In particular, we will cover Bitcoin and Ethereum, the two most influential systems in the history of cryptocurrencies. We will try to understand what these cryptocurrency systems accomplish, how they work, and what their applications are.

Please join us if these topics interest you! People with all backgrounds are welcome :)


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
N/A

Can we model the brain computationally? Is mind-controlled technology possible? How is code transforming neuroscience research? Are our brains just meat-computers? In this hands-on course, we’ll investigate the fascinating intersection between neuroscience and computer science. You’ll gain foundational knowledge in computational neuroscience, discuss innovations in research and industry, and explore various models for the brain.


Class Style
Seminar

Come see the "tubeless siphon" and watch fluids flow uphill! Join us in a workshop where we'll explore why polymers (large molecules) are so important in everyday life and how materials made from polymers can defy our expectations. Learn about viscosity, elasticity, and viscoelasticity, and how polymer interactions give rise to fascinating material behavior through a hands-on experiment.


Class Style
Activity

Why are electronics so small? Have you ever thought how you can make your phone faster and less power-hungry?

Join us as we discuss the technologies that can enable energy-efficient computing inside the devices we use every day! Tuning the fundamental properties of nanomaterials is crucial, and we will show the connection between materials science and nanoscale devices that drives such energy-efficiency.

We will also provide a tour of experimental facilities so you can see this first-hand!


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
Just Show Up!

In this class, you will learn about electricity and sound! We will discuss how electric signals get magically converted into sound waves in a speaker. And the best part, we will build our own speaker!


Class Style
Activity

This course will explore Materials Science Engineering and Nanotechnology concepts using one of the coolest chemicals on campus- liquid nitrogen! Students should come prepared for several interactive science demos as we explore what it means to be a Materials Scientist, how engineers design and create new materials atom by atom, and what happens when you freeze materials to very, very, very cold temperatures.


Class Style
Activity

Do you want to learn how architects, engineers, and contractors work together to build the structures that surround us today? Take this course! We'll work together to design and build models of structures, mimicking the traditional design process. Each student will have the opportunity to take on the role of an owner, architect, engineer, and construction manager while working together with other students to define and complete an infrastructure design project.


Class Style
Activity

Want to take photos like NASA? You've come to the right place! In this class, you will learn the basics of astrophotography – the art of taking pictures of space objects like galaxies, nebulae, and planets.

We will discuss the entire process, from picking a target to processing the final image. Topics covered include telescopes, general astronomy, manual camera settings, tips for taking night-time photos, image processing, and more!


Class Style
Lecture

For all skill levels: an explanation of basic portrait drawing techniques followed by a workshop with one-on-one assistance from instructor. You'll create your own self portrait to take home at the end of the class! You can bring your own sketchpad and drawing pencils (number two is good too!), or use provided.


Class Style
Activity

Beep! How does a computer make music? What does it mean for a sound to be musical?
This class will introduce elementary concepts of real-time audio synthesis and processing using an open source visual programming environment called Pure Data. The topics covered in the course will include subtractive and FM synthesis, distortion, reverb design, and generative sequencing. I prepared a library of tools in Pure Data, which will help students learn to build their own digital instruments to compose and perform music in new ways. Students will collaboratively experiment with generating sounds and create their original musical composition (... or what sounds like a chaotic sequence of noise!)

All students of diverse backgrounds are welcome, and no prior experience in music or programming is required! Bring your laptop and wired headphones if you can!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Bring your laptop and wired headphones if you can!

[content warning: this movie is rated PG but involves sexually suggestive dialogue, suicide attempts in fantasy contexts, and mild profanity. Viewer discretion is advised.]

What makes a fulfilling life? How does one escape from the routine of reality? What defines human existence? For centuries, philosophers have struggled with these basic questions. In this class, we will attempt to answer them by watching the 1993 film Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray. The class will consist of a movie screening, followed by an in-class discussion of philosophical topics in the film. Popcorn and snacks will be provided.


Class Style
Lecture

Becoming fluent in 30 days? Not entirely possible. But learning how a language works as a system, and figuring out what you don't know? With a language intuition, you may not become fluent in 30 days, but you'll know at least what you have left to get there!


Class Style
Discussion

Featuring questions like: Which US president fought a secret duel and refused to allow discussion of it? Which president's daughter had a snake named "Emily Spinnach"? How long does your speech have to be before you're bullet proof? And other great mysteries of US history!

Taught as a mix of lecture on the weirdness of US history, and "choose your own adventure style" prompts, come learn things you never expected about US history!


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
None

What is time? You may say: it’s what we use to measure how long things last (e.g., the making of a French camembert is taking about 2 weeks). However, wouldn’t it be possible to imagine a world where nothing happens, but time passes anyway? In other words, does time supposes change? Let’s explore this question together, a trip from Aristotle to Einstein, and see what view convinces you the most! I encourage curious students from all academic pathways to attend this interactive class!


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
No specific philosophical or scientific background is required, but an interest in abstract questions is essential .

There are a whole lot of people struggling with stress, overwhelm and mental health issues these days that need to take back control and build mental strength to deal effectively with daily pressures, challenges and stressors – well enough to perform to the best of their abilities, irrespective of the circumstance in which they find themselves.

Building mental strength is essential to living your best life! Just as we go to the gym and exercise to get stronger, mental strength involves developing daily habits that builds on mental muscles. Much like seeing physical gains from lifting weights and eating healthier, we develop healthy mental habits, like practicing delayed gratification, gratitude, and patience, some of which we will touch on in this class.

Mental strength involves developing daily habits that build a stronger mind. It also involves giving up habits that no longer serves us or is holding us back. Optimal mental health helps us to live a life that we actually love, have more meaningful connections and improved self-esteem. It also increases our ability to deal with discomfort and take risks, try new things, and cope with any difficult situations that life may throw at us.

This course dabbles in the psychology of motivation, change, and behavioral sciences in habit formation. We will explore ideas around mental health. The goal is for you to learn more about how you can take a more proactive and deliberate stance on your mental health vs reactive. This is about preventive care.

Come learn with Stanford Psychotherapist and fellow experts in the field of behavioral science.

Are you ready?


Class Style
Seminar

In this course, we'll study how famous composers like John Williams or Hans Zimmer make iconic musical scores that complement equally iconic movies such as Star Wars, Kung Fu Panda, and Interstellar, using basic principles of music theory!


Class Style
Seminar

If you know a language well, great! If you know two or more languages, even better! Explore how translation goes beyond throwing words in Google Translate. How do we preserve meaning, length, style and even rhythm and culture in the original language? What are the different school of thoughts and techniques people use regards to translation?

I will give some lectures at the beginning to give some context, then we would do some activities together in class! Examples and demos will be given in languages I know the best: English, Mandarin, Vietnamese and a tiny bit of Japanese. Therefore, I'm excited to hear how you apply and incorporate different translation techniques for different languages too!


Class Style
Seminar

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

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

We'll venture around methods in modern statistics and linear algebra.

There will be a collaborative component among students. The primary goal of the class won't be to learn the specific math in question.


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
If you are eligible for calculus, this class should be fine. Perhaps check out some youtube videos on probability/stats if unfamiliar with them.

The Large Number Game is played as follows:

1) Each player uniquely defines a natural number using numbers, words, or symbols.
2) The player who defines the largest number wins!

Sounds simple, right? Well, kind of. If you know your opponent's number, it's pretty easy. But if not, and if your opponent knows what they're doing, then there's trouble. 10^10^100 doesn't even begin to describe it - every number we'll see 15 minutes into class will be larger than the number of atoms in the universe raised to the millionth power.

On our journey through the upper reaches of the number line, we'll encounter a surprising diversity of mathematics, culminating in an, uh, unorthodox solution to the halting problem. Come to this class to play a fun game, to learn some cool math, or just to see some big numbers!


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
- comfort with scary arithmetic (how big is 10^10^100?) - programming experience will help

Heard about counting cards? Want to know whether you should play poker? Or blackjack?

We will teach you everything about the math behind the games everyone knows and loves... and how you can hack those games.


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
Basic Algebra

The mathematics of game theory provides a useful theoretical framework for life: know your (and everyone else's) goals and act to attain them. But the theory misses two crucial points:

1) Real life is complex and the best laid plans often go awry
2) There's something *felt* about having "skin in the game"

We address both points in the obvious way: we'll play games! Together! For prizes! The course is designed to teach game theory via the intuition of actually playing games, avoiding the math and technicality of a more rigorous introduction. Come to this class if you want to experience game theory from the inside!


Class Style
Discussion

Have you ever wanted to win games using math? It turns out you can! Game Theory is a branch of mathematics that deals with the study of games. You too can become unbeatable at games, all you need is math!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
basic algebra

Life isn't a game.

It's a collection of many games.

Learn from Stanford students about the field of Game Theory -- how to make the best decisions in a given situation.

We'll give a simple introduction with easy-to-understand examples about topics such as Nash equilibrium, brinkmanship, and Schelling points.


Class Style
Activity

Everyday on the evening news, you hear about rising crime. How do we approach this issue? Should we increase police controls citywide or should we explore alternative justice models? Work with your peers to design policies to address rising crime locally.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
None

In this workshop, students will learn how to read Shakespeare, understand his words, and bring his characters and stories to life. The class will begin with activities which demonstrate how Shakespeare uses poetry in his plays to convey emotion and showcase how actors use physicality to bring Shakespeare's characters to life. Finally, the session will culminate in the students working on and performing a short scene from one of Shakespeare's plays. This workshop is designed to teach students how they can connect to Shakespeare's works and make them relevant to their lives and experiences.


Class Style
Activity

Physics is a field that thrives on analogies, however, the value of seeking analogies in nature is much less emphasized when teaching physics. Through this 45 min lecture I will present some cute examples that I stumbled upon in my own research, and hopefully leave the audience with some sense of wonder.


Class Style
Seminar

What is the nature of light? How and where does light go? We will explore how we can control light to achieve fascinating phenomena, using only a simple concept: refractive index. There will be videos and demonstrations. After this class, you will begin to see how everyday objects can manipulate light!


Class Style
Lecture

We will be discussing hard-hitting questions at the intersection of healthcare and ethics. Delving into various case studies in media, popular culture, and biomedical research, we will explore the importance of patient advocacy and autonomy in ensuring high-quality medical care. Come and learn what we owe to each other and why ethics is a key element in any discipline. No experience required!
Disclaimer: We will be discussing heavy topics in healthcare, including potentially terminal illness and death.


Class Style
Discussion

In this class we will take a dive into one of the most exciting advances in physics in the past 150 years: Einstein's special relativity. It sounds intimidating, but the basics of special relativity can actually be done with a bit of algebra and two important assumptions. Take this class and see that space and time aren't exactly what they seem...


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
Good algebra skills and basic physics exposure is a plus

Growing up, we learn that photosynthesis is the conversion of carbon dioxyde and water into sugars and dioxygen under light. More generally, it is a combination of chemical and photochemical reactions made by plants and bacteria to transform light energy into chemical energy (a.k.a. fuels).
In this class, we will have an overview of the whole natural process and highlight that it is more complex than simply sticking some CO2 molecules together. We will also talk about the exciting perspective of artificial photosynthesis: starting from the lessons of nature, how can we produce fuels from CO2 or water or other simple molecules?


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Knowing what an atom, a molecule, an electron, a proton are, knowing what a cell and a protein are.

Have you ever wondered what you can do to activate change to make your community a healthier place for everyone? In this class, you will learn about citizen science and the community-level factors that impact health. You will also become a citizen scientist yourself using a cool app! Be part of a larger conversation of how technology can be used to make healthier, more engaged communities.


Class Style
Discussion

What is color? What happens when you add the colors of the rainbow? Come play with lights and paint to understand the science of colors and how we perceive them!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
None required.

How does your skin repair itself after a cut? How do immune cells crawl through your body to reach an infection? How does the increased stiffness of tumors contribute to cancer spreading?

These are just some of the questions that the growing field of mechanobiology tries to answer!

Come learn how cells push and pull on the soft and squishy tissues in our bodies, and how physical forces and material properties shape and influence our biology in important ways.


Class Style
Seminar

Prerequisites
No prerequisites, but previous classes in biology will be helpful

Color is key to how we perceive the world, but what makes the sky blue and plants green? In this class we'll talk about how molecules interact with light, and how we see that light as color. After a brief lecture, students will interact with several hands-on demos and experiments.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Chemistry and physics encouraged but not necessary.

Stop by to learn about issues in Asian-Pacific Islander health ᕙ(`▿´)ᕗ

Presented by members of Stanford Pre-Med APAMSA (Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association)


Class Style
Seminar

The environment of Mars is pretty hostile to life. So then why is humanity making a mad dash to the red planet? In this class we discuss the conditions on Mars, the efforts to make the planet habitable, and the reasons why we choose to go to Mars.


Class Style
Lecture

What is the scientific method, and why should we care about it? Since the advent of modern science in the 18th century, humanity has enjoyed unprecedented growth in prosperity, economic productivity, and comfort, yet skepticism towards science continues to proliferate to this day. What do scientists mean when they say the word "theory"? How do the simplistic experiments that we perform in high school connect to the cutting-edge research that happens in labs across the world?

In this course, we explain and use the scientific method to myth bust everything from astrology to drinking water to the shape of the earth. Students will gain a new perspective on (and appreciation for) science in general and will be better prepared to tackle the world's most pressing questions.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
No prerequisites required. Basic understanding of Algebra / Pre-Calculus is encouraged.

In this course, we will teach the basic biology of the Hepatitis B virus, discuss its significance as a public health disparity, and inspire participants to take action and raise awareness about this disease in their own communities!


Class Style
Lecture

Our oceans are home to some of the most interesting and specially evolved megafauna species on the planet from bluefin tuna to great white sharks but where in the world are these ocean giants? Learn about where these charismatic animals are living, how they are using our oceans, and how we are studying their movements to better protect them on our changing planet.


Class Style
Seminar

In this hands-on course, students will learn about the fundamentals of modern DNA technologies and how they are applied to crop engineering and precision medicine.

For the laboratory activity, students will learn basic DNA biochemistry and extract genomic DNA from live plant tissue.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Entry level biology and chemistry is recommended but not necessary.

Come learn the fundamentals of chemistry using your favorite candies! Learn how Skittles, chocolate, and other treats can teach us about polarity, density, and solubility.


Class Style
Activity

Come learn chemical reactions by playing with molecules in our real-time interactive computer simulations using virtual reality headsets and controllers!


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
Have taken or enrolled in a high-school chemistry course. Basic understanding of atoms and bonds.

Everyone has heard of (or seen) optical illusions, but did you know there are illusions for all your other senses as well? In this class we'll experience illusions that target sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell while explaining the psychological phenomena behind them.


Class Style
Lecture

"Quantum" is one of those words that can seem mysteriously futuristic and frustratingly confusing. Lucky for us, we don't need rigorous (and intimidating) math to begin to unravel the mystery that quantum mechanics can sometimes look like.

A broad, conceptual overview of quantum mechanics will be given, with a particular focus on real experimental results that reflect some of the unintuitive results of quantum theory.


Class Style
Lecture

Prerequisites
Previous exposure to basic physics/chemistry would be helpful, but all necessary concepts will be reviewed.

What do you think is inside food you eat daily? What is the chemistry behind them? In our hands-on workshop, we will explore questions like.. how are sugar molecules manipulated in candy making? What is the science behind a perfectly-toasted marshmallow? How do food scientists use bacteria to make yogurt or kombucha, or kimchi? … If these questions interest you, come and cook with us! You’ll make your own food of interest while learning about the biochemical processes that occur during cooking.


Class Style
Activity

Prerequisites
N/A in terms of course content, we will build up from basic principles to better enable you to understand more advanced chemistry. Please note that ingredients used in these experiments may contain common allergens, such as nuts, milk, and wheat.