Summer Session Registration is now open! The Edina Center for Academic Excellence focuses on offering courses that are not available in schools. Classes are taught by instructors from all walks in life, but with a common passion for their subject matter, who delight in sparking the curiosity of young learners. Priority date for 2010 Summer Session registration is Monday 7 June 2010. Click here to register online.

Introduction to Rocket Science

Level: age 12 and up    Class Size: 5 -10 students   Dates: August 2-14, Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.  Location: Edina High School Room TBD. 

Prerequisite: The physics presented in this class requires pre-algebra level mathematics skills; however, basic algebra skills are desirable. Students also need the fine motor skills and maturity to work safely with an X-acto knife.

Fee: $380  (Includes $80 materials fee.  Materials include a notebook, handouts, model rocket kit, launch pad, ignition system, rocket motors, igniters, and wadding for a kit flight; plus body tube, nose cone, balsa, and other materials needed to build a scratch rocket.)

Text Requirement: None; motivated students may enjoy The Handbook of Model Rocketry by G. Harry Stine.

In this two-week class we will use model rocketry to explore the following scientific concepts: kinematics, vectors, projectile motion, Newton’s laws of motion, chemistry of combustion reactions, aerodynamics and stability, and even some basic trigonometry.  The physics presented in this class uses geometry to convey the fundamental ideas of calculus in order for the students to understand, not only the equations for motion, but also how they are derived.  In addition, each student will build and fly a model rocket kit, and design their own model rocket from scratch.  In the process they will also learn about the history of rocketry and rules to ensure a safe flight.  Please note that Saturday, August 14 is a regularly-scheduled rocket launch sponsored by Tripoli Minnesota High Powered Rocket Club.  Their launches are held on the second Saturday of each month near North Branch, MN.  Specific directions will be given in class.

Instructor Background: Jolene Gleason has a M.S. degree in electrical engineering as well as B.S. degrees in electrical engineering and mathematics from Iowa State University.  She was named ISU’s Outstanding Senior in Electrical Engineering in 1987.  She worked as an electrical engineer for 15 years before becoming a full-time homeschool parent. Early in her career she also taught Power Systems Analysis and Technical Calculus at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.   Jolene’s appreciation of rocket science has been fostered by her son, Scott, who is an avid rocketeer.  At age 15, Scott is the real expert in rocket design and construction. He received  Junior Achievement awards from the Tripoli Minnesota High Powered Rocketry Club for 2008 and 2009.

Writing to Publish

Middle School and High School advanced writers. June 15, 16, 17, and 18 (Tuesday through Friday), 9:30 to 11:00am. Edina High School, Room TBD. Class size: 3 to 10 students. Instructor: Jeanne K. Hanson, journalist and nonfiction book author. Bring a laptop, or paper and pen, or both. FEE: $200

 This class is for those who would like to learn how to target, brainstorm, write, revise, and be published in at least one of three local publications venues open to Twin Cities students. You will submit three short pieces, one to each of these: the Edina Sun (an op-ed piece); Minnesota Public Radio News Q/Commentary section (a timely e-commentary); Star Tribune letters-to-the-editor (a letter in response to one of the newspaper’s stories). You will almost certainly end up with at least one real clipping from a non-student publication. Students will get plenty of individual feedback and coaching in writing.

Instructor Background: Jeanne Hanson has degrees in English and Journalism from Wellesley College, Harvard and the University of Minnesota. A former teacher and consultant, her background credits includes science writer in addition to having her writing featured in Harvard Magazine, Saturday Evening Post, Reader’s Digest. She is currently a freelance writer and regular contributor to the Sun Current.  Unfortunately we did not have enough students registered for the Summer Session and will not be able to offer Writing to Publish at this time. Please email us if you are interested in taking this class at a future date.

Math for Young Competitors

Grades 3, 4, 5. Saturdays, 9:00am to 10:30am, July module three weeks, 10 July to 24 July; August module two weeks, 14 August to 21 August. Register for one or both modules as fits your schedule. 
Edina High School, Room #321. Instructor: Karl Bunday, 2007 Edyth May Sliffe award recipient for middle school mathematics teaching. FEE:  $60 for July module, $40 for August module, $100 for both. $20 material fee ONLY for students who have never attended the Math for Young Competitors course before, including cumulative two-year syllabus and handouts.

Bright, mathematically precocious younger students now have an opportunity to investigate problem solving and topics beyond the school curriculum. A student who has picked up basic methods of calculation quickly and exhibits a good grounding in beginning prealgebra concepts will find this course a natural extension of personal talents and interests. Focus will be on approaches to problem solving, understanding mathematical algorithms, through preparation for algebra, and deep topics of interest to young learners. The summer program focuses especially on topics almost never covered in K-12 school math courses. The course will include both returning and new students. A bonus of the class is friendships with eager math-learners from six different counties.

Competitive Math Training Level I

Grades 6, 7, 8.   Saturdays 9-10:30am. Five weeks, 12 June through 17 July 2010.   No class on 3 July for Independence Day holiday weekend. Edina High School, Room #322. Instructor: Jolene Gleason.  FEE: $150

This is the first level of ECAE’s signature training program. The focus of this class is to coach students in competitive problem solving using actual Mathcounts, AMC 8, and Minnesota Junior High Mathematics League problems. Emphasis will be on developing and refining problem solving skills, strategies, speed and accuracy. Students should be advanced in math understanding beyond grade level and have an understanding of basic algebra. Practice is essential, hence twenty to thirty minutes of homework three times a week and a desire to improve will be the key to success. It is expected that students will either be members of their school math teams or compete on the ECAE Math League team during the fall competition season. This training will help prepare them to place among the top scorers on their team. In other terms (but not in summer term) students also compete in the Grade 7-8 Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools (MOEMS) contests as part of the Saturday class.

SAT/ACT Mathematics Refinement

Grades 9, 10, 11.   5 weeks.  (This course will be offered only if there is sufficient enrollment.  Please register early! ) Instructor:  Michel D’Sa, UC Berkeley Math graduate, former State of MN math champion and 800 SAT math scorer.  Saturdays, July 31, August 7, 14, 21, 28  10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  (Preps for the 9/12 ACT and 10/9 SAT), Edina High School Room TBD.  FEE:  $150.

This class will focus on the mathematical sections of both the ACT and SAT college entrance examinations. Students should already be strong in math, and this class will give them the edge to do their very best. Along with the more common types of problems, time will be spent on the more challenging ones, which often mean the difference between a good math score and a great one. Speed, and alternative problem solving approaches to arriving at the correct answer will be covered in detail. These five sessions will prepare students for turning in a top performance on the actual exam day.  Students are required to purchase the McGraw Hill Conquering SAT and ACT Math workbooks.  Register early to ensure class will be offered.  Full refund will be issued if minimum enrollment is not reached. Unfortunately we did not have enough students registered for this session and will not be able to offer Writing to Publish at this time. Please email us if you are interested in taking this class at a future date.

Filed under: Summer Classes by Karl Bunday
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