SPRING SEEDS Course Descriptions
April 7-9, 2014
(Alphabetical by course title)
Blast from the Past: Geology & Earth Systems
(Discipline: Science, Geology, Earth Systems)
This course will take students from 4.5 billion years ago to the present day. We will discuss the past,
present and future of our planet and how the Earth works from the inside out. Studies of the Earth’s
past can help us to understand the effects of global change on our future. Students will learn about the
fundamentals of geology, including the three different rock types and relevant rocks and minerals found
within the Kingston area. Students will recreate past geological environments, ecosystems and
prehistoric habitats and creatures (such as dinosaurs) with the use of hand samples, outcrop displays
and fossil preservation. This course will allow students to learn through experimentation, field study and
fun interactive activities that relate to the current day’s topic.
BSI: Brain Science Investigation
(Discipline: Medical Science)
Dissecting brains, MRIs, robots and dancing cockroaches… what can they tell us about the brain? From
behaviour to cells, this course will teach you how we take information from our surrounding
environment, process this information in our brains and output an appropriate behaviour. Throughout
this course you will be engaged in fun hands on experiments in state-of-the-art neuroscience
laboratories.
Canadian Law NEW COURSE ADDED
Students will gain exposure to the fundamental principles of the Canadian legal system. Topics include:
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Contracts, Criminal Behaviour, Torts and International Law.
Students will learn law terms, the role of a lawyer and will explore real cases. We will look at the
different types of offences, defences and evidence. We will also discuss the purpose of a contract and,
what happens when a contract Is breached. Students will learn about the operations of a trial and will
practice this new knowledge through a mock trial in our court room setting on campus.
Creating Visual Narratives
This course has been cancelled for all SEEDS dates
Creative Writing: Journeys of Imagination
(Discipline: Creative Arts, Writing)
Would you like to write stories that take readers to exciting new worlds or help them discover valuable
life lessons? Do you dream of becoming the next J.K Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Markus Zusak, Rick
Riordan, or maybe Stan Lee? This course will help you master the secrets of writing popular stories.
You’ll learn how to develop an original story idea, create memorable characters, construct an emotional
roller-coaster of a plot, and write your story with flair.
Engineers: The Key to the Future
(Discipline: Engineering, Applied Science)
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be an engineer? Over the past century our world has seen
incredible developments in technology, medicine, infrastructure and transportation, innovations that
are all the works of engineers. In this course students will learn the basic principles of engineering and
through workshops design their own solutions to common problems faced by our world today. Students
will be challenged and encouraged to think critically as they explore the various potentials of an
engineering career.
From Kant to Can: How to use Philosophy
(Discipline: Social Science, Philosophy)
The Greek word philosophia means “love of wisdom”. Inspired by a sense of wonder and countless
questions, philosophers investigate meanings of concepts like justice, time, nature, freedom,
responsibility, happiness, and other facets of life. This course challenges you to discover philosophy by
exploring the contentious and unfamiliar in our everyday world. You will encounter an array of
philosophical perspectives in various formats, formulate thought-provoking questions, engage in critical
dialogue, and communicate your ideas through a mix of challenging academic projects. You will leave
with having developed a creative work that is shared in a public venue or in a publication.
Global Positioning Systems (GPS): Applying technology to find our way in the world
(Discipline: Applied Science)
GPS has become the vital element of world information infrastructure. Its applications include aviation,
space, road travel, environment agriculture, mapping and recreation. This course will introduce you to
the amazing world of navigation and how it is done. It will explain, through various interesting
animations and practical demonstrations, how GPS works. You will explore how to calculate the position
and velocity from the information coming from satellites which are 20,000km away from the earth. We
will visit a state of the art navigation lab at Royal Military College, and be introduced to lesser known
Inertial Navigation System (INS,) which is becoming an essential counterpart of GPS to aid in navigation.
INS uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to compute position and velocity when GPS is blocked by tall
buildings, thick tree and canyons. This course also shows how best of both the worlds (GPS & INS) are
combined to achieve much better accuracy.
Human Anatomy: What are you made of?
(Discipline: Science, Anatomy)
Have you ever wondered how many bones are in your body? Or what muscles help you speak, eat, and
kick a ball? And how your brain and heart help make those things happen? This course in human
anatomy will help you understand all this and more about the human body and how your own body
systems work. Learn about your brain, the musculoskeletal system, how your heart works to circulate
blood throughout your body, and the path of food from your mouth all the way out! You will also have
the chance to explore injuries and what happens when our systems fail to function properly and disease
develop. Learn human anatomy with real bones and organ models, and finish it off with an animal
organ dissection lab.
Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads: How to Write Poetry
(Discipline: Creative Arts, Writing)
What is a poem, and how do you write one? Why did Marianne Moore call poems “imaginary gardens
with real toads in them”? In this class, students will learn about how poetry works the most practical
(and fun) way: by actually writing it! The course will provide an overview of the techniques and major
genres of poetry, and will give students the opportunity to put their creativity and critical thinking to the
test by writing and work-shopping poems of their own. Students in this class will engage in a range of
structured creative writing activities with the ultimate goal of producing a shared anthology of their own
poetry.
LEGO Robotics and Programming
(Discipline: Computing, Applied Science)
The course will introduce students to basic concepts and skills of programming through LEGO
Mindstorms® and Python. First, the students will learn, design, build, and program LEGO robots to
perform tasks such as following a line with the aid of the NXT software. By the end of this section,
students will know how to instruct the robots to interact with its environment using sound, touch, color,
and distance sensors. Next, the students will learn a new language Python to experience real life
programming scenarios. Simple statements and structures such as "if" and "loop" will be introduced. By
the end of class, students will be able to write simple Python programs such as a basic calculator.
Pathology: From DNA to Forensics
(Discipline: Medical Sciences)
During this course, students will be introduced to the human body and its major systems, disease, DNA,
genetics and crime scene investigation and analysis. Students will learn about the power of observation
in eyewitness testimony as well as the history of autopsy. Hands-on activities will include fingerprinting,
blood typing (with simulated blood), and examining plastinated organ specimens. You will get the
chance to be a Crime Scene Investigator and solve your own mock crime scene.
Physics & the Human Body
(Discipline: Physics, Life Science)
What do magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the perfect slap shot, radiation therapy, and Olympic high
jumpers have in common? They all involve physics. Discover how physics make medical imaging and
diagnosis possible, why sprinters are able to move so quickly, and the science behind concussions and
their prevention. You will learn about current medical technologies, the physics of sight and hearing,
and even your favourite sport. Through lectures, labs, and demonstrations, you will gain a new
appreciation for the everyday physics around and within you.
Pirates, Robots, and Ninjas! Improvisational Theatre
(Discipline: Creative Arts, Drama)
Do you want to know what it’s like to create scenes on stage WITHOUT A SCRIPT?! Students will learn
about the history, theory, and practice of improvisational theatre through a combination of lecture and
performance – emphasis on performance! Improv is about quick-thinking, mental flexibility, working
with groups and narrative and character building. Improv starts on stage, but it can continue through all
aspects of your life. Improv is often associated with comedy, but it can be serious too. This class is
perfect for students who want to work on their theatrical presence, or presentation, teamwork, social,
or debate skills in an open, inclusive, and FUN environment.
Putting Plants to the Test: Field Research Methods and Laboratory Techniques in Plant Biology
(Discipline: Science, Biology)
This course will incorporate current field and laboratory techniques, which will explore the cellular
function, identification, naming, and classification of plants by the use of laboratory experiments, field
trips, and lectures. The course emphasis will be towards hands-on activities such as preparing slides,
looking at the inner workings of plant cells through a microscope, taking field trips to practice field
research, and taking home a pressed, preserved, and mounted plant specimen.
Recording, Mixing, and Sound Design for Music and Media
(Discipline: Applied Science, Technology, Music)
Music can be a balance of personal creativity, science and technology, and in this course, we will take an
applied look at how you can create music and sound for use in a variety of purposes. This is a hands-on
course where students will learn about and gain experience in the artistic and technical aspects of digital
recording. Students will learn recording and mixing techniques, gain software knowledge and skills, and
try their hand at sound effects creation, sound design for music, film and gaming, and re-mixing a
professional recording. Where possible, students will expand their understanding by exploring other
facilities and labs on campus.
Songwriting
(Discipline: Creative Arts, Writing, Music)
How do you start to write a song? We will explore the art of songwriting through hands-on experience
in a workshop setting. We will develop and hone our ability to work with ideas, melody, and groove.
We will work in an encouraging, playful atmosphere, in small and large groups, as well as individually.
This workshop will be a fantastic whirlwind experience of experimentation with ideas, sounds, and lyrics
as we create and record ‘demos’ of your songs (either individually or in small groups). No previous
songwriting experience is necessary, only a willingness to experiment and take risks. Note: Everything
will happen FAST!
The Social Self: An Introduction to Social Psychology
(Discipline: Social Science, Psychology, Sociology)
In this course, students will learn how our thoughts and behaviours are influenced by the presence of
others (real or imagined). Specifically, students will learn about the self-concept, culture, self-esteem,
the perception of others, and how we can get others to comply with our requests. Students will
participate in psychology learning labs, debate the usefulness of “common sense,” learn how advertisers
use social psychology to influence their behaviour and, in turn, evaluate their own tactics in influencing
others.
Writing Comes Alive!
(Discipline: Creative Arts, Writing)
Do you want to write the next great song, book, or movie? All you need is an idea and the tools to make
it grow. Join songwriter/novelist Trevor Strong (of the Arrogant Worms) for a trip into the limitless
world of creative writing. Learn how to find ideas, develop their possibilities, and make your writing as
good as it can be. Get those ideas out of your head and into the world! All styles of writing are
welcomed and explored.