ASMSSpecial Projects Week 2018

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November 16, 2017

To: ASMS Students

Cc: ASMS Faculty, Staff and Parents

From: Monica R. Motley, Ph.D.

Re: Special Projects Spring 2018

Reminder:

x Special Projects start each day at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. beginning Monday, February 19, 2018, through Friday, February 23, 2018, unless otherwise specified by your sponsor.

x Off campus Special Project groups depart each day at 8:00 a.m. unless otherwise specified by your sponsor.

x The schedule for Special Projects that have a movie component is posted in the Bedsole Building and on the student’s announcement board near student’s mailboxes. Additional information can be obtained from the project sponsor.

Note: Special Projects are part of the ASMS Academic Program. The requirements for Special Projects are as follows:

“Each student must participate in and successfully complete with the grade of “P” for pass a Special Project during each year of residence at ASMS. Successful completion will earn 0.25 CU per year. Failure to pass the Special Project will result in a school-initiated withdrawal. Unexcused absences are not permitted during the Special Project. The same rules of conduct regulating students’ behavior while residing at the school apply to behavior while participating in Special Projects. All projects will produce some tangible product or service.” Community Standard Handbook, 2017-2018, Page 17, “Special Projects.”

The booklet for Special Projects can also be found online at the ASMS website (asms.net). If you have any questions, please call or email Ms. Godwin at (251) 441-2102 or cgodwin@asms.net.

Students will sign up for a Special Project the second week in January 2018 (Tuesday, January 9, 2018 through Friday, January 12, 2018) following the Holiday break. Students will be required to pay in full for projects $50 or less. Other projects will require a deposit (1/2 of the cost) at the time of sign up. Please see the deposit amount listed by the projects below.

We look forward to Special Projects 2018 being the best ever!!!

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Dress Code

Students are reminded to follow the Dress Code, page 32, of the Students Community Handbook:

x Respect for Self and Others: Dress Appropriate dress also is a form of respect. Dress with self-respect and respect for others. Use of common sense and good judgment is expected.

Everyday Dress: ASMS staff reserves the right to request students to return to their residence halls to change if attire is deemed inappropriate or potentially disruptive.

� Please do not subject the entire community to the exposure of too much flesh (No mini-skirts, short-shorts, halter tops or bare midriffs.)

� Please do not subject the entire community to dirty clothes or rude T-shirts. (T-shirts referencing alcohol, drugs or sex may not be worn at school.)

� Pajamas, slippers and other bedroom wear should not be worn outside of the residence halls.

� Tradition and custom view wearing hats inside as a sign of disrespect; headgear of any kind (hats, bandanas, do-rags, etc.) is not to be worn in classrooms, the cafeteria, the auditorium and similar places. Headgear is permitted outside, in residential halls, dorm rooms and student activity areas.

� Body piercing is not permitted (Pierced ears and clear plastic spacers or small studs for nose-piercing are the exception with parental permission).

� Dying hair unnatural colors or unnatural patterns is not permitted. Mohawk haircuts or other extreme styles are not permitted. Hair style and length must be appropriate and within reason.

� Bracelets, belts, and other clothing and/or accessories with spikes, studs or heavy chains or multiple chains are not allowed.

Please check with your sponsor (s) “FIRST” if you have questions about your project.

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Students can check with the front desk for questions about Special Projects each day between 8:00-9:00 a.m. or call Mrs. Dorsey at x2100.

Please contact Mrs. Godwin at x2102; or Mrs. Brunson x2133 for any additional questions that you might have concerning your project or guidelines for the week.

Ms. Maggie Chestang, the school nurse will be in her office for any students that are sick.

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Contents 19th Century Detective Fiction: Holmes & His Predecessors........................................................................ 6

Instructor: Daniel Commander ................................................................................................................ 6

“A Freaky Ghost, Baby”: The History and Politics of the Ghostbusters Franchise ........................................ 6

Instructor: Mitch Frye .............................................................................................................................. 6

Adventures in History ................................................................................................................................... 6

Instructor: Diane Gerard .......................................................................................................................... 6

Adventures in Street Art ............................................................................................................................... 7

Instructors: Kevin Dolbeare and Orren Kickliter ...................................................................................... 7

Alabama Black Cultural Tour ......................................................................................................................... 7

Instructor: Ken Robinson ......................................................................................................................... 7

American History through American Film .................................................................................................... 7

Instructors: Derek Barry & Karen Smith ................................................................................................... 7

Around the World in 5 days .......................................................................................................................... 8

Instructor: Natalya Prokhorova ................................................................................................................ 8

Beginning Knitters ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Instructor: Muriel Hoequist ..................................................................................................................... 8

Computing Camp .......................................................................................................................................... 8

Instructors: Jeanne Croom & Grey Gaillard ............................................................................................. 8

Game Shows Uncovered ............................................................................................................................... 9

Instructor: Meoshe Williams .................................................................................................................... 9

Habitat for Humanity .................................................................................................................................... 9

Instructor: Coach Brouillet ....................................................................................................................... 9

Latin American Cultural Immersion .............................................................................................................. 9

Instructors: Chase Krebs and Heather Summey ...................................................................................... 9

Let’s Play Cricket… ...................................................................................................................................... 10

Instructor: Nasrullah Aziz ....................................................................................................................... 10

Methods of Science Research ..................................................................................................................... 10

Instructor: James Njengere ..................................................................................................................... 10

New York City .............................................................................................................................................. 11

Instructor: Martha Mozer ...................................................................................................................... 11

Quantum Mechanics and Reality ................................................................................................................ 11

Instructor: Donald Wheeler ................................................................................................................... 11

“Retweets, followers, likes and shares: modern scientific communication!" ............................................ 11

Instructors: Natalie Ortell and Allison Rellinger ..................................................................................... 11

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Stained Glass Art and Design ...................................................................................................................... 12

Instructors: Sarah Brewer & Elisa Rambo .............................................................................................. 12

U.S. Space and Rocket Center ..................................................................................................................... 12

Instructor: Victor Irby ............................................................................................................................. 12

Wall Street .................................................................................................................................................. 13

Instructor: John Petty ............................................................................................................................. 13

Week of Wellness ....................................................................................................................................... 13

Instructor: Coach Angel Jackson ............................................................................................................ 13

Costa Rica .................................................................................................................................................... 13

Instructors: Ken Robinson and Natalie Ortell ......................................................................................... 13

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19th Century Detective Fiction: Holmes & His Predecessors

Instructor: Daniel Commander Minimum: 5 Cost: $10 Maximum: 15 In this Special Project, we will learn about the origins of detective fiction, discuss its significance, and look closely at some of the most important examples. This will be done by reading some classic examples of the genre, watching some television/movie versions (Sherlock, Elementary, Basil Rathbone Holmes movies, and some adaptations of Poe), and through class discussion. We will also analyze Victorian culture and the rise of science in relation to these detective stories. Finally, we will discuss some women in Victorian detective fiction who are now often overlooked.

“A Freaky Ghost, Baby”: The History and Politics of the Ghostbusters Franchise

Instructor: Mitch Frye Minimum: 6 Cost: $0 Maximum: 14 In this class, students will study the history and legacy of the Ghostbusters horror-comedy franchise. We will first examine the combined forces of supernatural literature and sketch comedy that led to the creation of the initial Ghostbusters film. Then, we will look at other entries in the franchise, such as films, cartoons, and video games. We will learn about the idiosyncratic personalities that worked on this material, and we will also evaluate the political and social issues that Ghostbusters—especially in its 2016 incarnation—has sought to humorously explore.

Adventures in History Instructor: Diane Gerard Minimum: 6 Cost: $250 ($125 required at sign-up) Maximum: 14 Join Dr. Gerard to learn the work of historians in the field. Every day will be a new adventure from exploring local cemeteries to doing research at a local archive. Students will visit an early sawmill and archeological site in Florida, learn the value of material culture as they walk through the neighborhoods of Mobile and visit the Southern Foodways Alliance at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg to learn how new immigrants to the South have transformed the region’s food. On the last day, students will see the future of American cities in a visit to a local Gulf Coast community to learn more about New Urbanism. Lunch will be included on days away from campus, plus dinner when we go to Florida. Transportation costs and all fees for tours included.

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Adventures in Street Art

Instructors: Kevin Dolbeare and Orren Kickliter Minimum: 8 Cost: $150 ($75 due at sign-up) Maximum: 13 Students will explore the themes and techniques of street art from Roman times to present day contemporary works. Each student will receive their own art kit of materials and supplies needed to design and create murals and street art. The class will design and paint a mural on the West Campus facade. The work from this class will be done on the West Campus designated wall space and painting panels provided by the instructors. We will take a day trip to New Orleans to explore works by famous street artists in the Big Easy. There will be discussions and exercises to help students visualize and stencil cultural and political cynicism, positivism, ambivalence; you name it. The science and chemistry of exterior painting, painting surfaces, pigments, lightfastness and especially chemical safety will be covered in this class.

Alabama Black Cultural Tour

Instructor: Ken Robinson Minimum: 8 Cost: $150 ($75 due at sign-up) Maximum: 16 This project will expose students to the rich educational and cultural institutions established by, or in order to preserve the history of African-Americans in Alabama and show how they fit into the larger narrative of Alabama and American history. Students will travel to Tuskegee University to visit the Tuskegee Airmen Museum and make a stop in Montgomery to tour the Rosa Parks Museum. On the last day of Special Projects, students will head to Birmingham to visit and explore the Civil Rights Museum. The fees for this project will cover the cost of fuel for the trips, admission fees to the museums and lunch for one of the trips. Students will be required to pay for their own lunch on the Birmingham excursion.

American History through American Film

Instructors: Derek Barry & Karen Smith Minimum: 8 Cost: $20 Maximum: 14 Few contemporary institutions have had a greater effect on molding popular understandings of the world and history than film and television. Yet, most citizens lack the critical tools to contextualize, analyze, and critique the images and ideologies conveyed on the screen. This Special Project is designed to join elements of film studies with various schools of historical thought to provide students with the critical skills needed to analyze the images and ideologies they see on the screen and understand how those images affect our views of the past and

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present. During the project, we will examine many of the fundamental, social, political, and economic issues that have shaped American History and the American Experience. Students will eat lunch at a restaurant and enjoy a pizza luncheon on campus during the week.

Around the World in 5 days

Instructor: Natalya Prokhorova Minimum: 8 Cost: $0 Maximum: 20 In this class students will plan their virtual trip to a country of their choice, become familiar with this country’s customs and traditions, history, language, arts, literature and architecture, food, folklore and holidays. Outcome: PowerPoint presentation on topics of their choice.

Beginning Knitters Instructor: Muriel Hoequist Minimum: 8 Cost: $30 Maximum: 14 This project will teach you to knit a scarf after a simple pattern. Experienced knitters can join, if they bring their own patterns and plans. Students can pick their own yarn. Each participant will receive practical experience in knitting and learn how to correct and improve on beginning work. Students will also get an insight into more intricate projects and variations of beginning skills to set a goal for the future. Students will receive their own yarn and a set of knitting needles to go with it, as well as a crochet needle for finishing the project. Costs are an approximate average guess; any surplus money will be used for snacks.

Computing Camp

Instructors: Jeanne Croom & Grey Gaillard Minimum: 14 Cost: $25 Maximum: 20

A unique opportunity to learn and/or improve computer science skills where students are guided and trained by college professors and systems design engineers. The classes provide a fun and challenging environment to learn coding, systems design, artificial intelligence, graphics, and robotics by making games, animations, and robots. Each student will be given a Raspberry Pi to use during the classes and take home at the end of the week. Students will be transported each day to and from the School of Computing at the University of South Alabama.

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Game Shows Uncovered

Instructor: Meoshe Williams Minimum: 8 Cost: $0 Maximum: 20 Do you have what it takes to be a contestant on your favorite game show? Explore your favorites such as Wheel of Fortune, the Price is Right, Jeopardy and more. Learn about what it takes to become a contestant and beat the odds! Watch video clips, take a look at audition requirements, and of course, examine some of the mathematics behind the game shows. At the end of the week, you could be a contestant on the award-winning game show, “Dragon Jeopardy!”

Habitat for Humanity Instructor: Coach Brouillet Minimum: 8 Cost: $0 (Each student pays for his/her own lunch/snacks daily) Maximum: 14 Each student participates in building new houses or repairing existing homes for people in need. Students must be at least 16 years old to participate and 18 years of age to use any power tools. Those under 18 must have parents sign the waiver of liability forms. The specific daily job responsibilities are assigned by the on-site Habitat for Humanity job supervisors. The students not only gain knowledge and experience of working on houses, but also are contributing a sense of dignity, pride, and hope to others. The bus will leave daily at 8:00 am and return by 4:00 pm each day.

Latin American Cultural Immersion Instructors: Chase Krebs and Heather Summey Minimum: N/A Cost: $50 Maximum: 13 In this weeklong immersion experience, students will hear, see, taste, smell, and touch Latin American culture like never before. The focus will be on exposing students to a range of cultural artifacts such as food, music, dance, film, and art through hands-on, interactive activities. Students will cook their way through Mexico, dance across the Caribbean islands, and marvel at the architectural wonders left behind by the Pre-Hispanic civilizations of South America. Field trips will be taken to culturally significant points of interest in and around Mobile, and there will be Hispanic guest speakers with different backgrounds and specialties. You are not required to speak Spanish to participate in this special project! The student fee will be used to purchase supplies for activities and field trips.

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Let’s Play Cricket…

Instructor: Nasrullah Aziz Minimum: N/A Cost: $25 Maximum: 14

Cricket is a bat and ball game played between the two teams on a cricket field. This game was first recorded in England in the 16th century. It spread globally with the expansion of the British Empire, leading to the first international matches in the mid-19th century. It is getting popular in the USA and on the university level. The students in this project will learn the basic rules of this game and later will apply them in playing a small tournament. The winning team will get a surprise gift. The money will be used for, beverages, snacks and or a lunch outside.

Methods of Science Research

Instructor: James Njengere Minimum: 5 Cost: $25 Maximum: 8 The project assists one apply what one learns in a classroom setting-a unique way of addressing enquiry in science. Normally, most of the hands-on activities we perform in our labs are repetitive investigations of classic topics done by scientists in some pasts. As much as they enable us to learn specified concepts, sadly, nearly none addresses our day-to day observations that continues to puzzle us daily as we wrestle with applications of sciences-“how many calories are there in a raw apple and how does it change progressively as it ripens----.Such are the questions we address in our enquiries. Although we are the only high school in Alabama that specializes in pursuit of scientific knowledge, not many of us can truly say what science is and more so what a research in science entails. The one-week program will help you gain a solid answer to these questions through series of exciting activities, inside and outside the classroom. You will learn how to identify a scientific problem and how to conduct a research in sciences.

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New York City

Instructor: Martha Mozer Minimum: N/A Cost: $2125 (Trip is full and booked) Maximum: 15 Four days and three nights in New York City through Explorica Travel Services. Visits during the trip include, Ferry boat to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, Lower East Side Tenement Museum, 9/11 Memorial Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History and Hayden Planetarium. We will attend one Broadway show and the Metropolitan Operas famed production of Puccini’s La Boheme. Trip chaperones: Tim Grabill and Cecilia Godwin

Quantum Mechanics and Reality

Instructor: Donald Wheeler Minimum: 5 Cost: $30 Maximum: 20

What is reality? Does it depend on a physical observer, or does it go along by itself? Does it depend on an infinite number of parallel worlds? Does it depend on an infinite field of information tying everything together? Is reality even real, or is it a simulation of somethings past? How does quantum weirdness make biology happen? How will it lead to Artificial Intelligence and what type of future will that mean? What is physical law and what is time?

“Retweets, followers, likes and shares: modern scientific communication!"

Instructors: Natalie Ortell and Allison Rellinger Minimum: 5 Cost: $10 Maximum: 20 Scientific communication has drastically changed since the days of writing papers in Latin or even presenting a power point at a scientific conference. Today we have memes, viral videos, TED talks, famous scientists on twitter, podcasts and BuzzFeed articles to name a few. For this special project we'll explore all the ways science is communicated in the modern era by examining some of the best examples of viral science content, making our own memes, videos, etc. and trying to replicate some of our favorite YouTube science video experiments in our quest to understand how to communicate science in 2017.

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Stained Glass Art and Design Instructors: Sarah Brewer & Elisa Rambo Minimum: 6 Cost: $100 Maximum: 12 This special project will introduce students to the basic techniques of Tiffany style art glass utilizing Islamic geometric design. Students will learn to score and cut stained glass, to copper foil, and to construct decorative glass pieces. Students will begin by making a simple geometric sun-catcher followed by projects of their own design. Materials will be provided to complete all projects. A field trip to a local glass shop will be organized where students will receive a demonstration on glass blowing and/or glass making techniques.

U.S. Space and Rocket Center

Instructor: Victor Irby Minimum: 10 Cost: $200 Maximum: 14

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center would like to host 14 students at Space Camp® for a modified weeklong camp experience with elements of engineering design, problem solving, informal education, curriculum development and evaluation and teambuilding. The students and faculty member will stay overnight at our Space Camp facilities, with activities on each day from 8am – 9pm. The camp includes science experiments, astronaut simulators, museum tours and a simulated space exploration mission. The students will also have briefings from NASA and aerospace industry professionals. An attempt will be made to engage an aerospace or technology firm in Huntsville to provide a challenge or project with real world implications for the students to devote up to 3 hours per day in brainstorming or work sessions. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center will manage this element, but there is no guarantee that such an attempt will be successful. In the event that it is not, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center education department will engage with the students to design an engineering or experiment challenge for Space Academy or Educator Academy.

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Wall Street Instructor: John Petty Minimum: 8 Cost: $20 Maximum: 14 The student will become familiar with the common investment options available on Wall Street. Students will learn how government, basic economic forces and business cycles interact. They will gain an understanding of how stock markets work and how the concepts of risk/reward control the price of stocks. Students will visit the Tanger Outlet Center in Foley and eat lunch at a local restaurant at the end of the week.

Week of Wellness

Instructor: Coach Angel Jackson Minimum: 4 Cost: $75 (student provides money for lunch daily) Maximum: 6

Webster Dictionary defines wellness as, the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal. Wellness is not only the lack of illness, but the goal is to lead a positive well-rounded life. This special project will explore the areas the dimensions of wellness through interactive activities, speakers, and various field trips.

Out of the Country: February 2019 (Sign-Up)

Costa Rica Instructors: Ken Robinson and Natalie Ortell Minimum: 12 Cost: $2119 Maximum: 20 The 2019 Special Projects trip to Costa Rica aims to highlight how the rich history and culture blends with an appreciation and dedication to the incredible natural beauty of the country. Students will visit protected rainforest, plant trees in the Santa Elena Biological Reserve, visit a local school, and be immersed in the traditional folklore of San Jose. Trip Chaperones: Chase Krebs and Alison Rellinger.