The Junior track is open to students who are moving to Grades 6 and 7 in 2024-25, with the caveat that those students who have already experienced the Junior track in previous years, and are moving to Grade 7 in 2024-25, could opt for the Senior Program.
This track comprises the following modules; all students go through all of the modules below:
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Squishy Circuits: Discovering Electronics Through Play
(Junior Track - Students in Grades 6,7 in 2024-25)
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“Creativity is just connecting things.” - Steve Jobs
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This hands-on course introduces students to the exciting world of electronics through the use of squishy circuits, a type of conductive play dough that allows children to create circuits and experiment with basic electronics. Over the course of the program, students will learn about the fundamentals of electrical components and circuitry.
Through a series of guided activities, students will explore the properties of electricity, learn how to build simple circuits with LEDs, buzzers, and motors. They will also have the opportunity to design and build their own light-up greeting cards, sculptures or make origami animals come to life using paper circuits.
Throughout the program, students will develop key skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration, as they work in teams to solve challenges and share their creations with the class.
By the end of the course, students will have gained a foundational understanding of electronics and circuitry, as well as hands-on experience with design. They will have developed their creativity and curiosity, and be inspired to continue exploring the world of STEM beyond the classroom.
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This course is facilitated by Muralidhar K.
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This module is part of the larger 2-week program to be held from May 15-29, 2024. All Junior students will have to go through all three modules, including this.
Explore Alternate Worlds of Numerals and Geometry
(Junior Track - Students in Grades 6,7 in 2024-25)
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"Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or algorithms: it is about understanding." - William Paul Thurston
Have you ever wondered how Mickey and Minnie and their friends from Disneyland count with only 4 fingers in each hand? Would they count in fives and tens like us 1,2,..5,6,....9,10,11,...20, 21.. or would they count in 4s and 8s? If they do, how would they do their basic arithmetic operations? How might they put tally marks? Did you know that Mayans counted in 20s and developed their own ways to calculate with these numerals more than 2000 years ago? We get so used to working with our own numeral systems that these alternate ways of thinking about numbers sound alien to us.
Similarly, can we create a world where every line has a finite number of points? Where distance between two points is measured in terms of the steps taken to reach one from another instead of the distance "as the crow flies"? What would geometry look like in these worlds?
Through this course we hope to explore some of these alien worlds and use the experience to better understand our world! We will develop our ability to reason abstractly, think critically, and analyze data by challenging our assumptions about what math is and how it can be done. This course is not just about learning how to do math in other ways, but also about appreciating the beauty and diversity of mathematical thinking.
By the end of this course, students will have a deeper understanding of the foundational concepts of math, and they will be able to apply these concepts in new and creative ways. They will have developed their mathematical thinking skills, and be better equipped to solve complex problems in the real world. Come join us on this exciting journey to explore math beyond what you thought was possible!
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This course is facilitated by Jayasree Subramanian.
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This module is part of the larger 2-week program to be held from May 15-29, 2024. All Junior students will have to go through all modules, including this.
Re-Imagining Media
(Junior Track - Students in Grades 6,7 in 2024-25)
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"Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault." - Henry Anatole Grunwald
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the news, social media, or even "whatsapp forwards"? Do you wish you could distinguish between fact and fiction or recognize when information is biased or misleading? Throughout this module students will explore important issues like fake news and the importance of informed decision-making. They will learn how to analyze diverse media sources, differentiate between facts and opinions, and identify propaganda and bias.
In addition to becoming better consumers of media, students will also be developing their skills as creators. They'll explore different media platforms such as blogs, digital newsletters, social media and newspaper articles. They will learn how to conduct research and interviews, write news stories, and create content that advocates for change in schools, communities, and countries.
The program is designed to be fun and engaging, with sessions that are skill-focused and designed in consultation with journalists, fact-checkers, and other media professionals. Through the course, students will explore the ins and outs of media literacy, journalism, and content creation. They will have the opportunity to publish a daily newsletter and participate in a simulation where they cover a "breaking news" story.
At the end of the program, students will be able to critically analyze diverse media sources, identify bias and false information, and create compelling stories using different media platforms. They will be able to articulate how journalism can be used to advocate for change in your school, community, and country.
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This course is facilitated by Asmita Prabhakar.
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This module is part of the larger 2-week program to be held from May 15-29, 2024. All Junior students will have to go through all modules, including this.
Exploring the Natural World: The Science of Observation
(Junior Track - Students in Grades 6,7 in 2024-25)
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"Science is not just a body of knowledge, but a way of seeing. The world becomes intelligible to us through its patterns and regularities, which we can uncover through systematic observation and experimentation." - Carl Sagan
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Observation is a key component of scientific inquiry, and what better way to learn about it than by exploring the natural world around us? In this module students will be observing their environment, local ecology and built environment, to learn about the importance of observing with attention, recording them, and using them to arrive at explanations to questions. They will also learn to appreciate the significance of this in the process of science.
Students will observe, question, and record their observations of the habitats and their interrelationships. They will learn about the different methods of observation and recording including sketching, note-taking, and how they can be used to gather evidence. They will also discuss the importance of careful observation, and how small details can lead to big discoveries. Additionally, students will conduct investigations to deepen their understanding of the natural world, learn about ecosystems, food chains, and the interdependence of living things. Through these activities, students will gain a better understanding of the role of observation in scientific inquiry.
Additionally, students will explore questions around issues of justice and fairness in the context of access to various spaces in our surrounding environment. None of us really owns these spaces but we use them and ‘someone else’ seems to take care of them. Shouldn't they be paid for that? They will apply this thinking and reasoning and relate it to the understanding of science and scientific endeavours.
By the end of this course, students will have a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the scientific process. They will have gained valuable skills in observation and documentation, and will be able to apply these skills to future scientific investigations while also attempting to understand how choices about what we own and what we share influence the future of our common world.
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This course is facilitated by Radha Gopalan.
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This module is part of the larger 2-week program to be held from JMay 15-29, 2024. All Junior students will have to go through all modules, including this.