Spring+Semester+2012+Seminar+Descriptions

= **Seminar Descriptions—Spring 2012**  =
 * ** This page will be updated in January to add links to the schedules for each seminar. **
 * ** Registration for seminars begins December 6--come to B109 to register before/after school or during any lunch. **
 * ** Come early for the best selection--some seminars will fill quickly! **

According to the Egyptians, around 3,000BC a chariot of the gods came down from the sky and raised the land from the mud and instructed them to build the pyramids and the Sphinx. In July 1947, an unusual craft crashed in the desert of new Mexico. Many claim it is the site of a UFO crash known as “the Roswell Incident” which included the recovery of bodies. Area 51 has been the home of the U-2 spy plane and the F-117 Stealth Fighter, but some claim it is also the home of advanced UFO testing and technology. Are all these claims true? Are there extraterrestrials visiting our planet? Time to find out for yourself! (Shackelford)
 * UFOs and Ancient Aliens **

Memoirs like //The Glass Castle//, //Marley and Me//, and //Me Talk Pretty One Day// consistently top the bestseller list. In this seminar, we will explore the genre of memoir by reading published memoirs and by writing our own memoir pieces. Students will create a portfolio of pieces over the course of the semester which may be useful for college essays, writing contests or other publications. (Kouns)
 * Telling My Story **

Get a ticket to Hogwarts for the semester! We will undertake a study of the mythology behind Harry Potter and the process of J.K. Rowling’s creation of the seven novel series. Students will engage in research, discussion, and presentation of elements from each of the novels; compare written texts to film texts; and create original interpretations of these works. (Kouns and Casstevens)
 * Catch the Hogwarts Express **

Have you ever dreamed about being a DJ? Can you mix music? Can you use Ableton? This is the seminar for you. We now have the ability to save our music and use most of the Ableton software so we can create, mix and perform music from week to week. We’ll also use the launch pads for live music performances! This seminar is for those who know the software OR took music production last year. We’ll watch Youtube videos for lessons and recreate the lessons in class. We’ll create songs and create our own album for the final and post our work on Soundcloud for everyone to hear! (Shackelford)
 * Ableton Live **

If you have always suspected youwould be a winner on Jeopardy, the join this seminar and find out. We will practice trivia quizzing in teams each week, competing for prizes and the glory of victory! (Moeller/Dabbs)
 * Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader? **

Hollywood loves to take advantage of some of the more fantastic scientific discoveries, but do they always get it right? In Hollywood Science we will take a look at some of the popular films and TV series of our time and examine the reliability of the science behind each one. (Nettuno)
 * Hollywood **** Science **

Sometimes brain teasers can seem impossible to solve, but there are strategies for figuring them out that will make you look like a genius. In this seminar we will practice solving a wide variety of brain teasers like the Rubik’s Cube, number problems and logic questions that can be a lot of fun to figure out! You will learn strategies that can help you in your classes as well as in everyday life. (Moeller)
 * Brain Games & Strategies **

Want to learn the secret to becoming a great chef? It’s all about the chemistry! Explore the science behind the creation of a delicious meal and use your newfound knowledge to enhance your cooking skills. (Nettuno)
 * Chemistry of Cooking **

Fact or Fiction? Ever see a movie “Based on a True Story” and wonder how much is true and how much Hollywood? Come join us and find out the truth! (Dabbs/Moeller)
 * “Based on a True Story…” **

Not an artist? Not a problem. We will take a look at communicating through art. Whether you are a “good” artist or you draw with stick figures, comics is about telling a story and the ability to convey information. But, yes, we will be drawing as well!!!! (Dabbs)
 * Making Comics/Making Comics II **

As a cartoonist and inventor, Rube Goldberg was famous for creating complex gadgets to achieve a simple task. Unlike Mr. Goldberg who never tried to actually construct the contraptions he drew, participants in this seminar will engineer three multi-step projects that accomplish a final goal. Students should be prepared to bring in dominoes, small wooden blocks, and other supplies that will be essential in these inventions. (Moeller)
 * Rube Goldberg in Action **

Take this seminar in order to learn about a variety of career options and create an employability portfolio. Although this seminar is required for any future TAG internship, it is an excellent seminar for any student who will be entering a competitive university or a professional career area. This seminar is not recommended for 9th grade students. (Light)
 * Inside Link to the Outside World ** (Also available during STING)

Come to TAG each week and finally get a chance to study a topic that has intrigued you for years. The topics are limitless for this! You design this yourself, including projects that will help you learn the material and show the group what you have done. This seminar will be offered during 3rd, 4th and 5th periods as well as during STING to accommodate students who feel they cannot miss class to attend TAG. (Kouns)
 * I Always Wanted to Know That ** (Also available during STING)

** Registration begins December 6! **