Course Descriptions, Pittsburgh (PDF) - Carnegie Mellon University

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PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICIES
Payment and fee waiver information for all classes are due immediately after registration is confirmed. Your spot will be
reserved only after payment is received.
The cancellation fee is $25. If you must cancel after paying for a class, you will receive a refund (less the $25 cancellation
fee) if you cancel by 4:00 p.m. on the Friday two weeks before the scheduled workshop. After that time, there will be NO
refunds.
For students registering using paper forms, C-MITES mails one acceptance letter. After you have paid, you do not receive
a confirmation. Your cancelled check is your receipt. Students who register online receive a confirmation email. You may
check the online system at any time to view your classes.
More detailed information about the payment and cancellation policies can be found on the Weekend
Workshops FAQs page on our website.
3-D Laser Scanning of Bridges
Build a model of a bridge and use a laser scanner from the Robotics
Institute at Carnegie Mellon to take 3-dimensional measurements
of your bridge. Use a weight to damage the bridge, simulating
an earthquake, a truck running into the bridge, or the bridge
decaying over time. Then take a second scan of your bridge. Use
specialized software to determine the changes in the scans. Learn
how civil engineers and architects use this type of information
in their work. Class meets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Instructors: Dr.
Daniel Huber, Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute, and Dr. Burcu
Akinci, Civil and Environmental Engineering. Grades 7-9.
Ace the Keystone Exam
Do you want an awesome score on your Keystone Literature exam,
or an “A” in every future literature class? Using modern references
(such as well-known movie and television show scenes) in
conjunction with short stories and novel segments, we will make
understanding all those important literary elements fun! Warning:
this class may cause you to perpetually over-analyze movies and
television shows, thus ruining your ability to mindlessly enjoy
them. Grades 7-10.
Action-Packed Engineering
Use simple building materials to learn big ideas in physics. Use
your imagination to create a product that will solve a particular
challenge. Design, build and test a shock-absorbing landing system
for a spacecraft that will protect two astronauts. Use wind
energy to power a car to a finish line. Design bridges that can support
a weight. Solve real everyday problems, think critically, and
communicate with others. Please note: Students will use marshmallows,
life-savers and gum drops along with other “non-edible”
construction materials. Grades 1-2.
Advanced Creative Writing
Write a commercial, practice the art of persuasion, develop dialogue
and create cartoon captions. Polish your writing skills, discuss
idiomatic and figurative language and explore the messages
that words send. Grades 5-7.
Algebra Aces
Use balance scales to compare weights of objects. Create lunch baskets
or fruit baskets to determine necessary quantities of an item.
C-MITES Weekend Workshops - Spring 2014
Course Descriptions
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Use Cuisenaire Rods to determine answers to logic puzzles. At
the end of the class, who will be the fastest to buzz in with the
correct answer? Grades 2-3.
American Math Idol
A new idol is going to be crowned -- an American Math Idol! We
are in need of talented, quick-thinking individuals who are ready
to rise to the challenge of America’s most enjoyable math competition.
Participate in a variety of math games and activities. Don’t
worry -- no evil judges are allowed! Grades 3-5.
Baboons, Bats and Bandicoots
How do animals do what they do? Participate in a variety of
games and experiments to learn about adaptations of animals to
their natural environment. Compare behavioral as well as physical
adaptations of animals for their competitive and survival potential.
Try on “blubber gloves,” compete in a camouflage game
and test different “beaks” to collect food. This class will challenge
animal-loving kids to go one step further in their understanding
and appreciation for the diversity and adaptability of the animal
kingdom. Grades 1-2.
Bubbleology
What is so fascinating about bubbles? Is it the precise spherical
shape, the incredible fragile nature of the thin soap film, the
iridescent colors that swirl and shimmer, or something else? Activities
will investigate surface tension, cohesion, adhesion, and
more. Use scientific inquiry, math tools and formulas, poetry and
group work skills as you investigate incredible bubbles. Pop on in
to explore bubbles! Grades 2-3.
Bug-bots
Bounce your way into the exciting world of robots! Explore motion,
power, electricity, and robots. Discover the way motors and batteries
operate. Create a robot, explain how it moves, and then take the robot
home to share with your family and friends! Grades 1-2.
Build a Robot
Build a robot using the Robotix 4000 kit developed by Learning
Curve Toys. Use your mechanical engineering skills as you test
your robot on flat surfaces and inclined planes. Modify the robot’s
design so you can win a class robotics competition! Grades 5-7.

Build-a-Book
Practice rhymes, rhythm, patterns and more! Read a book and
create your very own. Use your thinking cap to come up with
ideas and bring those ideas to life. Be an author and illustrator and
take your book home to share with all of your family and friends.
Story-telling skills will also be discussed. Grades K-1.
Buildings, Towers and Bridges: Oh, My!
How do buildings stay standing? Can you make a building out
of paper that stands up? How strong should it be? In teams, students
will create towers and bridges to see whose is the strongest.
Grades K-1.
Chemistry 101
Chemistry is an essential part of all areas of science. Learn about
some important concepts in chemistry through demonstrations
and hands-on activities. Balance chemical equations and discuss
chemical reactions. Explore the periodic table and discuss
bonding in atoms. Classify acids and bases and learn about
their properties and indicators. Learn how J.J. Thomson, James
Chadwick, and other scientists made important discoveries about
the atom. Discover how the Bohr model of the atom compares to
the Quantum Mechanical Model. Grades 8-10.
Culinary Chemistry
Join your fellow scientists as we use everyday ingredients to conduct
experiments and learn the science behind them. Make colorful
chemical “fireworks” on a plate. Create glow-in-the-dark gelatin.
Learn about the changing states of matter by making butter.
Because we will use materials that can be found in most homes,
you will take home all laboratory instructions and be able to dazzle
friends and family with your kitchen chemistry knowledge.
Grades 4-5.
Ecosystems: Alive!
Come celebrate the wonder of our natural world as we unravel the
mysteries of ecosystems. Learn about the science behind amazing
living plants and animals as well as some nonliving things that
really matter to them. Test soil and water samples to predict what
types of plants might be able to grow here and which animals
might like to live in our local ecosystem. Discover how plants and
animals are able to survive in the various ecosystems of the world
and compete in a challenge to see how we stack up against some
of the world’s most extreme animals! Class meets from 9a.m. to
4 p.m. Grades 2-3.
Egg Drop Physics
Develop your physics and engineering skills by designing and
building devices that protect an egg dropped from the second
floor. Students who like seeing their pen and paper creations become
a reality will enjoy this course! The final egg drop takes
place during the last 15 minutes of class. Parents are welcome to
watch their “egg”-gineers in action! Grades 3-5.
Electricity and Simple Circuits
Explore electricity, run experiments and learn to make simple circuits.
Learn about conductive materials, batteries, motors, lights
and various types of switches. Make sketches of your circuits and
learn to describe what is happening. Take apart and explore electronic
toys and learn to identify the components you find. Explore
soundmaking circuits and how you can control and change the
sounds produced using various sensors. Class meets from 9a.m.
to 4 p.m. Grades 1-2.
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Extreme Weather Trends, Climate Science
and Public Opinion
The scientific consensus is that climate change is occurring and
is anthropogenically caused. The frequency and severity of extreme
weather events are increasing. In the last two years, the
United States has experienced twice the average frequency of record
extremes in temperature, precipitation, drought, and tropical
cyclones. Scientists have rigorously tested possible links between
climate change and certain extreme weather events; the consensus
is that climate change has historically increased and the probability
of certain extreme events such as heat waves, heavy precipitation
events, and local flooding is predicted to increase. We
will explore climate change, extreme weather, and possible links
between the two. Activities include brief lectures coupled with
student-centered learning activities on flows and stocks of emissions,
weather gauges, and decision-making. Instructor: Dr. Kelly
Klima, research scientist with CMU’s Engineering and Public
Policy Department. Grades 8-10.
Eye on the Sky
Explore the mysteries of the night sky. Examine stars, constellations
and the moon while taking part in fun, hands-on activities!
Learn about the different phases of the moon by creating your
own moon shapes and designing your own crazy 3-D constellation.
Discover what you are really looking at when you gaze up at
the glorious night sky! Grades K-1.
Get a Clue: Detectives
Who stole a jeweled tiara from a hotel safe and left a mysterious
white powder at the scene? Can you sort through facts, suspects,
motives, alibis, and evidence to nail the perpetrator? You’ll need
the skills of a CSI (Crime Scene Investigator) and a Crime Lab
Chemist. Once you have solved the case, use all your insight, creativity,
and humor to fill in Stories with Holes; you will be begging
for more! Grades 4-6.
Ice Cream Science
Join in the fun as we explore two types of matter: solids and
liquids. Receive your own science journal and conduct inquiry
experiments using the same process that true scientists follow.
Explore flotation, viscosity and density. Conduct the tastiest experiment
of all: making real ice cream! Grades 1-3.
Inside the Beehive
Take a trip inside a beehive! See the many kinds of hives bees live
in and learn the biology of bees. Follow bees through the ages.
Take a look at how they help flowers, and learn about pheromones
and how bees communicate with each other. Discover the many
jobs they do. Examine where beeswax comes from and taste some
honey. Grades K-1.
Intro to Materials Science
What “stuff” do you have in your backpack? Have you thought
about the science that goes into the design of materials you use
every day? Explore the world of materials science, the study of
the characteristics and uses of metals, composites, polymers, ceramics
and glass. Build crystals, investigate polymers, and test the
properties of copper wire. Learn how scientists use the properties
of materials to design objects used in everyday life. Grades 6-8.

Intro to Mobile Robotics
For girls ONLY! This course will be conducted by members of
the Girls of Steel FIRST Robotics Team, an all girls robotics team
mentored at Carnegie Mellon’s Field Robotics Center. Learn
about the basic tools, electronics, and materials used to build a robot
chassis similar to those used for the FIRST ® FRC level robotics
competition (www.USFIRST.org). Assemble a 6-wheel drop
center chassis and learn to drive it. Grades 7-9.
Junior Geologists
What secrets do the rocks of Western Pennsylvania hold? Spend
the day exploring the unique local geology of our area and the
rocks and fossils which are millions of years old! Learn how our
continent and the location of Pennsylvania has changed over the
ages and which types of rocks and fossils you find here. Learn
how to determine the origin and history of a rock by examining
what’s inside of it. In this hands-on fossil hunt, you will search
through and crack open ancient rocks to expose fossils that have
not seen the light of day for millions of years! Grades 3-4.
Kitchen Chemistry
Learn the chemistry of common household items. Make slime,
explosions and goop from kitchen chemicals and learn the science
behind these interesting concoctions! Wear old clothes: we will
get messy! Grades K-1.
M&M Probability
Predict, count, graph, and eat M&M’s in this edible lesson. Devise,
color, and draw different types of graphs, including pie, picot,
and bar graphs. Discover the secret behind each color in a bag
of M&M’s! Grades K-1.
Magic Math
Develop a solid base of math needed for success in elementary
and middle school. Discuss algebraic topics such as fractions,
long multiplications and multiplying with decimals. Geometric
discussions will include types of quadrilaterals and angle measurement.
Learn math in a fun way by relating it to everyday life.
Solve problems using manipulatives and strategies presented. Explain
your thinking using pictures, models and words. Formulate
number sentences for your solutions. Our goal is to help you build
and articulate your own problem solving strategies. Grades 2-3.
Magnificent Math
Play cards and learn simple magic tricks involving basic math operations.
Discover fundamental geometric principles by making
LEGO ® houses. Find hidden polygons in LEGO ® models. Make
multiplication flash cards. Have fun creating a board game of geometry
that you can take home and play with your family and
friends. Grades 1–2.
Mini Math Olympiad
Participate in two mini-simulations of Math Olympiad contests
with ribbons awarded for top scorers. Discuss problem solving
strategies such as finding a pattern, drawing a picture, making a
list or table and working backwards. Try actual contest problems
from the Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle
Schools competition. Grades 4-6.
Money, Money, Money!
What are stocks? How do people make decisions about buying
stocks? See what it’s like to be a stock trader by participating in a
stock market simulation. Buy stocks, pay commissions, and trade
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stocks with your friends. We have a challenge for you: can you
invest some “money” and turn it into a whole lot more? Play our
game and find out! Grades 4-5.
My Ideal House
Design your dream house! What types of rooms will you need
in your house? How big are the bathrooms compared to the
kitchen? How do you show your ideas to others? Learn about
plans, sections and elevations while creating a great place to
live! Instructor: Samantha Carter, Carnegie Mellon University
Architecture Department. Grades K-1.
Persuasive Writing-Triple Stuff!
Persuading others to think as you do requires technique and skill!
Writing to persuade can be simplified by looking at how an Oreo
cookie is constructed. Brainstorming techniques, developing a
strong topic sentence, constructing five interesting paragraphs and
finishing with a powerful conclusion, can all be accomplished.
There will be an emphasis on strong descriptive words and
sentence structure. If you like Oreos, you’ll savour this special
“triple-stuff” writing activity. Come and get a taste of persuasive
writing. Grades 4-5.
Playwriting
Storytelling is the oldest form of communication. Long before
there were books, TV, movies or cell phones, people gathered
together to share experiences and express themselves creatively
through dramatic storytelling. Through exercises designed to allow
you to explore and develop your creative voice, learn about
such playwriting craft elements as structure, plot, character, conflict,
and scene development. Gain experience creating dialogue
and short scenes between two or three characters. Go home with
material that may later lead to completed or more fully developed
work. Grades 6-8.
Pre-Algebra with Pizzazz
Learn basic concepts needed to solve equations in algebra. If one
basket requires three frogs, how many frogs are needed to fill
four baskets? Which bear weighs the most? Use balance scales
to compare weights of different objects. Use Cuisenaire Rods
and clues given to determine the value of the hidden rods. At the
end of class, who will be the fastest to buzz in with the correct
answer? Grades K-1.
Pre-algebra: Positive about Negatives
Help stop the evil Captain Zilch from taking over the planet!
While doing so, learn the rules for combining positive and negative
integers in a fun and memorable way. This useful skill will
prepare students for algebra and beyond by introducing the concept
of negative numbers and how to work with them. Grades 2-3.
Puzzles, Games, and Problem Solving
Get some tips from a Carnegie Mellon professor about critical
thinking and problem solving strategies. Dr. Raja Sooriamurthi,
Associate Teaching Professor in Information Systems, will share
the approaches he teaches Carnegie Mellon undergraduates. In this
fun and interactive class, play with a range of puzzles, brainteasers
and games. The ultimate goal of this puzzle-based learning
is to lay a foundation to become effective problem solvers in the
real world. These general problem solving techinques are useful
for careers requiring excellent analytical skills---future managers,
scientists, engineers, computer programmers, etc. Companies

such as Google and Yahoo include such puzzles as part of their
employee selection process. Dr. Sooriamurthi’s pedagogical work
has been recognized with several awards for distinguished teaching.
This work on Puzzle-Based Learning was recognized as an
honorable mention finalist at the Decision Sciences Institute’s Instructional
Innovation Award Competition. Grades 8-10.
Roaming Ancient Rome
Ever wonder how the Roman Empire got so huge? The answer
can be found by learning about its most valuable subjects, the Roman
soldiers. We will use hands-on projects to help us learn how
these empire-builders dressed, worked, and retired. Sign up to be
a Roman soldier! Grades 3-5.
Robotics Programming and Design
This hands-on course is an introduction to robot-building and
robot-programming. Using LEGO ® bricks and the MIT Handy
Board, design and build desktop mobile robots, then program
them using IC programming language to do dances, follow lines,
and “sense” different objects in the environment. This is a teambased
course. Class meets from 9a.m. to 3 p.m. No experience in
robotics is required. Grades 7-9.
Rock Dig
Learn all about rocks and gems! Make a display and identify
characteristics of these rocks and gems. Design a piece of jewelry
from what you uncover in the dig. You will take home your new
rock collection! Grades 3-5.
Roller Coaster Physics
Roll on in and ride along to learn about potential and kinetic energy!
Plan and construct your own roller coaster model. Learn
about speed, momentum, and other forces that enable roller coasters
to roll. Grades 3-4.
Science for Entertainment
How is science involved in your daily life? Make colored ripples
in a bowl of milk, explode lunch bags, examine aqua rockets and
even make your own lava lamp! Discover the difference between
physical and chemical changes. Grades 2-4.
Science of Harry Potter
Could a Whomping Willow really whomp? Why are wizards so interested
in the moon and the stars? How do Blast-Ended Skrewts create
their blasts? Science meets magic in this class. You’ll create the
phases of the moon, design a wizard hat, and make a working model
of the Blast-Ended Skrewt’s real-life counterpart. Grades 3-5.
Skeletal Remains
Build a skeleton. Sharpen your observational skills by examining
owl pellets, the regurgitated remains of an owl’s prey. Use your
laboratory skills to dissect this hard, dry ball. Reconstruct what’s
inside to determine what the owl ate. Grades 3-5.
Survivors!
Do you have what it takes to be a survivor? In this action-packed
class, we begin by learning and applying the “survivor’s state of
mind” to tasks of wilderness survival. Work together to construct
a simple survival shelter and learn how to structure and site a survival
fire. Examine some of Pennsylvania’s resident plant and animal
species and discover the importance of a safe water source.
Dress appropriately for the weather, don’t be afraid to get dirty
and wear good shoes: we will be going outside! Grades 3-5.
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Trees: A Life Story
The leaves are falling! Why? Have fun learning about trees and
what is happening in the season of fall. Start with a sapling and
follow a tree through its life cycle. Learn how a tree makes its own
food and why every part of the tree is important. Discover how all
trees are the same, how they are different, and how you can tell
them apart. Play a game to collect pieces of your tree and work
as a team to put them together. Make leaf and bark rubbings. Use
your senses and creativity to discover just how special trees can
be. Grades K-1.
Under Pressure?
Scientists, bring your lab coats! Using household items, you will
conduct experiments that will suck you in and blow your top off!
The scientific method will guide you as you learn about air and
water pressure and take notes in your official lab notebook. Take
some of the experiments home to dazzle your friends and family.
Grades 4-6.
Video Game of Clue®
You may have been clueless before, but once you join this mystery
class you will become one very smart detective! Learn the importance
of observation and deductive thinking as well as many fun
sleuth tricks to help you solve various crimes. After your group
has collected all the facts, solve unique cases by determining who
the criminals are and where they committed their crimes. To add
to the challenge, you will secretly adopt the identity of one of the
suspects. To win this game and be a successful detective you must
discover: “Who done it?” and “Who’s who?” among your fellow
game players! Grades 5-7.
Wacky Weather
What is weather? Explore the many parts of what weather is.
Make an anemometer and test it out! Examine how to read and
understand a thermometer and test your accuracy. Learn the difference
between rain and acid rain and discover how harmful it
is to our planet. Find out what you can do to help the earth and
reduce acid rain. Grades 1-2.
Wacky World of Polymers
Experience the super absorbent power of polymers by doing fun
experiments. Water poured in a cup can become a solid gel in just
two seconds! Make artificial snow. Do a “crazy putty” experiment.
What happens to molecules when you stretch a rubber band? Discover
the bright rainbow-like patterns viewed between polarizing
filters and learn how engineers use this tool to map bridges. Make
the gel used as thickening agent in ice cream and make your own
gummy worms. Study osmosis, diffusion and effusion and the
cross-linking of polymers. Learn how information about polymers
is applied by engineers, chemists and other scientists. Class meets
from 9a.m. to 4 p.m. Grades 8-10.
Wacky Writing Workshop
Could you describe water to a Martian? Join us as we learn, explore
and apply writing skills in creative ways. Through writing
games, group activities and challenges, learn how choosing the
right words can help to convey even the strangest of ideas! Try to
fool your classmates with a tall tale. Write and perform your own
skit with a group and more! Grades 2-3.

WeDo Robotics
Using the LEGO® kit designed specifically for younger students,
explore the world of robotics! Build LEGO® models that feature
working motors and sensors. Attach sensors to your model of a
machine or an animal, and program the model to move using a
computer and “drag and drop” software. Grades 2-3.
What’s so Funny? An Analysis of Humor
and Comedy
Examine the nature of comedy and humor with specific focus on
ideas such as satire, parody, schadenfreude, irony and comedy
techniques. Utilize popular culture resources as supplements to
illustrate and reinforce these ideas. The culminating activity is the
creation of your own unique humor pieces. Grades 7-10.
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Writing Award-Winning Essays
Essays are important! They are the key to scoring high on your
SATs, getting into your first choice of college, earning scholarships,
and acing your literature classes. Learn how to write essays
so good that people will think you write for the New York Times.
This course is based on college-level curricula, with topics that include
rhetoric, targeting audiences, writing business-quality proposals,
and creating high-quality research papers. All materials
are yours to keep and will be available in digital copies by request.
Class meets from 9a.m. to 4 p.m. Grades 8-10.
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C-MITES Weekend Workshops - Spring 2014
Parent Information Sessions
Preparing Your Child for Academic Success - Sunday, March 30, 2014, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
You’ve made sure your child is in a good school. You’ve taken advantage of C-MITES and other programs to challenge your
child intellectually. You know students need good GPA and SAT scores to get into a good college. But is that enough? Why do
so many smart kids flounder when they get to college? What skills should we be developing in our children now to help them
succeed academically in the years to come? Discuss these issues with a panel of experts, including Dr. Conrad Zapanta, Associate
Department Head of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, and Dr. Laura Zapanta, Lecturer in Biological
Sciences, University of Pittsburgh. Get an insider’s perspective on what students should learn before they go off to college. Fee:
$15 per family (Fee waivers provided based on financial need).
My Child Wants to Design Video Games - Saturday, April 5, 2014, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Dr. Ellen Cavanaugh, author of 21st Century Parenting: Grow a Generation and director of the Baden Academy Media Lab,
recently interviewed local video game design studio owners (did you know we have seven in the Pittsburgh area?), educators,
and leading technology policy makers. Pleasantly overwhelmed with very detailed responses, Dr. Cavanaugh has a tremendous
amount of information to share! Come discover if jobs are out there, the type of training and classes available, and the best opportunities
to develop finished projects for students’ portfolios. Discover free downloads and software packages, competitions
for kids, phenomenal curriculum packages to advocate for at the next school board meeting, and ways to integrate video game
design into school and service projects. Fee: $15 per family (Fee waivers provided based on financial need).
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