Summer courses!

Zoology! Chemistry!
Evolutionary biology! Physiology!

A chance to learn SO FLIPPIN’ MUCH SCIENCE in such a short summer.

What dates?

What times?

What’s the format?

What ages can join?

These are for kids 8–14.

Can I take two topics at once?

And how! Warning: if you do, you’ll be wolfing down high-level science four times a week. But if that sounds good to you…!

How much do they cost?

$220 for each course; $800 for a package of all four.

Is there a Philosophers Club this summer?

Alas, no: the Hendrickson family will be going on vacation on the weeks off! But for Cats, Batteries, and Sleep, you’ll still get one of our famed Deep Dives with each lesson.

(Why not with “Evolution”? Due to an odd quirk of history, we never made one for Evolution! But in its place you’ll get a copy of one of the greatest posters ever made — which will help you understand biology for the rest of your life.)

What about “Bodies are Weird”?

Ah, that! Because it’s a special, one-week course, we’ve made a special page for it.

Cats are Weird (zoology)

Cats truly are weird — fluffy, fangy, ten-pound super-predators. Somehow, they’re the dictionary definitions of both “cute” and “killer”.

In this course, you’ll get close to the essence of cats. Where did they come from? Have we domesticated them, or have they domesticated us? What’s it like to be a cat? And — most mysterious of all — why are we so crazy for them?

Batteries are Weird (chemistry)

Want to understand batteries from the electrons on up?

In this course, you’ll discover the first battery, see scientists debate the essence of life, and learn how Germany made an environmentally disastrous mistake when they forgot something basic about batteries.

Along the way, you’ll build a firm understanding of oxidation and reduction (and of anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes) as you dissect batteries, make them yourself, and learn to see them in places you never expected!

Evolution is Weird (biology)

If evolution is just “the survival of the fittest”, then why isn’t every animal just strong and scary? 

On first glance, Darwinian evolution seems like it should produce a world of ugly, selfish monsters. But we live in a world of animals that are beautiful, that sacrifice for their children, and that work harmoniously in groups. What the heck is going on?

In this course, you’ll learn real evolutionary theory — the powerful ideas scientists have come up with after Darwin’s original insight. You’ll build an understanding of sexual selection, kin selection, reciprocal altruism, and selfish gene theory.

Note: this isn’t “Evolution 101” — this is an advanced course.

Sleep is Weird (physiology)

When we sleep, our brains aren’t resting — they stay just as active as when we’re awake! So: why do we sleep?

In this course, you’ll plunge into the mystery of sleep. You’ll trace how it evolved, and hear how scientists discovered three different kinds of sleep. You’ll learn how one single anti-sleep invention has led to an epidemic of misery, disease, and death — and how a few new technologies might bring us better sleep than we’ve ever had before.

Come prepared to experiment! Together, we’ll be trying out what we learn, in order to remember more, become more creative, and live better.