Summer Honors Institute Courses

The following courses were offered for the 2019 program:

Morning Courses

Coding Python with Raspberry Pi

Taught by James Dittrich, web programmer, YSU Web Team

The Raspberry Pi is an inexpensive, credit-card sized computer that has taken the market by storm. Students, code hackers, inventors, and tinkerers of a stripe enjoy building all sorts of fun and useful electronic projects with it. Students will learn how to use the free and open-source Python computer language (used by Google, among others) to write their own programs, manipulate game objects in Minecraft, and in the process, learn all about how to use the Raspberry Pi platform.

Documentary Filmmaking

Taught by Justin Edwards, career management coordinator, YSU Career and Academic Advising

Everyone has a story to tell. What’s yours? Learn how documentary filmmakers use sound and image to tell stories and communicate ideas. Students will have the opportunity to work as a part of a team to create a 5-minute documentary using digital video cameras and digital editing software. Learn the methods used by filmmakers to tell stories, and take this opportunity to tell your own!

Harry Potter

Taught by Angela Messenger, coordinator, YSU Writing Center

Dear Potterheads: Consider enrolling in the Youngstown State University of Witchcraft and Wizardry. House sorting begins on July 15. Points will be awarded throughout the week for insightful discussion of the complete works of J. K. Rowling, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Potato Cannon

Taught by Dr. Hazel Marie, professor and chair, YSU Mechanical Engineering

Students will analyze the principles of engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, and chemistry using potato cannons. Students will determine the kinetic energies of the projectiles by high-speed camera and by measuring time that the potato is in flight and calculating the potato velocity using physical models. The energies will be compared to the chemical potential energy. Deviations between the theoretical predictions and the experimental data will be discussed and theories will be proposed to explain the differences.

Afternoon Courses

Amateur Radio

Taught by Dr. Robert Kramer, associate professor, YSU Computer Science and Information Systems

Students will learn about radio basics, including antennas, basic electronics, electrical safety guidelines, and voice and digital communication. Amateur radio regulations will also be covered. Students will have an opportunity to get on the air and talk with other amateur radio operators locally and elsewhere.

Healthcare for the 21st Century

Taught by Dr. Amy Weaver, associate professor, YSU Nursing

Using Laerdal patient simulation technologies, students will identify normal physiological findings and pathological changes of various age groups. Students will examine assessment data to identify normal physiological findings and pathological changes which will involve the heart, lungs, brain, vision, and hearing. They will also learn about the American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival protocol. Students will have access to a state-of-the-art medical laboratory featuring Laerdal patient simulation technology.

Exploring Youngstown & Its People

Taught by Dr. Marcelle Wilson, museum manager, YSU History

This fun course will acquaint students with Youngstown's past through field trips to a few iconic places in our city and a look at the development of local neighborhoods which all culminate to make the city unique.

Solid Modeling / 3D Printing

Instructor TBA

Using 3D modeling software, students will design and create a solid model of a part that will be used to explore parametric design change and analysis optimization. Once a final design is decided upon, the solid model will be used to build an actual prototype part on a 3D printer. Various software packages and laboratory equipment will be utilized to assist in the design, analysis, and creation of the part. A tour of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII) will be included.