THE SUMMER PROGRAM
The summer program is the pivot of the Compass Project. It is an intensive two-week program preceeding the beginning of the school year, for entering students who are interested in Physics.
As the first college-level educational experience for the Compass students, the Compass summer program serves as a stepping stone into UC Berkeley. By combining work and life activities, Compass gives students a head start in establishing the social ties, familiarity with the Berkeley campus, and balanced lifestyle necessary for successful undergraduate careers. Additionally, it is through the summer program that the students begin to learn what “doing science” really means through their close interaction with graduate students and professors. Finally, the summer program provides the opportunity to forge friendships that will endure (both in and out of the classroom) for many years to come.
The Compass classroom has an emphasis on group work and two-way interaction between students and teachers. Rather than serve as one-way lecturers, teachers provide guidance for students as they construct their own knowledge from each of their unique starting points. Topics covered during the summer program are not merely a review of high school physics, but challenge the students by introducing them to concepts covered in advanced undergraduate courses, such as multivariable calculus and wave dynamics. Additionally, the problem solving portion of the program gives students an insight into their own learning process and makes them more effective collaborators and communicators.
Potential topics for the 2008 summer program include:
- Special Relativity
- Holograms
- Backyard Astronomy
- Energy and Sustainability
During the program, the Compass students spend the majority of their time together. They live in the same dormitory, share meals, and work together on problem sets. In addition to coursework, Compass also provides a wide-ranging set of activities that include guest lectures, trips to laboratories, observatories and science museums, hikes, sports and movie nights.