January Term

On-campus courses cover a broad range of topics, recent courses have included: Blacksmithing, The Making of the Atomic Bomb, 2D Drawing Using Blender, Combinatorics in Game Theory, Science Fiction in Film and Literature, Fluid Mechanics, and Atmospheric Science

Off-campus trips have included a service trip to the Dominican Republic, genetics research at The Jackson Lab, the Bigelow Lab for Ocean Sciences, the Berkeley National Laboratory, and marine research at Cape Eleuthera Institute in the Bahamas

Internships provide yet another option for students. Participants are paired with mentors in a job-shadow environment. This allows these students to delve into the areas of their own choosing. Student have had internships at dental offices, ski resorts, architecture firms, research labs, tech start-ups, machine shops, and even the National Weather Service.

Maine School of Science & Mathematics

J-Term 2025 Course Offerings

Top 4 requests for J-Term classes need to be completed with your advisor between Sept. 25 and Oct. 11

Internships - (J. Primiano, Dubois)

During the two-week J-Term period, participating students are paired up with mentors in a job shadow environment which allows these students to delve into the fields of their own choosing. Not only does this provide invaluable experience in at least one area of potential interest, it also identifies the student as having a passion for learning that goes beyond the classroom.

MSSM is pleased to offer suggestions and assistance in pinning down arrangements, but students and their families are responsible for the bulk of the logistics, including locating an internship site, a mentor sponsor, transportation, and lodging.

Inclusive Dates: Monday, January 13 through Friday, January 24, 2024 (Alternative dates may be available upon request.)

It is expected that students will participate in their internships from 9:00 am through 3:30 pm each weekday with a break for lunch. However, it is understood that some internships may require flexibility regarding these hours. In this case, students will be required to have their approximate hours approved by Mr. Primiano/Ms. Dubois prior to the start of J-Term. Students interested in completing additional hours are more than welcome to do so. This could include starting before 9:00 or ending after 3:30 each day, adding extra hours on the weekend in between the two weeks of J-Term, or beginning the internship anytime after the end of the fall semester and prior to the official start of J-Term. While spending as much time as possible on site is extremely beneficial and strongly encouraged, it is important to maintain the integrity of the official hours of 9:00 am through 3:30 pm each weekday.

Prerequisites: An exploratory spirit. Minimum sophomore standing.

Limit: None

Astronomy Adventure Tour (Berz & Odden)

”It’s been said that astronomy is a humbling and, I might add, a character-building experience” ~Carl Sagan

Come aboard the “Starship MSSM” to humbly undock and unlock the doors to both astronomical awareness and joyful engagement with the broader astronomical community in all its dynamic discovery, power,  and research applications. Co-hosted with Phillips-Andover Dean of Studies Caroline Odden, we will introduce and investigate the major cutting edge themes and tools of 21st century celestial odyssey including the James Webb Telescope, NASA’s Artemis Project, and the astrobiological search for life in the solar system and beyond. Above all, students will gain a deep appreciation of the historic context for their own potential role as astronomical researchers, observers, and cosmic investigators.

At MSSM base, initial night sky surveys & telescopic training includes daily immersions in astronomical topics with on-line professionals and nightly experiences at our local Francis Malcolm Science Center Planetarium.  Our first port of call: the Versant Power Astronomy Center at UMO/Orono for an overnight planetarium encounter with planetarium technology and telescopes.

After a brief recap on MSSM Campus, we boldly set off to Andover, Massachusetts to see our peer colleagues at Phillips-Andover Academy and the student driven astrophysical research at Gelb Observatory while enjoying both collaboration and classroom astrophysical immersion within the enriched Gelb Science Building.  Additional highlights planned include school visits to the outstanding Peabody and Addison Gallery along with a close up inspection and use of the Alvin Clarke & Sons Abbott Telescope. Lodgings at local Courtyard Marriott with meals collaboratively enjoyed on campus. Panoramic winter walk included.

For those with a taste for encounters astronomical, this J-term calls you!

Prerequisite Attitude: mathematical & scientific appetite, adventurous boldness

Costs:  $750.00 per student  (Andover lodging/UMO overnight/Miscellaneous meals, gift shops, snacks)

Limit: 6 upper class students (juniors or seniors)

The philosophy, technology, and artistry of digital cartography: A crash course in Geographic Information Systems and related technologies (Bezborodko)

Cartographic creation has never been more accessible to the general public - geographic information systems and digital mapping interfaces are available for all levels of users. This brings both amazing opportunities to democratize map-making and all sorts of ethical and philosophical conundrums such as geographic data privacy and bias in geographic representation.

Come explore these issues while getting a crash course in the industry-grade GIS software, ArcGIS, and, depending on student interest, other programs such as free and open source QGIS or web-based mapping platforms. We will spend about a third of our time exploring the latest developments and debates, another third gaining crash-course proficiency in basic ArcGIS functions, and the rest of the time working on GIS-enabled cartographic projects of our choosing.

Pre-requisites: All grade and experience levels are welcome. My only request is that you please meet with me prior to winter break to discuss potential map project ideas.

Limit: 12 students

Exploring the Rich Culture of Perú (Carson)

I am delighted to present an exciting and enriching course on the vibrant and diverse culture of Peru: An Immersive Educational Experience. This course will immerse students in the captivating world of Peru's exquisite cuisine, its ancient ruins, traditional dances, and renowned culinary techniques. Together, we will explore the richness of Peruvian heritage, learning to cook iconic dishes that define its gastronomic reputation. Students will also have the opportunity to experience firsthand the flavors, rhythms, and historical depth that make Peru so unique.

In addition to our classroom activities, a field trip is planned to the University of Maine at Orono, where students will have the invaluable experience of attending a Spanish class at the collegiate level. This visit will allow participants to engage with university students, offering them a glimpse into the academic life of higher education. During this immersive experience, students will also have the opportunity to explore the campus, dine in the cafeteria, and attend lectures alongside university students, gaining a sense of what it is like to be part of a college community.

This course promises to be a captivating journey through Peruvian culture and an invaluable opportunity for students to broaden their horizons academically and culturally.

Prerequisites: Desire to learn, and a knowledge of Spanish is not required.

Limit: 11.

Supercalifragilistic Guided Independent Project (Desneiges)

Do you have a topic of special interest you’d like to explore further? Have you always wanted to create a documentary, a podcast, a video game or a webpage dedicated to something you’d love to explore in the areas of math, science or the humanities, but your schedule during the academic year does not allow you to do so because of limited course offerings and time restraints? This J Term is for you!

Students will use this two week course as an occasion to research, explore and create in an area of one’s choice in a fun and safe environment. There will be thinking outside of the box required. Students will submit a project proposal prior to the start of class for approval. You might want to explore an art project, compose music, write a collection of short stories, create resources for a math classroom, explore a fascinating aspect of history or science. Following a plan that you put together in your proposal, you will use the two weeks to work on your topic and create a product that can be shared with our community. (*Your topic must be something that you cannot achieve in one of the other J-Term courses, and one that you have not fully explored in another course.)

Overview and Outcomes

In this intensive two week course where intrinsic motivation is the primary driver, we will explore the sciences, mathematics and humanities as we delve into topics that both intrigue us and that will benefit the community through demonstrations at the school-wide exposition. We will investigate through internet research, scholarly articles, discussions, documentaries, interviews and the like. Students will work with dedication on independent or collaborative projects that are hands-on and student-centered.

By the end of our two week class, students will have enriched their understanding of the topic they have selected. They will demonstrate what they have learned in a variety of ways as detailed in each individual proposal due at the start of the class. See syllabus for details.

Prerequisites:  Students will be required to submit a proposal of their projects to be approved by Monsieur Desneiges before the first semester ends as well as a materials wish list, if applicable.

Capacity: Up to 12 Supercalifragilistic Students

Microbes are Everywhere - Using Metagenomics to Identify Bacterial Communities (Eustis-Grandy)

In this class students will be using an assortment of molecular genetics techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, bioinformatics, etc.) to examine the diversity of bacteria found in a variety of habitats such as soil, skin, surfaces, and possibly snow.    Many of these bacteria form complex associations known as microbiomes.  These microbiomes may be beneficial, such as skin surface bacteria protecting against pathogens; or they may be harmful, such as the bacteria living on teeth that may contribute to tooth decay.  Since many of these bacteria can’t be cultured in a lab environment, sequencing of the 16s ribosomal subunit gene (one example of DNA barcoding) has become a standard way to identify which bacteria are present in a given environment.

In addition to some of the more lab-heavy days, we’ll also spend some time on topics such as ethical issues surrounding genetic testing and gene-editing, as well as reading and discussing some of the most recent research in genetics.

Prerequisite: a previous Biology course, or currently enrolled in either Biological Processes or Genetics

Cost: $150 per person, to cover lab supplies, reagents, etc.

Limit:  10 students

Makerspace In Motion (Hamlin)

Students will be able to choose between (and switch between) three different creative "tracks" during this J-Term. You bring the creativity, I'll supply the space and supplies. Work individually or collaboratively.

Stop-Motion Animation - Make your own short videos using "Claymation", drawings, paper-cutouts, action figures and so on.

Marble Machines and Kinematic Art - Help design and build a kinematic sculpture featuring marbles rolling down tracks and interacting with a variety of moving elements.  The system will use wire, metal, wood, 3d-printed parts, and possibly (assuming our new laser cutter arrives in time) laser cut elements.

Arduino Automation - Use Arduino microcontrollers along with leds, motors and sensors in order to illuminate and move simple sculptures:  A butterfly with flapping wings?  A snapping venus fly trap?  A soothing light show?   If this track interests you, consider meeting with me before J-Term to discuss your ideas and any special materials we may need.

Prerequisites: None (some programming knowledge helpful but not necessary for the Automation track)

Limit: 12 Students

Día de los Muertos: The Day of the Dead (Jeskey)

To kick off this learning experience and celebration, we will be reading the novel Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver, discussing it and then delving into the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. We will be studying the customs surrounding this important holiday and learning about the food that is such a large part of this tradition, and preparing a complete Día de los Muertos feast to wrap up the course.

We will be diving into all of the wonderful customs and traditions such as making sugar skulls, face painting, pinata making, crafting our altar, and other authentic experiences. Each day we will be in the Home Ec room cooking and crafting a cookbook then making the entire meal as a finale! This is a very hands-on J-term experience!

Prerequisite: None

Limit: 10 students

Blacksmithing (Katsman)

This course is designed to familiarize students with the basic techniques of blacksmithing. Although blacksmithing is a folk art that can take a lifetime to master, students in this course will gain a good basic understanding of the techniques  necessary to forge steel and to create useful and elegant objects using hand-tools and fire. These will include tapering, twisting, curling, upsetting and shouldering.

Course Requirements:  Students are required to have cotton or wool clothing, sturdy leather or cotton shoes (steel toe good but not necessary), hat (if desired), hearing protection, and eye protection. Synthetic  fabric can catch fire and melt and thus NO SYNTHETIC FABRIC IS ALLOWED in the forging area.  Each student will be provided with a hammer, tongs (which each student will make), and a quantity of steel sufficient for the forging exercises to be undertaken in the class. If a student wishes to undertake a project other than those to be done during class, that student should obtain instructor permission in advance as well as incur the additional material costs associated with the project.

Safety:While every possible precaution will be observed throughout the course run time, it should be noted that the act of blacksmithing carries with it an inherent risk of injury. A safety and forge etiquette lecture will be given PRIOR to any work undertaken. Anyone displaying unsafe or inappropriate behavior will be asked to leave.

Limit: 10

Old Map-A-Palooza: A Cartological Research Project (Scott)

This course will be your chance to dig into old maps and other historical artifacts as you research your chosen topic. During the first week, we will discuss things that nag at your brain. Maybe you have a creative project you want to prep for. Maybe you want to dig into your own heritage or the history of a particular town. Maybe you’re just curious and want to follow that to see where it leads. During that week, we will also be introduced to credible and powerful online resources that will feed that need.

During the second week, we will visit the University of Southern Maine, with some focused time in the Osher Map Library (which has over half a million old maps and broadsides and art and pamphlets and battle plans scribbled on an envelope over 160 years ago…you know, the awesome kind of stuff not even Amazon or Mardens’ has). We’ll wrap up by curating our own collections of interesting things, setting ourselves up to dig, dig, dig to our hearts content (a sure way to become the coolest at any party, the one who can rattle off the most arcane facts).

Prerequisites: Students will need to have enough money for 5 meals on the road (4 inexpensive drive-thru meals and 1 in a restaurant with wait staff).

Limit: 8 Students

Music Production Project (Ramirez & Silversmith)

In this Music Production course, you'll learn how to produce music tracks using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). You will explore recording, mixing, and post-production techniques to bring your musical ideas to life.

You’ll have the opportunity to work on your own original tracks, as well as collaborate on a group project by the end of the term. You can work solo, with a partner, or in a group, and you’ll receive personalized guidance to develop your skills in music production.

There are no prerequisites to enroll in this course—just bring your creativity! While prior knowledge of music or computers can be helpful, it’s not required. Whether you're  an aspiring producer or just curious about the inner workings of music production, this class will provide you with the tools and techniques to create your own music tracks.

Limit: 10 students

Can You See the Invisible? (Kwang Taeg Rim)

It is going to be the first year of the multi-year project to build a UV-Visible spectrometer at MSSM. With this spectrometer we can read some numbers for rainbow colors and the invisibles with human eyes as well. In addition to this ambitious project we’ll also play around the light in several different ways such as generating electricity with Sunlight to warm up your chilly bedroom, separating light into several different hidden colors, cutting light, bending light, focusing light to ignite fire, synthesizing a chemical to block high energy UV light, and figuring out whether you can race with light. We can start several different projects as groups at the same time per your interests.

Prerequisites: Curiosity

Cost: less than $ 100.00 per person for the unexpected supply needs

Limit: ~8 Students