From hearing aids to pedometers to smart watches, humans have made and worn devices to overcome physical deficiencies, count their steps, and communicate. With the continued miniaturization of chips and sensors, combined with increasing sophistication of artificial intelligence, wearable technology has proliferated into countless end-markets. This course will introduce students to wearable technologies and the components and software that make these technologies possible. The course will also evaluate several applications of wearable technologies in various industries. Finally, the course will examine and discuss the implications of wearable technology, including its pros and cons, and potential implications to our health, privacy, and society.
In this course, students will learn about the technologies and design principles that have been the foundation of the development of video game technology over the last 50 years. Students will examine and discuss the impact of video games on culture and the economy. Students will learn about the current gaming and e-sports landscape, including strategies and techniques of top teams and individuals. This course will also discuss the risks and dangers of video games and understand how to set appropriate time and content parameters. Finally, the course will identify career paths and opportunities for those who are passionate about gaming.
It seems like many elementary to high school robotics courses are focused on simply coding a Lego robot to move its mechanical arm up and down. This course, in contrast, teaches students what a robot is and how it relates to other key technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Then the course examines 10 applications of robots and how they will change and impact various aspects of our lives and the economy. Will robots simply steal our jobs, or will they be a tool that will create new opportunities and even free humans to use our creativity and curiosity to their full potential? Students will grapple with this and many other questions as they explore this vital, future-focused subject.
Separating hype from reality is hard... especially in the fast-growing and evolving space of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). Recent advances in technology has allowed AR/VR systems to become extremely sophisticated and realistic. This course introduces students to the technologies that underpin AR/VR systems. Then the course walks through 7 applications of AR/VR and how they will change and impact numerous aspects of our lives and the economy. Students will also learn about and discuss the risks and side effects of these systems, including health, privacy, and ethical implications.
This course introduces students to the history and near future of space travel. Students will explore the possibilities of moon bases, Mars colonies, and visiting the outer planets in our solar system and their moons. Students will also discuss important ethical and legal issues around space exploration, such as asteroid mining and war in space. The course gives an expansive view of the technologies, science, and theories that will make far-fetched dreams into realities during the student's lifetime.