Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a published author? In this course, you’ll learn the steps from prewriting to publication, and explore strategies for composing, critiquing, revising, and refining your original writing. Through interactive peer workshops and individualized guidance and feedback from your instructor on weekly assignments, you’ll learn to revise your own work and effectively critique the work of others. You’ll also hear from published authors and CTY alumni on what it takes to get your writing published.

Take an adventure, experience the joys and pitfalls of fantastical new abilities, and encounter the transforming power of magical life lessons. In this course, you will read four novels about kids who experience magic and learn amazing things about themselves in the process. You will learn how to look at fiction with a critical lens and analyze elements of literature like themes, characterization, perspective, and literary devices while making connections to the real world.

Why do some plastic containers melt in the microwave while others don’t? What makes Silly Putty stretchy? How are packing peanuts made? Chemicals are key to answering these questions, and in this course, you’ll examine how their structure can determine the properties and behaviors of gems and polymers. Starting with the most basic building blocks, atoms, you’ll learn about ions and compounds, and grow crystals like salt and rock candy in the lab, marveling at how small changes in structures of gems can cause dramatic changes in shapes and colors.

In the 17th century, Galileo looked into the sky with a simple pair of lenses and saw the moons of Jupiter. Modern times have had similarly profound discoveries. This course investigates light, optics, and other areas of physics used in the study of modern astronomy. We’ll tour the universe, learning about planets and their physical, chemical, and geological properties; the mathematics of orbiting bodies; and how to use visual and calculated stellar brightness scales to calculate distances to stars.

Why is it so hard to hail a cab in the rain in New York City? Why do some people pay for annual gym memberships when they would save on a pay-as-you go basis? Integrate ideas from the social sciences with economics to understand how we act, make decisions, and play.

Strengthen your analytical and problem-solving skills in this challenging course that’s designed for students with minimal math competition experience at the middle school level. You’ll build upon ideas introduced in MS1, covering skills in number theory, algebra, geometry, probability, and logic through lessons, sample problems, videos, and mini competitions designed to challenge and motivate you.

What can astronomers learn from black holes? How do engineers decide on the best bridge designs? How do marine biologists know that dolphins are smart? Learn how scientists answer big questions and solve world problems by designing and conducting your own hands-on investigations in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and more. As ecologists, you and your classmates may experiment with ways to stop soil erosion. As chemists, you might work in teams to learn how fireworks use metals to produce different colors when they burn.

Writing is an act of imagination built from the raw materials of life and language. In this course, you’ll learn to approach writing as a craft and discover processes and techniques that writers in all genres use, from generating story ideas to deciding on voice and point of view. You and your classmates will read and discuss essays, short stories, and works of poetry with a focus on the author’s intentions and creative choices. Your instructor for this course will be an experienced writer who guides you and your classmates through the creative writing and revision process.

Can five 20-by-18-foot carpets lying flat with no overlap fit in a 40-by-50-foot room? Can you measure 2 liters of water correctly using only a 4-liter pitcher and a 3-liter pitcher? How many different ways can you add four even, positive numbers to get a sum of 16? Problem-solving in mathematics involves finding a path to a solution, even when there is no clear place to start.

How does a pitcher get a baseball to curve mid-pitch? Why does an ice skater spin faster when she pulls in her arms? How can Tony Hawk land a “900,” a skateboard trick involving the completion of two-and-a-half aerial revolutions? Physics holds the key to answering these and other fascinating sports questions. This introductory physics course uses sports to explore mechanics: kinematics, dynamics, momentum, energy, and power.