March 27-28, 2021: Astronomy
Program cost: Free!
Students Enrolled: 78 Average attendance rate: 77.78% Lead Instructor: Divya Rao TA's: Kate Cockerton, Charles Sander, Nayeli Kojima, Siena Benvenuti, Reese Mellor, Caroline Sorrells, Alejandro Spencer Duration: 1.5 hours for 2 days 
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In Echelon Catapult's first Astronomy course, students dove into outer space, learning about the stars and planets in our galaxy and universe. Through engaging presentations and discussions, they learned about astronomical characteristics ranging from Saturn’s seven rings to the gas giants in our solar system. In addition, students gained insight into the beautiful and mysterious world of constellations! Of course, we couldn't speak about these celestial bodies without discussing rockets; students had the opportunity to briefly explore different types of rockets and fuel humans have utilized in the past to research outer space.
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March 20-21, 2021: Ethical Hacking 101
Program cost: Free!
Students Enrolled: 69 Average attendance rate: 84.38% Lead Intel Instructors: Abhilasha Bhargav-Spantzel, Priyam Biswas Lead Echelon Catapult Instructors: Nayeli Kojima, Norah Zhou TA's: Charles Sander, Lauren Jones, Heidi Spantzel, Kate Cockerton, Allie Dinh, Caroline Sorrells Duration: 2 hours for 2 days |
In Ethical Hacking 101, Students discovered the world of White Hat Hackers, ethical computer hackers that ensures the security ofdifferent information systems. Using the fundamentals of ethical hacking, students learned the defensive measures of security, ciphers, and cryptography, number systems, steganography, and social engineering. For the first time ever, Echelon Catapult partnered with Intel to bring professional speakers and material to your students!
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February 19-28, 2021: An Introduction to Cytology: The Science of Cells
Program cost: $20 per student (Financial Aid Available)
Students Enrolled: 48 Average attendance rate: 83.33% Lead Instructor: Charles Sander TA's: Victoria Cao, Allie Dinh, Kate Cockerton, Lauren Jones, Nayeli Kojima, Norah Zhou, Divya Rao, Alexis Wyant Duration: 1.5 hours for 5 days |
Echelon Catapult's Introduction of Cytology: The Science of Cells was a big hit! Students learned about the different types of cells and the hierarchy of living organisms through interactive breakout room activities and engaging presentations. To examine bacteria on different household objects, students were given lab kits where they were able to carefully observe bacteria in petri dishes; the kits also included sourdough starter for the students to grow and ultimately use to bake some treats!
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January 9-30, 2021: C Programming--Online
Program cost: $15 per student (Financial Aid Available)
Students Enrolled: 77 Average attendance rate: 84.09% Lead Instructors: Mimi Vitullo, Lauren Jones, Reese Mellor, Victoria Cao, Kate Cockerton TA's: Charles Sander, Norah Zhou, Audrey Felsted, Allie Dinh, Caroline Sorrells, Nayeli Kojima, Donovan Jasper Duration: 2 hours for 4 days |
Our C Programming class was a great way to start off 2021! Students learned the basics of one of the fastest evolving computer languages of today! With the help of Harvard University's CS50IDE and Microsoft's Github, students learned about complex variables, arithmetic, and several types of loops! Some students used their knowledge of C to create pictures and create your own adventure games! Echelon Catapult is really proud of our students and their enthusiasm in learning about this high-level language!
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December 28-29, 2020: Science of Public Health--Online
Program cost: Free! Students Enrolled: 68 Average attendance rate: 84.7% Lead Instructors: Charles Sander TA's: Lauren Jones, Kate Cockerton, Olivia Hazeghazam, Nayeli Kojima, Allie Dinh, Norah Zhou, Audrey Felsted, Reese Mellor, Heidi Spantzel Duration: 2.25 hours for 2 days |
So many smiling faces! There is no better way to end the year than learning about the most relevant topic of 2020--Public Health! Students discovered ways to prevent disease spread, the basics of epidemiology, and public health models. At the end of the course, the students were asked to look at two case studies through the eyes of medical professionals and discuss what they would do in the given situation. Echelon Catapult is so proud of these kids and their attentative, eager drive to learn about topics relevant in the world today!
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November 20-December 6, 2020: Science of the Biosphere--Online
Program cost: $20 per student (Financial Aid Available) Students Enrolled: 57 Average attendance rate: 86% Lead Instructors: Lauren Jones, Charles Sander, Norah Zhou TA's: Reese Mellor, Makena Gatlin, Divya Rao, Victoria Cao, Kate Cockerton, Nayeli Kojima Duration: 1 hours for 7 days |
In An Introduction to Ecology: The Science of the Biosphere, get ready to learn about ecology: the science of how all organisms interact with each other and their natural environment! Because ecology requires an understanding of various fields, students learned about how the basic astronomy of the solar system leads to weather patterns on Earth. Echelon Catapult instructors taught your children about how these weather patterns affect the occurrence of biomes and the biodiversity of living creatures. Next, students learned about the interactions between these organisms and their ecological roles, or niches in their community. Finally, Echelon Catapult instructors explained how living organisms affect their physical environment and how nutrients are cycled in an ecosystem. As a bonus, all students got to complete their own hands-on composting experiment!
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September 4-October 3, 2020: CCIC Training--Online
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Echelon Catapult was offered an amazing experience to compete and create curriculum for Cal Poly SLO’s California Cyber Innovation Challenge! Team members to published Youtube videos, teaching Space and Autopsy for other competitors to learn from. Not only did our faculty team place in the top 5 out of 92 teams, we gave our students the opportunity to compete as well. Through multiple zoom meetings and individual training, the students outshine any expectations we set for them! We are so proud of them!
Check out our Youtube channel to see the featured videos! |
August 3-7, 2020: Python 1A--Online
Program cost: $15 per student (Financial Aid Available) Students Enrolled: 48 Average attendance rate: 87% Lead Instructors: Connor Vallero, Evan Bird TA's: Victoria Cao, Donovan Jasper, Olivia Hazeghazam, Lauren Jones, Reese Mellor Duration: 2 hours for 5 days |
The next course in Echelon Catpult’s Computer Science series was Python 1A, which took place on August 3rd to August 7th. Echelon Catapult students put their imaginations to the test as they worked diligently to create Turtle graphics, and learn all the ins and outs to Python! The first two days were spent learning the basics of coding in Python--input and output statements, functions, variables, and more. During Friday’s session, classmates competed against one another to generate the most colorful and creative program in Turtle!
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July 20-24, 2020: Introduction to Computer Science--Online
Program cost: Free! Students Enrolled: 59 Average attendance rate: 88.1% Lead Instructors: Lauren Jones, Reese Mellor, Olivia Hazeghazam TA's: Victoria Cao, Donovan Jasper, Charles Sander, Evan Bird Duration: 1.75/2 hours for 5 days |
Introduction to Computer Science marked the beginning of our new Computer Science course line! This course is mandatory for students to take before our future computer science courses: Python, Java, and C. In this introductory-level course, students had the opportunity to learn about computers, the internet, and how users interact with their electronic devices! Students learned basic coding skills using Scratch--a block-based visual programming language--to make characters move on screen and and ask the user input questions.
At the end of two of our class sessions, we surprised the students with guest speakers from Intel! We would like to give a huge thank you to Mr. David Zage (automobile security and AI) and Miss Medha Aiyah (WeHack CTF). Thank you so much to Mrs. Abhilasha Bhargav-Spantzel for organizing these opportunities for our students!
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July 13-17, 2020: Cybersecurity 1a--Online
Program cost: Free!
Students Enrolled: 49 Average attendance rate: 85.4% Lead Instructors: Donovan Jasper and Lauren Jones TA's: Victoria Cao, Olivia Hazeghazam, Reese Mellor, Connor Vallero Student TA's: Elizabeth Koo, Katie Koo, Divya Rao, Ali Zaidi Duration: 2 hours for 5 days |
You asked and we delivered! Echelon Catapult revisited Cybersecurity 1A due to popular demand and took on a new approach of having student TA's assist in breakout rooms and content teaching. These student TA's were some of our outstanding students from our June Cybersecurity class; we clearly saw their interest and involvement in Cybersecurity and knew that they had the potential to share their knowledge with fellow students. We are so proud that we are able to teach content that kids enjoy learning and are excited to teach to others! This time around, we used real social media interfaces and original Echelon Catapult content to explore the world of online sleuthing. Participants collected data unintentionally leaked on the internet while learning how to protect their own personal information through fun activities and challenges!
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June 19-July 12, 2020: The Science of Plants--Online
Program cost: $25 per student (Financial Aid Available)
Students Enrolled: 34 Average attendance rate: 91.2% Lead Instructors: Charles Sander TA's: Lauren Jones, Reese Mellor, Norah Zhou Duration: 1.25 hours for 9 days (plus 3 days of optional Q&A sessions) |
What an exciting month! Our students participated in a hands-on scientific experiment accompanied by relevant biology presentations. Prior to beginning our course, students picked up their own radish-growing experiment kit consisting of soil, radish seeds, liquids, rulers, and measuring cups. By watering the radishes with various liquids, students were able to see the maturation of their own plants and experience the scientific method hands-on. Students also had lectures and activities each weekend where they learned about plant physiology, reproduction, evolution, and ecology!
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June 22-26, 2020: Cybersecurity 1B--Online
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Building off of the skills gained in Cyber 1A, students dove into the world of ciphers and cryptography, password cracking, and digital forensics. Echelon Catapult's curriculum took the form of engaging slideshows, fun activities, and great discussions. At the end of the week, students took part in a fun, competitive scavenger hunt between groups as a review of all the new things they've learned that week.
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Program cost: $15 per student (Financial Aid Available)
Students Enrolled: 33
Average attendance rate: 89.3%
Lead Instructors: Donovan Jasper & Lauren Jones
TA's: Victoria Cao, Olivia Hazeghazam, Reese Mellor,
Ian Menz, Charles Sander, Connor Vallero
Duration: 2 hours for 5 days
Students Enrolled: 33
Average attendance rate: 89.3%
Lead Instructors: Donovan Jasper & Lauren Jones
TA's: Victoria Cao, Olivia Hazeghazam, Reese Mellor,
Ian Menz, Charles Sander, Connor Vallero
Duration: 2 hours for 5 days
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June 8-12, 2020: Cybersecurity 1A--Online
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Students took on the role of a Cyber sleuth and explored new ways to keep personal information safe online. Our instructor team provided engaging videos, activities, and interactive curriculum giving the students as much of a hands-on opportunity as possible!
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Program cost: Free!
Students Enrolled: 82 Attendance rate: 86.9% Lead Instructors: Donovan Jasper & Lauren Jones TA's: Victoria Cao, Olivia Hazeghazam, Reese Mellor, Ian Menz, Charles Sander, Connor Vallero Duration: 2 hours for 5 days Participant Statistics:
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