RCS Academy – Past Courses

RCS ACADEMY – PAST COURSES

FINDING MY ARTISTIC VOICE – TOWARDS A COLLEGE ART PORTFOLIO

In this project based college counseling and art studio online course, participants will learn how to create a strong and coherent body of work towards a successful college art & design portfolio. Via prompts on the self, material exploration, time based media, literature, data collection and global events, students will both explore their individual artistic style and also learn how to document work, edit and organize images, and present verbally and in writing a coherent portfolio. The class projects will culminate in a digital portfolio and statements geared towards college admissions. While the focus is on learning how to navigate the process of college portfolio preparation, the learning outcomes around artistic development and experimentation, verbal and written self expression, creative and critical thinking and the ability to give and receive constructive criticism are applicable to all students who enjoy making art!

Important Note: It is advised that participants have the demo version of Photoshop installed on their devices and a phone with a camera!

Robert College alumna Sera Boeno is an art educator and practicing fine artist. She holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College with degrees in Neuroscience and Studio Art, and an M.F.A in Sculpture from Maryland Institute College of Art with focuses in curatorial practice, critical studies and art education. Boeno has exhibited extensively across the U.S. She has worked, taught, lectured and lead workshops on various traditional and experimental academic platforms including Dartmouth College, Maryland Institute College of Art, Johns Hopkins University, Kennedy Center for the Arts, Jefferson University, SUNY-Purchase and most recently in the Fine Arts Undergraduate and Socially Engaged Art Graduate Departments at Moore College of Art and Design.

COLLEGE COUNSELING: WHAT DO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS REALLY WANT?

There are a lot of myths about college admissions! Would you like to learn about the facts? If you are dreaming or considering attending a university abroad, in this course, you will learn about the necessary steps to build a strong application, how to enrich yourself, how to become attractive for admissions, how to become involved, and the details and requirements of the college admissions process. There are many tips, but no tricks! You will also learn about how to write impressive personal essays and statements, and actually write them throughout the program.

You will understand how to research the best universities for yourself. You will even become an admission officer and make the tough decisions! The course will be lecture and discussion based. There will be written assignments. Main focus will be the US, and the UK programs, but a general overview of international admissions including Canada, EU and others will be covered.

Onur Ünver graduated from University of Richmond, majoring in Computer Science, and completed his MA in Cultural Studies in Turkey. Since then, he has been working at Robert College for six years as a college counselor and helped hundreds of students in their preparation and placement at great universities around the world. He is also one of the founders of the successful NGO called Kodluyoruz, educating thousands of students and adults in software development. He is a travel-lover with a bazillion hobbies and interests.

INTRO TO PYTHON PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

In this course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of the Python programming language, along with programming best practices. You’ll learn to represent and store data using Python data types and variables, and use conditionals and loops to control the flow of your programs. You’ll harness the power of complex data structures like lists, sets, dictionaries, and tuples to store collections of related data. You’ll define and document your own custom functions, write scripts, and handle errors. Lastly, you’ll learn to find and use modules in the Python Standard Library and other third-party libraries.

Muhammet Ertuğrul is working for Robert College as a Computer Science Teacher and he is giving “Intro to Programming” lessons. His main interests are game design, 3D modelling and maker movement.

INTRODUCTION TO MICROCONTROLLERS VIA ARDUINO

We are at the age of smart electronics. From light bulbs to phone chargers, automatic faucets to cards in our wallets, microcontrollers and a few lines of code make our lives easier and connected.

Tiny bit of programming, a few wires here, a charger there and voila! You’ve just made a device that can control lights, detect movement, people and measure things! In this course, you’ll learn basic electronics, program an Arduino board and make it do fun and useful things. Course serves as an entry point to programming, electronics and IoT devices.

Important Note: Participants will need a computer with an available USB Type-B port during the program.

Berkman Lord Gülenç has been working as one of the Program Coordinators of RC Summer Programs for the past six years. From web design & development to electronics, programming and digital media, he has been involved in Computer Technologies and its Education at professional and personal capacity.

ELECTRONIC MUSIC

The aim of this course is to teach students the basic techniques of music production using a digital audio workstation (DAW). Throughout the session, the students will learn to create music using MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) technology, use a variety of audio and MIDI effects and get to know the basic principles of arrangement and mixing. We will be using the “Ableton Live” software. All participants must have their own computers with the software pre-installed, and a pair of headphones.

Emre İlker is a music teacher at Robert College. After graduating from the Koç School, he studied music composition at Istanbul Bilgi University and musical theater at İstanbul University State Conservatory. Upon his graduation from these programs, he enrolled in postgraduate studies at Bahçeşehir University, specializing in sound technologies. He has been teaching music theory, production and various instruments, also conducting choirs and bands for years.

RC WIZARDING WORLD

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Robert College School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the summer! If you choose to accept, you will receive a two week crash course on three core subjects: Charms, Potions, and Defence Against the Dark Arts.
In this course, you will explore effective creative writing techniques and examine the many connections between the muggle world and wizarding world. By the end of the summer, you will have written your very own spell-book, containing four different creative writing entries.
No need to purchase any supplies from Diagon Alley. A basic understanding of the Harry Potter series will be helpful, but not necessary to participate in this course. Accio imagination and a good sense of humor and you’ll thrive in this summer program!

Kate Ready is an English Language educator who just recently moved to Turkey! After she graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Literature and Secondary Education she taught in Oakland, California. She is the advisor of a new Lise Prep club called RC News. Ms. Ready is an avid reader and thoroughly enjoys a strong cup of coffee. If I could teach any course at Hogwarts it would be flying.

PHILOSOPHY WITH YOUTH – THINK & CREATE!

Have you ever thought about the possibilities of time travel? Or why an original artwork is way more valuable than its perfect copy? Can you think of a situation where telling a lie would be the right thing to do? Philosophy with Youth workshops will help you play in a world of fantastic, funny and outrageous ideas. It is a course that combines creative thinking, creative writing and public speaking skills with artistic expression and creation.
We’ll be having group discussions about the ideas in the wonderful world of philosophy, playing creative thinking games and creating comics books, art works and videos together.

We’ll be exploring a vast repertoire of philosophical ideas in science, literature, aesthetics and every day life in a fun, light-hearted way. Philosophy workshops will help you think more clearly and independently while improving your negotiating, presentation, public speaking and problem-solving skills.

After graduating from Robert College, Ezgi Emel Kalyoncu went on to study philosophy at the University of Manchester. Since 2010, she has been facilitating philosophy for youth workshops with kids & young adults. She is a published author and has five children’s books with İş Kültür Publishing house, including “Piyon Poi’nin Okyanus Macerası”: a philosophical story of a lost chess pawn trying to find his way back home.

CRYPTOGRAPHY: THE MATH OF SECRET CODES

How can we send a secret message to someone without meeting them? How is your TC Kimlik number designed? Why does my bank not know the pin number for my ATM card? This course will look at the number theory behind keeping information secret.

We will look at cryptographic schemes from history including the Enigma machine to modern techniques like RSA that protect us online every day. Furthermore, we will also look at how cryptography helps make blockchains a reality.

Andrew Tingleff has taught math at all levels including AP Calculus, AP Statistics and Discrete Math at Robert College for the last 20 years. He has been involved with special projects with Intel and the Biomath project at DIMACS, a Discrete math research center in the United States. He is a long time advisor of Robert College’s outdoor Adventure Club and more recently the RC Sailing club as well.

MUSICAL IMPROVISATION TECHNIQUES FOR ROCK, BLUES, FUNK & JAZZ

Musical improvisation is defined as follows; “Musical improvisation (also known as musical extemporization) is the creative activity of immediate (“in the moment”) musical composition, which combines performance with communication of emotions and instrumental technique as well as spontaneous response to other musicians.

Sometimes musical ideas in improvisation are spontaneous, but may be based on chord changes in classical music, and many other kinds of music. One definition is a “performance given extempore without planning or preparation.” Another definition is to “play or sing (music) extemporaneously, by inventing variations on a melody or creating new melodies, rhythms and harmonies.”

“Improvisation is a major part of some types of 20th century music, such as blues, rock, jazz, funk and jazz fusion, in which instrumental performers improvise solos, melody lines and accompaniment parts.” In this course participants will learn some of the following improvisation techniques:

  • The basic and modern scales
  • The basic and modern chords
  • Chord progressions
  • Musical forms (blues, rock, funk, pop, jazz etc.)
  • Melodic and harmonic decorations
  • Rhythmic structures
  • Performing and improvising with the other instruments

Important Note: Participants are expected to have basic sight-reading skills.

Deniz Baysal has played with a lot of Rock, Funk, Blues and Jazz bands in Istanbul. He is a studio musician, arranger and composer. He has been playing in the studio recordings for 28 years. He has composed some theater and movie music pieces. He has been teaching practical and advanced music at Robert College for 18 years. He is the conductor of the Robert College orchestra.

OUTDOOR BOND

Outdoor Bond program designed to create an awareness among the participants, who could use newly learned skills both at academic and personal life. This custom training program was designed to be an entry-level course about outdoor leadership, adapting to the students at RCS Academy.

This program not only needed to address the technical skills of the various outdoor activities, but students must also learn safety, organization, environmental, instructional, group management and problem solving skills. Since these skills are necessary for every leader, a mandatory training program was developed to teach these skills.

We do focus on experiential education, it is widely accepted that it consists of an action-reflection cycle. The way in which this cycle is executed determines the effectiveness of experiential education.

We do organize our program into three separate categories, each with their own topics and progressions.

1. Outdoor skills. Outdoor living, technical, rescue, medical, and site management skills required for safety.

2. Human skills. The presence, interpersonal, coaching, and counseling skills required for effective human interaction & teaching.

3. Educational skills. Functional understanding of activity structure, progression, & basic outdoor education strategies together with the ability to design & manage safe activities.

Burak İkizler has studied Computer Science in METU after graduating from Ted Ankara College. He also holds an MBA degree from Bilkent University and New York University SCPS. He took management duties in several dot-com companies, consulting & service firms and worked in the healthcare sector for the past 12 years. Roles he took include sales, deputy GM and GM positions.

From 2018 and on, he decided to pursue his passion of exploring outdoors. Following his enrollment in EWES (European Wilderness Education School) Wilderness Guide Level 1 training program and spending a year in Spanish, French and Catalan Pyrenees, Andorra and Donana; one of the most amazing National Parks in the world, as a Wilderness Leadership Trainer, he joined the ranks of Yone-Team, a company focused on Experiential Learning for “new generation’s leaders.” Robert College/Robert College Summer Programs and Yöne-Team are long term partners in outdoor education.

SCRIPT WRITING 101

“Have you seen this film?” “You should definitely watch that new Netflix show!” “Oh, it’s the best commercial ever!”

Everything you see on screen starts with words. There are no producers or directors until you give them a script to work with. It’s nothing new, considering that humankind has always been telling stories, but the format itself is new – it’s only been around for a little more than a hundred years.

In this course you will learn the fundamentals of writing a script: Turning an idea into dramatic writing, creating a plot, writing dialogue and constructing a structure. We will have guest lecturers from the industry to help students out with their stories.Participants will start writing their own projects and by the end of the course, they will have laid out the building blocks of their project.

Ozan Yoleri completed his studies at Bogazici University with a minor degree in film studies. Ozan is one of the co-founders of the Istanbul based production company Vigo Film. His last short film, Aylin (2019), premiered at the 25th Palm Springs Short Fest and was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Antalya Golden Orange FF. Currently he is working on his first feature film project, “This Beautiful Night”.

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING

Destination Imagination is the world’s largest creative problem solving organization and focuses on creativity, teamwork and the Creative Problem Solving process. In this course participants will be asked to be part of a team and solve Instant Challenges. Instant Challenges (IC) are problems that can be solved in a short time. Participants will be asked to share their Instant Challenge solutions and then discuss the process.

Participants will be able to hone their team working skills, along with being able to take risks in a safe and nurturing environment. And most importantly, they will have fun!

Odin has been working with the RCSummer Program for the past 20 years in one capacity or another. During the school year Odin is also known as Joe Welch, who is a German teacher and Dean of Student Activities at Robert College. He also started Destination Imagination at RC, which has grown to be a very popular co-curricular activity at many schools around Turkey.

PAGES ON THE CLOUD – AN INTRODUCTION TO WEB HOSTING

Have you ever wondered what happens when you open your browser window and type in a website’s address? How do pages show you what you wanted? Where your text or the photo you’ve selected goes when you click on the “Submit” or “Save” buttons?

In this course, we will go deep into the flow of information from servers to your screen. Explore computers in the cloud, how server administrators install software on those computers and how websites work. You will learn how somebody else’s computer stores your memes and the favorite photos of your cat and how to host your own website.

Berkman Lord Gülenç has been working as one of the Program Coordinators of RC Summer Programs for the past six years. From web design & development to electronics, programming and digital media, he has been involved in Computer Technologies and its Education at professional and personal capacity.

HOW TO PREPARE AN ART PORTFOLIO

The course covers art portfolio preparation in fine art, fashion and textile design, architecture and graphic design. By the end of this course, the students will increase their knowledge and awareness of the creative process and thinking necessary to build a strong and successful body of work. They will learn how to become more innovative with research, use a sketchbook, increase their range of drawing skills and technique, develop their ideas in relation to other artists, designers, and art movements. This course is designed to develop students’ creativity, and encourage risk taking, experimentation and individuality. The projects will cover ideas around the process, personal story/identity, social issues, and environment. There will be a session dedicated to writing artist statements and artwork descriptions. This course enables the students to review and update their current creative work as well.

Nazlı Ceren Özerdem graduated from Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design Dual Degree Program with a BFA in Painting and a BA in Art History. She received numerous scholarships and fellowships including the Brown International Scholars Fellowship, Kendall Kerfoot Smith Scholarship, Brown Annual Fund and the Dean’s Discretionary Grant. She exhibited internationally and has experience with painting, drawing, glass, papermaking, textiles and film. Ceren is also an RC Alumni and currently a part of the Robert College Overseas College Counseling Team!

NANOSCIENCE – BIG CHANGES AT SMALL SCALES

Wanted: Future scientists and engineers!

We are looking for young minds interested in science and learning more about the mysterious world of nanomaterials.

The online course “Nanoscience: Big changes at small scales” includes 5 main chapters that focus on the history, chemistry, synthesis, fabrication and characterization of nanomaterials that we use in our daily life. During the course students will gain information on OD, 1D, 2D and 3D nano materials through simulations and class activities. There will also be ethical discussions and students will have the chance to investigate/analyze a research article in terms of the methods learnt throughout the course.

Gözde Kamer İlter completed her Ph.D. in İstanbul Technical University on the use of magnetic and ceria nanoparticles in chemistry. She has worked as a teacher coordinator in European Schoolnet projects to enhance nanoscience education in Turkey. She has been teaching chemistry in RC for 4 years and advising the “Scientific Reflections” club.

THE AMAZING OLIVE

People in Anatolia have been growing olives for at least 6 000 years. Olive oil trade is arguably what made antiquity, golden.Today olive oil means prestige and prosperity. There are people willing to give almost 200 USD for just one bottle of fine olive oil. What is so special about this ordinary looking fruit and its ordinary looking oil? Let’s find out. Ege’de Atölye Zeytin Programs have brought together over 100 people over the course of 8 years making the olive the focus of interdisciplinary learning. Students and scholars met in Yeni Foça, Karaburun Zeytin okulu and Şirince Math Village exploring communities, olive groves, ancient sites combining academic knowledge with civic engagement.

Zeynep Delen Nircan Graduated from Boğaziçi University in 2001. Received her Ph.D in organic chemistry from University of Massachusetts. Worked at Amherst College at the Chemistry Department between 2007-2009. Returned to Turkey in 2010 to start the education initiative Ege’de Atölye (www.egedeatolye.org). Has taught at Boğaziçi University since 2010 and Sabancı University since 2018. She is the coauthor of the book “The Chemical Story of Olive Oil: From Grove to Table, also translated to Turkish as “Tarladan Sofraya Zeytinyağının Hikayesi”.

BASKETBALL ACADEMY

The RC Basketball Academy aims to focus on the fundamentals of basketball. The course is suitable for any skill level from the ages of 13-16. The Academy will teach young players key fundamental skills while also showing the importance of effort, dedication, and sportsmanship. The Academy will work on both offense, defense and conditioning. Players of all ages will learn to work as a team, scrimmage together but also have one on one time with the coaches. The RC Basketball Academy strives to create a fun, safe and hardworking atmosphere for all its participants.

Greg Pinto has been coaching basketball for more than 15 years. He has coached children from the ages of 5 to 18, from the beginner to advanced levels. Greg’s passion for teaching and mentoring young children has propelled him into a lifelong career in teaching. He currently is a Physical Education teacher at Robert College where he has spent the last 8 years. Before his move to Istanbul, Greg taught at the Greenwich Country Day School in Connecticut. During his time there, he had the privilege of coaching multiple students who ended up playing at Division I schools in the United States. Greg had the pleasure and honor of coaching NBA star Donovan Mitchell for four years while at GCDS. In addition, Greg has also spent 12 years working at RC Summer as a counselor, a core staff member, and director. Greg is excited to return for this opportunity to share his knowledge and love of basketball with the RC Academy community.

LITERATURE OF THE FUTURE

Have you always been fascinated by literature of the future? Are you interested in dystopian novels and series such as The Hunger Games, Divergent, and An Ember in the Ashes? In this course, students will explore the possibilities of the future through a study of English language short fiction, essay, and film which is set in the future. In the process of our work we will engage in discussion and writing that will hone our skills of literary analysis and logical writing. The capstone work in this class will be to write a short fiction set in the future and address one of our present difficulties.

Allison Finn has been a teacher of rhetoric and literature for 20 years. She loves to learn, and she believes that part of the beauty of being a teacher is that she gets to forever be a student – to forever engage in intellectual conversation. After serving RC as the Assistant Head of English for four years, Ms. Finn currently serves as the Head of Educational Research.

ALLEZ LES BLEUS – OUI A LA FRANCOPHONIE!

Did you know that there are about 270 million French speakers worldwide from Europe to North America and from the Caribbean to Africa to the Middle East? Join us on this course for a more in depth look into French and Francophone culture worldwide. Want to learn about French and Francophone culture in French? Want to improve your vocabulary and accent by doing fun activities? If so, Allez les Bleus – Oui à la Francophonie is the course for you.

We will be looking at various aspects of French culture from topics like film and music and we will extend our knowledge of the love the French have for cuisine and literature. Allez-y!

Mam’zelle Papillion has been teaching French for over twenty years and has taught in Germany, France, Canada, Ireland and now lives and works in Turkey. She has been living in Istanbul for 10 years. Her favourite activities are playing sports – especially running and playing tennis – yoga, pilates, reading, travelling, and trying out new recipes!

DEBATE MASTERS

Do you love to argue? Do you love to research and to use what you’ve learned to engage in formal and informal debate? In this course students will be introduced to multiple rhetorical structures – including a foundation in Aristotlian appeals and more modern constructs such as Stephen Toulmin’s model for argumentation. Students will explore different kinds of claims and develop research skills as they engage in several different international forms of debate.

Allison Finn has been a teacher of rhetoric and literature for 20 years. She loves to learn, and she believes that part of the beauty of being a teacher is that she gets to forever be a student – to forever engage in intellectual conversation. After serving RC as the Assistant Head of English for four years, Ms. Finn currently serves as the Head of Educational Research.

THE PIERCING EYE – A COURSE ON PHOTOGRAPHY

Make the most of your camera! Everyday, you will learn a little bit of technical stuff that will help you better understand the powerful tool you have in your hands. Then we’ll take a look at some of the most important photographers’ work and get inspired to create our own images. You’ll be given a different assignment each day and you’ll have a chance to shoot & discuss it with your peers at the end of each session. This will give you a chance to receive constructive criticism and experience different approaches to the same topic/assignment. At the end of the course, you’ll have your own digital exhibition that you can proudly show to the whole world!

Important Note : A digital camera with manual settings is required to make the most of this course.

Ozan Yoleri completed his studies at Bogazici University with a minor degree in film studies. Ozan is one of the co-founders of the Istanbul based production company Vigo Film. His last short film, Aylin (2019), premiered at the 25th Palm Springs Short Fest and was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Antalya Golden Orange FF. Currently he is working on his first feature film project, “This Beautiful Night”.

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

When you hear the word “culture” what do you think of? Language? Food? Traditions? Music? Yogurt? Have you ever considered yourself a “cultural being?” How do you engage with people from different cultures? Is there such a thing as a common culture? How might culture influence the way we speak, think and do things? How can we communicate more effectively across cultures? In this course, we will ask ourselves these questions and more. Through slideshows, short videos, experiential activities, and dialogue with peers from different cultures, we will build awareness of ourselves and others as cultural beings and practice bridging cultural differences.

Originally from California, Kathryn Bourgeois has lived in Turkey for 25 years but still cannot make a decent cup of Turkish coffee. She has a B.A. in Anthropology from Scripps College, an M.A. in Social Projects and NGO Management from Bilgi University and has completed training in teaching Intercultural Communication. Kathryn worked in international education for over 18 years, managing study abroad programs for U.S. university students based at Koç University and METU. She has also taught English in the U.S., Greece, and Turkey. She is an Advisor for the Community Involvement Program at Robert College where she supports students in developing and facilitating their community service projects.

YOUNG INNOVATORS

In that course students will grow their innovation capabilities by questioning, applying problem solving methods and producing technology based solutions. The participants will choose the case study they would like to work as a group of two and they will work on it during the 2 weeks course. The case studies are prepared for the target group with inspiration by IDEO U*.

Course objectives include,

  • Understand the importance of deep learning; (how to listen to learn)
  • Pursuit of asking right questions
  • Spark ideas for innovative products
  • Inspire others through well-crafted technology based solutions such as websites, mobile apps or devices.

*IDEO U is an online school that equips people with skills, mindsets, and tools to help them stay relevant and adaptive in our modern world.

Important Note : For each session, participants will need an internet-connectable device: preferably a laptop.

Pınar Kadıoğlu is education technology coordinator at RC who has been working on technology integration with teachers and students for 6 years. After she graduated from Bilkent University, Computer and Instructional Education M.A degree, she worked for two years teaching ICT in primary and secondary school levels in private schools. During the school year she works on integrating new technologies (such as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence) into the curriculum and their effects on learning. She is the author of ‘Steve Jobs Gibi Yap’ from the National Geography Kids series.

WHO’S WHO IN PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology is all around us, we encounter it in our daily lives, TV shows, movies, books, and even in our other classes. However, many individuals talk about psychological findings and theories without knowing much about them, and therefore use them inaccurately. What is more, the well-known experiments of some world-famous psychologists have started being questioned for ethical reasons and recent failures to replicate their findings. In this session, we will learn about the most famous psychologists, and their theories, groundbreaking experiments, and findings.

Considering the technology and knowledge to which we have access today, we will think about and discuss what we would have done differently. Finally, we will come up with our own research questions that we would explore as scientists.

Dr. Ceymi Doenyas is an RC’08 graduate who completed her undergraduate studies in Princeton University with degrees in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Near Eastern Studies. After graduating with the highest GPA in her department from Princeton, she completed her Developmental Psychology Masters and PhD at Koç University and currently teaches AP Psychology.

ALL STAR TENNIS

Tennis, once a game of Royalties origins dating as far back as 12th century France now a favorite amongst men and women of all backgrounds. It transformed from a sport conducted indoors to one that can be experienced outdoors to test both physical endurance and tactical finesse. With this course, our participants will learn tennis as a professional sport and a fun physical team exercise.

You will learn all about hitting techniques, general rules and tennis as a team and solo sport.

Serda Örnek instructed tennis at various schools including Enka & Robert College for over 15 years. During her sports career, she did gymnastics, played volleyball and tennis. She is a graduate of Marmara University and currently getting her M.A degree at the same university.

FINE ARTS EXPERIENCE

This programme of art practice activities is for everyone who enjoys, and wants to develop their Art. The focus on the whole programme is ‘essential skills for the successful artist’ and the theme in week one is “Learning to See” and in week two is “Learning to Create”. Topics and activities of the individual sessions include:

  • Exploring the elements of art and principles of design
  • Looking at art and how various artists explore and express their ideas
  • Drawing from observation, including an excursion to an Istanbul museum to sketch exhibited artifacts as well as figure drawing in the studio with an artist’s model
  • Linear perspective and architectural design
  • Visiting a local gallery for inspiration and creative ideas
  • Using abstraction for artistic composition and finding your artist’s ‘voice’ in your own work

At the end of the two weeks we will make and curate an exhibition of our artworks.

Merril Hope Brown is a music and art teacher who came to Robert College in 1998 after many years teaching in High Schools in Greater London, UK. She has been Arts Department Head at RC since 2006, and has taught both art and music to all levels at RC. Founder and director of Robert College’s bi-annual Lise Live concert since 1999, she also runs Fine Art studio club, organises various music and art events at school and for more than fifteen years has chaperoned many RC student delegations to international Model United Nations conferences. She divides what’s left of her free time between music, theatre, art and handicrafts, literature, and her much loved cats.  She has also been known to write poetry, watch Rugby and share her very British sense of humour.

PHYSICS OF SPORTS

What is the minimum speed required to clear the net in volleyball? How does a footballer curve the soccer ball in flight? Is it really possible for a basketball player to stay stationary in air? You will find answers to all these questions in this course. Participants of Physics of Sports course will apply scientific method in different sports fields. For example, you will analyse video of a basketball shot using Logger Pro video analysis software and will collect data using Vernier tools in various ball games to comprehend Newton’s Laws.

Mehmet Salih Gençer has taught Physics of Sports course at Johns Hopkins University, Center for Talented Youth program for the last two summer. This year, he plans to present his expertise at RCS Academy. He taught physics at Robert College for the last five years and five years in England, Germany, Azerbaijan, prior as well. At RC, he enjoyed coaching floor hockey as well as playing it for the first time in his life.

HAPPY HEALTHY CHEFS

Is it possible to eat healthy food that is fun and tasty? Well, this is a hands-on course that will give you the opportunity to learn about what makes people healthy and how people from different cultures prepare food. While we prepare delicious dishes, we will discuss/question different types of diets people prefer, e.g. raw, vegan, vegetarian, organic, macrobiotic, gluten-free, etc.

Each day, we will start off with a short wellness practice, such as meditation, yoga, breathworks, or mindfulness. We will then move onto food preparation, which will include kitchen safety, hygiene, basic cutting skills, presentation, and most importantly nutritional information. Moreover, you will taste different foods and appreciate cultures from around the world, namely sushi (Japan), taco (Mexico), pizza (Italy), hummus (Middle East), rice noodles (China). Finally, you will go home with your own recipe book to add new recipes and your own creations.

The two-week adventure aims to increase awareness of healthier eating habits, teach useful kitchen skills, and appreciate new tastes and recipes.

Ayda Manukyan has had careers in the fields of business, art/culture sociology, and English teaching in the US and in Turkey. She has taught young learners and university students alike. Cooking and nutrition have been her lifelong passion. She has completed a 6-week Healthy Vegan course. She has also taken several food preparation courses, e.g. sushi making, raw food, and Changa Restaurant recipes. She has attended many courses and retreats of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. She is currently an English teacher at Robert College and a member of both the Food Committee and the Environmental Committee at the school.

VIOLINSPRATION

Strings demand strong sense of sacrifice; both of your time and soft fingertips. We couldn’t think of a better time than summer to perfect the choreography of your fingers on that fingerboard! Not only you will get to practice your technique but also will learn many new pieces and will take part in Academy Strings Orchestra!

Important Note: Students will need to bring their own violins.

Emel Özer had an academic history, taking her from Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory to NY Mannes College of Music for her Master’s Degree. Being performed in many countries from the United States to Republic of China, she took her violin to Russia, Austuria, France, Spain, Italy, Israel Estonia, Netherlands, Moldova, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Pakistan.

She took office as General Coordinator in both Turkish State Opera & Ballet and LİMAK Philarmonic Orchestra.

Miss Özer worked as a violin instructor in Robert College & TED Association Ankara college for 10 years and also took coordinator duties in Istanbul ENKA Schools, Şiişli Terakki Foundation Schools, ITU Foundation Schools and TED Ankara College.

She is currently part-time music teacher at Robert College and manages her own concert & organization projects.

BIO-MATH

How can we use DNA to track the spread of a virus? How can medical tests and scans tell us about what is going on with our health? How do survival strategies work in nature? Can patterns in the natural world be described? To answer these questions, we need math and it is not the type of math typically taught in school. This course will use simulations, puzzles, computers, and nature walks on Robert College’s Faralyalı Trail to answer these important questions and to discover how math relates to biology.

Andrew Tingleff has taught math at all levels including AP calculus and AP statistics at Robert College for the last 19 years. He has been involved with special projects with Intel and the Biomath project at DIMACS, a research center in the United States, and he is a long time advisor of Robert College’s outdoor Adventure Club.      

ECOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS

Ecological Explorations will take participants out of the classroom and into the wild. This course will take full advantage of the summer and the outdoors at Robert College to help participants develop qualitative and quantitative research skills in natural sciences. Participants will learn and apply the principles of ecological research; making observations, collecting data, designing experiments and reporting their findings. The course will aim to present the participants with a holistic ecological view to inspire a sense of awe, exploration and protection of nature. If you have ever wondered how the natural world works, this course is for you!

After graduating from Robert College in 2003, Dünya Önen followed her curiosity for understanding nature and studied Biology and Environmental Science at Dartmouth College, USA. Her love of research and adventure took her to places such as Australia, Costa Rica, Alaska and Hawaii. Since returning to Istanbul in 2010, Dünya Önen has shared her enthusiasm and excitement for the natural world by first teaching Ecology to primary and secondary school students. She has since then been teaching Biology to high school students. This is her second year teaching Biology at Robert College.

ADVENTURES IN DRAMA AND PERFORMANCE

Adventures in Drama and Performance will take students through a progression of skills that will enhance and improve their abilities to act and perform on stage in both standard drama and musical theatre. There will be a focus on learning the English terms for the theatre as well as acting and choreography. Students will have the chance to learn famous musical theatre standards and perform monologues from Shakespeare to modern works. They will progress from basic performance skills of body language and projection, to conveying emotion to an audience effectively and performing short scenes in front of an audience. Not only will students get to explore drama, they will have fun in a supportive and creative environment where the only limit is their imagination.

Caitlin Dunne is originally from Massachusetts, USA before she found her way to New York City where she worked for eleven years teaching English, Drama, & Music. She received a Fulbright Teaching Fellowship in 2007 to the United Kingdom that created a desire to explore teaching overseas. She took the leap internationally in 2014 when she came to Robert College. During the school year, she teaches English and runs The Hamlin Players Musical Theatre performance club.

GLOBAL ISSUES, GLOBAL SOLUTIONS

Are you interested in world history? Do you ever read or watch the news and think, we could do better than that? Would you like to be top-notch debater or Model UN delegate? Bringing together history, politics, and international relations, we will examine the roots of current world issues, brainstorm creative solutions, and hold debates about their possible effectiveness. This course will be exciting for young people interested in world history, current events, and developing English skills. In particular, people who enjoy Model United Nations will have a chance to push their research and debating skills to new levels.

Important Note : For each session, participants will need an internet-connectable device: preferably a laptop or a tablet, although a smartphone will do in a pinch.

Francis van der Hoeven has been an English and History teacher at national and international schools in Canada, Switzerland, and Türkiye for over 25 years. He has supervised middle school and high school Model UN for several years. In addition to teaching English at Robert College, he is one of the supervisors of RCMUN.

THE WORLD OF DRAMA

In this course, participants will be introduced to several elements of the world of drama including use of the body and voice as tools of expression, play and theater games, improv, the monologue, scene work and devising. Participants should be curious about the world of theater and be eager to move their bodies and tap into their imagination. No prior acting experience is necessary.

This course will be great for those curious about acting and performance but with limited experience.

Jake Becker has been teaching creative arts, modern drama and running RC Theater Company for six years. He has taught English in Turkey for 18 years and has worked and taught in the United States and Japan. He also currently coaches girls flag football and has coached swimming and baseball.

RCS BESTSELLERS LIST

Want to be the next Nazım Hikmet, Elif Şafak, or Orhan Pamuk? Then this is the course for you! During the RCS Bestsellers course, students will learn to excel in a variety of creative writing genres. Each day students will study novels, short stories, poetry, plays, or graphic novels from around the world to see why great writing is considered great. Then they’ll put this knowledge into practice by creating their own original work. And the best pieces from each student will be published in a student anthology at the end of the course! Bring your creativity to a whole new level and join RCS Bestsellers!

Marshall Hoovler has been an English teacher at Robert College for seven years and has worked in education for fifteen years. He has taught L9 English, Modern Novel, and World Literature and has worked in the school’s Writing Center for three years. His love of classic and modern literature and his 3,000 comic books make him the perfect reader for your future bestsellers!

DIGITAL MUSIC PRODUCTION

Electronic music over the last fifty years has transformed from an experimental academic pursuit to the primary method of music production. In this course, participants will learn about the history of electronic music, from Kraftwerk to the electro-pop of the ‘80s, to mainstream techno, to gear geeks like Aphex Twin and up through the computer revolution of recent years. Participants will learn to use the basic tools of electronic music, including sampling sequencers, drum machines, synthesizers, and effects processors, all through a powerful digital simulator. Participants will learn some basic elements of song structure and then use these electronic tools to analyze and remix others’ work as well as create and publish their own songs.

Important Note : Students will need to bring a laptop and headphones every day.

Sean Vander Meulen Originally from the U.S.A., Mr. Vander Meulen (a.k.a. DJ Trogdor the Burninator) is a physics teacher at Robert College. This is his fourth year at RC, and he has lived and taught in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He has loved music since an early age, and has played drums in a number of bands with styles ranging from jazz to pop to metal. He plays a number of other instruments, most of them poorly.

RCS ACADEMY – STEM

RCS Academy STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math ) activities to explore the scientist in you. Explore science the exciting way, by trying out simple and fun experiments.

Each day, you will leave with new knowledge, a super fun day behind, and a thirst for the next day’s learning. Even if you have no interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), join us have a great memory! You’ll be glad you did.

We will also improve our practical skills through the use of hands-on playing and building. You will have lots of fun to explore science by trying out simple and fun -do try this at home- experiments.

Do you love being able to answer the question, “Why?” Science is an international language of its own, which you will learn to understand and speak by immersing yourself in it.

  • Explore magnetic cereal.
  • Get amazed with walking water.
  • Have fun with invisible bowl.
  • Make the paper clip move without touching it.
  • Build up your magic fountain and water rocket!

Excited yet? Then come bolster your budding scientist mind.

Ferdi Kaya is a Boğaziçi University graduate with an Integrated B.A and M.A degree in teaching physics (Secondary Schools Math and Science education) He is a certified STEM teacher. He has facilitated ATIC (Abu Dhabi Technology investment company) STEM winter academies for secondary school kids twice.

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

RCS Academy Social Entrepreneurship Course aims to equip young people with design thinking skills to drive positive change in their schools and communities. They will familiarize themselves with the basic terminology on social entrepreneurship, social innovation and UN Sustainable Development Goals. In teams, students will pick a challenge to identify, define, and solve a social issue. The students who have taken these classes in Robert College in the past initiated and organized a peer mentoring program, a murder mystery night, a TEDx event, and peer to peer workshops on social entrepreneurship with state schools in different cities in Turkey, and have been nominated as finalists in “Village to Raise a Child Social Entrepreneurship Competition” organized by Harvard University Social Innovation Collaborative with a project on creating an online recruitment platform for Syrian refugees in Turkey. If you enjoy interacting with people, listening to their stories, community building, problem solving, and designing projects to solve the social problems you observe around you, this course is for you.

Important Note : Participants will need to bring their laptops to the sessions every day. We will use Google Docs to prepare and share materials. Make sure you have a Gmail account!

Aybike Oğuz defines herself as a teacher accompanying young people in their journey to become themselves. She has been involved in education for 17 years and during the last seven, she has been teaching change making, social entrepreneurship and social innovation skills in her English classes, Social Entrepreneurship Club in Robert College, and in youth camps such as WINPEACE (Women’s Initiative for Peace) in different cities in Turkey and abroad to empower high school students to drive positive social change in their communities. She co-authored a workshop report in International School Magazine on integration of social entrepreneurship skills into a peace education youth camp and with Ashoka Turkey co-authored a workbook teaching social entrepreneurship to university students in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE WITH JAVA

Computer Science is the art and craft of solving problems using the programmable machines. And Java is one of the most popular and versatile programming languages that is currently in use all over the industry. It is also the language accepted by the AP curriculum. This introductory course is geared towards students who do not have much of a background in coding, but for those who would like to explore the field, one of the most popular majors of our time, before getting into university. However, the course content originated from Stanford Courses is also fast-paced, and loaded with in-class practice and extra work at home, thus, it will get students to practice the essential concepts rapidly with hands-on-work.

Onur Ünver graduated from University of Richmond, majoring in Computer Science, and completed his MA in Cultural Studies in Turkey. Since then, he has been working at Robert College for six years as a college counselor and helped hundreds of students in their preparation and placement at great universities around the world. He is also one of the founders of the successful NGO called Kodluyoruz, educating thousands of students and adults in software development. He is a travel-lover with a bazillion hobbies and interests.

PODCASTING ACADEMY

Podcasting is not just for professional radio hosts anymore! These days everyone is podcasting! Why? It’s a great medium for finding your voice, sharing stories and information, and exploring issues and ideas that matter to you and others. Why not give it a try?

In this course students will:

  • Listen to various podcasts and discuss how they are a medium for self-expression, sharing experiences, and conveying information.
  • Identify and clarify the issues and ideas that are important to them and define the focus and audience of their podcast.
  • Understand the process and methods for producing a podcast.
  • Learn how to develop a script and plan the flow of a podcast episode.
  • Understand how to use one’s voice in the most effective way; practice interviewing techniques and learn how to use mics and record sound for podcasts.
  • Collaborate with peers to create an original podcast episode.

The world is waiting to hear from you!

Originally from California, Kathryn Bourgeois has lived in Turkey for 25 years but still cannot make a decent cup of Turkish coffee. She has a B.A. in Anthropology from Scripps College, an M.A. in Social Projects and NGO Management from Bilgi University and has completed training in teaching Intercultural Communication. Kathryn worked in international education for over 18 years, managing study abroad programs for U.S. university students based at Koç University and METU. She has also taught English in the U.S., Greece, and Turkey. She is an Advisor for the Community Involvement Program at Robert College where she supports students in developing and facilitating their community service projects.

QUICK FILM HISTORY & HANDS-ON FILMMAKING

Before coming into this course, you’ve probably shot thousands of videos already. You’ve ‘recorded’ insta-stories, you’ve ‘directed’ snaps, and maybe some of you have even ‘broadcasted’ video content on YouTube. That’s great! You’re halfway there. For the other half, I invite you to GRAINY DAYS!

Everyday, we will start with a brief history of cinema. You’ll see how it all started without sound and without color; a time when everything depended on the pure image. Then we’ll introduce sound and its effects on the medium, which will be followed by color, giving the cinema its modern look. Along the way, you’ll meet some important people who gave shape to the history of cinema, and you’ll learn why they matter. Chaplin, Keaton, Eisenstein, Kuleshov, Vigo, Ford, Hitchcock and Scorsese are a few of them.

The second part of the class is about filmmaking. In the first week you’ll learn the basics: How to write a screenplay? What are the roles in a set? How do we edit? What are the elements of a camera and how do I take advantage of them to tell my story? When these questions are answered, we’ll form small groups and in the second week each group will prepare a short film. We’ll write, rehearse, shoot and edit together; and I promise it’s going to be a lot of fun, a lot of practice and a lot of good memories!

Ozan Yoleri completed his studies at Bogazici University with a minor degree in film studies. Ozan is one of the co-founders of the Istanbul based production company Vigo Film. His last short film, Aylin (2019), premiered at the 25th Palm Springs Short Fest and was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Antalya Golden Orange FF. Currently he is working on his first feature film project, “This Beautiful Night”.

GAME DESIGN & 3D PRINTING

Want to learn computer programming and 3d design, but unsure where to begin? This is the course for you! Scratch is the computer programming language that makes it easy and fun to create interactive stories, games and animations. In this course you will design and create a game for you and your friends to play! You will need to think about its different parts and plan your ideas before you begin making it on Scratch.

After we finished game design you are going to learn how to design & make 3D objects using Tinkercad. Tinkercad is a simple, online 3D design and 3D printing app for everyone. Tinkercad is used by designers, hobbyists, teachers, and kids, to make toys, prototypes, home decor, Minecraft models, jewelry! After you learn Tinkercad we are going to design our game logo, game mascot or any other thing from your game and then you have a chance to 3D print it.

And the last step is App Design! All you need is a computer and your imagination and you will be learning to use Thukable platform to design your brand new app! No coding experience is required, as Thunkable includes a visual authoring tool!

You won’t be writing code in the traditional sense, this class provides a fantastic introduction to how to think about an application like a programmer. We will explain the basics of the tool and help walk you through building your first app!

Muhammet Ertuğrul is working for Robert College as Computer Science Teacher and he is giving “Intro to Programming” lessons. His main interests are game design, 3D modelling and maker movement.

BAKING & COOKING ACADEMY

Whether you truly enjoy being in the kitchen or you are just exploring different areas of interest, this two-week “Baking and Cooking Academy” course will certainly help you acquire valuable life skills. You will experience the joy of sharing meals and recipes with family and friends, old and new. You will take pride in the food you’ll make and at the end of this two-week period, have quite a repertoire of recipes, both foreign and Turkish. Inevitably, you will also practice your English by following oral and written directions and keeping a food blog every day.

The course will be structured so that every day you go through these steps:

1. Shopping for the next day’s ingredients

2. Hands-on Baking & Cooking

3. Cleaning

4. Eating & Sharing the Joy

5. Blogging (Documenting and Reviewing the Work)

İrem Eren (a.k.a. Ms. Muffin) has been an RC English teacher since 2007. She loves baking and cooking and would love to share that joy with you in this two-week “Baking and Cooking Academy” course. She has a 3-year-old son, whom you will probably get to meet as you bake and cook with her. R. Irem Eren-Szczesiak has taught English at the Lise Prep level, served as a technology mentor and the Lise Prep coordinator, and advised a club and various community involvement projects at RC since 2007. She has a BA from Bogazici University in Teaching English and an MA from Columbia University in Private School Leadership.

THE HERO’S JOURNEY: A STUDY OF FILM AND STORY

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to BE Harry Potter? Or Katniss Everdeen? Have you noticed the connection between these two heroes and others, like Luke Skywalker and even Neo? In this course, students will be introduced to the archetype of the hero as defined by Joseph Campbell in his seminal work The Hero With a Thousand Faces. They will explore the archetype through short story, short film, and feature length film, and as a culminating project they will compose their own story of a hero’s journey. This course is best suited for students 13-15 years old.

Allison Finn has been a teacher of rhetoric and literature for 20 years. She loves to learn, and she believes that part of the beauty of being a teacher is that she gets to forever be a student – to forever engage in intellectual conversation. After serving RC as the Assistant Head of English for four years, Ms. Finn currently serves as the Head of Educational Research.

EXPERIMENTAL ART INSTITUTE: THEORY & PRACTICE

What in the world isn’t or can’t be art? Are you interested in art that challenges the existing accepted definitions of art? Do you think outside of the box? Do you want to experiment with different materials such as glass, collage, acrylics, and charcoal? Then, get ready to be in the “Dada state of mind” for two weeks this summer and make art for art’s sake.

In this course, you will learn how the Dadaist and Surrealist artists create works of art to express, explore, and question identity. You will discover the ways artists use everyday objects to challenge assumptions about what constitutes art and how it should be made. For example, Bicycle Wheel is the first of Duchamp’s readymades—objects (sometimes manufactured or mass-produced) selected by the artist and designated as art. You will also select an object from your surrounding environment to designate as a readymade and title your piece. Then, we will have a group discussion on “How titles affect the way these everyday objects are perceived by yourself and others?”.

From Max Ernst to Man Ray, Hannah Höch to Marcel Duchamp, there is no single aesthetic that unifies Dadaist art. Via lectures and continual guidance, you will explore your own ideas, develop a personal visual language and create multiple works driven by a concept. This course consists of lectures on Art & Identity, Dada Poetry & Artistic Collaborations, Transforming Everyday Objects and Essential Dadaist Films. You will put theory into practice in the studio and explore different materials such as collage, installation, glass, painting and drawing conceptually driven by the lecture themes. There will be a day trip to the Glass Furnace where you will watch demonstrations of flameworking and glassblowing and get a chance to experiment with glass. Expand and strengthen the depth of your practice and challenge your notions of what art can be in this innovative course.

Nazlı Ceren Ozerdem graduated from Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design Dual Degree Program with a BFA in Painting and a BA in Art History. She received numerous scholarships and fellowships including the Brown International Scholars Fellowship, Kendall Kerfoot Smith Scholarship, Brown Annual Fund and the Dean’s Discretionary Grant. She exhibited internationally and has experience with painting, drawing, glass, papermaking, textiles and film. Ceren is also an RC Alumni!

CONTEMPORARY DANCE ACADEMY

Are you curious about how to make your presence on the dance floor more versatile and expressive? Would you like to learn how to dance to a variety of music? Here you will experience a combination of elements from several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. You’ll get a glimpse of how a dancer would connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements. In this course, you’ll learn about the necessary warm-up exercises, adapt and unbend your body to the flow of the choreography.

It is recommended for the participants of this course to have entry level contemporary dance knowledge.

Mercan Selçuk studied Ballet at Istanbul University State Conservatory and continued her education in London at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Since 2008, she has been teaching Classical Ballet and Modern Dance at Istanbul University State Conservatory and also leading the Modern Dance Club here at the Robert College. She also is the founder of Mercan Selçuk Dance Troupe.

RCS Academy Instructors

Zeynep Delen

Andrew Tingleff

Onur Ünver

Muhammet Ertuğrul

Ezgi Emel

Katlyn Ready

Joseph Welch

Deniz Baysal

Sera Boeno

Ozan Yoleri

Berkman Gülenç