EXPLO AT YALE

Students in the Acting and Directing, Modern Dance, Filmmaking, Sketch Comedy, Applied Physics and Musical Theatre classes put on a show at EXPLOPALOOZA!

Crew students head to Yale's Gilder Boathouse and enjoy an outdoor river ride on the final day of their workshop.

Advertising + Marketing students pitch to representatives from PEZ!

Justice Richard L. Gabriel talks to students today about the career path that led him to become a justice on the Colorado Supreme Court, his call to help people in the criminal justice system, and what it is like to be a lawyer in a highly public case — Justice Richard Gabriel was co-counsel for Michael Jackson in the case of Crystal Cartier v. Michael Jackson.

Students in EXPLO art classes put on an exhibition of their final projects in the Yale School of Art's Green Gallery.

Applied Physics students engineer, build, and test-drive personal-sized hovercrafts.

Students split into groups and open discussion with instructors about topics such as optimism, volunteering, and mental health.

Students showcase the hard work they've put into their courses at the One World event through a variety of presentations and simulations about global citizenship.

Our students lead Community Meeting and it's a hit! The audience sits on the edge of their seats, fully enthralled by the well orchestrated show.

Future of Medicine students split into groups and do research, preparing for their presentation on big data in regards to public health.

Chemistry Lab students try to identify an unknown compound. They use a variety of methods to determine the identity of the substance, including burning to observe if there is any color change and measuring PH.

DIY students cut paper designs and use silkscreen to print them on shirts.

Modern Dance students practice movements and incorporate dance phrases around objects they find in the quad.

Students in Fashion Design work on their final pieces for the Art Show on Wednesday. 

Students in Acting + Directing discuss character development within their acting groups before rehearsing their scenes.

Keeping a constant PSI and launch angle, students in Mechanical Engineering launch, modify, and relaunch air rockets to maximize the distance they fly on the New Haven Green.

Aspiring architects work to finalize designs for their assignment from The Pinehills. Students use a variety of techniques for their proposals, including sketches, models, and digital renderings.

Marine Biology students travel to Sandy Point Beach to explore the marine life. The group catches local shellfish and observes their mannerisms.

During Department Time, students interested in writing hear from Shani Petroff, a New York-based author known for her "Bedeviled" series for young adults. Shani discusses her path to becoming a published author, and gives tips to students about how to enter the field.

Advertising + Marketing students prepare marketing pitches for a new candy line that they will pitch to PEZ executives later this week.

Computer Programming + Processing students work on simple game designs which they will present at the upcoming Art Show.

Diplomats debate the topic of climate change, doing their best to represent the interests of their country.

Students in Filmmaking wrap up final shooting of the short films they are producing. 

Students have fun with their peers as they sashay to the music at the Dance on York.

Psychology + Neuroscience students visit Yale's Social Cognitive Development Lab and learn about adolescent development. They then break into groups to discuss methodologies for conducting research in the field.

Students read a story about the consequences of disobeying authority. They then split into groups and open discussion about the character, elaborating on their ideas regarding power and privileges.

Guest speaker Elizabeth Goodspeed, a graphic designer at Pentagram, helps critique student work in the Graphic Design course. 

Students in Gender, Politics + Media work in groups to research how media reports on social issues such as the wage gap, birth control, and human trafficking. They will present their research at an exhibit at the One World event next week.

Musical Theatre students rehearse their short musical for their final performance next week. 

Students in Applied Physics calculate the relationships between weight, force, and distance in the projectile motion of trebuchets on Old Campus.

A perfect show for a perfect night! Students show their talents to the crowd.

Students tour Yale's engineering facilities during Department Time with a current Yale student and learn about the science programs and student groups on campus.

Sociology of Pop Culture students prepare questions for tomorrow's guest speaker, Daryn Carp, a former EXPLO alum who is assistant to Andy Cohen and host and creator of @sk Andy on Bravotv.

During the middle Wednesday of second session, students can elect to go on college campus tours throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic region. Here, students tour the campus of Princeton University.

Performance artist Stokley Towles joins our Philosophy students as they simulate the allegory of Plato's cave. In his allegory, Plato focuses on prisoners whose only reality is the shadows they see as they have been chained to a wall all of their lives. The allegory alludes to the idea that the human condition is bound to the impressions one gets through their senses.

Guest speaker Elizabeth Goodspeed, a designer with Pentagram,  the largest independently-owned design firm in the world, shares her experiences in the agency and talks shop with graphic design students.

Colleges from far and wide come to introduce our students to the plethora of opportunities each school offers.

In the College Admissions Seminar, Christina Fulton — a graduate of Middlebury College, Associate Director of Admission at Brown University and previously managing international and domestic admission at Princeton University —  demystifies what happens behind the closed door of an admissions panel. Fulton provides students with sample applications to explore and evaluate from an admissions point of view and direct access to her esteemed insider's perspective.

Psychology + Neuroscience students participate in an ongoing study through The John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Guided by guest speaker Fabiana Alceste, students learn about the study, its research methodology, and preliminary findings.

Keynote Speaker Dan Lerner, Professor of NYU’s most popular elective, “Science of Happiness,” talks to students during CORE Day. Dan's work focuses on helping people become the best version in themselves. In his talk today, he explains the difference between obsessive passion, which can be detrimental in the long run, and harmonious passion, which is an essential tool in navigating life in the healthiest way possible.

Skip Rizzo, Director for Medical Virtual Reality, Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California, speaks to Psychology + Neuroscience students about his work treating psychological issues with VR technology. Skip uses his technology to help with veterans who suffer from PTSD as well as high-functioning individuals with autism.

Students enjoy time with friends, new and old, at the Final Dance!

Students improve their SAT skills to prepare for the college entry exam.

JV Hart, author and screenwriter whose writing credits include the screenplay for Hook, Contact, and Bram Stroker's Dracula, conducts a screenwriting workshop with EXPLO students focusing on character development and his Hartchart story mapping tool.

Students in Acting and Directing and Improvisational Acting meet with representatives of the Yale School of Drama and learn what goes into the making of a production, including a tour of the wood shop and costume closet where the School's sets and costumes are created.

Students in Genetic Engineering break apart and identify gene fragments by running gel electrophoresis on some DNA samples.

Our students are all smiles, excited for the annual Toad's Place Dance.

Jerri Lynn Hogg, Media Psychologist and Director of the Media Psychology Program at Fielding Graduate University, discusses her path to becoming a media psychologist and her work on the cognitive effects of social media addiction with Psychology + Neuroscience students.

Criminal Psychology students work through case studies to discuss and learn how the criminal justice system defines and handles cases involving self-defense.

Students of Utopias + Dystopias discuss the effectiveness of creating alternate societies within existing social structures as a countermeasure to societal injustice.

In Personality + Behavioral Psychology students outline the various components of behavioral research and then split into groups to brainstorm research topics they will pursue through the end of the session.

Students in Sports Management work on their negotiation skills as they participate in a sponsorship simulation where play different roles — athletes, agents, and companies — while dealing with limited budgets, public relation scandals, and campaign goals. 

Behavioral Neuroscience students dissect a brain under the instruction of guest speaker Marc Tetel, the Dorothy and Charles Jenkins, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience at Wellesley College. Dr. Tetel’s lab studies how the ovarian hormones, estradiol and progesterone, act in the brain to regulate gene expression and behavior in rodents — and he spoke about the many pathways into a career in neuroscience. 

Students let loose with live rock music. Conga lines and salsa dancing were in order as students groove to the tunes.

Students tour Boston, tasting the delicious chocolates and confections the city has to offer.

After a tour of the mansions in Newport, students are able to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather at Newport Beach.

Students dress up for Halloween in July and enjoy a fun night with a Stranger Things themed haunted house!

Students in Political Science discuss the relevance of Machiavelli in modern politics, and the extent to which self-preservation remains the reigning priority for governments around the world.

During Community Time, advisory groups elect to explore various facets of Yale's campus. Today, some advisory groups tour the architecture and archives of Sterling Memorial Library, which EXPLO students have access to throughout the summer.

Referencing popular movies such as Mulan and High School Musical, students in Gender Studies assess societal biases around the casting (and typecasting) of roles in popular culture.

Students in Game Theory pair up and play out a variation of the prisoner's dilemma that shows why two completely rational individuals might not cooperate, even if it appears that it is in their best interests to do so. Afterward, students calculate the probabilities of various outcomes and discuss the results.

Kristen Kuliga, Director of Business Development at Vanguard Sports Group, speaks with Sports Management students today about working as an agent for pro-football players. Kristen oversees business development across multiple platforms including event management and ownership, corporate consulting, athlete marketing, and sponsorship sales.

Students in Surgical Interventions participate in a cat dissection. In addition to learning proper procedures for making surgical incisions, students review x-rays of their cats and attempt to identify abnormalities in the cat anatomy.

Following their performance at the Shubert Theatre last night, Improv Acting students continue to work on new improv scenes in today's class.

Our Psychology + Neuroscience and Sports Management Focus programs ended on Friday. We wish our students luck in their future endeavors!

Students in Badminton workshop work on their forehand and backhand during individual and group competitions.

Students in Plyometrics + Speed Training do a variety of warm ups and strength building exercises to start the period.

Students and staff entertain the crowd during Improv Night.

Students participate in ice breakers, get to know each other, and reflect on the past days at EXPLO.

Stage Makeup students work on makeup that gives the illusion of old age.

Students learn about earnings and costs to understand how to manage their finances.

Following presentations from Bill Littlefield and Jennifer Sanders in previous days, Journalism students discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different forms of media and the manner in which technology and social media is changing the field.

Students in Debate discuss research strategies, argument organization, and debate procedures in preparation for their first formal debates.

Guest Speaker Adil Chokairy, owner of Crepes Choupette, discusses the start of his company with students in Business Management. In addition to personal reflections, Mr. Chokairy shares business case studies and works with students to identify opportunities for growth in his business.

Students enjoy a relaxing night of friendly competition after a day of trips at the EXPLO Olympics!

Why are Future of Medicine students visiting the Yale Center for British Art Museum? To practice their observation skills on works of art in the museum. Strong observation skills, and the ability to ask questions and make inferences from observations, is one of the key skills a doctor needs to succeed. 

Future of Medicine students tour New Haven's Department of Health. They learn about different aspects of Public Health such as helping new mothers, giving vaccinations, and HIV/Aid prevention.

Students enjoy a fantastic show from hypnotist Tom DeLuca!

Students tour the British Art Museum with their advisory groups, discussing works they enjoy.

Shawn Saylors, Certified Mental Performance Consultant and Adjunct Professor at Springfield College, speaks to our Psychology + Neuroscience students about a variety of topics, including ways to minimize stress and maximize mental performance throughout the day. The group practices these techniques, such as deep breathing and closing their eyes.

Advertising + Marketing students take a trip to the PEZ Visitor Center and Factory in Orange, Connecticut. They tour the factory and meet the marketing team to learn about their strategies before receiving a project to complete as a group.

Sarah Law, founder and creative director of Kara Bags, speaks to Fashion Design students about her work at Kara Bags and the challenges and rewards of developing a start-up in the fashion industry.

Students in Public Speaking identify talking points for a persuasive speech, then break into partner groups to flesh out a structure and format for their argument before delivering their speech to the full group.

As part of a discussion about the use of weapons in international crisis situations, students in International Relations use NUKEMAP to identify the effects of different weapon deployments. 

Psychology + Neuroscience students get a hands-on demonstration and learn about the technology behind BrainCo's Focus 1, an attention-sensing EEG device. Representatives from BrainCo demonstrate how software integrates with the data picked up from the devices to help tracking attentiveness during class sessions.  

Students in Drawing work on an elective piece based on the theme of perspective and imagination. Final work will be shown in the Student Art Show at the Green Gallery next week. 

Students get a fun cardio workout in their Zumba Workshop.

Sports Management students present group critiques of sport advertisements, discussing universal tactics, audience segmentation, and the various usage of sports talent. 

Students of CPR and First Aid practice the various positions involved in applying the Heimlich Maneuver for adults as well as infants using CPR dummies.

Our magician puts on an engaging, humorous, spectacular performance!

Business Negotiations students practice their skills to come to a solution where all parties are content.

Students get tips on producing music using various applications from Steve Levitin aka Apple Juice Kid. Levitin co-founded the Beat Making Lab, an Emmy award winning PBS series that promotes music production to encourage social change.

Surgical Interventions students research a variety of medical procedures in small teams before presenting their findings to the larger group.

Grace Eng, Director of McCoy Events for the Pawtucket Red Sox Baseball Club, outlines a consulting challenge to Sports Management students, who will present solutions to the challenge to Paw Sox management at the conclusion of the program.

Students in Cybersecurity learn how to hide an image inside of another image. After practicing the technique themselves, they then explore how to identify coded images in the wild.

To better understand the relationship of color and palette, Interior Design students design color wheels using found images from magazines and design journals. 

Students in Animation for Game Design work on their final project in preparation for their final exhibition.

Guest Speaker Alberto Altamirano shares useful tips to Startup Entrepreneurship students about ways to build traction for their startup ideas. Alberto made it to this year's Forbes 30 under 30 Social Entrepreneurs list as co-founder of Cityflag, a company which builds apps for government entities that are focused on opening communication channels between government and society, improving the level of public participation, and providing better government transparency.

Craig Derrick, award-winning game industry executive who is known for his creation of Star Wars gaming characters, talks to students during Department Time on how to get into the gaming industry and the various skills required to be a successful creator in the industry.

Digital Photography students put the final touches on their work as they prepare for their exhibition at Green Art Gallery later this week.

Students in writing classes perform their work at the EXPLO Coffee House!

Forensic Science assess a crime scene and dig up evidence to find out the cause of death of the body they find.

Students enjoy a wonderful Dueling Pianos performance. They sing, dance, laugh, and have fun!

The first community meeting convenes in the Shubert Theatre. Students are introduced to different program departments, student ambassadors, and other aspects of student life.

Students in Human Rights in Conflict Zones critique the phrasing and concepts behind various passages of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. 

Students in Apocalypse Management discuss components of the key elements needed for survival after an apocalypse. 

Kit Yarrow, award-winning consumer psychologist and Professor Emerita at Golden Gate University, speaks to our Psychology + Neuroscience students about consumer psychology and the various pathways they can take to be successful in the field of Consumerism.

Students learn about the history of Origami and the way it has inspired modern engineering and medical technology. They then test their origami creations in the EXPLO wind tunnel.

Bill Littlefield, host of "Only a Game" on National Public Radio, discusses how he got into the field, shares passages from some of his favorite journalists, and discusses the ethics involved in journalism.

In Startup Entrepreneurship, students discuss how being an extrovert or introvert effects how they socialize. To help put the discussion into the context of startup entrepreneurship, students form a human scale to see how weighted their opinions are.

Students in Creative Writing brainstorm prompts to be used to kickstart writing sessions, mapping out elements and details that the prompts might inspire. Then they put their prompts to the test for a short writing exercise, which students share or group critique.

Students in Criminal Psychology discuss the difference between a criminal psychologist and a forensic psychologist — then work in groups to identify psychological characteristics that may make someone more or less prone to commit a crime.

Students in Investment Methods create a word map of terms and phrases they have heard around investment methods, then define the key terms they will be using throughout the course.

In the Psychology + Neuroscience Focus Program, students participate in an empathy map game to better understand how different types of advertisements affect people's choices.

Students engage in a round table discussion on the topic of Genetic Engineering, the ethics around it, and how advances in the field have affected society as a whole.

Students in Creative Writing share their favorite passages from the pieces they've worked on this session.

The Session Two Living Groups are on campus and getting ready for a great first week!

Session Two Arrival Day is here and our students and staff are pumped for a great session!

Session Two Ambassadors arrive! Ambassadors go through orientation, discussing the guiding ideals of the EXPLO community and how to best welcome new students to campus.

Foreign Affairs students take a trip to the Council on Foreign Relations and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. They meet with Adam Segal (Director of Digital and Cyberspace Policy at the Council) and Gideon Rose (Editor of Foreign Affairs Magazine).

Djing + Turntable Instruction students get first-hand tips and trciks from guest music producer and DJ Stephen Levitin, aka Apple Juice Kid. Levitin co-founded the Beat Making Lab, an Emmy award winning PBS web series which teaches Hip Hop and electronic music production for the purposes of social change. 

Students in Psychology of Relationships collect and analyze survey data in research groups and present their findings to the rest of the class.

A wonderful night of dancing and fun as students celebrate the close of the session!

Students debate the ethics of drone strikes as a military tactic.

Students finish writing their admission essays and receive feedback from the group.

Musical Theatre students rehearse their presentation for tomorrow's EXPLOpalooza performance. They choreographed a short piece that merges three musicals together as an ensemble.

Political Science students debate whether or not foreign aid — and what type of foreign aid — would be the best solution to a case study crisis scenario set in Southern Africa.

Students tour Yale's Cushing Center, home of over 2,200 neurological case studies which includes human whole brain specimens, tumor specimens, microscopic slides, notes, journal excerpts from the late 1800’s to 1936. In addition, students tour an MRI lab and discover how brain scanning technology works. 

Students in Journalism edit their final interview projects, which range from story about an EXPLO instructor who grew up as a princess in Ghana to a collaborative thought piece about the use of gender pronouns at EXPLO.

Students from visual art courses, including Architecture, Fashion Design, Drawing, and Digital Photography, showcase their work at the Yale Art Gallery for the community to enjoy.

Psychology of Harry Potter students analyze themes from the franchise to open discussions about larger ideas, such as relationships and leadership.

Marine Biology students travel to Sandy Point Beach to explore the marine life, learning about migratory sea birds, horseshoe crabs, and local shellfish.

During afternoon Department Time, students participate in an engineering challenge: build the highest tower out of dried spaghetti strands on which a marshmallow can sit. 

During Department Time, students participating in the Disease Spread Simulation model how a disease spreads through a population by using sodium hydroxide solution that is invisible to the eye. Students identify who was infected at the end of five interactions and work backwards using logic to identify the origin of the disease.

Students in Computer Programming + Processing write and troubleshoot the code for their final projects. 

Justice Richard L. Gabriel, a justice on the Colorado Supreme Court, is a guest speaker in Mock Trial. After addressing the class as a group, he works individually with students who are preparing a case that he will preside over tomorrow afternoon in a formal trial setting.

Acting + Directing students give and receive feedback on their monologues. Students are preparing for their final presentation at the Drama Café later this week.

Students in Fashion Design put together final touches on their designs in preparation for the exhibition in which they will show their work to the EXPLO community.

The setup: US and British nationals residing in Pakistan have joined the Haqqani network (a banned terrorist organization) in Waziristan. US intelligence reports that the group has set up near a hospital intermixed with non-combatants. Working as members of the White House, Defense Department, Justice Department, State Department and intelligence agencies, students strategize an engagement plan with the terrorist cell.

Plyometrics + Speed Training athletes rotate in groups to do strengthening exercises.