The following are the Challenge courses for the weeks of July 6, 2008 and July 13, 2008. 

Please note: 

• The * indicates that students will be required to bring some materials such as blank DVD-R, blank CD-R, digital camera/3mm. camera with disk/film. 


• After payment is received (due before/on June 2nd), a packet will be mailed to you with your Challenge Program information along with additional materials your child may need.

ONLINE REGISTRATION BEGINS APRIL 7, 2008!  Please go to the registration page after you have fully reviewed and selected from the courses below:

SESSION A            8:15-10:15 A.M.

CP 10 Contemporary Painting:  Explore the ideas of visual culture in relationship to the works of selected "New American Painting" artists.  Techniques such as underglazing, glazing, layering, blending, as well as mixing color and paint medium in harmony with added abstraction techniques will allow students to explore and create his/her own contemporary acrylic painting.  Tiffany Gratchic is currently earning her Masters in Education at SVC.  She has an undergraduate degree in Art Education with minors in Art Studio and Math from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Maximum No. of Students:   15

Room CARC 11 

CP 12 Mock Trial and the Justice System:  Students become judge, jury, attorneys, witnesses, and defendants as the structure of our court system is explored via simulated trials conducted in the classroom.  The course will focus on building, speaking, and writing skills and offers experiences critical decision making and logical analysis.  Mr. Mark Sorice, Esquire is an attorney associated with a law firm in the Greensburg/Latrobe area.

Maximum No. of Students:  25

Room ALFH 37 

CP 13 Chinese Culture, Art, and Handicrafts:  Students will have the opportunity to learn about Chinese art, handicrafts, calligraphy, and Chinese poetry.  Various projects will be completed in this course.  Dr. Yuan Zhang has a Ph.D. from Wuhan University and specializes in Modern Chinese Literature.  She is an associate professor of Chinese language and literature.  Dr. Yuan Zhang is a visiting professor from China who has been engaged in many course/projects at Saint Vincent College and in the Latrobe schools.

Maximum No. of Students:  25

Room ALFH 35

CP 14 Math Puzzles Me:  Students are invited to "twist their minds" with some exciting Math puzzles.  Participants in this course will work together to solve various kinds of Math challenges.  Dr. Daniele Arcara has a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Georgia and is currently an assistant professor at Saint Vincent College.

Maximum No. of Students:  30

Room ALFH 34

CP 15 The Art of Music:  Enrich your musical talents with Dr. Tiberio.  Students will learn about orchestration and composition in this course with this Assistant Conductor of the Pittsburgh Opera and composer of more than 40 Orchestral, Symphonic Bands, and Choral/Instrumental Ensembles.  Dr.  Albert Tiberio is the Professor of Fine Arts, Head, Division of Music for Saint Vincent College.  Dr. Tiberio has held the position of Principal Trumpet in more than 25 Symphony Orchestras, Symphonic Bands, and Chamber Ensembles.

Maximum No. of Students:  20

Room CARC 31

CP 20 Brainy Explorations:  Discover what your dominant intelligences are to capitalize on your life!  Through  the experience of interactive, enjoyable activities, all multiple intelligences will be explored.  This is an edu-tainment course...great fun while learning!  Mrs. Joy Ferguson Stynchula is the Cultural Arts Coordinator for the McFeely-Rogers Foundation.  She is a Drama Theater Course Instructor for Saint Vincent College.

Maximum No. of Students:  25

Room ALFH 35

CP 21 *Video Magic:  Lights, Camera, Action!  Mr. Findley returns and invites students to write, shoot, and edit a creative television show shot live in the classroom.  The course includes studio-style broadcasting including writers, camera, operators, sound technicians plus actors and director.  Mr. Frederick Findley has a Master's degree from Saint Vincent College in multimedia technology.  He is Audio Visual Coordinator for SVC.

Maximum No. of Students:  20

Room PREP 205

CP 22 Internet Technology:  Students will have the opportunity to learn computer technology of the future.  Be one of the first students to learn the latest technical language and be taken well beyond your current level of computer knowledge.  Problem solving will also be a key component in this course.  Mr. Tony Perla is a graduate of Saint Vincent College and is the Director of Technology for Derry Area School District.

Maximum No. of Students:  20

Room ALFH 41

CP 23 *Photography:  Students will learn how to look at the landscapes, sunsets, and nature's beauty to gain the perfect photographic shot.  The art form of photography will be explored and experienced by the participants.    Mr. David Safin has a Master's degree from Saint Vincent College in multimedia technology.  He is Multimedia Coordinator and teaches Media Production courses at SVC.

Maximum No. of Students:  20

Room PREP 220

CP 24 Sim-Soc:  Sim-Soc is an acronym for "simulated society".  Students will create their own functioning society within the realm of the classroom.  The course is an experience that allows participants to understand the complexities of individual and group interaction and to learn the dynamics of power, persuasion, and cooperation.  Dr. Thomas Soltis is a College Sociology Professor with expertise in the changing dynamics of society.

Maximum No. of Students:  30

Room ALFH 31, 34, 37

SESSION C        1:30-3:30 P.M.

CP 30 A Star on the Stage:  This class is designed to enhance acting skills of the novice to the experienced actor.  Students prepare for a performance to entertain the Challenge students and staff.  Potential thespians will enjoy!  Mrs. Joy Ferguson Stynchula  (see above information)

Maximum No. of Students:  20

Room Amphitheatre

CP 31 *i Challenge:   Students will learn how to work with different multimedia elements as well as the fundamentals of web design.  Participate in Apple's iLife revolution and apply music, video, and pictures to create a website that advertises your 2008 Challenge experiences.   Mr.  Frederick Findley (see above information)

Maximum No. of Students:  20

Room PREP 219

CP 32 The American Revolution:  Explore the experiences linked with living during the Revolutionary War.  This course offers students the opportunities to identify with the "dreams of freedom" and the struggles for independence...thus then understanding the reasons our country stands proud as a leader of the world today.  Mr. John Kowick is a teacher in the Hempfield Area School District and returns to Challenge as an Instructor.

Maximum No. of Students:  25

Room ALFH 34

CP 33 The Chemistry of Cooking:  Even the simplest kitchen tasks such as boiling water, frying an egg, toasting (or burning) bread are dependent on chemistry.  Students will learn about the chemical concepts as they relate to cooking and microwaving, boiling, baking, freezing, and tasting will be experienced by participants.  Jason Vohs has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Georgia.  He is presently a professor of various chemistry related courses at Saint Vincent College.  Jason is also the director of the Chemistry Club at SVC.

Maximum No. of Students: 15

Room CHEM 204

CP 34 Chinese Lifestyles, Language, and Customs:  Students will learn about Chinese language and various topics linked with the lifestyles in China.  Learning will occur through activities such as games, cartoons, songs, and crafts (paper-cutting and paper folding).  Zhi Zhang is earning her Ph.D. and specializing in the areas of teaching Chinese as a second language at Wuhan University.  She has studied in Peking University and is currently working with the Derry and Latrobe Schools.

Maximum No. of Students:  20

Room ALFH 35

CP 35 C.S.I. Challenge:  Students will be presented with a simulated crime scene, collect evidence, talk to witnesses, etc. and then will decide what lab tests they will need to run to solve the crime. There will be various roles including detective, photographer, and medical examiner.  Dr. Mandy Raab, Ph.D., MSIS is the Director of Biotechnology at Saint Vincent College.  She currently is developing a new undergraduate program in Bioinformatics and Biotechnology at Saint Vincent as well as an outreach program for high schools.

Maximum No. of Students:  15

Room BIO 105 

REMEMBER...ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS ON APRIL 7, 2008.  FIRST COME/FIRST SERVE WILL BE THE SYSTEM USED FOR ALL COURSE SELECTIONS.