Summer Research &
Innovation Program

The Art and Science of Ceramics (3 weeks)

The science behind pottery, and the process in crafting it, is intriguing and eons old. Clay, water, fire—the essential elements in pottery makinghave been utilized by humans for thousands of years to make functional and artistic vessels and sculptures. In this innovation and design experience, students will develop an understanding of the mineral and chemical processes involved in wheel-throwing pottery as well as the form and function of pottery design. Beginning with the various stages clay goes through—from wet, to leather-hard, to bone-dry—and moving on to the tools used for shaping, trimming and creating texture on pots, students will experiment with different mineral clay types and understand how the clay origin and molecular structure affect the pottery-making process. Ceramic glaze consists of metal oxides, which give colors to glazes because of their light-absorbing properties. As students glaze their ceramic work, they will gain an in-depth understanding of the chemical properties of glazes and how glaze composition affects color and performance. Finally, through the magic and science of kiln firing, students will understand the role that kiln type and firing method have on the final outcome of the pottery design process. This opportunity is open to students of all levels.

Mapping Folklore across Western North Carolina (2 weeks)

What ghost stories, tales of the supernatural, and other folktales have been prominent in the lore of Western North Carolina? What were the socio-political and socio-economic origins of these tales, and how have they circulated and been preserved? And why do paranormal narratives and other stories of the "folk" still resonate with us?

This interdisciplinary SRIP will introduce students to folklore studies, ethnography, history, and the study of popular culture by providing opportunities for students to research ghost stories and other folktales of Western North Carolina as literary texts.

During our two weeks together, we will explore and analyze folk narratives, paying particular attention to their literary structure, historical and social contexts, and the multiple interpretations they invite us to consider. We will discover overlapping patterns in these stories and attempt to map their connections and places of origin to see whether natural disasters, political conflicts, personal tragedies, or unexplained phenomena played a role in their origins.

We will also conduct independent research projects and go on field trips to sites and archives in the region. Students will share the fruits of their research in an academic essay or in a creative project that grows out of their study of a folk tradition in their own family or hometown. 

Join us as we dive into local and regional archives, examine oral traditions and literary texts, and conduct online and on-the-ground research to uncover the fascinating connection between Western North Carolina folk narratives and our state’s history.

Researching Burke County’s Past and Present: Explorations in Local History (2 weeks)

Every community, no matter how small, has a history, and in this two-week SRIP, we will set out to explore the many stories that make up the history of Burke County in Western North Carolina.  Students will learn and apply different methodologies to study the county’s past and its connections to the present through site visits, guest speakers, and class discussions. Students will also conduct an independent research project on one of the following themes: 1) Environmental History of Burke County. Potential areas of focus may include indigenous land use; early settlers and the gold rush of the 1820s-1830s; genealogy and land ownership; bootlegging; the CCC and the conservation movement; rare species preservation; water resource management, and the impact of wildfires. 2) Mapping Historic Burke. Students will work with current-day GIS maps and connect them to historical maps of the area to understand how the population and infrastructure of Burke County have changed over the past 200+ years. 3) History of Race Relations in Burke County. Students will explore archival materials in the North Carolina Room of Burke County Public Library, engage with community members to collect oral histories and conduct ethnographic analysis. Potential areas of focus may include histories and contributions of enslaved individuals; the Civil War, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow; school integration and desegregation; community activism; and the movement of various ethnic groups into and beyond the area. 4) History of Mental Health in Burke County. Students will explore the different ideas about mental illness from the late 19th century to the present. Potential areas of focus may include Progressive-era attitudes toward health and illness; “female complaints” and gender roles; and the role of state institutions in local economies and politics. Students will share their research through a format that best illustrates their findings and through the process will develop their skills in humanities research. 

Robotics Design Exploration (3 weeks)

Students will get the opportunity to conduct in-depth exploration of the field of Robotics. Students will create team based robotic designs and software development within mobile, underwater, or aerial environments. Software topics may include; A.I., Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and Path Planning. Students will also learn to use the Fab Lab metal shop equipment for custom fabrication on their designs.

• Programming

  • Intermediate to Advance in Python, Java, or C++   

• Engineering

  • Intermediate proficiency in a CAD program (Fusion 360, Inventor, Onshape, etc)

• Robotics

  • Previous experience with robotics (individually or on a team) preferred but not required. Includes but not limited to Lego Mindstorms, Vex, FIRST, MATE

Software Design and Development (3 weeks)

Coding is one thing, but designing and developing robust applications is another.  During this opportunity, students will formulate and propose a project to complete and can recruit their peers to help them.  Along the way, you will learn about strategies and tools to help build and deploy your software.  The exact tools you will use depends on the project you join, but some examples include Git, Maven, and Docker. 

Projects must attempt to solve a problem within a community of interest, be it the NCSSM or broader communities.  These project could be used for competitions such as the Image Cup, Congressional App Challenge, or Ready, Set, App!

Students must demonstrate intermediate competency in at least one programming language.

Summer Research in Mathematics (3 weeks)

Tired of the same old calculus problems?! Spend a summer thinking about mathematical “knot theory”: the study of knotted loops in space. Many interesting and beautiful questions remain open in this active field of mathematics. We will investigate the relationship between newer knot invariants such as the n-crossing number and petal number of a knot to other classic knot invariants such as tricolorability, concordance, and signature. No previous knowledge of knot theory is required – only experience with proof writing is encouraged, in addition to a willingness to learn, collaborate, and let your creativity shine through mathematics! 

Proof writing experience