Academic Activities

Explore the fascinating topics covered in our latest edition.

All themesArts and HumanitiesLife SciencesMathematics and LogicPhysical SciencesTechnology and Engineering
Lecture
Opening Lecture

This talk explores the internals of Web Search and GenAI systems, covering main algorithms and how these systems work.

Lecture
Energy Versus Death – The Problem of Mitochondria

Explores the role of light in biology and medical technologies for diagnosis and treatment.

Lecture
Crimes against women: development of kits for the identification of forensic markers in biological fluids

Presents forensic kits for identifying biological markers related to sex crimes.

Lecture
AI Without the Machine: Physical, Chemical, Evolutionary

Explores forms of AI that learn through physical, chemical, and evolutionary systems rather than digital computers.

Lecture
What Do Arithmetic Progressions of Primes Have to Do with the Stability of the Solar System? A Story About Numerical Expansions, Probability, and Dynamical Systems.

Connects ergodic theory, probability, prime numbers, and dynamical systems through mathematical history.

Lecture
Research Ethics — from Frankenstein to Study 329

Discusses ethical challenges in scientific research through literary and historical case studies.

Lecture
What is Metabolism?

Explains how the body transforms food into energy, tissues, and stored resources through metabolism.

Lecture
Food Science in the Era of Metabolomics and Organ on Chip

Shows how metabolomics and organ-on-chip technologies are transforming food science and nutrition research.

Lecture
We Need to Talk About Pi

Explores the history of Pi and a surprising method of finding its digits using colliding blocks.

Lecture
Simple Economics of Auctions

Introduces auction theory and explains why different auction mechanisms produce different incentives.

Lecture
Chemistry: Creation and Discovery

Highlights discoveries and inventions by chemists that have transformed life and society.

Lecture
From Physics to Deep Learning and Back Again: The Journey of Protein Structure Prediction

Explores how physics, data, and deep learning transformed protein structure prediction.

Lecture
Range of Deception

Explores the variety of ways and motivations behind art forgery.

Lecture
Beyond the third dimension

Introduces higher-dimensional spaces and the mathematical meaning of a fourth dimension.

Lecture
Who will win the 2026 World Cup?

Uses mathematical and computational methods to rank national teams and predict soccer outcomes.

Lecture
Inside the Genome: How Coding and AI Are Shaping Predictive Medicine

Explores how genomics, coding, and AI are transforming medicine from reactive to predictive.

Lecture
On the origin of life on Earth

Discusses contemporary perspectives on the scientific puzzle of life’s origin on Earth.

Lecture
Making light a game changer in healthcare

Shows how light-based technologies are changing medical diagnosis and treatment.

Lecture
Do plants really know math

Explains how Fibonacci patterns in plants emerge from biological and physical principles.

Lecture
Brazil: A Unique Nation in Social Diversity and Sustainable Fuel Solutions

Discusses Brazil’s diversity and leadership in sustainable mobility and energy transition.

Lecture
How a Fruit Fly Became One of Science’s Greatest Heroes

Shows how Drosophila melanogaster became a key model organism in biology and medicine.

Lecture
Light storage materiais: trapping photons in solids

Explains the chemistry behind materials that capture, store, and re-emit light.

Lecture
The brave new world of quantum technologies

Introduces quantum technologies and their potential impact on computation, communication, and sensing.

Lecture
Who's the Best at Predicting the Future?

Explores how to evaluate predictions mathematically and design systems that reward accuracy.

Lecture
From Ouch to Insight: How the Brain Feels Pain and How Scientists Study It

Explores how the nervous system creates the experience of pain and how scientists study it.

Lecture
Entropy: Predictability from Chaos

Explains entropy and its central role across thermodynamics, physics, and unsolved problems.

Lecture
Probabilities in soccer: howto

Explains how soccer title probabilities are computed and interpreted.

Lecture
The future of air mobility

Explores emerging air mobility technologies and the future careers connected to them.

Semilab
The Neuroscience of Fear: From Animal Models to Human Emotions

Explores how the brain processes fear, from animal models to human emotions.

Semilab
Mitochondrial Mysteries: Hands-On with the Engine of Life

Hands-on exploration of mitochondria and bioenergetics.

Semilab
Bioelectricity: from action potentials to nervous systems

Studies nervous systems through electrical signals and hands-on experiments.

Semilab
Quantum Mechanics and Linear Algebra

Introduces quantum mechanics through linear algebra concepts.

Workshop
Beyond the Scrubs: Science and Skills of Modern Medicine

Hands-on medical workshop exploring real clinical skills.

Semilab
Optics: The Science of Light

Explores light behavior through experiments in optics.

Semilab
Inorganic Chemistry: fire and colour

Explores the chemistry of fire and color through experiments.

Semilab
Physics and Cooking

Uses cooking to explore physics, chemistry, and biology concepts.

Semilab
Biomaterials and Dyes for Sensor Applications

Explores biomaterials and functional dyes for sensor technologies.

Semilab
Analytical Mechanics

Introduces the principle of least action and modern mechanics.

Semilab
Chromatography Challenge: Diving in the World of Separation Science

Hands-on introduction to chromatography and chemical separation.

Semilab
Electric Circuits and Arduino

Introduction to electronics and microcontrollers using Arduino.

Semilab
Chemistry and light

Explores how molecules interact with light.

Semilab
Fractals and Chaos Theory

Studies fractals and chaotic systems.

Semilab
LAN-boratory: From Zero to Network

Hands-on networking lab building a LAN from scratch.

Course
Bridging Graph Theory and Mathematical Competitions

Applies graph theory to competition math problems.

Semilab
Reinforcement Learning

Introduces reinforcement learning and AI systems.

Semilab
Mathematical Games

Explores strategy and logic through games.

Course
The Ins and Outs of Large Language Models

Explains how large language models work and their limitations.

Semilab
Do Languages Compute?

Explores computation theory through language.

Semilab
Infinities and paradoxes: Quest after the Impossible

Explores infinity and paradoxes in math and logic.

Semilab
Machine Learning for Biological Image and Data Analysis

Applies machine learning to biological imaging data.

Course
Counting and enumerative combinatorics

Introduces combinatorics and counting techniques.

Semilab
Computer Vision: From Pixels to AI

Introduces computer vision and image processing.

Workshop
From perfect repeats to Penrose “never-repeat” tilings

What patterns can cover an infinite floor with no gaps and no overlaps? In this fast, hands-on workshop, we start with the “clean and predictable” world of regular tessellations—then jump to the mind-bending world of Penrose tilings, where the pattern never repeats (but still has hidden order). Come ready to build, argue with geometry, and leave with a new superpower: telling the difference between patterns that repeat forever—and patterns that have order without repetition.

Workshop
Unlock the secrets hidden inside our DNA!

Discover how entire genes can “disappear”, and how we detect them. In this hands-on workshop, you will step into the role of a molecular detective. Using GAP-PCR, a powerful technique designed to identify gene deletions, you will learn how genetic testing can reveal silent carriers long before symptoms appear. This method is one of the cornerstone tools used worldwide for diagnosing alpha-thalassemia. If you enjoy solving biological puzzles and working with real diagnostic methods, this lab will show you how we track down missing genes in the clinic. Join us and become a DNA detective!

Workshop
Mathmagic

Mathmagic is a hands-on workshop where numbers meet wonder. Using playing cards, participants will learn engaging magic tricks that reveal the hidden secrets behind them, combining logical thinking, creativity, and a touch of mystery and math.

Workshop
Building an ecosystem

Terrariums are small, self-sustaining ecosystems that bring nature indoors and brighten up any space. They are easy to create and care for, making them perfect for anyone interested in plants and the environment. During this workshop, we will explore the basics of terrarium construction and learn how to create beautiful mini-gardens using simple materials, while also discovering how everything in an ecosystem is interconnected

Workshop
Cryptocurrency: Theory and Practice (I) and (II)

This two-part workshop offers an accessible introduction to the world of cryptocurrencies. In the first session, we will explore the basic theory behind cryptography and the history of Bitcoin. The second session will focus on practical experience, including how to create and use different types of digital wallets.

Workshop
Paper Airplane Engineering Challenge

In this workshop, participants will explore aerodynamic principles and apply them to design paper airplanes with varying flight characteristics, testing and refining their creations for optimal performance.

Workshop
Hex: The world's greatest math game

Hex is a very simple game played on an 11x11 hexagonal grid. The two players compete to see who can build a bridge across first. There must be exactly one winner, which means defence is offence! Join me in learning some strategies in this deep game beloved by John Nash. See if you can beat me at Hex! If you'd like, I'll play you left-handed.

Workshop
DESTROYING your opponents with (anything but) FACTS and LOGIC

Discussing important things with fellow humans can be pretty frustrating—they miss the point, talk nonsense, use persuasion tactics, get into conflict, etc. Why doesn't it just... go well?! Come to this workshop to better understand (and practice!) how bad discussions work, how to fight them, and how to have better ones.

Workshop
PyMol: how to analyze what we cannot see.

Molecular biologists have a huge problem: we work with several molecules that we can't see. Some molecular biologists work with DNA, some work with proteins. In this workshop, we are going to explore protein 3D structure using PyMol, learn its capabilities and features.

Workshop
SoME Sigma (Summer of Math Exposition - Sigma)

Do you like thinking about math for its own sake? Perhaps learning about fractal dimensions, modelling how to perfectly pair people to get married, or doing back-of-the-envelope estimations? If that sounds fun, come explain to everyone your favorite math idea in under 3 minutes with an easel pad and a marker and watch others' explain theirs! (~15 talks)

Workshop
Game Theory in Practice

Game Theory is a foundational field in human cooperation, and it's applicability ranges from evolutionary biology to day-to-day interactions. Come to this workshop to participate in interesting variations of the prisoner's dilemma and get insights about how it works in practice beyond "Nash Equilibrium". (P.S. stakes will be real)

Workshop
Guided Journaling

"Journaling is like touching the wall with your hand on a very dark maze" Journaling is a nice tool to have. In this workshop, we'll discuss personal experiences related to journaling, how to make it work for you, and you'll be given space to do some of it by the end of the session (if you feel like it). read this for more information: https://daystareld.com/blog/journaling-101/

Workshop
Unveiling the sky objects' chemical composition

How do astronomers know that the Sun and the stars are made out of hydrogem and helium? The answer lies in spectroscopy: a way to remotely discover the chemical composition of an object through its light's characteristics. In this workshop we will understand and see how this work in practice with DIY spectroscopes, which every attendant shall take home.

Workshop
Winning Games (with inanimate help!)

Mathematicians have always been obsessed with playing games - identifying winning strategies and exhausting possibilities are deeply connected with multiple areas in mathematics. Computers have dominated this field for its computation capabilities. However, generally, we don't need that much computing. Sometimes, a fractal or a couple boxes with random beads can be just enough. We are going to explore both concepts in practice and try to gather help from the inanimate world to make me loose less in both Tic-Tac-Toe and Chomp.

Workshop
Have you ever seen a particle?

Matter is made of particles - from what I heard. All surrounding, but still very mysterious, this fact is at the same time intuitive and quite elusive. Surely, matter must have a primary component... but logic is not the ruling of physical truth, experiment is. Is there a theory for elementary particles? Can we check our theory in the only way that matters: experimentally? As I was not authorized to book an particle accelerator for the Workshop, we are gonna unveil this question by returning to one of the first techniques of detection: Cloud Chambers! If we are successful, particle trails should reveal themselves and leave hints of the underlying physics machinations.

Workshop
Academic Life in the USA and UK

This workshop explores the key differences in academic career pathways in biological sciences between the USA and UK, with a focus on undergraduate, PhD, postdoctoral studies, securing research grants. It will provide insights into educational structures, funding opportunities, and strategies for building a successful academic career in both systems.

Workshop
Alchemy of energy of adenosine triphosphate

We will talk about alchemical history of phosphorus and its journey to becoming a cornerstone of cellular bioenergetics. We will explore the chemical and bioenergetic properties of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and uncover why it is named the universal energy currency of the cell. We also should be able to see what is the energy source for our muscles.

Workshop
Chemistry blues: the Cyanotype Process

Ever wondered where the term 'blueprint' comes from? In this workshop we will learn about the artful science of cyanotypes and how chemistry plays a role in photography. You are welcome to bring things to imprint into you very own cyanotype!

Workshop
PC

PC Building 101

Workshop
Chess Variants for the Impatient Players

Tired of slow openings and 20 moves of setup before anything happens? In this workshop, we shake up classic chess with quick, unusual rule twists that push players into action right away. Games are short, positions get strange fast, and strategy takes some unexpected turns. Students should already know how the pieces move, but everything else is fair game as we explore faster, weirder ways to play.

Workshop
Sweet Shapes: Discovering Euler’s Formula with Jellybean Polyhedra

In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore Euler’s renowned polyhedron formula (V − E + F = 2) using jellybeans and toothpicks to build their own 3D structures. Through playful experimentation, campers will discover why this identity holds for every convex polyhedron, gaining geometric intuition in a tasty and memorable way. Instead of relying on the classical proof based on Cauchy’s rigidity theorem, we will use a simplified and intuitive argument tailored specifically for convex shapes, allowing participants to understand the result through construction, observation, and guided reasoning.

Workshop
Flip, Slide, Repeat: The Art of Tessellations

In this workshop, participants will dive into the fundamentals of tessellations and explore how simple geometric rules can lead to mesmerizing artistic patterns. We will begin by examining which regular polygons can tile the plane and why, including short intuitive demonstrations of the underlying geometric constraints. Campers will then discover the Archimedean tilings and learn how these semi-regular patterns mix different polygons while preserving symmetry and structure. With these ideas in hand, participants will see how the same principles can be transformed into captivating artwork, following the spirit of M. C. Escher. Step by step, they will design and modify their own tessellation grids, gradually turning mathematical tilings into personalized artistic compositions.

Workshop
Magnificent Moiré Patterns

What do curtains, LED screens, and graphene have in common? They are all displays of moiré patterns. Usually, this effect is dreaded by photographers and filmmakers alike, but in this workshop we'll see how these seemingly mundane interference patterns are everywhere, how they are relevant to science, and their surprising applications.

Workshop
Do STEM students need to develop leadership skills? Absolutely.

While mastering math, science, and technology is essential for any high school student pursuing STEM, leadership skills are just as critical for future success. Today’s innovators need more than technical knowledge -- they must communicate clearly, collaborate across disciplines, think critically, and inspire others to push ideas forward. In this workshop, you’ll explore why leadership matters in STEM and how it can help you tackle challenges, guide teams, and make a meaningful impact in your academic and professional journey. Get ready to discover the leadership skills that set STEM students apart and start building them today.

Workshop
STEM Crisis Challenge: Can your team solve it together?

In real STEM missions, no one succeeds alone -- teams do. In this high-energy, fast-paced challenge, you and your peers will face a sudden STEM crisis and race against the clock to solve it as a team. Along the way, you’ll discover why strong teamwork matters when things get chaotic and how communication, collaboration, and critical thinking can turn a crisis into a breakthrough. Ready to find out what your team can do? Come to the workshop!

Workshop
Jesse, We Need To Cook!

Crystals are one of the most scientifically and aesthetically beautiful natural formations you can encounter. In this workshop, we explore different ways we can make our own crystals from different materials, from everyday granulated sugar to colorful inorganic salts.

Workshop
The Great Sigma Heist

Someone at camp has pulled off the most criminal masterminded plan ever: sneaking into Alexei’s room, swiping the tournament answer key, and escaping. They must be trying to cheat their way to the tournament trophy! Unfortunately for them, an extremely suspicious hair strand was left behind at the crime scene. Your job? Go full forensic detective, zoom in on microscopic clues, compare them to our lineup of suspects. Everyone is sus: faculty, counselors, and JCs.

Workshop
GeoGuessr 101

GeoGuessr is a popular browser game where you are given a random location in Google Maps, and you need figure out where you are in the world. The game has recently become an eSport, with dozens of pros from all over the world competing for a $50,000 USD prize pool. In this workshop, we will play some GeoGuessr and learn how to guess where you are in the world based on driving direction, position of the sun, language, landscape, and more!

Workshop
Fly an Aircraft Today—No License Required

Ever wondered what it's like to be a pilot? Join us for an exciting hands-on workshop where you'll learn the basics of flying an aircraft using flight simulation software. We'll cover fundamental concepts like how cockpit controls work, the physics of lift and drag, the "checklist" procedures real pilots use, takeoff, navigation, and landing. Whether you dream of becoming a pilot or just want to experience the thrill of flight, this workshop will give you real skills in a safe, virtual environment. Every camper will get a chance to take the controls of a Cessna 172 to attempt a takeoff and master the tricky art of landing. No experience required!

Workshop
Secrets of a Tiny Flatworm: The Hidden Life of Planarians

Planarians are tiny flatworms with an astonishing ability: cut one into pieces, and each piece can grow into a complete animal. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll use planarians as a model to explore regeneration, stem cells, and how body plans are built and repaired. We will observe live planarians under the microscope, feed them, learn how scientists design experiments with these animals, and discuss what their regenerative powers can teach us about human biology, aging, and medicine.

Workshop
How to build (pasta) bridges like an engineer

Although Italians insist otherwise, pasta is primarily a construction material. But how to build the best pasta bridge? In this workshop, you will learn civil engineering principles that can be used to design real and food buildings alike, exploring concepts like stiffness, strength, toughness, and flexural rigidity. You will learn why Romans loved arches more than pasta and how to add cardboard to it like a modern engineer. Finally, you will apply your new knowledge to a team-based competition, where the strongest bridge will win.

Workshop
Hydraulic Power!

Learn about the basics of hydraulics and fluid mechanics and get to make your own simple hydraulic robot!

Workshop
Can you juggle the ball more times than me in 1 minute?

Prizes for winners. Free style competition afterwards

Workshop
Triangle centers

Triangle centers There are so many triangle centers— the incenter, circumcenter, orthocenter, centroid… the list feels endless! But my favorite one is the magical spot where you can balance the whole triangle on the tip of a pencil. What’s your favorite? In this workshop, we’ll hunt for these triangle centers just by folding paper, and I’ll do my best to convince you that my favorite center is absolutely the champion!

Workshop
Mathematically winning a lottery

Did you know that Stefan Mandel, a Romanian-Australian economist and mathematician, led a syndicate that won the lottery 14 times across different countries? Jerry Selbee, a retired mathematician from Michigan, and his wife Marge discovered a simple, legal loophole in the state's WinFall lottery, and over nine years, the Selbees' group legally won a total of $26 million, making an $8 million profit after expenses. Joan Ginther, who holds a Ph.D. in statistics from Stanford University, made headlines for winning multi-million-dollar jackpots four times between 1993 and 2010. Math for fun or for profit?

Workshop
Home Lab Sandbox->lets play with Servers and Run Local AI

Did you know you don't need a million-dollar server to run AIs like Gemini or ChatGPT? In this workshop, you'll learn how to run local AI and build your own custom chatbot using a processor that costs less than a pair of Havaianas!

Workshop
The life and work of great chemistry-physicians

Beyond the great discoveries of every major scientist, there are many stories that involve passion, love, betrayal, scientific beefs, and obsession, many times involving more than one of the great names in the hall of fame of history. Join and discover more about the life and work of chemistry-physicians like Lewis, van der Waals, Boltzmann, Arrehnius, Maria Goeppert Mayer, and others

Workshop
Taekwondo

Come and learn the basics of taekwondo, where we will cover blocking techniques and initial kicks through basic poomsaes.

Workshop
Seeing the Invisible: Wave Physics with a Laser and a Hair

In this workshop, we will explore one of the most beautiful and surprising phenomena in physics: light behaving like a wave. Using nothing more than a laser pointer and a single strand of hair, we will create a striking interference pattern on the wall, revealing how everyday objects can uncover deep principles of optics.

Workshop
The WiFi Hacking Championship

Ever wondered how hackers break into WiFi networks? Now's your chance to learn. Join us for a competitive, hands-on workshop where you'll race against other campers to crack a WiFi password using real cybersecurity tools. You'll learn how the WPA2 handshake works, why "password123" is a terrible idea, and how to actually defend your home network. We'll provide everything: pre-configured Linux systems, a target network, and step-by-step guidance. The challenge is simple: Crack the network. Fastest hacker wins. No experience required - but speed and attention to detail matter. The winner takes home a mystery prize.

Workshop
The Game of Go

Go is one of the oldest and most elegant strategy games in the world. With just a few rules, it creates surprisingly deep patterns and beautiful shapes on the board. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of Go, and try a few classic beginner puzzles that reveal how strategy emerges from simple moves. No experience needed. Let’s Go!!!

Workshop
What Drives a Race Car? Discover Electric Motors

Are you a Formula 1 fan? Have you ever wondered how a car can reach 300 km/h? Then this workshop is for you! In this session, you’ll explore the fascinating physics behind electric motors, the same technology that powers real Formula Student cars, Formula E, and even the hybrid systems in modern F1. You’ll actually have the opportunity to build a working mini electric motor using nothing more than a battery, magnets, and a coil of wire. As your motor comes to life and begins to spin, you’ll see the core principles in action: how electricity creates magnetic fields, how magnets create motion, and how these two forces work together to generate rotation. No previous experience needed.

Workshop
Design your Tote Bag

Design and paint your own canvas tote bag using fabric-safe paints, stencils, and simple artistic techniques. A relaxed, hands-on workshop where you leave with a unique bag you created yourself!

Workshop
Macrofages INC. Hunting invaders, swallowing problems

Prepare to direct the most chaotic and surprising film ever made about the human body: the immune system in stop motion! Watch as it identifies villains — pathogens who love a good disguise and a clever escape plan. Applaud its ongoing attempts to separate “self” from “non-self,” and the recognition errors that turn the body into a true reality show of misunderstandings. Discover the emergency calls to the system’s “heroes,” who, at times, only intensify the chaos. And best of all: explore the invaders’ own script for escaping immune surveillance — and how, in the end, your immune system is part hero, part comedian, a spectacle worthy of an Oscar… and, on ocasion, of an award for the biggest disaster of the year.

Workshop
What's necessary to make the best chocolate chip cookies?

In this workshop, we'll show you how to make the best chocolate chip cookies.

Workshop
Practical Origami: Fold What You Need!

Discover the ancient art of origami with a practical twist! In this workshop, you'll learn how to transform a single piece of paper into cool, functional items for everyday use. Create custom boxes, envelopes, bookmarks, card holders, and handy small trays. All you need is a piece of paper and the interest to put your hands on paper and learn how to fold your way to organization and style.

Workshop
How to transform a bagel into a caneca, and other topological curiosities

Many of us have heard that a topologist can’t tell the difference between a coffee mug and a bagel. I wouldn’t eat a coffee mug, but I’m not a topologist. Anyway, there is a good mathematical context in which the two can be considered the same. This is the same context in which we can transform (a) into (b) above. We will play around with this puzzle, and a few related ones in this topology workshop. We will also give a definitive answer to how many holes your socks, pants, and shirt have, after debating the number of holes in a drinking straw. This will all be done on the whiteboard. There will also be a hands-on component to the workshop: we will cut and tape Mobius strips together to see what patterns emerge.

Workshop
Magic tricks, except it’s just math

In this workshop we will learn and practice some amazing magic tricks with cards that can be recreated 100% of the time if done properly, because the tricks are actually math. Among the card tricks we will see include some of my favorites: how to draw 5 cads, give a partner 4 of them, and have them “guess” your fifth card (correctly); how to start with a deck of cards with four aces flipped the opposite way, flip the cards a bunch of times “randomly” but still end up with all aces facing the same direction; and how to flip some face up and some face down cards with your eyes closed, and obtain a specific amount of cards face up at the end of all the flips.

Workshop
From cup to crystal: Isolating Caffeine from everyday drinks

Get ready to meet caffeine like you’ve never seen it before and a taster’s! You’ll sublimate and recrystallize real caffeine, watching crystals form right before your eyes. Then we’ll dive into the sensory side: looking, smelling, and most importantly tasting different caffeinated drinks. Along the way, you’ll uncover how each matrix carries caffeine in its own unique way.

Workshop
The Invisible Fingerprints of Light: Build Your Own Spectroscope!

Light looks simple—just brightness and color—but every light source hides a unique spectral fingerprint that reveals its physical nature. In this hands-on workshop, we will build a simple paper spectroscope and use it to uncover the hidden rainbows emitted by different everyday lights. Along the way, we will explore how scientists use these spectra to identify elements, study stars, and even detect chemicals from a distance.

Workshop
Say less

There are around 170,000 words in the English language. In Portuguese, this number rises to more than 350,000. Oh boy… I definitely don’t have time for that. Let's make it simple!! What if I told you that there is a language that has less than 150 words? That's definitely much better. Created by a Canadian linguist, Toki Pona aims to simplify communication and to focus on core meanings. So if you want to start learning a new language (and fast), join us in this workshop. Hmm... I just realized I made this explanation more complex than necessary. Let’s try again: o kama lon poka mi tawa kama sona e toki pona.

Workshop
Rediscovering Tupper's Self-Referential Formula from Scratch

Have you ever seen a mathematical formula that can draw itself? In this workshop, we’ll explore the magic behind Tupper’s self-referential formula, a single inequality that encodes entire images! Starting completely from scratch, we’ll learn how images can be represented as numbers, why Tupper’s formula works, and how did he discovered such a strange and delightful result. You’ll experiment hands-on with decoding and generating your own images using the formula, uncovering how math, logic, and programming come together to create something that feels almost impossible. A bit of familiarity with Cartesian coordinates and binary numbers is helpful, but not required.

Workshop
Bottle Rockets

In this workshop we'll be building our own bottle rockets, launching them, and testing which design works the best.

Workshop
Coding the Perfect Cut

Is it possible to cut a strangely shaped brownie exactly in half with a single straight cut? Mathematics says yes. But can you find that cut using code? In this hands-on workshop, we will translate the abstract topology of the Pancake Theorem into executable Python code. You will learn to visualize the geometry of cuts, plot the error functions that drive mathematical proofs, and implement algorithms to find the perfect bisection for any shape. Bring your curiosity and get ready to turn theorems into reality!

Workshop
Lego Microfluidics

Microfluidics is a technology where small volumes of liquid are controlled to perform experiments. Some microfluidic devices can take million dollar facilities to manufacture, but at this workshop we’ll be building them with custom Lego pieces. We’ve 3D printed Lego bricks for you to create your own device designs.

Workshop
Measuring the Speed of Light With a Microwave and Chocolate

Have you ever measured a fundamental constant of the universe using nothing but a microwave and a chocolate bar? In this workshop, we’ll melt chocolate scientifically to estimate one of nature’s most important numbers. You’ll search for strange patterns in the melted bar, gather data, and see how waves, heat, and mathematics quietly interact inside a kitchen appliance. As we experiment, we’ll compare repeated measurements, talk about noisy data, and use ideas like the mean and standard deviation to understand how reliable our results really are. We’ll also test different chocolate brands to see which bar earns the title of “best-performing experimental equipment.” And of course, no chocolate must be sacrificed without proper… post-experiment consumption.

Workshop
Magnetic liquid from scratch

Have you ever seen those videos of a dark liquid that interact with a magnet and form small spikes away from it? These are actually magnetite oarticles in suspension, little magnetic molecules that make the liquid they are at suffer the force of a bigger magnet. In this workshop, we will sinthesize, from scratch, the smallest nanoparticles we can to obtain the best ferrofluid effect, and possibly make something out with it.

Workshop
How to survive studying abroad without miojo for breakfast

If you’re planning to study abroad (and by abroad I mean outside your city, far from mommy and daddy), and you don’t know how to cook… Bro, come learn. Unless you genuinely enjoy gourmet miojo and have no issues with controlled subnutrition 🤡 Just a heads up: You’ll be cooking gnocchi di patate and pasta with our own improvised recipes, "burro e salvia" sauce, the classic pomodoro, and, for absolutely no logical reason… there will also be calabresa. P.S.: This workshop is not gluten-free. As for vegan options: they exist, just don’t add cheese or calabresa. Boom, vegan.

Workshop
Fruit batteries

What happens if we insert some wires into a potato? How can it help us see in the dark? What will make a better battery: a potato or an apple? You will get answers to these questions and more during this workshop. You'll learn how a battery works and will make one with your own hands, too!

Workshop
Crochet (with a Twist)

Imagine taking a strand of yarn and shaping it into something that twists or folds in ways that ordinary geometry does not expect. In this workshop we will learn a few basic crochet stitches and use them to create small models that help us visualize how unusual surfaces behave. As we work, we will look at how increasing or decreasing stitches affects curvature, how loops can represent connections, and how a simple pattern can hint at ideas from topology. Holding these shapes in your hands makes it easier to see how a surface can turn back on itself or join in surprising ways, and why mathematicians study such objects in the first place. This workshop requires no prior crochet experience. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to let yarn transform into shapes that challenge your geometric intuition.

Workshop
Origami Paper Lanterns

The Schwarz lantern is named after German mathematician Hermann Schwarz. It can be folded from a flat piece of paper using the Yoshimura crease pattern - tessellation of the plane by triangles of the same shape. In this workshop, you will learn how to fold these paper lanterns with a nice geometrical surface design and flameless LED candles. You will also discover how they are connected with Renaissance paintings of the 15th-16th centuries, including the Mona Lisa.

Workshop
Best Statistical Graphic Ever Drawn

"It seems to defy the pen of the historian by its brutal eloquence." "It may well be the best statistical graphic ever drawn." Why did this chart earn such glowing praise from two experts 100 years apart? How does it achieve the combination of complexity and clarity, quantitative data and human, emotional context? In this workshop, we will explore the design choices that made this chart a masterpiece, and that can help you transform your data into captivating stories.

Workshop
Smelling good: synthesizing scents

Some organic compounds have distinctive aromas found in various foods and perfumes. Among them, esters are particularly important, as they exist naturally in many fruits but also can easily be produced in the lab, creating artificial flavorings. In this acitivity you will perform real-life reactions and use laboratory equipment to obtain and purify these molecules. Come to our workshop and lets synthesize our own fragrancies using the power of organic chemistry!

Workshop
Stitch Perfect: Suturing!

Ever wondered what it's like to have a surgeon's steady hands and precision? Join us to learn the fascinating art of suturing just like real surgeons! Under the guidance of experienced physician, you will discover the different types of sutures, practice your technique on realistic training materials, and master the delicate skills that surgeons use to save lives every day. Whether you're considering a career in medicine, love hands-on learning, or simply want to try something completely new, this workshop will give you a taste of what it's like to work in the operating room.

Workshop
The emergent atom

Atoms are the building blocks of much of the world around us. Its detailed explanation in terms of an emergent structure built from simpler electrons and protons is one of the greatest achievements of quantum mechanics. In this workshop we will discuss the basic principles responsible for the formation of the atom and illustrate these principles and some of its properties through simple experiments.

Workshop
Quantum nonlocality

In quantum mechanics, physical states spread out with parts that can be far away from each other. However, measurements on one part of the system can still influence results on other parts, no matter how distant they are. Here we will learn how to observe this effect and rule out all simple explanations devised by a “classical mind”. The meaning of these observations is still not fully understood, but they are commonly considered to point to a nonlocal property of our world.

Workshop
The Basics of a Protoboard

We are going to learn how a breadboard works. It may seem complicated at first, but once we understand how basic circuits work, we will create our own automatic system to turn on lights!

Workshop
Dice, Coins and Mathematics: How Computers Manipulate The Chaos

This workshop brings a collection of puzzles about how to generate random numbers. If you’ve ever used a computer program to run a raffle, or if you’ve ever done a programming exercise involving the generation of integers, then you’ve already used (even if behind the scenes) some algorithm for generating random numbers. What the computer does behind the curtain is to transform one specific kind of randomness (called a uniform distribution) into another. The aim of this workshop is to use dice, coins, and roulettes to illustrate the main ideas behind how to transform “one type of randomness” (which we actually call a distribution) into another. Even though dice and coins may seem simple, the ideas presented here form the foundation for algorithms that generate more complex distributions, which are essential for Monte Carlo methods used across various branches of engineering and statistics.

Workshop
Meat the Molecules

Discover what transforms a good steak into a great one as we explore the Maillard reaction—the chemical process responsible for that irresistible golden-brown crust and complex, savory flavor. You'll learn the science behind temperature, timing, and technique to achieve restaurant-quality results at home. Whether you prefer rare or well-done, this hands-on workshop will change the way you approach your next steak.

Workshop
Bookbiding: how to make your own sketchbook

In this worksho we are using sewing materials and special paper to make personalized sketchbooks that you can take home with you. We can personalize covers amount of pages and much more!

Workshop
Pokémon, Statistics, and the Un(kn)owns of Damage Calculation

Imagine this: you're playing a mainline Pokémon game, enter a battle, click an attack and watch as the enemy Pokémon's health bar falls. But then you wonder, why did this attack coming from my Pokémon do that amount of damage to the other Pokémon? With the blessings of Statistics and Regression Analysis, we can delve into the inner machinations of damage in Pokémon and discover the full formula of how it's calculated, battling between each other to collect our data.

Workshop
How are computers made?

The building block of modern computers is the transistor, an electrical component that can behave like a switch; and the Nvidia chips driving the current AI boom have billions of them. How can such massively complex systems be designed and manufactured? In this workshop, we will go over the basics of digital design and get to play with some of the tools used by engineers in their jobs, like Verilog and FPGAs. In the process, we will learn the many stages involved in hardware design and how they fit together to make the modern world possible. [Knowledge of Boolean algebra preferred]

Workshop
Can math control safety?

What makes an airplane safe? How do autonomous cars work? In this workshop we will explore introductory control theory, which provides the tools to mathematically guarantee the performance and stability of controlled systems like those. We will learn how to read Bode and Nyquist plots, and use our knowledge to design and test our own automated rocket closed-loop controller. [Knowledge of calculus is needed.]