Splash Spring 2026
Course Catalog

Let's give boring aluminum a personality! In this class you will learn how to create art on aluminum using the power of electricity and nail polish!


Class Style
Workshop

Like Robots? The Northeastern Mars Rover Team presents an introduction to robotics with examples for how to build, control, and program our rover’s robotic arm!

We’ll provide an introduction into a variety of different topics including motors, encoders, Motor Control algorithms, and more!

We’ll try out a few different control methods, and see live how they perform on the rover!


Class Style
Demonstration

Prerequisites
For one section of the class basic trigonometry knowledge is helpful but not required!

You have a secret. You need to protect it. Yet, how well can you protect it?
Find out in this class where we will learn about how others can try to expose your secret and how you can protect your secret through a little mini group project and real life examples.


Class Style
Activity

This course will teach the international signal for help and how being aware can save lives.

We will discuss the steps of supporting a victim that speaks out, and how to identify abuse and trafficking in different settings.

Learn what to do if you ever encounter a situation where you're being abused or trafficked, and what resources are available.


Class Style
Discussion

Learn the basics of Spanish in a conversation based class.


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
N/A

As of late, there's been a ton of hype surrounding generative AI technology and plenty of predictions made ranging from how it might be the future or might take over the world, but how does it actually work?

We'll learn about a variety of different types of models, including LLMs (Large Language Models, like ChatGPT), Image Generation AI (DALLE, Stable Diffusion), classifiers (general image/object recognition), upscalers (Nvidia DLSS), suggestion AI (Youtube Algorithm), and more!

We'll talk about how AI is an interesting technology with valid uses cases, but also how it messes up in many of the places people are trying to use it.

We'll also talk about how hype and propaganda can influence technology trends and why we may be living in a AI-fueled economic bubble.


Class Style
Presentation/Lecture

Come learn about what makes the internet tick, from websites, to apps, to games! We'll learn about how computers talk to each other, how websites work, and to be honest probably far too many acronyms* – a cheat sheet will be included :)

We'll also learn about some of the cybersecurity side. What does it actually mean for someone to know your IP address? How do people "hack" websites? Come and find out!

*Including but not limited to: IP, HTML/CSS/JS, HTTP/HTTPS, DNS, BGP, URLs, DDoS, XSRF, and XSS.


Class Style
Presentation/Lecture

Ever wanted to learn about how emoji work behind the scenes? This class might be for you.

Come learn about Unicode, an international standard for text that includes thousands of characters including the simple letter "a", the large and mysterious "𒈙" and even "👍".

We'll also learn about why emoji and Unicode tend to break everything, from invisible usernames to text messages that crash your phone.


Class Style
Presentation/Lecture

Why can some people not have peanuts? Why are some people never sick, while others get the flu every time flu season rolls around? How are diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and arthritis all related? It's the immune system!
Learn about the different components of the immune system and how it does (and sometimes doesn't) keep you healthy. We will also cover vaccine mechanisms and common immune-related illnesses, and how modern medicine uses immunological concepts for innovation in care.


Class Style
Presentation/Lecture

Ever want to eat DNA? You do every day! But you ever want to see and touch a big glob of it? You can here! In this class you will participate in a DNA lab exercise consisting of smashing fruit. You will also be learning about what DNA is and why we can do what we're doing.


Class Style
Experiment

Have you ever wondered if we're alone in the expanse of space? What exactly are the rovers searching for on the surface of Mars? We'll dive into the field of astrobiology, the newest discoveries from across the solar system, and think about what the future of space exploration could look like. Get ready to get your hands wet with some experiments for detecting life!


Class Style
Experiment

You - everything you consider to be your personality, thoughts, identity - are dictated by electrical and chemical signals in a blob of jelly. That blob is in your head and called your brain! In this class, you'll learn a smorgasbord of things about sentient jelly. Be prepared for wild facts, confusing contradictions, and demonstrations of brain science!


Class Style
Activity

Explore the evolution of films through history!


Class Style
Discussion

What is college even for? Should I go?? How do I even apply or know which college to choose???

If you've ever had these questions or worries, fear no more. In this class we'll have an open discussion about college - what's it for, is it worth it, and how to help you choose where to go and get started.

Note that we will NOT be reading over people's specific supplements or essays. This will serve as a general discussion and I will provide some insights and tips that I and others have used when it comes to applying for college. My advice is general and not specific to one-college, however I am happy to provide specific information on Northeastern's programs and resources.

(Note #2: Taking classes at Splash does not affect your Northeastern college application)


Class Style
Discussion

Prerequisites
Some interest in or curiosity about college