Take a Look at What Duke Spring Breakthrough Classes are Doing

From using March Madness to study the American presidency to kissing puppies or walking through the marshes of Beaufort, Duke Spring Breakthrough is a hands-on education for 93 Duke students. 

The concept is to put bright students in gradeless, low-pressure classes on fascinating topics and inspire their imaginations. Now in its second year, the number of courses increased to 12. Under the guidance of Duke faculty, the students got busy right off beginning this past Sunday. Here are some of the images the students and others have collected so far during the week:

Puppies!

Crabs in the Marsh

At the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, students spent five days mucking around in the marsh led by three Marine Lab faculty members. 

 

Meanwhile, in Beaufort...students in the Mucking About in the Marsh spring breakthrough course explore marine life at the @ncaquariumpks. #pictureduke #dukestudents #duml #dukesb18 #dukemarshmadness //PC: @emilysbernhardt

A post shared by Duke University (@dukeuniversity) on Mar 13, 2018 at 7:18am PDT

Building a Bike

Classical studies professor Josh Sosin is well-known for his dedicated bike commutes. His Spring Breakthrough class will enhance their engineering skills in constructing a lightweight bicycle. Plans are to auction off the bike and use the proceeds to buy bicycles for a number of low-income Durham children.

 

How to make and assemble a bike in 5 days in 3..2...1 courtesy of Josh Sosin’s spring breakthrough class. #dukesb18 #pictureduke #dukestudents

A post shared by Duke University (@dukeuniversity) on Mar 15, 2018 at 8:03am PDT

Seeding the Presidents

There's been a lot of excitement over in the Sanford School of Public Policy where Duke POLIS' Presidential March Madness class is debating the merits and weaknesses of the 43 US presidents competing in a March Madness bracket. The top seeds: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman.

Jimmy Carter wins! The upset of the @DukeU / POLIS #PresidentialMarchMadness tournament. There's a growing class sentiment that, to an extent, personal morality supersedes presidential accomplishments. #slavery. #DukeSB18 @DukeSanford @DukeStudents @CarterCenter @CarterLibrary pic.twitter.com/3FUKWtJ888

— POLIS (pä-ləs) (@PolisAtDuke) March 14, 2018

Science and Faith

Ray Barfield, a medical school and divinity school professor co-taught “Believe it or not! Science and Faith in an Age of Unreason” with Alex Glass, who teaches in the Nicholas School of the Environment.

They brought in to Duke improv artists (pictured below) to illustrate a supportive, collaborative approach to conversation with people with different world views. “What improv has taught me is akin to data gathering,” Barfield told the students. “It’s hard for people like us because we’re driven from the time we’re young to win, to dominate, to outthink, to get the A. In this time of polemics, of soundbites, and name-calling, maybe we can reintroduce a phase of inquiry that involves patience, grace and the idea it’s ok to make a mistake.”