HEIST | Honors Program

Designed by students, for students, Honors Exchange of Ideas, Skills & Talents— HEIST— is a learning festival in which students teach and learn from one another.

In this day-long festival, students design and present their own workshops to their peers on a topic or skill they are excited about. Honors students learn from their peers as they attend up to five different workshops of their choice.

While traditional conferences give students opportunities to display academic research and creative endeavors HEIST goes further, enabling students to present on a variety of areas of interest, that may stem from their life experience, their unique hobbies, or any topic or academic area of interest that they have expertise or passion. With the University Honors Program assisting with logistics and providing supplies and refreshments, HEIST is only limited by students’ imaginations. The festival ends with a celebratory reception.

Classical Ballet meets Pop Music

Anna Birnholz

The Classical Ballet meets Pop Music workshop will be an hour long introductory ballet class focused on basic technique set to songs in the pop and alternative pop genre. The class will consist of a simple centre warm up, a few technique routines, and two brief choreographed sequences. Although classical ballet is typically characterized as strict and difficult, this workshop aims to break down this stigma by making the art form more accessible and individualistic through a fun musical twist. It is rare to see a group of dancers seeing a long to the music while performing a ballet routine, but by the end of the hour hopefully that is what everyone in the workshop will be doing. This class is open to all and no prior dance experience is necessary.

Baking Tips and Tricks, ft. free desserts!

Kayla Vestergaard

Learn how to make orange-soaked sponge cake, chocolate pudding with mint, dulce de leche, and a few other smaller goods, and taste-test some examples! Presenter will also gave tips, show examples of desserts made, and talk about items to focus on in the future. The presenter led a baking tips workshop last year at HEIST. This workshop will build confidence in baking abilities.

Zine Making Workshop

Beyer Bullard

The workshop will cover what a zine is and how to make one. A zine, short for the word magazine, is a small book that can be made with a single sheet of paper. Zines include mostly drawings with some text and usually have a social justice theme. They are easy to make and reproduce which makes them a great way for people to share their ideas with others. In this workshop, we will look at some zines, talk about what they are and how to make them and then start making our own. Students can choose any topic they want and I will help them put their ideas into zine format.

Digital Illustration in Photoshop (Creative Process Walkthrough)

Jullian Nazzaro

The workshop will be a step by step walkthrough of a digital illustration in Photoshop CC. I will show students how to create drawings using a graphics tablet. Beginning with a simple introduction to composition and reference usage, I intend to walk students through the process of sketching a digital illustration, all the way up through adding filters and optimizing an image for online platforms. I will be explaining every step of the process and plan to include tips and tricks I have picked up in my 10+ years as a professional digital illustrator with my own pet portraiture business. I hope to show students my creative process and inspire them to begin their own journey into digital art.

Calligraphy

Cailey DenonCourt

Participants will start with getting comfortable with the brush tip, and practicing the thin up stroke with the thick down stroke. Then, we will cover some simple swiggles to get used to connecting the up and down strokes. There will not be a template provided for the letters since part of calligraphy is the art form, and everyone should develop their own style, ut for reference for what the letters generally look like in calligraphy, a handout of the alphabet will be provided. We will work on placement of words from a quote that they can also decorate around, and keep as a souvenir. For Traditional Calligraphy (Nib and Ink): Some start to the modern calligraphy with having people get used to the thin up and wide down, and also experiment with how much ink should be on the nib. Also, we will focus on finding a good grip which allows for a smooth transition between the up and down strokes. On the downstroke the nib opens up to allow for more ink to go on the paper. After connecting letters, again they can start to write words on their own and eventually sentences/phrases/quotes. And once they have picked a quote or something, they can write it on a piece of paper to take with them.

Sewing

Julia Martinez

The workshop with start by teaching sewing basics such as how to use a sewing machine, which includes threading the machine, winding a bobbin, using the presser foot, and using different types of stitches on the machine. Other basics include how to do different hand stitches (back stitch, running stitch, whip stitch, etc.) and what they are used for, how to do a basic seam, how to read a pattern, how to cut fabric, and how to trace a pattern onto fabric. I’ll also cover more advanced things such as how to alter or adjust your own clothing to fit you better and how to go from a pattern to a finished piece of clothing, stuffed animal, bag, or other textile item. Throughout, I’ll also cover sewing terms for different properties of fabric, different supplies, and explain how things go together to make a final product.

Embroidery

Amelia Langan

Students can learn how to embroider onto clothing or a canvas. Students should bring clothing (jackets, shirts, shoes, pants, etc.) of their choice to embroider upon. string (specifically embroidery floss), embroidery needles, and scissors will be provided). The workshop will cover different techniques of embroidery, as well as different objects or words that people can learn to embroider. For words, attendees can also learn different fonts that they can recreate, as well as create their own fonts.

How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube for Beginners

Spencer Berg

My workshop will provide a step-by-step understanding of how to complete the three layers of a 3-by-3 Rubik’s Cube. It will begin with a thorough understanding of the Rubik’s cube, how it functions, and different moves that may be made using it, with various combinations that are both intuitive and beneficial to learning. I will then delve into the three separate layers of the cube and how to solve each of them. Hopefully, my workshop will involve audience interaction and question-and-answer to support members as they try for the first time, as the process certainly does require help and practice to ultimately be successful.

Baking Lemon Squares

Dylan Miller

This workshop will cover the general baking practices and techniques (including but not limited to proper measuring, following recipes, and kitchen safety) that are necessary to make lemon squares. Students will also learn proper time management as it is very important in the baking process of lemon squares and the ability to impress their friends with this delicious dessert. I will also cover proper food handling techniques and safety which is very important when making food for others.

Improvisation

Allison Winter

My workshop will cover the basics of comedy improvisation and how they are applicable to everyday life. This includes concepts of working as a team, saying yes and building on what others are doing, situational awareness and creativity. I want my workshop to be participation heavy. I plan to start with a basic improv game that involves students passing a motion along in a circle. This encourages physicality, participation, and connecting with the other students. After this first game, I plan to give a brief overview of the basic skills for improv and ideas to keep in mind throughout the workshop.

Where Does Our Electricity Come From?

Melissa Rath

My workshop will encompass a brief description of how utility companies work and how they charge for electricity; an understanding of how much of your bill is unchangeable and what you can change; a history of the electric grid – beginning with Tesla vs. Edison and ending with the current electric grid setup; how the grid works and why blackouts happen, emphasizing that electricity is an expected and needed commodity. We cannot function without its almost 100% reliability; how renewable energy is integrated into the grid system and how that is being balanced with the constant demand for 100% perfection; the future of electricity – microgrids, distributed generation, renewables, and storage; and j=how you can be a part of it.

How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube

Atharva Shukla

Workshop will review simpler ways to solve a Rubik’s Cube, including faster algorithms. If time permits, workshop will cover: how to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded, how to solve other dimensions, and the mathematical basis for the solution(s).

Origami

Elizabeth Racicot

This workshop will cover a few easy origami designs for students to learn and practice on their own. I’ve found that working on my origami when I’m stressed about school work is soothing. There are a variety of origami designs that I think could be something fun for students to learn!

Drawing Exquisite Corpses

Natali Rabichev

Exquisite Corpses is a drawing game in which multiple people collaborate on one drawing of a figure without seeing what their peers have drawn until the very end. Paper and some drawing utensils will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own special drawing utensils if they are able– the more variety, the better. At the end, the finished exquisite corpses will be uncovered.

Crochet

Nicole Gerzon

In this workshop I will cover basic crochet techniques including slip knots, chaining, single crochet, double crochet, and chaining off as well as going over how to read crochet patterns and find doable projects.

How to Yo-yo (Tricks and more!)

Matthew Villani

I will teach students how to properly wind, hold, and throw yo-yo’s, as well as how to catch them on the return. I will cover basic tricks, such as a sleeping yo-yo, Walk the Dog, Around the World, and Rock the Baby. Additionally, I will teach alternative yo-yo throws, such as the breakaway and the forward throw.

The Art of Photoshop for Photography

Lili Byrne

Elevate your personal photography editing with Photoshop to perfect your images and make your photography look professional. Powerful Photoshop skills will be at your fingertips– that are much easier than you think! In this workshop you will learn from photo-blogger Lili Byrne (@lili_byrne) how to expertly clean up photos and create a consistent IG feed using Photoshop and (optional) Lightroom. You will be able to remove passersby and power lines (ex’s), create a consistent editing style using filters, and design the photos you always wanted.

** Bring your own computer with Photoshop [or its free trial] downloaded.

Music: Improvisational Jam to Modern Favorites

JoJo Brennan & Mike Tormey

This workshop encourages fellow students to come, relax, sing and play music, and to learn more about how to play with other musicians. We bring a keyboard and somewhat of a singing voice, others bring whatever instrument they desire, voice or physical, and we all jam along to some of our favorite songs. The workshop is designed to be able to include folks who play any kind of instrument, from a cello to the drums. This workshop can also cover basics of improvisation of some of the most popular forms of pop music. Most of all, this workshop covers how to be comfortable not knowing everything, and how to learn on the spot and adapt to new environments.

*Bring your own instrument

Basics of Adobe Illustrator

Rithika Raj Kumar Pradeep

This workshop will cover the basics of illustrator and vector-based graphics. Through this workshop, participants will be able to learn how to use the various tools in Illustrator to create their own graphics. We will go over things like setting up the user interface, going through file settings, and various tools like the pen tool and brush tool. This workshop will also give participants the opportunity to put their newly learned skills to the test by finishing with a mini project based on the interests of the participants. We will walk through the steps of designing a graphic, then work on making it in Illustrator. This workshop is intended to provide a foundation for getting started in Illustrator, so participants can learn the important tools and skills needed for designing images, then be able to create their own pieces independently. No experience required!

*Bring your own computer with Illustrator [or its free trial] downloaded.

Basics of 2D Animation

Rithika Raj Kumar Pradeep

In this workshop we will be looking at the basics of 2D animation. Participants will learn how to work with OpenToonz, a free, open-source animation software. We will go over basic skills needed to begin animation, like setting frame rate and working with an onion skin layer. We will also cover concepts important for movement of animated objects so animations can be made smoother and cleaner. Through this workshop, participants will learn the principles of animation and be able to use them to create mini animations.

*Bring your own computer

Conversational Mandarin & Chinese Cultural Etiquette

Lin Zhang

This workshop will cover basic greetings in Mandarin that are useful in everyday conversation as well as Chinese etiquette, manners, and customs that may be relevant when meeting people from a Chinese background. Topics like self-introduction, table manners, traveling tips and general do’s and dont’s will be included. You will also learn how to address people, how to start a conversation and some of the cultural taboos that people have. Any other questions about the language or culture can be answered. If people are interested, selected Chinese poetry will be presented.

A Beginner’s Guide to Bullet-Journaling

Elisa Kodama

Have you ever wanted to bullet-journal but don’t know where to start? This workshop will will outline some basic templates and formats for creating an organized and creative bullet-journal. Merging scrap-books and planners, bullet journals are a great way to sketch out ideas, track your goals, organize your calendar, and engage the artist in you. This workshop will start at a basic level that doesn’t require a set artistic level. Bullet-journaling can be personalized in any way, inserting photos, ticket stubs, and other mementos throughout the pages to mark exciting events.

Let’s Print Plastic: Keychains & Charms with Shrink Film

Melody Liu

This workshop will cover the use of shrink film for projects. Shrink film is a unique paper-like and printable material that hardens into a thick plastic when baked. Participants will decide what project they want to create, from room decor to charms to keychains. In addition to providing shrink film, participants will be taught how to source and upscale images up so that the final charm will shrink to a predetermined size, and add properly sized elements like holes to images as cut-lines for looping in chains or ribbons.

West African Cuisine 101

Naa Momoh Odarteifio

This workshop will cover the fundamentals of West African cuisine. Although West African cuisine is not as popular as perhaps Chinese or Indian, it is similarly characterized by strong, bold flavors and aromas which are uniquely tasty. As such, this workshop will more specifically delve into the typically incorporated ingredients, spice combinations, and cooking techniques in this cuisine. Subsequently, the information learnt will be put to practice and participants will be taken through how to make Jollof rice – a popular dish in many West African countries.

Equity vs. Equality

Athena Barrett & Umin Jalloh

How is the US spending more on healthcare per person than any other advanced nation, yet still has much poorer health? This comes down to the difference between equality and equity. In this workshop, we will discuss the integral distinction between equality and equity through activities, discussions, and visuals. We will include a guide as to how knowing the difference can be applied in your daily life.

Global Voluntourism

Shalese Jordan

The goal of my workshop is to engage my peers in discourse surrounding why we feel the need to volunteer in countries hundreds of miles away when the same issues are prevalent in our own communities if we remove our biases to see it. My workshop will contain three parts: a brief description of what voluntourism is and why people do it, a breakdown of its pros and cons, and ways it can be done to ensure the work is meaningful, respectful, and meaningful. In the description of the action, I will be sure not to demonize voluntourism however, I want to make it clear that this activity in itself showcases a level of privilege that needs to be mentioned. A thorough breakdown of the benefits and detriments of the activity will be added so that we can make an informed decision about our participation. Lastly, I will provide some tips that will be useful in my experience and save time for dialogue.