NOTE: his class will get together periodically over the summer to really flesh out the intracies of building the computer, including the purchasing of parts. 

There's no greater satisfication and consternation than building your own computer. We are going to take the summer and do it right! If you are here in Nashville for at least six total weeks of June and July, then we'll get together over a few evenings and weekends to get the job done. 

This class will teach you the basics of designing and building terrain for a variety of board and wargames. We'll use a host of tools from simple handtools to highly sophisticated, large laser cutting devices. The design process is vital because each piece must be designed in a larger plan and work seemlessly therein. It's a fantastic hobby, and it's great to get started early in life on this one.  

Photo: MBA's National Championship Mock Trial Team with Nikil Misra (graduating senior & newly named Jefferson Scholar at UVA) laying down the law!  

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Your registration in this class is finalized when the head coach of the MBA Mock Trial Team, Mr. Wade Cowan [ wadebcowan@aol.com ], responds back to you. He's getting notification of your enrollment. Also, this course is only open to boys enrolled at MBA as it will engage strategic decisions for future competitions. 

Equally Important: This is a two-week class; each week operates Mon.-Fri. on the dates and times provided here. You are to attend all sessions, and if you must miss one, then please write to Mr. Cowan about this [address above] to get this ironed WELL before the class begins. Okay, here's the description:

Wade Cowan (the coach with the most state titles in Tennessee mock trial competition and numerous decades of experience) is returning to teach the boys here once again in Mock Trial this summer.  If you want to practice your mock trial skills, or learn if this is an extra curricular activity for you then sign up! 

Not everybody who wants to be on the Mock Trial Team gets on the team--they are now winning national championships afterall. However, attending this class for two week is a pretty good way to get better and get noticed! 

And finally, you might find that some requirements for the Law Merit Badge or even the Communications Merit Badge can be met by this class. Also, you might want to take a good look at Public Speaking because there appears to be some crossover there as well. If you have designs on obtaining these merit badges then work with Mr. Cowan WELL BEFORE the class takes place to see how many requirements you can meet! 

This experiential, non-performance-based course would explore songwriting, recording, storytelling, and music history through workshops, talks with music industry practicioners, guided reflection, and supervised visits to iconic Nashville music sites such as the Ryman Auditorium, Historic RCA Studio B. Students would engage with a professional songwriter and recording engineer, create original written work, and participate in a simple group recording, all while developing skills in critical listening, collaboration, and cultural literacy.

The total number of students who have taken this class is now very close to one hundred. Yet, it's this summer will only be the third time we've done it here at MBA. Suffice to say: it's popular and it's back! Now, if you took this class last year, note that there's an advanced class just for you and your fellow classmates from last year. 

This class is popular because of the outstanding teaching and keen insight of it's teacher, Mr. Brooks Tate who runs a stock market simulator for about a month after the class ends so the students can put their knowledge to work. The top three performers earn cash prizes in the form of Amazon gift cards. The top prize will be $250 once more! There are two stipulations:You must be a high school student and be present for the full four classes to qualify for the game. 

Students will learn how the stock market works overall and several different investment strategies. More importantly for you long-term financial health, each day will also include it's own topic concerning financial responsibility like, what is a credit rating and how is calculated, student loans, buying a car or house, understanding checking and savings accounts, compound interest, and what a good savings rate should be for ideal outcomes later in life.

There's a good chance that much of this material could satiate requirements for the American Business Merit Badge or even better, the Personal Management Merit Badge. If that interests you, let Mr. Tate know this WELL ahead of time. 

Note: These are some of the beasties we've painted in years past. If you look at the far right then you'll see what these dudes look like right out of the box.  

Students will be learning to paint some miniatures with paintbrushes and  airbrushes to create some awesome pieces. Students will learn all of the basic techniques and leave with an assortment of different brushes and miniatures to continue to paint on their own. 

If you have taken this class again, sign up again if you wish. You will be taught some advanced techniques if you do -- along with some cool, new minis to paint in class, and take home! 

Interestingly, a lot of requirements for the Painting Merit Badge can be delivered by this class, so if you are Boy Scout check that our WELL BEFORE our class and let Dr. Lech know if you are interested in going for this badge. 

Prerequisite: Wall Street & Personal Finance from last year

Now, If you took the advanced class please consider coming back. Mr. Tate plans to incude new strategies to ponder this year, as well as review those tried-and-true methodologies from last year.

Does an election year make a difference in the market? Will the Playfair family walk away with the big money prizes for the THIRD year in a row? Will Dorfman Securities acutally make money this year? There's only one way to find out! 

We are very happy to have an advanced class on Wall Street strategies, which is why we are holding firm to that prerequisite above. In this class, Mr. Tate will provide a more intense focus with completely new insights to playing the market.

He may have a guest speaker or two speak to their strategies and experiences, and most importantly: we'll run another Stock Market Game. It will be yet another generous prize fund, and we'll keep spread around 2nd and 3rd places too. Bring your A-game once again because everybody is going to be better! 

This is going to be a deep dive into the more intricate, sophisticated and layered mechanics developed over the last 25 years in the Board Game Industry. These games have made a fortune because of their innovatative techniques to create decision spaces for players that are enigmatic and throughly captivating.

After the class is created, students will select from these games: Fromage (2024) Planet Unknown (2022), Detective: City of Angels (2019), Dixit (2008 [and it's 10 expansions]), Puerto Rico (2004) Dominion (2000 [it's 16 expansions over the last quarter century])