Purdue University Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute (GER²I)
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Math Meets Masterpieces: Artistic Adventures in Geometry
Math Meets Masterpieces: Artistic Adventures in Geometry
Discover the art in math! In Math Meets Masterpieces, you’ll create eye-catching projects like tessellations, geometric sculptures, and coordinate graphing art. Dive into symmetry and patterns, combining math skills with your unique creativity. Join us for an adventure where math meets imagination
Dinosaurs to Drones: A Time-Traveling Adventure!
Dinosaurs to Drones: A Time-Traveling Adventure!
Get ready for an epic adventure that takes you from the age of dinosaurs to the world of drones! Dig into the exciting world of paleontology with a simulated dinosaur dig, solve mysteries like a real scientist, and follow an action-packed story from New York to Montana. Through fun activities and exciting discussions, you’ll uncover how the world has changed over millions of years. Choose your own path, explore fascinating discoveries, and unleash your curiosity on this unforgettable journey!
Fun Filmmaking
Fun Filmmaking
Positions, everyone! Lights, camera, action! Sure, we know the stars in front of the camera, but what about the masterminds behind it? Movie producers and directors tell stories in compelling ways that have a lasting effect on their audiences. We’ll explore the fundamentals of filmmaking using recording and editing equipment to tell stories that will wow your GER²I camp audience!
The Investigators: Cracking Mysteries with Logic and Creativity
The Investigators: Cracking Mysteries with Logic and Creativity
Step into the thrilling world of detective work! In this handson course, you’ll sharpen your investigative instincts through immersive mysteries, interactive challenges, and exciting outdoor activities. Work together with your classmates to think critically, solve puzzles, and unlock your creativity as you dive into the role of a detective and storyteller. Investigate clues, analyze evidence, and piece together the mysteries—your journey to becoming a skilled sleuth starts here!
No Quick Fix: Be a Doctor and Solve the Mystery!
No Quick Fix: Be a Doctor and Solve the Mystery!
Step into the shoes of a doctor in this thrilling course! Explore the tiny world of cells and how they work together in the human body to fight off diseases like tuberculosis. Uncover clues about how the immune system, healthcare, and education all connect to keep people healthy. Solve mysteries, investigate causes, and discover cures while learning how systems work together in exciting and surprising ways. Get ready to explore the science of staying healthy
Problem Solving 101: Thinking as a Scholar
Problem Solving 101: Thinking as a Scholar
Unleash your inner problem solver! Elevate your problem-solving prowess and stand out in any endeavor! In this dynamic course, you will cultivate essential problem-solving skills, navigate challenges with confidence, and transform obstacles into opportunities. You will craft a unique challenge, and through innovative problem-based learning, discover the transformative power of designing and conquering obstacles on your terms.
It’s Not Rocket Science! Oh, Wait, Yes It Is!
It’s Not Rocket Science! Oh, Wait, Yes It Is!
Did you know that a fully assembled NASA rocket can be 184 feet tall and weigh 4.5 million pounds?! Think about how much force it takes to lift that rocket into our atmosphere and beyond! Let’s explore the forces and other scientific principles behind successful rocket launches and landings (on a much smaller scale, of course).
The Investigators: Cracking Mysteries with Logic and Creativity
The Investigators: Cracking Mysteries with Logic and Creativity
Step into the thrilling world of detective work! In this handson course, you’ll sharpen your investigative instincts through immersive mysteries, interactive challenges, and exciting outdoor activities. Work together with your classmates to think critically, solve puzzles, and unlock your creativity as you dive into the role of a detective and storyteller. Investigate clues, analyze evidence, and piece together the mysteries—your journey to becoming a skilled sleuth starts here!
The Wonder and Magic of Chemistry
The Wonder and Magic of Chemistry
Chemistry is all around us—from the food we eat to the air we breathe! With our buddy, the MOLE, we’ll explore foundational concepts like the organization of the periodic table, chemical equations and reaction types, and the importance of an atom’s nucleus in atomic power. You’ll come away with a new sense of wonder and appreciation of chemistry that will help you see the how chemistry affects our everyday lives, even in ways we do not recognize.
Design Thinking for Change: Innovation, Empathy, and Sustainability
Design Thinking for Change: Innovation, Empathy, and Sustainability
In this hands-on Design Thinking course, you’ll learn to solve real-world problems through creativity, empathy, and rapid prototyping. Engage in activities like Empathy Mapping to understand user needs, and tackle challenges by creating innovative solutions with quick iteration and feedback. Put your skills to the test in a Sustainability Hackathon, where you’ll work in teams to address environmental issues like waste reduction or green transportation. You’ll apply Design Thinking to brainstorm, prototype, and pitch impactful solutions with a focus on sustainability and social responsibility
How to Train Your AI Learning Coach: A Personalized Learning Adventure
How to Train Your AI Learning Coach: A Personalized Learning Adventure
Unlock the future of learning with our AI-powered summer course! Discover your unique learning style, explore personalized projects, and harness the potential of AI learning coaches. Empower your mind to take control of your education and ignite your curiosity. Join us for endless and engaging educational possibilities!
Problem-Solvers: Math in the World Around Us
Problem-Solvers: Math in the World Around Us
Mathematics is a form of human intuition. We use mathematical thinking all the time to solve problems in our lives: Would you agree if a restaurant wanted to swap two 8-inch pizzas for one 12 inch pizza? Or how could you measure the height of your house’s roof without advanced tools? We will explore real-world problems, using algebra and geometry concepts to explain and understand these phenomena. Think like a mathematician!
Designing Empires
Designing Empires
Step into the world of strategy, creativity, and history as we design and build board games inspired by the most powerful empires of all time! In this hands-on course, you’ll explore the fascinating rise and fall of legendary civilizations—from the Roman Empire to the Mongol Horde, to the Ottoman Dynasty. Dive deep into the cultural, political, and military elements that made these empires powerful and enduring.
Purdue Pathfinder: Exploring Campus & Careers
Purdue Pathfinder: Exploring Campus & Careers
Explore the vibrant world of Purdue University in this exciting summer course! Students will visit renowned campus buildings, discover diverse programs, and meet expert guest teachers. From engineering labs to business schools and health sciences facilities, you’ll get an in-depth look at various disciplines. Learn about Purdue students’ academic journeys, innovative research, and real-world career opportunities. Join us for exploration, inspiration, and activities that will ignite curiousity and passion for future academic and career pursuits!
Acoustic Adventures: From Waves to Perception
Acoustic Adventures: From Waves to Perception
Discover the fascinating world of acoustics! Explore sound waves, experiment with harmonics, and dive into sound synthesis. Through hands-on activities, visualize sound, analyze audio, and see how acoustics impact everything from music to technology. Experience the science behind what we hear.
STEAM LABS ™
STEAM LABS ™
Students, engineers, artists, and hobbyists around the world design and build Rube Goldberg-style machines to satisfy society’s fascination with these creative contraptions. Apply the engineering design process to construct STEAM Machines (i.e., chain reaction machines that run on STEM and Art concepts) using everyday objects and technology such as motors, sensors, and micro-controllers. Gain experience with systems thinking and multi-team collaboration as you learn real-world engineering skills and explore pathways to engineering careers.
Science Legends: Lives and Discoveries
Science Legends: Lives and Discoveries
This course uses biographies of the renowned scientists Charles Darwin, Marie Curie, Issac Newton and Neil deGrasse Tyson to inspire students and deepen their selfunderstanding. By exploring both the achievements and challenges these scientists faced, students will gain insight into resilience and growth, dispelling stereotypes and encouraging interests in STEM careers. Through real-life connections to the fields of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy, students will engage in gamification and project based learning, developing career motivation, and perceiving scientists as relatable role models.
Nature and Architecture: Mapping the World Around You
Nature and Architecture: Mapping the World Around You
Immerse yourself in the art of capturing nature through observation, drawing, journaling, and mapping. You’ll develop foundational skills in sketching natural elements, observing environmental changes, and exploring the intersection of nature and architecture. The course will culminate in a hands-on project where you’ll create detailed maps and drafts of your surroundings. No prior experience is required—just bring your curiosity and a passion for connecting with the natural world. This course is perfect for budding artists, nature enthusiasts, and aspiring architects alike.
Disney’s Diversity: Culture and Character
Disney’s Diversity: Culture and Character
Step into the enchanting world of Disney and discover how its iconic stories reflect the rich diversity of cultures, identities, and experiences around the globe. Through lively discussions, outdoor activities, and creative projects like poster-making, you’ll explore how Disney influences our perceptions in both fun and thought-provoking ways. Dive into how Disney films portray diverse cultures and examine the psychological impact of beloved characters like Mickey Mouse. It’s an exciting journey of storytelling, culture, and character analysis!
Art and Science of Color and Design
Art and Science of Color and Design
Did you know that science has revealed how color can influence our daily decisions and moods? This course explores the psychology of color—what it means to have a “favorite” color and what that color says about your personality. After uncovering the science behind color perception, we’ll dive into how color functions in design, and art. Through hands-on activities and analysis, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how color shapes our world and affects our emotions, choices, and creative expression.
Journalism 101
Journalism 101
These days, lots of people don’t trust the “mainstream media”—sometimes with good reason. Yet journalists are highly trained professionals whose goal is to inform people about facts. In this course, students will learn from a former journalist some of the basic principles and techniques of mainstream journalism and will work together to produce a newspaper.
Ceramic Product Design
Ceramic Product Design
Do you love the creative side of product design? Do you enjoy deconstructing functional items and re-designing them with your own creative spin? Learn the elements of working with clay and glaze while creating your uniquely engineered product. Whether it is the perfectly balanced coffee mug, a birdhouse for a specific species, or a game that isnot yet on the market, you can attempt it in this class!
Under the Scope
Under the Scope
Join us as we explore the world of microscopes to understand how and when to use them, including the range of microscopes’ power, and how to prepare samples for examining them under the scope. This course includes a special field trip to Purdue University’s Birck Nanotechnology Center, where you’ll experience powerful electron microscopes in action.
Serious Gaming for the 21st Century
Serious Gaming for the 21st Century
Did you know that “serious gaming” refers to any game that does more than simply entertain? Exercise your teamwork, problemsolving, and goal-directed muscles as you engage in competitive and collaborative electronic or tabletop games with a greater purpose. Consider how serious gaming can enhance skills and future career possibilities in computer game technology, media and communications, and education.
Rockin’ Discoveries: A Geologic Adventure
Rockin’ Discoveries: A Geologic Adventure
Geology may be the study of rocks, but rocks tell stories from the past and are key to future adventures. Let’s think like geologists who explore Earth history through the record of volcanoes, mountains, earthquakes, fossils, and more! You’ll learn how to “read the rocks” and create a geologic adventure of your own.
STEAM LABS ™
STEAM LABS ™
Students, engineers, artists, and hobbyists around the world design and build Rube Goldberg-style machines to satisfy society’s fascination with these creative contraptions. Apply the engineering design process to construct STEAM Machines (i.e., chain reaction machines that run on STEM and Art concepts) using everyday objects and technology such as motors, sensors, and micro-controllers. Gain experience with systems thinking and multi-team collaboration as you learn real-world engineering skills and explore pathways to engineering careers.
Literature and Performance: Bringing Texts to Life with Acting
Literature and Performance: Bringing Texts to Life with Acting
One of the most engaging and powerful ways to explore text is by turning it into a performance. In this course, students will study poems and short stories, analyzing their themes, emotions, and characters through theater-based techniques. Using acting exercises, improvisation, and voice work, they will dive deep into the text to uncover its meaning. The class will culminate in a unique project where students transform their chosen text into an original performance, bringing stories to life through creative expression and drama.
How Stars Grow and Evolve
How Stars Grow and Evolve
Join us as we explore the fascinating life cycle of stars—from their birth to their evolution over time. We’ll examine the various ways stars reach the end of their life, including the processes that lead to the formation of planetary nebulae, which contribute to many of the stunning images of nebulae captured in space. Bring your curiosity and embark on an enlightening journey through the cosmos, as we uncover the science behind some of the universe’s most captivating phenomena.
Think Like an Engineer
Think Like an Engineer
This course is designed to help students solve everyday problems using the Design Thinking process. Students will explore the five stages of Design Thinking—empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test—while applying them to realworld challenges. Through hands-on activities, students will learn to analyze problems from societal, cultural, and ethical perspectives, recognize opportunities, and develop human-centered solutions. They will also enhance teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills. By the end, students will adopt an engineer’s mindset to approach complex challenges creatively and systematically.
Leadership 101
Leadership 101
Do you want to make a difference in your own community, become the CEO of a multinational company, or become the president of a country one day? If so, you are going to need a toolbox of essential, well-developed skills all leaders must possess. Participate in interactive scenarios and other activities that will launch you on a journey to discover the leadership potential inside of you.
Art and Science of Color and Design
Art and Science of Color and Design
Did you know that science has revealed how color can influence our daily decisions and moods? This course explores the psychology of color—what it means to have a “favorite” color and what that color says about your personality. After uncovering the science behind color perception, we’ll dive into how color functions in design, and art. Through hands-on activities and analysis, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how color shapes our world and affects our emotions, choices, and creative expression.
Civilized Engineering - Clean Water and the Growth of Cities
Civilized Engineering - Clean Water and the Growth of Cities
Explore the crucial role of engineering in urban water and sanitation systems, highlighting innovations that support rapid urbanization. Students will examine historical and modern examples—such as ancient Rome and today’s cities—focusing on how engineering prevents disease outbreaks through water treatment and waste management. The course also covers the life of Garrett Morgan, a pioneering African American engineer, and introduces Arduino circuits for water testing. Through case studies and activities, students will gain an appreciation for the impact of civil engineering on public health and urban living.
Constructing the Abstract: A Workshop in Thought Experiments
Constructing the Abstract: A Workshop in Thought Experiments
This course explores famous thought experiments in philosophy, such as the Trolley Problem, and teaches students how to create their own. Students will examine key philosophical topics including morality, metaphysics, epistemology, and logic, learning how thought experiments address complex questions beyond empirical verification. Through discussions and analysis of thought experiments like Schrödinger’s Cat and the Ship of Theseus, students will develop the skills to construct philosophical arguments, challenge existing ideas, and deepen their understanding of concepts like rights, duties, and decision-making.
The Heart of the Matter
The Heart of the Matter
This course offers an in-depth exploration of cardiovascular physiology, emphasizing the vital role of the cardiovascular system in health. Through interactive activities and demonstrations, students will study topics such as vascular anatomy, blood pressure regulation, cardiac cycle, gas exchange, and renal physiology. Key activities include building models of the vascular system, exploring Poiseuille’s equation, simulating blood flow, and creating models of muscle contraction. Students will also engage in case studies, pathophysiology scenarios, and virtual anatomy labs, enhancing their understanding of cardiovascular health and disease
Real News: How Journalists Work
Real News: How Journalists Work
Students will explore the principles and techniques of mainstream journalism, learning from a former journalist. They’ll work together to produce a newspaper while critically engaging with today’s media landscape, where misinformation is common. Students will practice the SIFT method for evaluating sources, explore search algorithms, and develop skills in lateral reading and fact checking. The course will also cover topics like confirmation bias, deceptive media, and AIgenerated misinformation through hands-on activities and games, helping students navigate digital content responsibly.
Serious Gaming for the 21st Century
Serious Gaming for the 21st Century
Did you know that “serious gaming” refers to any game that does more than simply entertain? Exercise your teamwork, problemsolving, and goal-directed muscles as you engage in competitive and collaborative electronic or tabletop games with a greater purpose. Consider how serious gaming can enhance skills and future career possibilities in computer game technology, media and communications, and education.
Code & Conquer: Puzzle and Word Game Mastery in MATLAB
Code & Conquer: Puzzle and Word Game Mastery in MATLAB
In this interactive course, students will learn to code using MATLAB by creating puzzles and word games. No prior coding experience is required. Students will explore programming basics, MATLAB syntax, and logic skills while building fun projects like a “Hangman” game and coding their own versions of classics like Wheel of Fortune, Minesweeper, and Wordle. The course combines short lessons, hands-on activities, individual and group projects, and challenges to help students sharpen their programming skills in an engaging way
How Humans Fly? Secrets Behind Flying Machines
How Humans Fly? Secrets Behind Flying Machines
This exciting course covers the science and engineering behind rockets, aerodynamics, and space travel. Students will explore propulsion, flight mechanics, and space exploration, while examining past space missions and current trends. Topics include how airplanes overcome gravity, principles of aerodynamics like lift and drag, and the behavior of liquids and gases in various contexts. Hands-on activities will help students understand viscosity, pressure, and flow, with tours to an aerospace department and airport to see these concepts in action.
Exploring AI: Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and Robotics
Exploring AI: Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and Robotics
Dive into the thrilling world of artificial intelligence, where you’ll learn how machines can learn and robots can think! This hands-on course introduces you to machine learning and robotics through engaging demos, followed by lessons on the fundamentals. Students will implement what they’ve learned through experiments that blend theory and practice, exploring how AI algorithms drive intelligent systems. Expect plenty of visual content to help you grasp the math behind machine learning, all while programming robots to bring your knowledge to life.
The Power of Words
The Power of Words
Embark on a journey through history by exploring the documents that shaped our world. In this discussion-driven, project-based course, we will dive into some of the most influential texts ever written, from the Magna Carta to the Declaration of Independence to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and beyond. These are the documents that sparked revolutions, reshaped societies, and transformed the course of histor
Design & Prototyping of Smart Toys and Robots
Design & Prototyping of Smart Toys and Robots
Build upon your knowledge of electronics, programming, sensors, and design to create smart toys and robots. Create technologies you control from your cell phone using everyday recyclables, circuits, and more, and work in collaborative teams to design and build a creative final project. We’ll also explore the Internet of Things (IoT), the ever-growing network of physical objects for internet connectivity. If you’re serious about engineering and technology, the skills you learn and the products you create at GER2I will be especially useful when applying for engineering and technology-based college programs.
Exploring your Roots: Plants, Cultures, Communities, and You
Exploring your Roots: Plants, Cultures, Communities, and You
This course explores the themes of origin and belonging through the lens of plants, culture, community, and family roots. Students will examine root causes of social issues and learn to address them using practical tools for social change. Through field trips, films, discussions, and research, participants will investigate youth advocacy movements like education access and climate change. The course relies on several activities such as a personalized “Root Cause Tree” to apply leadership skills toward tackling a chosen community issue.
Secret Science of Movement: Exploring Human Biomechanics and Humanoid Robots
Secret Science of Movement: Exploring Human Biomechanics and Humanoid Robots
Explore the fundamentals of human movement through the study of kinetics (forces) and kinematics (motion). This course integrates biomechanics principles to enhance understanding in fields such as rehabilitation, sports science, and ergonomics, while also providing the fundamental structural background for humanoid robots, fostering practical applications for improving performance and injury prevention.
Game Theory and Global Politics
Game Theory and Global Politics
We need gifted leaders like you to promote world peace and international cooperation. Learn and use game theories such as Nations as Actors, Resource Wars, and Hard Power vs. Soft Power to understand how and why nations make decisions on foreign policy. Apply these principles to current events and to your own international policy strategy through playing strategic games.
Constructing the Abstract: A Workshop in Thought Experiments
Constructing the Abstract: A Workshop in Thought Experiments
This course explores famous thought experiments in philosophy, such as the Trolley Problem, and teaches students how to create their own. Students will examine key philosophical topics including morality, metaphysics, epistemology, and logic, learning how thought experiments address complex questions beyond empirical verification. Through discussions and analysis of thought experiments like Schrödinger’s Cat and the Ship of Theseus, students will develop the skills to construct philosophical arguments, challenge existing ideas, and deepen their understanding of concepts like rights, duties, and decision-making.
Yea or Nay? Mathematical Voting Theory
Yea or Nay? Mathematical Voting Theory
You might be surprised how often you use various forms of voting in your daily life. Even before you can vote in government elections, you might ask everyone where they want to eat and then use a simple majority to pick the most popular place. You might also allow votes for and votes against their restaurant choices. Cast your vote for this class, and let’s take a deep dive into voting theor
Finding Literary Meaning in Film and Pop Culture
Finding Literary Meaning in Film and Pop Culture
Explore the intricate interplay between literature, film, and pop culture in this honors-level course. Analyze iconic works to uncover hidden layers of meaning, dissect cinematic techniques, and decode the cultural significance of contemporary media. Elevate your critical thinking and cultural literacy through engaging discussions and thought-provoking assignments.
Civilized Engineering - Clean Water and the Growth of Cities
Civilized Engineering - Clean Water and the Growth of Cities
Explore the crucial role of engineering in urban water and sanitation systems, highlighting innovations that support rapid urbanization. Students will examine historical and modern examples—such as ancient Rome and today’s cities—focusing on how engineering prevents disease outbreaks through water treatment and waste management. The course also covers the life of Garrett Morgan, a pioneering African American engineer, and introduces Arduino circuits for water testing. Through case studies and activities, students will gain an appreciation for the impact of civil engineering on public health and urban living.
Think Like an Engineer
Think Like an Engineer
This course is designed to help students solve everyday problems using the Design Thinking process. Students will explore the five stages of Design Thinking—empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test—while applying them to real-world challenges. Through hands-on activities, students will learn to analyze problems from societal, cultural, and ethical perspectives, recognize opportunities, and develop human-centered solutions. They will also enhance teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills. By the end, students will adopt an engineer’s mindset to approach complex challenges creatively and systematically.
Electrochemistry Drives Our Lives
Electrochemistry Drives Our Lives
Electrochemistry is the driving force behind our everyday lives! From the batteries which power our cars to solar panels which offer us renewable energy, electrochemistry is everywhere. In this class, you will play the role of a laboratory researcher who wants to make the most of practical electrochemistry to improve our everyday lives.
Creative Writing Workshop
Creative Writing Workshop
Explore the realms of creative writing in this hands-on workshop! Learn about writing fiction and poetry. We’ll brainstorm, free-write, peer review, and share stories and poems as we try creative methods and techniques to improve and amplify our writing skills. We will look at different genres of poetry and experiment with a variety of those genres. Raise your voices and write amazing stories based on experiences and imagination.
How to Win: Mathematical Game Theory
How to Win: Mathematical Game Theory
Everyone plays games, but not everyone wins. What if I told you that you can increase your chances for winning more games using math? Let’s discover the math behind games without chance, that is, games that don’t involve randomness, like rolling dice or spinning a wheel. Using algebra and other mathematical concepts, we’ll learn strategies to solve non-random games and how to design your own games that you’re sure to win!
Code & Conquer: Puzzle and Word Game Mastery in MATLAB
Code & Conquer: Puzzle and Word Game Mastery in MATLAB
In this interactive course, students will learn to code using MATLAB by creating puzzles and word games. No prior coding experience is required. Students will explore programming basics, MATLAB syntax, and logic skills while building fun projects like a “Hangman” game and coding their own versions of classics like Wheel of Fortune, Minesweeper, and Wordle. The course combines short lessons, hands-on activities, individual and group projects, and challenges to help students sharpen their programming skills in an engaging way
Musical Acoustics: From Vibrations to Melodies
Musical Acoustics: From Vibrations to Melodies
Uncover the science behind musical instruments! Explore how different objects create sound, from drums to flutes, squeaky toys to electric instruments. Through hands-on experiments and creative projects, you’ll build instruments, analyze sound waves, and play with circuits. Dive into the fascinating world where physics and music intersect!
How Humans Fly? Secrets Behind Flying Machines
How Humans Fly? Secrets Behind Flying Machines
This exciting course covers the science and engineering behind rockets, aerodynamics, and space travel. Students will explore propulsion, flight mechanics, and space exploration, while examining past space missions and current trends. Topics include how airplanes overcome gravity, principles of aerodynamics like lift and drag, and the behavior of liquids and gases in various contexts. Hands-on activities will help students understand viscosity, pressure, and flow, with tours to an aerospace department and airport to see these concepts in action.
Design & Prototyping of Smart Toys and Robots
Design & Prototyping of Smart Toys and Robots
Build upon your knowledge of electronics, programming, sensors, and design to create smart toys and robots. Create technologies you control from your cell phone using everyday recyclables, circuits, and more, and work in collaborative teams to design and build a creative final project. We’ll also explore the Internet of Things (IoT), the ever-growing network of physical objects for internet connectivity. If you’re serious about engineering and technology, the skills you learn and the products you create at GER2I will be especially useful when applying for engineering and technology-based college programs.
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