January 2026

Burst the Bubble programs are free, student-led, non-credit sessions where students who have a talent, interest, or skill share their knowledge with their peers. Burst the Bubble programs are offered during Winter Term and are open to all students at Elon University. Burst the Bubble programs do not include homework, tests, outside assignments or grades. There is no faculty or staff involvement in facilitating the programs.

BTB 001: Andor: Reflections on Liberty & Humanity

Facilitator: Caleb Williams 
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Do you love watching great television? Do you enjoy diving into what makes us human from a variety of academic perspectives? In this BTB program, participants will have the opportunity to watch the critically acclaimed series Andor and collaboratively explore its masterful depictions of human nature and resistance in the face of oppression. Anticipate discussion-based meetings that include a variety of thought-provoking activities.

BTB 002: Contemplative Cloudwatching & Cognitive Flexibility

Facilitators: Jacob Bradshaw and Jonathan Loeb
Day/Time: Mondays, 5:00pm – 6:00pm

A comprehensive workshop for the modern, curious mind. Methods include but are not limited to exploratory mindfulness techniques; chair spinning; brain-yoga; ceiling-staring meditations; nature walks; and so much more.

BTB 003: Dorm Room Gourmet: Flavors on a Dime

Facilitator: Melanie Rodgers 
Day/Time: Mondays, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Ever get tired of plain ramen or flavorless pasta? Dorm Room Gourmet: Flavors on a Dime is all about transforming cheap and basic ingredients into delicious, creative meals using simple seasoning and sauce tricks. No fancy tools, no experience needed — just curiosity, creativity, and an appetite for good food on a budget!

BTB 004: Feel the Beat: In Heals

Facilitator: Aniya Hogan  
Day/Time: Mondays, 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Be Free. Be You. Be Bold. Join me for a fun expression beginning level class. Dancing in heels or your feet join me for a confident boost and good exercise!

BTB 005: How to Improvise: Thinking on Your Feet

Facilitator: Please Clap! Improv 
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Join the Please Clap! Improv Board as we teach fundamental behavior and skills for improv. We would focus on improvisational comedy, teaching how to adapt mentally for any sort of wacky situation that you may find yourself in.

BTB 006: Introduction to Adobe Animate

Facilitators: Nicolette Shifrin and Virginia Vance
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Art is cool, but you know what’s cooler? Art that moves. Come make stuff fly across the screen and gain a neat resume skill in the process.

BTB 007: Introduction to Stand Up Comedy – Writing a Tight 5

Facilitator: Adam Arno 
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Have you ever wanted to be a funny friend? Do you feel you have a fun story to tell or an interesting perspective to explore? Stand-up comedy is a way to present your ideas in a way that an audience will love! This course will teach you the basics of joke structure, different types of jokes, and the basics of performing. By the end of the course, you will have worked on a 5-minute set that you can take and perform at one of the HAHA events in the spring! We will work on your sets each week and receive personal feedback!  No experience needed, all are welcome!

BTB 008: Justice for the Wrongfully Convicted: Understanding and Taking Action

Facilitator: Charlie Stille  
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

What if you were convicted of a crime you didn’t commit? Join us for an interactive workshop, uncovering the real stories of wrongfully convicted individuals and the flaws in our justice system that put innocent people behind bars. Together, we’ll explore how students at Elon can take action, advocate for justice, and help launch a new movement on campus dedicated to reform and innocence advocacy.

BTB 009: K-DNS: K-Pop Dancing N Singing

Facilitators: Ashanti Horton and K-DNS
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Join K-DNS for a fun K-pop workshop where you’ll learn choreography to a popular K-pop song. During these sessions, we’ll practice, perfect, and film the routine, so we can watch our performance come to life at the end.

BTB 010: Let’s NihonGO! Learning Beginners Japanese

Facilitator: Gloria Tena 
Day/Time: Mondays, 7:00pm – 8:00pm

こんにちは！Konnichiwa! Hello! Ever wanted to learn Japanese, Japanese culture, been interested in Japan or Japanese culture, or travel to Japan? If you said yes! (はい！Hai!), join this program to learn all about it! This workshop will cover beginner-level Japanese skills, from simple words to introducing yourself to even writing your own name in Japanese.

BTB 011: Making Mascots: Five Nights at Freddy’s Reinvention of Horror

Facilitator: Emma Briceno
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Interested in games and don’t know where to start? Peek behind the curtains of horror and history as we discover how games like Five Nights at Freddy’s changed the indie gaming industry for gamers and designers alike! With fun, fandom, and Freddy, this class gives you an easy starting place to get to know these topics, no prior knowledge needed! Come unwind the music box as we enjoy discussions on mascot horror, play quizzes for prizes, and create your own mascot without the pressures of essays and tests!

BTB 012: Prose Poetry

Facilitator: Hannah Rouse 
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

The prose poem is a form of hybrid poetry that might seem simple but has many layers to peel back. In this workshop we will look at several examples of prose poetry, discuss and analyze the craft behind them, as well as write and share some of our own.

BTB 013: Roll to Hit: An Introduction to Fifth Edition Dungeons and Dragons and other Tabletop Roleplaying Game Systems

Facilitator: Rocco Albano 
Day/Time: Mondays, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Come learn how to play 5e D&D (and other TTRPG systems as time and interest allows)! This workshop will cover character creation, basic rules, advanced mechanics, DMing, and general advice for how to play and run games. Participants will also be able to participate in a short introductory campaign, with the option to continue playing over the course of J-term and the Spring Semester.

BTB 014: Speak Easy: Speech and Debate Skills with Model United Nations

Facilitators: Lexi Anderson and Model United Nations 
Day/Time: Mondays, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Speak up. Think fast. Stand out. Join Model UN’s Speech & Debate Workshop- a fun, hands-on program to build confidence, argue your point, and own the room!

BTB 015: When Words Breathe: Finding Your Voice in Poetry

Facilitator: Khoreen Johnson 
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

The only thing keeping you from your full potential is the lack of words. Let the pen and paper speak for you.

BTB 016: Why Spiders are Cool as #%*$ – An Introduction to Arachnid Biology

Facilitator: Cal Baker
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Do you like spiders? Do you hate spiders but want to be less afraid of them? Either way, this is the workshop for you! The course will introduce you to the wonderful world of arachnids (spiders, scorpions, ticks, & more), focusing on their ecological importance, cool adaptations, and biodiversity. Many (SAFE) live specimens will be present! No prior knowledge necessary — just come with an open mind.