Courses
Winter 2022
Courses are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will be in the same class for three weeks.
Do you ever wonder what would happen if you could help characters in a book fix their problems? Design safety equipment for Humpty Dumpty so his fall will not break him. We will test creations with an egg drop. Design extreme weather houses to prepare for wind from a variety of sources and more. Come be a STEM hero and save the characters in our favorite stories!
Come join our team of Super Coders! Super Coders will learn computer programming skills to complete fun challenges. You will operate robots and command a variety of devices to finish tasks and solve problems. Do you have what it takes to be a Super Coder?
Someone has kidnapped Big Red, and it’s up to you to save the day! You will search for clues and use chemistry to analyze what you find on the scene. What can you learn from the dirt? The fingerprints? The blood? Can you help us save Big Red before it’s too late?!
When you look up at the night sky, what do you see? What do you wonder? For centuries, astronomers have searched for knowledge about the night sky and the many beautiful objects found there — now, it’s your turn! Join me as we take a closer look at the planets, stars, moons, galaxies, asteroids, and comets found in our galactic neighborhood and beyond through virtual field trips, hands-on explorations, and astronomical engineering challenges!
How can a pencil and paper provide laughter, tears, mystery, suspense, and joy? Great writers know the answer: by creating a story! Be inspired by imaginative prompts, group dynamics, role-playing exercises, and “reading like a writer”. Gain confidence in an environment where ideas are supported and basic elements of story creation are learned as we bring our inspirations to life! Design and decorate the cover of your personal booklet to treasure your creative collection!
Would acting in a play intrigue you? Whether you are new to the world of theatre, or are already a seasoned young actor, here’s your chance to be in a play with a professional theater troupe. This three-week interactive experience immerses you in a production of three culturally diverse folk tales from the far-off mysterious lands of Africa, Japan, and ancient Greece. No prior acting experience is necessary. You’ll receive hands-on training that includes a theater adventure that culminates in a performance for family and friends in which you perform right alongside the professional actors
Think paint just comes in a bottle? And that you can only use a brush to apply it to a canvas? Expand your knowledge and applications of painting as we learn about different painting techniques, and the unique materials you can use as paint. You’ll learn how to make your own paint and create both large and small artworks to take home. Experience creatively expressing yourself by exploring the amazing possibilities of painting.
What if DaVinci had Duct Tape? What if The Egyptians had magnets? What if the Romans had velcro? History is full of engineering challenges and mysteries. How can we engineer solutions to age-old questions with modern household items? Can you solve some of history's greatest engineering challenges with a little tape, a handful of paper clips, and a coat hanger? Come find out as we get hands-on with some of the greatest engineering conundrums (and use a whole lot of duct tape).
Unleash your imagination to create your own special super villain. Using science, math, and engineering, you’ll design booby traps using trip wires, lasers, and boulders (like the one Indiana Jones had to outrun). By creating your own riddles and confounding mazes and then combining them with some cool spy methods, you’ll be sure to outthink the good guys. They will never find you on your private island, where you will have designed your home fortress with a special energy source. What powers will your super villain have?
Are you a visual learner with an eye for the creative? Photography could be your new outlet. Join an award-winning professional photojournalist in a fun hands-on dive into the art of photography. You’ll explore the ins and outs of how to document the world in front of you, letting your creativity guide you in taking your own photos. You’ll even build your own camera! Explore the world through the amazing art of photojournalism.
(Small digital camera and SD card required; no cell phone cameras please.)Where is one place you can go and make stuff up with hardly any rules? It's an Improvisation Theater! In fact, the only requirement for this class is that you "make stuff up!" In this class you will learn several improvisation games and techniques popularized by troupes like The Second City and Whose Line Is It Anyway? You will also learn things like stage presence, basic acting skills, and how to work closely with other actors. There is a warning, though--your fun factor may cause you to explode in bouts of laughter and craziness! No experience is required, no memorization is expected, and absolutely no seriousness is allowed!
Love playing games? Do you want to try making them? Join us in Computer Science Discoveries as we learn how to create animation and games using Code.org's development tools. We will learn how to create characters, make them move and interact. By the end of the 4 weeks, you will have what you need to continue to make your own game!
The human body is one of the greatest mysteries of all times. Together, we will explore and solve some of the mysteries surrounding medicine, human anatomy and physiology, genetics, and more! Throughout the program, you'll extract your own DNA, hold a heart, and leave class with a new "working" set of lungs. You'll then apply your new knowledge through medical case studies and experiments. Join us on this intriguing journey as we uncover the mysteries of the human body.
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