Courses
Winter 2024
1) Art of Nature - Grades 1 & 2
Sarah Lynch
Calling all artists! Make nature-inspired art while learning the science behind that
nature. We will have fun investigating connections among science, nature, and art
together. I can’t wait to explore and create with you!
2) Discovering Russian Culture - Grades 1 & 2
Ekaterina Myakshina
Explore the language and culture of Russia through games, dancing, and musical activities.
Learn the Russian words for numbers, family members, places, zoo animals, and more.
Watch familiar cartoons with the characters’ names in Russian and make a pretend trip
to the grocery store to buy fruits and vegetables under their Russian names. You will
tell stories using the words you learn after seeing the famous Russian nesting dolls.
3) Investigating the Natural World - Grades 1 & 2
Christy Givens
Are you curious about the world around you? Bring your scientific curiosity and join
your fellow investigators as we learn more about our astonishing planet. We will explore
patterns in nature and discover why weather, mammals, trees, and insects have an important
place in our world. Get ready to assume the role of scientists as we investigate,
observe, create, and wonder together!
4) Intro to Musical Theatre - Grades 1 & 2
Kari Carr
Do you want to sing, dance, and act? Then join us as we learn to tell a story through
song and dance! Have a blast and learn some basics of musical theatre as we explore
what it takes to put on a musical. We even put on our own show!
5) Mindful STEM Adventure - Grades 1 & 2
Jessi Hampton
Young engineers will build rafts, craft intricate snowflakes, design ramps, and construct
miniature castles. Along the way, we’ll learn the art of mindfulness, developing focus
and stress-reduction techniques to enhance creativity and problem-solving skills.
This class is an engaging blend of hands-on STEM activities and mindfulness practices
that spark curiosity and promote well-being.
6) Mix it Up! Mixed Media Art - Grades 1 & 2
Hayley Kirtley
If you are feeling creative and enjoy exploring different ways to make art, then come
on and help us mix it up! We’ll go beyond the traditional art brush to create amazing
art projects. Using your special design skills to express yourself; you will be drawing,
painting, designing, and creating. Such messy fun awaits! Your family and friends
will love seeing the great artwork you create, and you will find out that the possibilities
for creating art are endless when you “mix it up.”
7) Super Coders! - Grades 1 & 2
Sam Northern
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?
8) Acting - Grades 2 & 3
Julie Boggess
If you are interested in acting, come join our class! We will explore several acting
games and techniques. You will also choose a monologue to perform during our final
class.
9) Amazing Science Lab - Grades 2 & 3
Lyndsey Duke-Brooks
Curious junior chemists wanted for an amazing science adventure! Explore colors, solids,
liquids, gases, polymers, chemical reactions, mixtures, solutions, and so much more
through minds-on, hands-on experiments. No fancy laboratory is required, just curiosity
and the love of science exploration! *Note: This class does have some messy experiments.
10) Be a Mathemagician - Grades 2 & 3
Nicole Taylor
Would you like to be a Mathemagician? Do you get excited at the thought of solving
problems? Join us on a mathematical odyssey that includes games, puzzles, mysteries,
and magic. Each week we will explore math using a fun, minds-on, hands-on approach.
Let’s wave our mathemagical wands, develop our mathemagical powers, and astound our
friends and family!
11) Gods, Heroes, and Monsters - Grades 2 & 3
Leslie Hale
Embark on an exciting journey into the captivating world of ancient gods and legendary
heroes in this engaging Greek mythology class. Magic, heroics, battles, love, friendship,
family, adventures – the Greek myths have it all! Discover the myths of Zeus, Athena,
Hercules, and many more, and how they still are part of our everyday lives.
12) Learning with LEGO - Grades 2 & 3
Renee Hale
Did you know LEGO are for more than just building? Join us to design and test LEGO
mazes, re-create historical landmarks while exploring the history behind them, weigh
items using LEGO, and more! It’s science, math, reading, and art – all with LEGO!
13) Potter Painter Picasso Paints Pots and Pitchers - Grades 2 & 3
Miwon Choe
What would you do with a lump of clay and paintbrushes if you were Picasso? Could
you make a whimsical 3D portrait? How about zany pots with colorful designs and stories?
Did you know Picasso loved painting clay pots, pitchers, and plates, as well as anything
he can find from Monet’s Garden in Giverny? You will have to come to our PPP PPP Studio
to find out more! Let’s use our creative hands and imagination to paint like Picasso.
14) Spy Training Academy - Grades 2 & 3
Sara Spear
Calling all Junior Spies! The Junior Spy Training Academy is about to begin, and we
are looking for curious and creative minds to explore spy science. We’ll learn how
to create invisible ink messages, make a cipher to solve codes, and create our own
secret codes (we have to keep our secrets safe!). Our special training will also include
detective work such as dusting for fingerprints, using chromatography to test ink
samples, building a pom-pom shooter to create a diversion, and other techniques to
navigate the spy world. Who is ready to uncover the science behind spying, complete
the academy, and get an official Spy School Training certificate
15) Time Travelers - Grades 2 & 3
Dianne Wade
Join us on a magical journey though time! Step into our special time machine to explore
countries and times hundreds of years in the past. Your first stop will be Ancient
Egypt and a visit to the pyramids. You just might try on a toga from the ancient world
of Rome and discover how people lived in the Middle Ages with knights and castles.
You will have a lot of fun learning about different periods in history and creating
memories on each adventure!
16) Aquatic Explorers - Grades 3 & 4
Madison Staten
Dive into the wonders of the deep blue sea as we become Aquatic Explorers! In this
Ocean Odyssey class, you'll encounter the beauty and diversity of ocean life, from
shimmering schools of fish to the gentle giants of the deep. You'll be a junior marine
biologist, discovering the mysteries of the oceans and the importance of conservation.
It's a tidal wave of fun and learning you won't want to miss!
17) Code Breakers - Grades 3 & 4
Shane Baker
Join our coding class, where young minds embark on an exciting journey into the world
of programming! Our dynamic session, powered by Scratch.mit.edu, invites you to unleash your creativity through hands-on coding projects. Using Scratch's
user-friendly interface, craft interactive stories, games, and animations, fostering
a solid foundation in programming logic. But the adventure doesn't stop there! Engage
in the thrilling realm of robotics with LEGO Spike, where you bring your designs to
life. Through a blend of imagination and engineering, you'll tackle challenges, enhance
problem-solving skills, and witness the magic of your creations moving and responding
to commands. Become a Digital Wizard! Huzzah!
18) Inventors Workshop - Grades 3 & 4
Jennifer Sheffield
Do you love building things and making stuff? Do you enjoy being creative and using
your imagination? Then get ready to be a creative engineer in Inventors Workshop!
Design the ultimate pet habitat, machines to fix life’s little problems, and inventions
to help save the world. You’ll explore the design-thinking process and build prototypes
of your one-of-a-kind ideas using household items, art supplies, and recycled/repurposed
random objects. Let’s make stuff – and maybe even save the world along the way!
19) Lost in Space - Grades 3 & 4
Candace Davis
Are UFOs real? We see them on TV, in movies, and on social media – but are they real?
Together we’ll get lost in space as we explore the possibility that there are other
planets that have life. As we travel into space, we’ll explore the world of ”aliens,“
UFOs/UFPs, and planets in our solar systems that may be livable. Using Newton's Three
Laws of Motion, we’ll make rockets and a constellation viewer. We’ll also create some
STEM alien challenges and create a planet! Strap on your science helmet, and let's
explore space together.
20) Science Spectacular Saturdays - Grades 3 & 4
Kaleigh Davenport
Explore the spectacular world of science with lots of fun, messy, gooey activities.
We'll master chemical reactions using Pop Rocks and individual baggie experiments
– what a yummy way to learn! We'll also discover the different properties of matter
through goo and learn how to create a chain reaction. Get your curiosity caps on and
join our science spectacular Saturdays!
21) World Rhythms Dance Journey - Grades 3 & 4
Kierra Chandler
Dance enthusiasts unite! In World Rhythms Dance Journey, we will experience a variety
of dance styles from around the world and learn some of the history of how these dances
came to be. You’ll create your own dance pieces and learn to express yourself through
creative movement. Let’s go dancing!
22) Fairy Tale Mock Trials - Grades 4 & 5
Harmony Hendrick
Have you heard tales about The Big Bad Wolf? What about Goldilocks? When you read
those stories, did you happen to think "Wow! I bet there's a law against that behavior?"
If you did, this class is for you. Join us as we explore the court system, learn the
parts of a trial, and ensure that some fairy tale baddies get their day in court.
Be ready to play your part and see that justice is served!
23) Team Up for STEM - Grades 4 & 5
Tara Tinsley
Did you know that aerodynamics and the shape of a football matter when throwing the
perfect pass? Or that physics and the laws of motion are important to the game of
basketball? STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is everywhere
and that includes all sports! There are connections between each touchdown, slam dunk,
hockey score, and home run to STEM. We’ll explore some of these connections and then
you’ll design, plan, and test STEM challenges related to sports. Come join our learning
team!
24) American Sign Language - Grades 4, 5, & 6
Holly Bryant & Piper Poteet
Come learn your ABCs, 123s and much more. This course is open to all levels of knowledge
and will be geared toward learning and reviewing the basics of American Sign Language.
We will also look at grammar rules, common requests, geography, beginning dialogues,
and more. Each class will contain a student led Q&A to cater the class to the learners!
Do you have what it takes to talk with your hands? If so, this is the class for you.
(Students who took this class in Fall Super Saturdays are welcome to join this class to review and advance their skills.)
25) Build a Play - Grades 4, 5, & 6
Shawn Quinn
Do you like acting? Do you like making up stories? Do you think we could make up a
play and perform it in just 3 weeks? I bet we can! Join us and go from blank canvas
to a full (short) play. We will explore writing, costumes, props, and performance.
26) Lens Lessons - Grades 4, 5, & 6
Lily Thompson
Do you have 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 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.)
27) Into the Paintingverse - Grades 4, 5, & 6
Sydney Young
Have you ever thought about how art styles differ? Let’s explore how art changes –
and stays the same – from one style to another. You’ll choose an animal and learn
to paint that animal in different art styles throughout our journey. Cartoon style,
expressionism, abstract art – what is your favorite form of expression? I can’t wait
to explore these different art styles with you in Painting-Verse!
28) Computational Thinking - Grades 5 & 6
Hasan Akdeniz
Join this journey to transform your problem-solving approach. Explore the wonders
of computational thinking and gain skills to navigate the digital landscape with confidence
and curiosity. Computational thinking is a superpower that prepares you to break down
complex challenges, think logically, and create innovative solutions using technology's
power. Computational thinking is not just for computer scientists; it's a set of skills
that will help everyone become better problem-solvers and prepare them for the digital
world. Get ready to sharpen your mind, unleash your creativity, and discover the magic
of turning ideas into reality!
29) Design and Code a 2D Video Game - Grades 5 & 6
Jennifer Emberton
Gamefroot is a fun way to make games, animations, and stories to share with the world!
You will learn creative coding and design thinking while experiencing the thrill of
publishing a game. Come design a game with us!
30) Engineering a Brighter Future - Grades 5 & 6
Peyton Hess & Catherine Poteet
What do parachutes, potato chips, and windmills have in common? They can be used to
help solve problems facing our world today! Join us as we study ways to deliver supplies
to those in need, design alternative energy solutions, and find other engineering
solutions to today’s problems.
31) Lost Art of Letter Writing - Grades 5 & 6
Katy Whitford
For centuries letter writing has given us insight into history and the hearts of star-crossed
lovers, but it is just as essential for everyday life. Despite the prevalence of emails
and text messages, everyone should know how to craft a genuine letter. Writing letters
improves communication and social and handwriting skills. Join us as we learn from
master communicators like Shakespeare, Johnny Cash, and Napoleon and write letters
of love, business, and much more.
32) Mysteries of the Human Body - Grades 5 & 6
Cameron Carr-Calvert, Emily Sutton, & Catherine Malin
The human body is one of the greatest mysteries of all time. 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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