PERIOD 1: 8:30 - 10 a.m.
Battles and Board Games (grades 6-8)|$225
Want to learn about military history but are bored by textbook descriptions and confusing maps? In this class, students use miniature toy soldiers and simple games to explore the history and tactics of some of America’s recent and historical conflicts. Try your hand at being history’s greatest commanders and make history!
Classics and Comics (grades 6-8)|$225
For students looking to make their mark on literary classics and defining moments in history! In every format and from around the world, comics have been eliciting emotions through engaging stories, both fiction and non-fiction. We will read from selected passages and practice giving familiar stories a new life through a combination of illustration, panel-work, handwritten captions, dialogue bubbles, and, of course, an onomatopoeia or two. Students will experience the power of storyboarding, learn the importance of first & second drafts, and find their unique artistic voice. All levels of artistic ability welcome!
Inquiring Minds (grades 6-8)|$225
Ask. Imagine. Create. Some people think that being a scientist is about knowing all the answers, but in this class, students will learn how to ask the insightful questions that can unlock the mysteries of the world around them. Through hands-on activities like rocket launches, building prototypes, and designing chain reaction machines, students will develop a foundation for problem solving and contemplating the natural phenomena of the universe.
PERIOD 2: 10:15 - 11:45 a.m.
The Art of Making (grades 6-8)|$225
Students use their hands and stretch their minds as they learn to employ computers, 3D printing and laser cutting to bring their ideas into the physical world. Starting with small assignments designed to teach the basics of these 21st century tools, students graduate to creating fun, useless inventions ("Chindogu") that combine high- and low-tech materials and techniques. The course culminates with a presentation of student work.
Bishop’s Rocks (grades 6-9)|$225
"Bishop’s Rocks" is an ensemble class that offers young musicians an opportunity to express themselves creatively and have fun “jamming” with other students in a fun and relaxed setting. This session emphasizes music of the 1980s/90s and will introduce musical and mental skills involved in creative music making: scales, 10 musical structure, storytelling, and beginning music theory. "Bishop’s Rocks" is recommended for students of all instruments with at least one year of playing experience. The class will culminate with a short performance.
Center Stage (grades 6-8)|$225
Students embrace their creative sides and gain confidence in public speaking by acting, playing, and performing in a casual and fun environment. Students will build creative skills and confidence through theater games and perform in short scenes. This course is perfect for new and experienced performers alike. No auditions or prior experience required. The class will culminate with a showcase for friends and family.
PERIOD 3: 12:15 - 1:45 p.m.
Bishop’s Rocks (grades 6-9)|$225
"Bishop’s Rocks" is an ensemble class that offers young musicians an opportunity to express themselves creatively and have fun “jamming” with other students in a fun and relaxed setting. This session emphasizes music of the 1980s/90s and will introduce musical and mental skills involved in creative music making: scales, 10 musical structure, storytelling, and beginning music theory. "Bishop’s Rocks" is recommended for students of all instruments with at least one year of playing experience. The class will culminate with a short performance.
Engineering Design (grades 6-8)|$225
In this class, students will learn some fundamental engineering concepts and basic construction methods through the process of design thinking. Multi-day collaborative projects will ask students to stretch their minds and skill sets in creating solutions to design challenges while staying within parameters. The class focuses on battles against the limits of time, materials, size, weight, etc., instead of against each other. Towers, bridges, shelters, boats, how can you make your group’s ideas evolve toward their most successful versions?
Laughing Out Loud: Introduction to Improvisation (grades 6-8)|$225
What makes you laugh? Do you like to make others laugh? Through improv games and exercises, students learn the elements of comedy improvisation while having fun creating "instant theater" with trust and teamwork. Students will build writing and performance skills while learning to "say yes" to their partners and that it’s okay to "fail big!" The course will culminate with a fully-improvised comedy performance that will truly demonstrate you don't need a script to delight and impress!
Street Art (grades 6-8)|$225
Students will learn to appreciate and understand the role graffiti and public art has made in the development of culture. From cave painting to contemporary art, students will gain exposure and learn the techniques of "writerz script," spray paint fonts, stencils and mural work. Art foundations of perspective, shading and color are taught along with hands-on art making.
Summer Sports and Games (grades 6-8)|$225
Working with expert coaches, students can learn a new sport or develop more proficient skills in a familiar one. Sports and games might include flag football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, capture the flag, tennis and others depending on student interest. Students also learn to practice good sportsmanship and leadership.
PERIOD 4: 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Science FUNdamentals (grades 6-8)|$225
Students will engage with a variety of hands-on experiments with a unifying focus on building fundamental science skills such as setting up experimental procedures, identifying variables and controls, making quality observations, analyzing data and making evidenced based claims. Experiments and discussions will draw from a variety of science disciplines including chemistry, biology, environmental science and physics. Examples of what students might explore include the mechanism of action and effectiveness of sunscreens, the local tide pool ecosystem, forces and motion through marble runs, how their senses work and how to create “magic” through chemistry.
Sleuths, Shamuses, and Gumshoes (grades 6-8)|$225
Since the 1920s, young people have been reading detective books like The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew to figure things out: readers figure out who did the crime at the same time as they are figuring out the mysteries of adolescence. In this course, students will read, write, and discuss age-appropriate stories of crime, action, and detection. Engaging activities in secret messages, witness interviews, codemaking (and breaking!), forensic science, and deductive reasoning will provide elements they can include in the detective stories they will write and workshop together! Students won't just investigate crime; they will also investigate the history of detective stories, and what those stories have to say about crime, society, and identity.
Speech and Debate (grades 6-8)|$225
In this course, students will build public speaking skills, formal writing skills, and learn the format of a formal debate all while arguing with their peers about their favorite topics! Students who love to share their opinion will thrive in this class, and a comfortable, safe environment will encourage others to find and share their voices. The class culminates with a live, formal debate open to parents and friends.
Summer Sports and Games (grades 6-8)|$225
Working with expert coaches, students can learn a new sport or develop more proficient skills in a familiar one. Sports and games might include flag football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, capture the flag, tennis and others depending on student interest. Students also learn to practice good sportsmanship and leadership.