Robotics

Students are introduced to robot building and programming during our Robotics classes. The students will build robots to accomplish a specific task while using their imagination to make their robots better and more capable. Creativity and imaginative thinking are encouraged to solve problems to complete their tasks. The semester culminates in an epic robot sumo battle on the last day of class. Parents are encouraged to come on this day to cheer the robots on to victory. Let the fun and excitement begin!!!

Video Game Design

What’s better than playing video games? Making them! Students will learn how to design, program, and create the assets in their own video games. This is a great way to introduce your child to the career opportunities when they are familiar with technology. We will learn about:
• Intellectual Property
• Careers Related to the Video Game Industry
• Simple Storyboarding
• If/Then Commands and their Importance in Programming
• Creating Pixel Art with Animations Perfect for the beginner or the more experienced student.

Everyone gets to keep all of the games made in their class

LEGO Engineering

The hunt is on for the next LEGO Master! This program is designed to get students inspired to use all their LEGO building knowledge to complete a series of building challenges that will be sure to spark their creativity and inspire them to learn more. We work in small teams, so students work on their communication and collaboration skills.

Mad Science & Engineering

This program provides a project-based approach to learning about science. Students will marvel at the chemical reactions between bases and acids, solids and liquids, pH levels, and conduct cool experiments while learning about the importance of safety. We will also learn about concepts such as buoyancy, heat transfer, and electricity. We will be performing a lab/project at least every other week. Let’s get crazy with science!

Digital Drawing and Art w/Procreate

Course Description: In this hands-on class, your child will explore the endless possibilities of digital creativity through Procreate. From the basics of navigating the interface to mastering advanced drawing and painting techniques, each session is carefully crafted to inspire imagination and develop essential digital art skills, including:

  • Introduction to Procreate: Familiarize young artists with the Procreate environment, tools, and features.
  • Digital Canvas Exploration: Learn the fundamentals of creating, resizing, and manipulating digital canvases to suit artistic visions.
  • Brush Techniques: Delve into the diverse array of brushes, understanding their applications and customizing settings for unique effects.
  • Color Mastery: Discover the magic of color theory and experiment with Procreate’s color palette, gradients, and blending modes.
  • Layer Magic: Unleash the power of layers for organizing artwork, creating depth, and experimenting with different elements.
  • Drawing and Illustration: Develop drawing skills through step-by-step exercises, from basic shapes to intricate characters and scenes.
  • Animation Basics: Introduce the basics of animation, allowing kids to bring their creations to life with simple yet captivating movements.
  • Project Showcases: Encourage creativity with fun, themed projects that showcase the skills learned in class.

Zoology

Course Description: This is not just a class; it’s an expedition into the wild realms of the animal kingdom. Join us for a journey of discovery, exploration, and a newfound appreciation for the incredible creatures that inhabit our Earth! Enjoy an engaging and educational course designed for curious minds who are eager to embark on a thrilling journey into the captivating world of animals! This class is crafted to instill a love for zoology, fostering a deep appreciation for the incredible diversity of creatures that share our planet.

Thunder Rails! –The Rich History of our Great American Railways 

Come along for an entertaining and educational ride as we cover the vibrant history of American and early British railroads using a mix of classic media, lecture presentations, historical footage, and hands-on activities. With firsthand accounts, stories, and folktales, brought to by your host (a former conductor and trolley driver), who will share insight and information on day-to-day railroad functions, including how to read REAL railroad signs and the basics of locomotive and trolley operations!

  • How does a locomotive work? Let’s look inside and find out!
  • History: The first trains.
  • History: America’s journey west and the great logging trains of Sequoia.    
  • History: The Golden Era of travel and American giants of the rail.
  • History: The Legendary Big Boy and the Atomic Trains.
  • History: Trains go to war! The history of the great armored trains.
  • Unique trains of the world!
  • History: All about cabooses! The evolution of and why did they go away and why they are coming back! From brake vans to modern shoving platform cabooses.  
  • History: End of an era. Why steam gave way to diesel.  
  • It’s all about economics!  Let’s learn how railroads operate!
  • Rule of the road! Let’s learn how to read railroad signals!
  • Let’s find out how trains and trolleys are controlled.
  • Stories of the rail. Folklore legends and forgotten gandy dancer songs.
  • History: Infamous crashes.
  • History: That time a cat took over a railroad.
  • Why trucks and planes failed to replace the train. And why the hyper loop was going to fail from the start.

Photoshop / 3D Printing

Photoshop Portion: Students will learn all about Photoshop and how to make the most amazing designs. This is a practical skill that sets students up for future success. 

3D Portion: Students will learn how to create their own intricate 3D designs and have the opportunity to print them to take home. As part of this course, students will learn how 3D printers work and their maintenance. At the end of the course, we will gift to the students the 3D printer they used in class! This allows them to continue creating at home.

 

Coding Basics: Minecraft Programming

No programming experience required! Students get creative by designing and programming their very own NPC “Non-Playable Character”. Students will get to choose and alter a basic base model “dummy” in Minecraft, then edit its appearance to make their own custom character. Then students will be instructed on how to bring their creation to life using controls and basic command / path-finding options. Kids can either make themselves a new friend in the game or even a new monster. Creativity and learning through free play and exploration is the key!

Content includes:
• What is an NPC?
• What kind of character or creature do you want?
• Let’s get to designing. Here we make and modify the creations.
• Creature factory! Now we give the students creations life.
• Everyone falls the first time! Students will learn quickly bugs are inevitable.
• Perfecting! We spend the day going over command results to make our creations behave the way we want them to.
• Free play with your new creations. Time for fun! Students now get to play Minecraft as normal, but now with their very real and active creations good or bad in the world with them.

Junior Coding/ Video Game Designing

What’s more fun than playing a video game? Making one! Students design and help program their own video games. Students will learn the basics of creating a video game in a simplified, age-appropriate curriculum. This is a great opportunity to introduce younger students to coding. Students learn about If/Then commands and how they are crucial to programming as they experiment with creation tools to make their characters within the video game. Students will get to take their games home at the end of the semester to share with their families!

Chess 

Students will enjoy learning and playing this classic game of strategy. Mental discipline and good sportsmanship are encouraged. Skills taught range from basic checkmates to rudimentary tactics and strategies such as pins, forks, skewer attacks, opening traps, opening theory, pawn structure, etc. During tournament games, students are paired against opponents of similar strengths. All chess supplies are provided.

Drama Fun

This developmental drama course will include a wide range of creative and fun activities that promote the development of leadership, communication skills, and creative thinking. Classes will teach acting fundamentals like projection, articulation, dramatic movement, and improvisation while engaging in active and imaginative character-building and group scene work. Students will learn to encourage each other to express themselves through communication, creativity, and collaboration all while building confidence!

Painting 

Students will explore many different mediums of art while learning to mix colors and use them properly to create depth and dimension. They will have the opportunity to create several art pieces to share with their friends and family that are perfect for display.

Costuming and Cosplay: Creating a Character

During this course, students are introduced to the art and science of prop-making and armor-building while learning about the history of cosplay. Students will learn about the importance of safety as they design, measure, and create their props and armor using the same tools many professionals use, including paint and weathering! As the semester progresses, students will develop the backstory for the character they want to portray. At the end of this exciting course, students will take home an amazing costume they created themselves. This is truly a rare opportunity for the budding cosplayer or anyone who wants to build a great set of costuming armor.

Trading Card/Strategy Games 

In card game strategies students will work on critical thinking skills as their logical and reasoning skills are put to the test as they challenge their classmates in tournament-style play. Each class focuses on a new component of play terms and effects. Students will use and improve comprehension and mathematical reasoning as they must carefully read cards to understand the effect and potential benefits of their deck’s strategy and theme. This class will be challenging students to plan how cards might work together to improve their strategic thinking. We are taking learning and application in new directions within a fast-paced, fun environment where each student can excel in different ways.

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