PM Afternoon Programs Main Icon

Summer 2026
Core Programs
Afternoon Programs

Our 5-week Core Programs provide students with inquiry-based instruction and hands-on learning in the classroom, laboratory, field, studio, and theatre.

Afternoon classes run from 12:30–3:15 pm.

*Registering more than one child?  Submit a separate registration for each student.*

Introduction to Robotics with LEGO WeDo PM Icon

*NEW* STEAM with Lego® SPIKE
Grades 1, 2

The Lego® SPIKE system is designed to provide young students a simple introduction to robotics and mechanical design. Students will explore science, technology, engineering, and math, as well develop language arts and social studies skills through project-based activities using Lego® SPIKE. Working in teams, students will use these skills to design, create, and program moving models, all while enhancing their creative and problem-solving abilities.

STEM Workshop: Journey to the Stars PM Icon

*NEW* Science Lab: Fossil Files 🦖
Grades 1, 2

Calling all dinosaur enthusiasts—get ready to dig into the amazing world of dinosaurs! In this hands-on adventure, young paleontologists will explore how fossils form, what Earth looked like millions of years ago, and the incredible creatures that once roamed our planet. We will be living, breathing, and seeing dinosaurs all five weeks and beyond! Whether you love science, dinosaurs, or prehistoric times, you'll learn investigative skills, how to ask research questions, and put together clues to learn more about both the prehistoric world and the modern world around us.

*NEW* Storybook to Stage:  Bringing Picture Books to Life
Grades 1, 2

Students will be taught how to perform stories through several performance styles: readers theater, puppetry, and skits. The course will begin with students learning to use their voice as the “actor” in readers theater. Next, they will be introduced to various kinds of puppetry (finger puppets, stick puppets, and hand puppets) on different stages. For our third style, students will learn stagecraft techniques to use in skits. Students will also create backdrops, props, and costumes to enhance their dramatic storytelling performances.  As they build their stagecraft repertoire over the first three weeks, they will choose one of our performance styles to create and perform a story of their choosing. Friends and family are invited to our final evening performance to see their “stars” on the stage.

Animals in Art Icon PM

Artist Studio: Animals in Art
Grades 1, 2, 3

Learn to draw and paint various animals, in an "all levels welcome" art class. Students will have the opportunity to explore various art mediums while learning about different animals and their natural environment. The class will be focused on exploring creativity and creating depth and context in their portrayals of animals. We will be using a wide variety of art supplies as well as mixing them within projects. The class will range from pencil and paper sketches to creating a 3D model of an animal using clay.

Minecraft: A Virtual Learning Adventure PM Icon

Minecraft®: A Virtual Learning Adventure
Grades 3, 4, 5

Minecraft® is one of the most popular open-world video games, providing limitless opportunity to build, discover, and problem-solve. In this interactive course, students will participate in a virtual learning adventure within the Minecraft® environment. Students will approach gameplay from a new angle, working in collaborative groups to tackle projects and learning how to think critically about their own work. Students will create themes and storylines and meet their assigned objectives through projects such as group/team builds challenges, presentations, and various class-driven projects.

Creative Programming PM Icon

Creative Programming with Scratch
Grades 3, 4, 5

Students will be introduced to the basics of programming through projects that explore creative arts.  Using elements of design, drawing, music, and dance, students will create interactive art, stories, animations, games, and more using a programming language developed by MIT Media Lab called Scratch. This course will encourage students to imagine new possibilities of what they can do with computers, express themselves creatively with new technologies, and explore computational ideas through personally meaningful projects, all while learning valuable computer programming concepts. For students who have previous programming experience, we will expand on the covered topics to learn more about game development and design.

Shooting Stars Icon PM

*NEW* Science Lab: Undersea Ecologists    
Grades 3, 4, 5, 6

Let's dive into the magical undersea world to explore the plethora of plants and assortment of animals that inhabit our island's oceans. Through hands-on activities, crafts, and exciting off-campus adventures, our student ecologists will study Hawaii's marine life and the relationships between them. Each week will build on each other. We'll launch off with lessons on the ocean's tides and salinity, followed by studies on seaweed and how it supports the ocean. Next we'll submerge to analyze the animals that eat the seaweed like small fish, sea urchins, and more. We'll dive deeper to the dazzling apex predators like sharks. Finally, we'll wrap up our underwater adventure by examining how sea cucumbers and other animals survive on "nature's trash" from the ocean floor. Students will leave this class with an understanding of how marine plants and animals work together and the importance of each to our ocean ecology.

Adventures in Design Icon PM

*NEW* Passport to Art: A Journey Around the World
Grades 4, 5, 6

Pack your creativity as we journey around the world! Each week, we’ll visit a new part of the world to explore how people express themselves through art, stories, and celebration. From Japanese woodblock prints and colorful Indian Rangoli designs to African Ndebele Houses and Hawaiian weaving, students will experiment with fun art techniques and learn about the cultures that inspire them. By the end of our adventure, students will have a passport full of art and memories from their global journey.

Exploration in Mixed Media: Creator Space Advanced Icon PM

Artist Studio: Creator Space Advanced
Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Creator Space Advanced is geared towards students who enjoy creating art by hand. This studio class builds on pre-existing student knowledge and is collaborative and project-driven. Individual pieces will be inspired by weekly prompts and demonstrations where we will use a variety of techniques and materials. This studio environment is designed to support and inspire our artists.

Unlimited Adventure: Dungeons, Dragons, and Tabletop RPGs Icon PM

*NEW* Sleuth Academy for Junior Detectives
Grades 7, 8, 9

Step into the world of crime-solving and forensics in this action-packed summer program, where YOU become the detective! From dusting for fingerprints and decoding secret messages to analyzing clues and solving thrilling mysteries, you’ll learn the real science behind crime scene investigations. Work with your team to crack cases, uncover hidden evidence, and test your spy skills through exciting hands-on activities. Think you have what it takes to solve the ultimate mystery? Enroll now and put your detective instincts to the test!

Robotics VEX Icon PM

Robotics with VEX EXP
Grades 7, 8, 9

This course is designed for incoming 6th-9th grade students to explore robotics using VEX® EXP kits. The program focuses on teamwork, creativity, and real-world problem-solving, with lessons that teach basic design principles and coding transitions from block-based to written code. Each week begins with a team-building activity to foster collaboration, leading up to a mini competition in the final week. Students will develop technical skills while applying their knowledge to hands-on projects inspired by real-world applications. This competition-style class provides an engaging environment to inspire creativity and critical thinking.

No previous robotics experience is required.

Announcements

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
It's that time of the year for festive lights, holiday cheer, and finalizing next year's Summer Programs schedule! We will be launching registration in early February 2026. To receive registration announcements, sign up below to join our mailing list or follow us on social media by clicking the icons above.
Wishing everyone a safe and joyous holiday season.

**updated 12/17/2025**

~LAUNCHING FEBRUARY 2026~register button

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