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
Grades 1, 2
The Lego® Education WeDo 2.0 system is designed to provide young students a simple introduction to robotics and mechanical design. This course uses Lego® WeDo to allow students to explore and develop science, technology, engineering, and math, as well as language arts and social studies skills through project-based activities. 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
Grades 1, 2
Our young astronaut recruits will have a blast this summer on this wild adventure through space. After learning what it means to be an astronaut, students will leave the Earth behind and head to the stars. Through creative hands-on projects and group activities, we will view life on a space station, learn about lunar landings, investigate other planets, and study the stars. Join us on an adventure that is out of this world!
IMPORTANT: Please notify the office of any food sensitivities or dietary restrictions, as sampling food may be an optional part of this program.
*NEW* Artist Studio: Animals in Art
Grades 1, 2, 3, 4
Learn to draw and paint various animals, in an "all levels welcome" art class. We will be using basic shapes to draw the foundation of various animal bodies, and develop the rendering through drawing and painting. We will culminate our class with a clay animal activity. Students with more experience may choose to develop their animals into characters for a comic book or to complete a large painting over the session. Students will decide as a class which animals they would like to study.
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.
STEM Workshop: Science Olympics
Grades 3, 4, 5, 6
In this hands-on class, students will exercise their creative minds, strengthen their engineering and communication skills, and apply STEM knowledge to real world applications. Students will be divided into teams to prepare for events related to scientific processes and thinking skills, science content knowledge, and application of science and technology. Teams will work together to solve a problem (egg drop, music makers, gummy bear catapult), or construct vehicles (planes, boats, cars) or structures (towers, bridges, etc.). At the end of each exploration phase, teams will compete to see who performs best in the challenges!
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.
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.
*NEW* Unlimited Adventure: Dungeons, Dragons, and Tabletop RPGs
Grades 6, 7, 8, 9
Come learn to play Dungeons & Dragons or other table top role playing games (TTRPGs)! TTRPGs can best be described as collaborative storytelling or a verbal video game. Players design their very own characters complete with their own unique abilities, backstories, and personalities. The players then must work together to explore fantastical worlds, escape traps, defeat foes, and complete quests. As a team, the players learn valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, and creative problem solving all while building a world of their own and being the hero in a fantastical tale. Players will also learn to appreciate the rich storytelling in RPGs by writing their own campaigns and then turning them into a short story or comic book. Whether you are a D&D veteran or never played before, this course will teach you how to do character creation, interactive roleplay, and game design. By the end, each of you will be prepared to be a game master and capable of running your very own quests.
Robotics with VEX
Grades 7, 8, 9
Using the power of the VEX Robotics® as a base, students will design and build their own moving robots to complete a set of goals and compete head to head with other students in friendly competitions. Students will learn about engineering and engineering problem solving in an engaging, hands-on manner that will motivate and inspire them to complete each project. This class is suitable for all students with varying learning styles and levels.
No previous robotics experience is required.
Drama: Just Act – Acting Gym
Grades 7, 8, 9
Build your acting “muscles” in this acting gym! We welcome students of all abilities to practice the fundamentals of performing on stage and on film, including how to audition for roles. Emphasis will be placed on how to hold a script during a cold read, how to memorize lines and perform naturally in a prepared scene, and how to release oneself from inhibitions through improvisational exercises. In particular, students will learn how to integrate the three forms of acting: acting with one's dialogue, acting with one's facial expressions, and acting with one's body, all while having fun! As students gain performance experience, they will also gain confidence in their speaking and presentation abilities. At the culmination of the course, students will present a production for staff, faculty, fellow students, family, and friends.
Announcements
It has been a fantastic 7 weeks, and we have enjoyed spending the summer with your children!
Please check back at the start of 2025 for information on next year's COE Summer Programs. Have a great school year, and we look forward to seeing you next summer!
**updated 07/26/24**
Registration opens in early 2025
