--- THIS SESSION IS NOW FULL ---

We are still accepting applications for Session II.

Session I Courses

                                           Placement is based on your child’s grade level as of Fall 2010.

Summer Wonders classes are open to students in the grades as indicated to the right. This is not the grouping of the final classes. Typical classes are grades K-1, 2-3, 4-6.

LITTLE WONDERS                                                                    Pre-K only

A Special Self-Contained Preschool Class. Enter an engaging environment especially designed for younger children. Explore hands-on science, create lots of artwork and enjoy delightful story books. Short recesses on the playground and snacks are included. Children in this group will stay with one teacher all morning. Class size limited to 12. We request that all Pre-K admissions be discussed with the Summer Wonders office.

Toot, Whistle, Plunk, and Boom                                                      Grades K-1
How do you play a didgeridoo, doumbek and dulcimer?  We’ll discover what makes a tooter toot, a drum boom and a string twang.  Come take a look at instruments throughout the ages and from across the world, explore the science behind their sounds, and create instruments of our own from everyday objects.

Medieval Menagerie                                                                         Grades K-1
Come journey back in time to the middle ages, a time filled with excitement, danger, and the source of many mystical tales.  Will you be a knight, a princess, a peasant or a craftsperson?  Design your own period hat or crown, and coat of arms.  Create dragons, model castles with moats and soldiers, and design tissue-paper-stained glass windows.  Try your hand at soft bowling and suction-cup archery.  We’ll share stories of princesses and dragons, and play period games such as the Game of the Goose, marbles, dice and card games.

Super Sharks!                                                                                    Grades K-3
Explore the many different species of sharks that swim in our world’s bodies of water. Are they really the carnivorous man-eating creatures that we think? How do they fit into our ecosystem? How have they evolved over the many years on our planet?  Discover fascinating facts about the species and then create your own three-dimensional shark that might swim the earth’s oceans! 

Joyful Juggling                                                                                 Grades K-6
Why should clowns and jesters have all the fun? Become your very own one-kid circus act by learning how to juggle! This low-pressure, high-energy class will have you tossing and catching, clapping and spinning. We’ll try out “The Rainbow Throw,” “The Circle,” and “Number 11,” all while observing the aspects of physics inherent to juggling:  parabolic arcs, velocity, acceleration, air resistance, and gravitational pull. 

Texas Critters                                                                                    Grades K-6
Would you know an ocelot if you saw one?  Can you tell a bobcat from a ringtail?  From horned toads to prairie dogs, join us as we identify some terrific Texas creatures, imitate bird sounds, make plaster casts of animal tracks, build a camouflage photo blind, turn simple shapes into animal portraits, and assemble a log for your wildlife sightings.

The Physics of Superheroes                                                            Grades K-6
Holy physics, Batman! Have you ever wondered why Superman can fly? How Aquaman breathes underwater? Whether Iron Man’s armor could really be constructed? Find the answer to these and more burning questions in the physics of superheroes. We’ll be exploring the most famous superheroes and discovering just how realistic their powers may or may not be. Expect hands-on investigation of physical concepts in the lab, as well as discussions of the feasibility and desirability of superheroes powers, abilities, and weaknesses. Up, up, and away!

Secret Formulas                                                                                Grades K-6
Concoct your own secret formulas using real ingredients.  Explore the components of several well known substances, such as colas and toothpaste.  Determine how products are marketed to consumers and create a magazine ad and radio jingle for your very own brand of cola.  Design and act out a toothpaste commercial.  

Sartorial Sensibilities                                                                        Grades K-6
How does clothing allow us to express ourselves? How is fashion art? Why do certain colors “go together?” What is the science behind fabric? Answer these questions and more as we stroll through history’s fashionable halls, study how fashion is created and shared today, and learn basic hand-sewing. Join us as we design our own astronaut suits, sports jerseys, ball gowns, or superhero costumes.

Lights, Camera, Cooking!                                                                Grades K-6
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a famous chef, and even hosting your own cooking show?  Discover the science behind your sense of taste, build a solar oven, and create your own culinary masterpiece. Experiment with flavor combinations as you devise your own unique ice cream flavor. Transform food into sculpture.  Explore the process of film making as you collaborate with your classmates to bring your vision to life.

Monumental Origami                                                                        Grades K-6
Explore the ancient Japanese art of Origami, but with a GIANT twist.  Become a master of the paper form by learning how to make dragons, cranes, dragonflies, mantises, and many other animals by perfecting the use of Mountain and Valley folds.  Then take what you know to the next level, by enlarging what you make.  Fold huge three foot wide pieces of paper into immense star boxes and paper hats.  Amaze yourself! 

String Things                                                                                      Grades 2-6  

String, String, it's a glorious thing. What makes string so strong?  Explore the versatility of string as we read stories that feature string; create arts and crafts, weavings and Navaho string figures; and explore finger games with string.  Sample string cheese while you make pendulums.  Younger students will make projects such as string eggs, paint with string, measure with string, and count using string bracelets.  Older kids will design recycled string instruments, explore macramé techniques and learn how to play Cat's Cradle and make Jacob's Ladders. 

So You Want to Be an American Idol?                                            Grades 2-6

How do you succeed in the music business?  You’ll have help through the process of selecting an appropriate song for your voice, rehearsing your piece, and performing it for an audience.  How do you develop a stage presence and make your personality shine through?  Do whatever style you like – rock, pop, country, classical, musical theatre – it’s up to you. 

Designer’s Challenge                                                                        Grades 2-6

Build and design simple machines to do a designated task. Take one part engineer (that’s you) and add two parts raw materials.  Mix in a dash of creativity with a pinch of risk-taking to create a rover, a paddleboat, a crane and a confetti launcher.  Explore the different forces that affect motion while designing simple machines that make life easier.  Are you up for a challenge?  If so, watch out for scrambling vehicles and flying debris.

Awesome Occupations!                                                                    Grades 3-6

Explore the many different occupations that help make the world go around every day. Do you really know what a marine biologist, mathematician or an aerospace engineer does?  What kind of training do you really need for your ideal job?  Interview those around you to find out if they are doing their dream job.  Learn what your interests really are by taking an interest assessment, then create your ideal job by coming up with an actual business/product to sell to your peers and make your dream job come true!

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