Using creativity and imagination, we will delve into the world of lines, colors, shapes, and textures, crafting our own works of art and learning to think critically about the art we see. We will explore and build upon the basic concepts for each artistic element, gradually progressing to 3D models by the end of each week. Daily projects and artist workshops will foster both individual creativity and more structured learning. We will also study several famous artists, who will help us understand how to use basic elements to create masterpieces.

In this course, students become scientists exploring the amazing diversity and complexity of the invisible living world, using microscopes to make discoveries that would be impossible with the human eye alone. The course will parallel the evolutionary development of living things, with the first week focused on single-celled organisms, the second on colonial and microscopic multicellular organisms, and the third on specialized cells of macroscopic multicellular organisms such as humans. Students will discover intricate organization within seemingly simple life forms through direct observation, labeled pictures and diagrams, readings and videos. They will create their own microbe ecosphere on Petri plates, by sampling doorknobs, the soles of shoes, floors and other microbe-rich habitats. Students will use 21st century technology to observe organisms and cells, making an illustrated journal of their collections, like biologists from centuries past.

Mathematicians aren’t the only ones to solve problems in their work. All sorts of other interesting occupations like architects, artists, scientists, business people, and engineers are problem solvers too who need math to do their jobs. In this class, we will explore a variety of exciting problem solving opportunities that come up in the real world, and where math is a useful tool. We’ll be building stable structures out of unusual materials, designing a water supply system, product testing different slime formulas, and creating beautifully elaborate patterns. Students will work both collaboratively and independently to exercise their mental muscles and design solutions to complicated problems. Who knows what fascinating problem is just around the corner?

In this class, we will discover the amazing world of liquids and gases. By studying density and Archimedes’ Principle, we will then find out how and why concrete boats and hot air balloons float. We will design and build our own model concrete boats and compete in The Great Concrete Boat Race. We will also make our own hot-air balloons. By studying surface tension, we will learn how water spiders can live on the surface of a pond and why bubbles act bubbly. We will investigate the shapes of bubbles and produce waves on a bubble. Also, we will study Bernoulli’s Principle and investigate how air flows around objects like cars and airplane wings.

Let’s travel back in time and enter the exciting world of Ancient Egypt. Going beyond mummies, pyramids, and the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, Egyptology will also explore many other facets of Ancient Egyptian civilization. We will unearth Egyptian culture through their architecture, art, food, games, and daily life, as well as their reliance on the Nile River and their mysterious fascination with death and the afterlife. Activities will include creating our own personal cartouche using hieroglyphs and learning about Egyptian myths and historic individuals. We will transform our classroom with our projects, designing an exhibition and visitor walk-through for our open house. Come join the adventure, build your own museum-like exhibit, and unlock the mysteries of Ancient Egypt!