Advanced Thinkers
Grades 3-8
Morning
Enrichment
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Students that will be entering the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth grade in Fall 2024 are able to enroll in the morning enrichment program at Project Think.
These students will be grouped according to grade level and will rotate through six classes. These stimulating course offerings provide an opportunity for students to explore in areas that are often not addressed during the traditional school year. The classes are filled with hands on activities, projects, lessons, and educational presentations from visitors that will be sure to get your child ready and excited for the upcoming school year!
Computers
Get your passports ready as you become globetrotting travelers using Geographical Information System (GIS) tools to discover the world. Become data science experts as you learn how to use multiple data sets and visual topographical tools to build visual story maps.
Each session will focus on mapping the geography, cultures, natural resources, history, environmental issues around the 17 U.N. Global Goals, and other unique features of the countries within three continents. The countries/continents will differ for each session.
Art
Immerse yourself in the beauty of our world as you travel across the continents. Experience the artistic works of our global neighbors and discover how art is a form of communication. You will learn drawing techniques, color, value, and perspective and use a variety of media to bring these wonders alive. From famous architectural wonders to cultural and natural beauty, discover each country’s unique characteristics, while creating your own masterpieces.
Science
Session 1: As environmental scientists, discover the natural resources in the world’s oceans, tropical rain forests, and other frontiers as you explore ways to protect these precious environments. Create your own eco systems and participate in other science experiments related to the ecology of the world.
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Session 2: Travel the continents as you explore how animals and plants survive and thrive in the various biomes of the world. From koalas and wombats in Australia, to binturongs and pandas in China, to tapirs and guanacos of the Andes Mountains you will identify animals’ adaptations to their environments. Discover which animals are on the endangered list? Then, join a team of classmates to create a campaign to save these precious creatures.
Creative Writing
Join us on a Travel Adventure! Grab your passports as you venture around the world in 15 days. Experience poetry and literary forms of other cultures, ultimately mastering your pen and ink skills. Acquire descriptive language to write your own adventurous tale. Exciting literature will provide new vocabulary and a background of experience as you learn about character analysis and elements of story styles. As a young author, you will write and then publish your own literary works during both sessions. What far off land will be the setting of your story? Who will travel with you? What cultural elements or architectural wonders from abroad will you include in your tale? Curriculum is varied for each session.
Makerspace
Develop your physics and engineering skills as you create projects of your choice that reflect the countries and cultures of the world. Guided by the Next Generation Science Standards for engineering and Science, students engage in hands-on activities challenging them to be creative thinkers.
First Session: Explore music around the world. Design a musical instrument such as Zampoñas (Panpipes) from South America using physics concepts of wave properties to create the sound.
Second Session: As a team, research, design, and build a float representing a country/culture of the world. Use LED light circuity to illuminate your float to be displayed at Family Night.
Drama
Learn to use your imagination to develop captivating stage presence and build confidence as you explore drama techniques from around the world. Reach into the minds of the audience, as you move and react, using all your senses. Improvisation, theatre games, and exercises will help you develop your public speaking skills and explore the hidden talents that you possess.
Afternoon
Extracurricular
Classes
Optional
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Advanced Thinkers enrolled in the morning program can extend their enrichment by selecting one of the Afternoon Extracurricular classes list below. Students enrolled in the morning and afternoon classes have a supervised lunchtime daily. Please send a sack lunch and drink for each child.
Swimming Lessons
All Ages
Enjoy a cool dip in the Pitzer College swimming pool. Daily lessons are provided for every swimming level by Red Cross certified lifeguards and instructors. When the children return from the pool they will be engaged in fun summer activities.
Coding, Robotics & Makerspace
Grades 4-8
Develop your coding and engineering skills as you explore global design through creativity in the STEAM laboratory. Guided by the California Computer Science Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards for engineering, students will engage in a variety of real-world projects each session.
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First session:
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Learn to use Tinkercad, a Computer Assisted Design (CAD) software, to draft an object of your choice. Become familiar with the process of 3D printing and have your object come alive as it is 3D printed. (Additional $60 lab fee included in registration)
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Embark on a journey into the world of coding using Scratch as you learn the fundamentals of computer programming in a fun and interactive way. Unleash your creativity as you design characters, develop game mechanics, and build immersive game worlds. By the end of the camp, you will have developed a functional game to proudly share with friends and family. Beyond just learning to code, this class fosters teamwork, critical thinking, and a passion for technology.
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Navigate your world and further develop your computer science knowledge while using the programmable Sphero bots and other coding platforms.
Second session:
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Design, build, and program a series of projects culminating in a robotic animal from around the world using Hummingbird Kits (educational, advanced robotics kits that include LED lights, sensors, and servo motors). Students will take home their robot and kit to continue designing throughout the year. (Additional $145 lab fee for kits included in registration)
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Embark on a journey into the world of coding using Scratch as you learn the fundamentals of computer programming in a fun and interactive way. Unleash your creativity as you design characters, develop game mechanics, and build immersive game worlds. By the end of the camp, you will have developed a functional game to proudly share with friends and family. Beyond just learning to code, this class fosters teamwork, critical thinking, and a passion for technology.
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Navigate your world and further develop your computer science knowledge while using the programmable Sphero bots and other coding platforms.
Spanish
Grades 3-8
Learn conversational Spanish and develop a keen understanding of the rich Hispanic/Latino heritage of our own California. Also enjoy learning about the cultures of Spanish-speaking nations as you travel around the world experiencing their music, dance, and art. This hands-on, highly interactive, and fun class is an excellent opportunity for all levels to engage in speaking Spanish.
Drama
Grades 3-8
Practice acting techniques and bring your talents to fruition as you plan, organize, and participate in a live presentation and/or filming around our global theme for your families to view at Family Night. You will have plenty of opportunities to express yourself as you enjoy theatre games and exercises. Learn about theatre make-up and costuming, simple sets, and all the peripherals that will make you a believable actor or actress. Guest speakers with demonstrations from various areas within the world of theater will add to the learning. There will be a special focus on theater around the world.