Advanced Thinkers
Grades 3-8
Morning
Enrichment
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Students entering third through eighth grades in Fall 2026 are invited to enroll in Project Think’s Morning Enrichment Program. Using a block schedule, students rotate through all six classes during the week, giving them a well-rounded and engaging learning experience.
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These exciting course offerings allow students to explore subjects often not addressed during the traditional school year. Each class is packed with hands-on activities, creative projects, interactive lessons, and presentations from special visitors—designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and get students motivated for the upcoming school year.
Computers
Mapping the Rainforest
Grab your virtual hiking boots and binoculars! Travel the globe using real Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to explore the incredible tropical rainforests. Students will become junior data scientists as they work with real-world data sets and interactive topographic maps to create eye-catching visual story maps.
Each session dives into a new rainforest adventure—mapping geography, discovering amazing plants and animals, uncovering history, and investigating environmental challenges connected to the U.N. Global Goals. The two sessions will vary with each project providing a fresh opportunity to explore, analyze, and tell a powerful story with data.
Art
Rainforest Masterpieces
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the world’s tropical rainforests! Explore stunning works by famous artists such as Rousseau, Dyer, and Rodriguez, and discover how they use color, style, and design to bring tropical environments to life.
Students will experiment with a variety of media—including drawing and painting—to create their own rainforest-inspired masterpieces. Along the way, they will learn essential art techniques and elements of design such as color, line, value, texture, shape, space, and perspective—turning rainforest wonders into vibrant works of art.
Science Lab
Rainforest Explorers
Expand your science skills as you research and investigate the tropical rainforests of the world. Guided by the Next Generation Science Standards and the U.N. Global Goals for Sustainable Development, students engage in hands-on experiments and investigations that build scientific reasoning and real-world problem-solving skills.
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Session 1: Why Rainforests Matter
Discover why tropical and temperate rainforests are essential to life on Earth. Although they cover only about 6% of the planet’s surface, rainforests are home to more than half of the world’s plant and animal species. Students will explore how rainforests help produce oxygen, store carbon dioxide, absorb solar energy, and stabilize global temperatures.
Through interactive labs and experiments, students will investigate the interconnected relationships between plants, animals, minerals, and people. They’ll also explore practical ways to conserve and sustain these vital ecosystems—and design a personal conservation plan they can commit to with their family and friends.
Session 2: Amazing Animals & Survival Strategies
Rainforest animals are some of the most diverse and fascinating creatures on Earth! Students will explore how rainforest species have developed incredible adaptations to survive—such as slow-moving sloths that grow algae for camouflage, brightly colored poison dart frogs with powerful skin toxins, toucans with large yet lightweight beaks for reaching fruit, and glass frogs with transparent bellies.
Despite these amazing abilities, many rainforest animals are endangered. Students will investigate species such as the jaguar, Sumatran rhino, orangutan, giant otter, pink river dolphin, and harpy eagle, and uncover the major threats they face including deforestation, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, pollution, and human-wildlife conflict.
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Working in teams, students will select and research an endangered species and design a creative awareness campaign to help protect these extraordinary animals and their habitats.
Creative Writing
Rainforest Tales
Thrilling rainforest adventures come to life as students create their own original stories! Young writers will build rich descriptive language and expand their vocabulary through exciting literature inspired by the rainforest. Along the way, they’ll explore character development, story structure, and different storytelling styles.
As budding authors, students will write, revise, and publish their own literary works during each session. They can choose from a variety of genres and learn creative revision techniques to strengthen their writing. Will your story feature a stealthy jaguar, a clever monkey, or a mysterious creature of the rainforest canopy? Will it take place on the forest floor or high in the treetops? Each session offers new inspiration and projects.
Makerspace
Rainforest Engineers
Put your science and engineering skills to work as you design and build hands-on projects inspired by the tropical rainforest! Guided by the Next Generation Science Standards for Engineering and the U.N. Global Goals for Sustainable Development, students become creative problem-solvers through collaborative, project-based learning.
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Session 1: Design for the Rainforest
Discover the amazing plants and animals of the tropical rainforest and explore how this vital biome benefits the world—from cleaning the air we breathe to providing life-saving medicines. Students will also investigate the serious threats rainforests face, including deforestation, habitat loss, and climate change. Working in teams, they’ll turn their learning into action by creating a compelling video advocacy campaign to protect these precious resources.
Session 2: Engineering Solutions for a Changing World
Step into the role of environmental engineer! Students will explore real-world threats to tropical rainforests and use design thinking to invent creative solutions. Teams may design and build protective systems to keep animals safe from human development, create canopy bridges that help “animals” cross fragmented forests, engineer water-filtration devices to clean polluted rivers, or develop an original rainforest innovation of their own.
Drama
Rainforest on Stage
Step into the spotlight and let your imagination take the lead! Students will build confidence and captivating stage presence as they explore interactive drama techniques inspired by the rainforest. Through movement, expression, and sensory exploration, performers learn how to connect with an audience and bring characters to life.
Improvisation, theater games, and creative exercises help students strengthen public speaking skills, teamwork, and self-expression—all while discovering hidden talents they didn’t know they had. Whether acting as a playful monkey, a powerful jaguar, or a towering rainforest tree, every student gets a chance to shine.
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.
Make a Splash
All Ages
Swimming Lessons
Cool off and build confidence in the pool at Pitzer College! Daily lessons are offered for all skill levels, taught by Red Cross–certified lifeguards and instructors. After swimming, students return to engaging summer activities, keeping the fun going all afternoon long. Perfect for beginners and experienced swimmers alike!
Coding, Robotics & Makerspace
Grades 4-8
Develop your coding and engineering skills as you explore technological 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 from the ocean 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 program, you will have developed a functional game to proudly share with friends and family. Beyond 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 ocean animal 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 $219 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
¡Vamos a Hablar!
Grades 3-8
Learn conversational Spanish while exploring the rich Hispanic and Latino heritage of California and beyond! Students will travel the Spanish-speaking world through music, dance, and art, experiencing the vibrant cultures firsthand. This hands-on, interactive, and fun class is perfect for all levels, giving every student the chance to practice speaking Spanish and celebrate global diversity.
Drama
Grades 3-8
Practice acting techniques and bring your talents to fruition as you plan, organize, and participate in filming around our tropical rainforest 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.
Optional
Extended
Child care
Before & After Program
7:00 am -8:30 am & 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Extended Child Care is available to all students enrolled in the program and is offered on a weekly basis. Care is provided daily from 7:00–8:30 a.m. and 3:00–6:00 p.m.
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Morning care offers a calm start to the day with a variety of enjoyable indoor activities. In the afternoon, students rotate through stimulating indoor and outdoor options such as art projects, board games, outdoor play, and sports. Our trained staff encourage socialization, creativity, and plenty of fun as students connect with fellow Project Thinkers in a safe, supportive environment.