Quarter(s): 1

Day(s): Thu

Open Spots: 3

TinkerTech is a lab-based class that focuses on the "E" in STEM- Engineering! Discover the everyday challenges we can solve through engineering in this hands-on, project focused class! Students will practice the three main steps of the engineering design process by asking, "What is the problem?", "What are possible solutions?", and "How can I improve on the design?" Students will tackle simulated challenges that span a variety of engineering disciplines- civil engineering, structural engineering, and mechanical engineering. Projects in Standout Structures will include towers, bridges, platforms, pipelines, and design-a-water tower. Student engineers will work together to solve problems and brainstorm options given a variety pf project materials. For each project, students will be challenged to adjust their designs, make modifications, re-design to optimize their creations, and retest performance. Basic building, measuring, and data collection will be used to challenge all minds in engineering! A lab fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this Series: Standout Structures (Quarter 1); Marvelous Machines (Quarter 2); Transport & Thrust (Quarter 3); and Extreme Entertainment (Quarter 4)

Quarter(s): 1

Day(s): Thu

Open Spots: 5

Science Kids is a lab-based science sampler program where our youngest scientists will be exposed to the concepts, acquire scientific vocabulary, and learn hands-on skills to needed to be comfortable with more advanced science classes as they get older. Your first or second grader will come home with an understanding of concepts like phases of matter, melting point, buoyancy, and life cycles. Most importantly, young students will gain confidence discussing science concepts and working with science equipment. Labs will teach students how to use a thermometer, take linear measurements, weigh items on a scale, peer into a microscope, record elapsed time, and make scientific sketches, for example. Each quarter will reinforce principles and lab skills around a central, unifying theme. Living World will introduce biology and life science concepts. Students will complete labs such as observing microscopic organisms in a microscope, examining life cycles and metamorphosis, and learning about biological functions such as respiration and digestion. A lab fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this Series: Living World (Quarter 1), Physics Fun (Quarter 2), Chemistry Sampler (Quarter 3), and Earth/Space (Quarter 4).

Quarter(s): 1

Day(s): Thu

Open Spots: 4

Enter the BuildZone and step into a world of endless possibilities, where over 10,000 building components are at your fingertips! From Keva Planks to K'Nex, Magnatiles to Marble Runs, Tubelox, Chaos Tower, and Pipe Builders-this is the ultimate mash-up of all things construction. Here, you're the architect, the engineer, the mastermind. Stack it, snap it, connect it-then remix it! What happens when you combine pieces from totally different sets? You get taller towers, stronger structures, and mind-blowing mega builds! Build solo masterpieces or team up for cool collaborations. Every session is a chance to dream big, build bigger, and let your imagination break all the rules. This is a hands-on afternoon lab intended to provide opportunities for kids to socialize and tap into their creative energy in a relaxed club setting. No formal curriculum or lessons are provided. This is a supervised 75-minute free-build session followed by 15 minutes of clean up. All participants are expected to help pick up and to follow all Compass rules on indoor behavior including respecting materials, supplies, and furnishings.

Quarter(s): 1

Day(s): Thu

Open Spots: 2

In Digital Clubhouse, students will take their first steps towards coding by completing web-based challenges, interactive stories, games, and animations to develop fluency in essential computer skills and a fun, interactive introduction to the world of coding. Our youngest coders will use the simple drag-and-drop block programming language designed for kids. Kids will learn the logic statements, variable inputs, algorithms, and sequencing patterns behind coding. Using a colorful and visual framework to reach young learners, each lesson includes hands-on activities and problem-solving adventures to develop a foundation for future coding classes. Non-readers should wait another year and not register for this level. Digital Clubhouse is a computer lab environment in which students work through the Black Rocket curriculum under the direction of computer science coaches. The lab environment allows students to enroll at any quarter, fosters brand new coders, and encourages those with prior coding experience. In the "Intro" level of a course (i.e., Part 1), students will work through the fundamentals of a new digital skill. In the "Continuing" level (i.e., Part 2), students who continue from "Intro" will develop new skills and will design and code an individual project. New students who enroll in "Intro" will begin with the introductory lessons. In order to differentiate instruction between new and continuing students, coaches work with small pull-out groups, pairs, or individuals to provide additional support as needed. The class tuition includes a student technology fee that covers the use of instructor-provided classroom laptops loaded with the required software, applications, and licenses. At the end of the class, students will receive access to Black Rocket's interactive learning platform to continue their coding journey at home. Topics in this Series: Young Coders (Quarters 1, 2); Code Breakers (Quarters 3, 4).

Quarter(s): 1

Day(s): Thu

Open Spots: 5

In Digital Workshop, kids will take their stop-motion movies to the next level. They will create a story with Stikbots, Legos, action figures, or all three, then, watch their stories come to life using special stop-motion software which adds special effects. Students will need to bring in favorite figures, Stikbots, or Legos from home, but all other equipment will be provided. Digital Workshop is a computer lab environment in which students work through the Black Rocket curriculum under the direction of computer science coaches. The lab environment allows students to enroll at any quarter, fosters brand new coders, and encourages those with prior coding experience. In the "Intro" level of a course (i.e., Part 1), students will work through the fundamentals of a new digital skill. In the "Continuing" level (i.e., Part 2), students who continue from "Intro" will develop new skills and will design and code an individual project. New students who enroll in Part 2, "Intro/Continuing" will begin with the introductory lessons. In order to differentiate instruction between new and continuing students, coaches work with small pull-out groups, pairs, or individuals to provide additional support as needed. The class tuition includes a student technology fee that covers the use of instructor-provided classroom laptops loaded with the required software, applications, and licenses. At the end of the class, students will receive access to Black Rocket's interactive learning platform to continue their coding journey at home. Topics in this Series: Stop Motion Animation (Quarters 1, 2) and Stop Action Short Film (Quarters 3,4).

Quarter(s): 1

Day(s): Thu

Open Spots: 3

In Digital Lab, students will explore conceptualization, level design, graphics, sounds, and simple coding to make their first video game in a 2D platformer environment. Digital Lab is a computer lab environment in which students work through the Black Rocket curriculum under the direction of computer science coaches. The lab environment allows students to enroll at any quarter, fosters brand new coders, and encourages those with prior coding experience. In the "Intro" level of a course (i.e., Part 1), students will work through the fundamentals of a new digital skill. In the "Continuing" level (i.e., Part 2), students who continue from "Intro" will develop new skills and will design and code an individual project. New students who enroll in Part 2, "Intro/Continuing" will begin with the introductory lessons. In order to differentiate instruction between new and continuing students, coaches work with small pull-out groups, pairs, or individuals to provide additional support as needed. The class tuition includes a student technology fee that covers the use of instructor-provided classroom laptops loaded with the required software, applications, and licenses. At the end of the class, students will receive access to Black Rocket's interactive learning platform to continue their coding journey at home. Topics in this Series: Design a 2D Video Game (Quarters 1, 2); Design a 3D Video Game (Quarters 3, 4).

Quarter(s): 1

Day(s): Thu

Open Spots: 5

Discover the world of robotics using kids' favorite, interlocking building bricks! Students will build and program a different whimsical, mechanized project each week using the WeDo 2.0 robotics system by LEGO Education. First quarter, students will construct Animated Animals such as a hopping bunny, lumbering elephant, creeping frog, leaf-munching giraffe, trotting horse, mommy and baby bird, flapping owl, and a prowling, growling tiger. Their robots will be built using special-shaped LEGO components from the WeDo Educational set, motors, motion sensors, tilt sensors and a programmable, Bluetooth control unit ("brain"). Student will use classroom tablets to program the control units using an intuitive drag-and-drop coding modules. Prior experience with LEGO or coding is not required. All equipment is furnished. Topics in this Series: Animated Animals (Quarter 1), Jurassic Giants (Quarter 2); Rush Hour! (Quarter 3), and Creepy Crawlies (Quarter 4).

Quarter(s): 1

Day(s): Thu

Open Spots: 2

Design, build, and program a robotic vehicle to simulate a lunar lander which can traverse an uneven terrain and collect "moon rocks." Each week, students will improve their landers though the addition of new sensors and components and will program their creations to complete changing lunar challenges.

Students will use the brand new LEGO Education Spike Prime robotics sets. They will build with motors, wheels/axles, gears, levers, and special components. Students will have to install touch, sound, color, and infrared sensors while also learning to program sequences and commands that use input/output devices for controlled movements and precise turns. Using the drag-and-drop Spike Prime coding menu, students will learn to program their robots while experimenting with key concepts such as fixed values, variables, loops, and logic constructs.

This course integrates science, engineering and computational thinking while introducing physical constraints, units of measurement, and coordinate systems. But, don't worry, this is a beginning robotics class. Prior experience is not expected, but returning students are welcome. Each student will build his/her own robotic project, so students can progress and customize at their own pace. In general, in this class, students will spend two weeks assembling, three weeks programming, and two weeks testing and re-designing their projects.

Topics in this Series: Lunar Lander (Quarter 1); Battle Bots (Quarter 2); Tomb Explorer (Quarter 3), and Soccer Bot Showdown (Quarter 4)