Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 7

"S" is for science, and "A" is for art in the study of STEAM, but have you thought about the science in art? Artists must understand the science of the materials that the use: how they tint and texturize, mix and melt, dye and dry, blend or bend. There is a complex community of scientists and engineers with specialties in polymers, glass, chemicals, paper, and textiles who design the materials that artists use to create their art. This class will learn about the science and properties of some unique artistic processes and materials and how and why they work. Second quarter, the class will experiment with the chemistry and behavior of paints and dyes. Students will work with dyes that float, suminagashi (Japanese ink marbling) techniques, and photoreactive paper. They will experiment with centrifugal chromatography and the science of colors. The class will discover where pigments come from- both natural and synthetic- and look at special types such as glow-in-the-dark pigments. Students will discover the difference and unique properties of oil paints, acrylic paints, and gouache paint with respect to blending, dry time, texture, sheen, etc. Other class activities include making and using your own paint, working with thermochromic pigments (change color based on temperature), and using photoreactive paper (chemical changes based on light exposure). There is a $35.00 supply fee due payable to the instructor on/before the first day.Topics in this series: Resins & Polymers (Quarter 1), Paints & Dyes (Quarter 2), Optical Illusions & Color (Quarter 3), and Paper Engineers (Quarter 4).

Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 5

Every parent knows that kids are curious, captivated, and quick to learn technology-based products. Programming Projects builds on that curiosity to introduce computer science basics, problem-solving, and computational thinking through play-based learning. Second quarter, students will enjoy a fun, intuitive introduction to computer coding with Scratch. Scratch is an open source graphical programming language created by MIT. It uses 'blocks' of pre-written code that students rearrange and manipulate to customize their own interactive stories and characters. They will create short animations by learning to link blocks of script (programming instructions). Students will learn to compile the instructions to control and change onscreen elements such as graphics, text, photos, sound effects, and animated characters. Young coders will use logic and computational reasoning while learning to manipulate variables. They will be able to access this same platform at home and continue with what learned in class. Learn more about Scratch here https://scratch.mit.edu/parents Note: Students must be minimum age 6. Kindergartners may not enroll. There is a $20.00 technology use fee due payable to the instructor on/before the first day. Topics in this series include: Sphero indi Robotic Cars (Quarter 1), Scratch Coding (Quarter 2), Sphero Robotic Ball Quarter 3) and Tinkercad Design (Quarter 4)

Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 1

A radiograph for a roly-poly rabbit, a healthy habitat for a hedgehog, or fortified food for a ferret. Sometimes even the smallest mammal pets need medical care! Lots of kids love animals, and some even think about becoming veterinarians and animal specialists. During the second quarter, students will be introduced to the world of veterinary medicine through the lens of caring for small mammals. There is a lot of science in the care and keeping of these micro pets. Hamsters and gerbils, rats and mice, hedgehogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets all have different needs in terms of diets, exercise, and habitats. Our budding veterinarians will learn to perform steps of a well-pet check-up and identify common medical care needs and preventatives. Students will discover fun and fascinating facts, similarities, and differences in pocket pets. Class meetings will include hands-on and interactive demonstrations, simulations, role-playing, activities, games, stories, or short video clips to convey the information. Each class will focus on a different pet with a corresponding project or activity. During the final week, students receive a "graduation" diploma. A lab fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this Series: Discover Dogs (Quarter 1); Micro Mammal Pets (Quarter 2); Horse Healthcare (Quarter 3); Bird Buddies (Quarter 4)

Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Wed

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 free-build session. 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): 2

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 4

In this course, middle schoolers will expand their understanding of how AI works and begin to evaluate its role in the real world. They will explore core concepts behind AI systems, improve their ability to communicate with AI tools, and examine important topics such as fairness, bias, and ethical use. How do you move from basic questions to powerful, precise control of AI? Second quarter, students take their skills to the next level by learning advanced prompting techniques and how to evaluate and refine outputs. They will design multi-step prompts, experiment with different approaches, and optimize results for clarity, accuracy, and creativity. Through prompt engineering challenges and hands-on workshops, students will test what works, improve what doesn't, and create original content using AI. Technology access in this class will include both instructor-led demonstrations with classroom projections, and hands-on individual laptop use with safety constraints and limited distractions. Topics in this series include: Inside the System (Quarter 1), Ask, Refine, Realize (Quarter 2), Truth or Manipulated? (Quarter 3), and Build for Impact (Quarter 4).

Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 3

This class moves students beyond basic understanding and into actively using AI as a tool for learning, problem-solving, and creativity. Students will explore how AI systems work, practice writing more precise prompts to improve results, and learn to identify errors and bias in AI responses. Through hands-on activities, students will strengthen their critical thinking while gaining practical experience. How can you get better results from AI? Second quarter, students learn how to communicate clearly and effectively with AI by crafting strong prompts. They will explore how small changes in wording can lead to big differences in output and begin to understand the cause-and-effect relationship between input and results. Through engaging activities like prompt battles, rewriting challenges, output comparisons, and an AI-themed escape room, students will practice refining their questions to guide AI more successfully. The focus is on helping students become thoughtful, confident users who can direct and evaluate AI effectively, rather than simply relying on it. Technology access in this class is instructor-led demonstrations with classroom projections, supported by small group stations with one laptops per 2 to 3 students. Topics in this series include: How It's Built (Quarter 1), Ask Perfect Prompts (Quarter 2), Fair or Flawed (Quarter 3), and Real-World Solitions (Quarter 4).

Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 3

Little Bot Builders is a busy, bouncy robotics and maker lab where our youngest engineers, ages 5-6, build, tinker, test, and discover how things work. Second quarter, students will explore power, energy, and creative engineering design. Young builders will experiment with different power sources, including making a simple battery with a potato and constructing a wind-powered generator to learn about alternative energy. Students will also build simple cars using everyday materials such as boxes and pencils. As they design and test their creations, they will practice explaining their ideas and preparing a poster presentation for a classroom Demo Day, helping them build early confidence in both STEM and communication skills. There is a $25.00 supply fee due payable to the instructor on/before the first day of class. Topics in this series include: Motors & Makers (Quarter 1), Power & Prototypes (Quarter 2), Circuits & Controllers (Quarter 3), Waves & Wonders (Quarter 4).

Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 1

Focus on the "E" in STEM- Engineering! Discover the everyday challenges we can solve through engineering in this hands-on, project-focused class! Students will tackle simulated challenges that span a variety of engineering disciplines and 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?" Second quarter, the class will learn about the careers of Civil Engineers and their responsibility for designing, constructing, and maintaining public infrastructure such as dams, bridges, tunnels, roads, airports, subway systems, and water supply systems. Students will model civil engineering challenges with projects such as the newspaper bridge challenge, spaghetti skyscraper, a geodesic dome, and earthquake-proof structures. Students will work together to solve problems and brainstorm options given a variety of 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, data collection, and equations will be used to challenge all minds in engineering! There is a $25.00 supply fee due payable to the instructor on/before the start of class. Topics in this Series include: Electrical Lab (Quarter 1); Civil Lab (Quarter 2); Mechanical Lab (Quarter 3); and Green (Sustainable) Lab (Quarter 4).

Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 2

Students will tackle a variety of puzzles, games, and riddles each week that will develop their critical thinking, logic, math reasoning, and problem-solving skills while having loads of fun in class! Hands-on activities may use cards, dice, coins, cubes, toothpicks, math board games, math card games, and of course, lots of numbers. Every activity is in essence a math problem, and students will learn tips and techniques for tackling the challenges. For each new puzzle, game, and riddle, students will learn concepts and strategies that they can apply to solving ANY math challenge, such as: the phases of solving a problem, what to do when you get stuck, how to make predictions, how to generalize from specific cases, and what questions to ask yourself. Example activities include the game of Thirty One, logic grids, cryptograms, and deduction games. Through these weekly activities, students will learn that math isn't just something done at a desk with pencil and paper, but is present everywhere you look, and that the ability to think mathematically can be not only useful, but also fun! Students can take this class each quarter as a different selection of puzzles, games, and activities will be introduced each session. Topics in this series include: Brain Boosters (Quarter 1), Brain Builders (Quarter 2), Brain Benders (Quarter 3), and Brain Busters (Quarter 4).

Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 2

What is the Great Red Spot? Which moons of Jupiter and Saturn could harbor life? Why is Pluto no longer a planet? Could there be a large ninth planet at the edge of our Solar System? Find out the answers to these mysteries and other great discoveries about our Outer Solar System comprised of the four gaseous planets- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune-, their rings and moons, dwarf planets, Kuiper Belt, and more. Astronomy enthusiasts will enjoy exploring details about the outrageous workings of outer space with an amateur astronomer and engineer. Each class will explore concepts relevant to our corner of the universe- the outer solar system- with supporting activities such as modeling to understand relative distance and sizes. Other activities will examine ring formation, atmospheres, magnetic fields, and comets. The class will debate the possible existence of Planet 9. Finally, students will discuss the exploration of our outer solar system through probe fly-bys, orbiters, landers, and telescopes. Future themes in this series include: Inner Solar System (Quarter 1); Outer Solar System (Quarter 2); Stars, Galaxies, and the Cosmos (Quarter 3); and Exoplanets and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life (Quarter 4).

Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 1

Step outdoors and into nature's living laboratory! This outdoor science class immerses students in real-world field study where the woods, streams, and wetlands become the classroom. Each week, explorers will practice the methods of natural scientists as they investigate ecology, geology, zoology (local wildlife), botany (plants), ornithology (birds), mycology (fungi), and entomology (insects), in our own suburban ecosystem. Students will observe natural systems in action as they examine life cycles, the water cycle, and the local watershed; explore suburban wetlands; and uncover the balance between producers, consumers, and decomposers, as well as predator- prey relationships and food webs. Seasonal cycles will guide discoveries as young naturalists watch habitats transform and learn how plants and animals adapt throughout the year. Each week, students will explore the southern section of Sugarland Stream Valley Park in Herndon with a senior naturalist and outdoor educator. This program offers a refreshing break from sit-down, indoor, and screen-based learning,encouraging movement, fresh air, curiosity, and hands-on discovery. Students will learn to stop, look, listen, smell, touch, turn things over, and peek beneath the surface to uncover nature's hidden wonders. A portion of every session will focus on developing confidence and comfort in the outdoors. Emphasis will be placed on safe, respectful, and responsible exploration, environmental stewardship, and appreciating what we find in nature. Students will also enjoy nature-based games that reinforce teamwork and exploration skills. See Compass's Outdoor Classes webpage for more information on meeting location, what to bring, what to wear, inclement weather, and more.

Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 4

Step outdoors and into nature's living laboratory! This outdoor science class immerses students in real-world field study where the woods, streams, and wetlands become the classroom. Each week, explorers will practice the methods of natural scientists as they investigate ecology, geology, zoology (local wildlife), botany (plants), ornithology (birds), mycology (fungi), and entomology (insects), in our own suburban ecosystem. Students will observe natural systems in action as they examine life cycles, the water cycle, and the local watershed; explore suburban wetlands; and uncover the balance between producers, consumers, and decomposers, as well as predator- prey relationships and food webs. Seasonal cycles will guide discoveries as young naturalists watch habitats transform and learn how plants and animals adapt throughout the year. Each week, students will explore the southern section of Sugarland Stream Valley Park in Herndon with a senior naturalist and outdoor educator. This program offers a refreshing break from sit-down, indoor, and screen-based learning,encouraging movement, fresh air, curiosity, and hands-on discovery. Students will learn to stop, look, listen, smell, touch, turn things over, and peek beneath the surface to uncover nature's hidden wonders. A portion of every session will focus on developing confidence and comfort in the outdoors. Emphasis will be placed on safe, respectful, and responsible exploration, environmental stewardship, and appreciating what we find in nature. Students will also enjoy nature-based games that reinforce teamwork and exploration skills. See Compass's Outdoor Classes webpage for more information on meeting location, what to bring, what to wear, inclement weather, and more.

Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Wed

Open Spots: 3

Venture outdoors each week to explore the woods with a senior naturalist and mentor while learning valuable survival skills. Students will learn how to construct a temporary shelter, make cordage, craft a bow and arrow, identify edible plants, track animals, and purify water. The group will learn knife safety and skills like whittling a spoon and spatula; how to use maps and compass (orienteering), and basic first aid. Students will practice animal and plant identification and will catch and identify macro-invertebrates to determine stream health (outdoor temperatures permitting.) Emphasis will be on becoming comfortable with things you encounter outdoors, safe exploration of the woods, how to be a good steward of nature, and what to do if you ever became lost or injured in the woods. Skills will be reintroduced and adapted each each quarter because the available plants, animals, materials, and water sources change with each season. Students will have a blast, develop greater self-confidence, and build a strong connection to nature and to the real world! Explorations in the woods is for enrolled students only, and tag-along parents and siblings cannot be accommodated. For information on where the class meets, what to wear, and inclement weather, see the webpage for Compass's Outdoor Classes. See Compass's Outdoor Classes webpage for more information on meeting location, what to bring, what to wear, inclement weather, and more.