Summer STEAM

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Summer STEAM at Shady Hill is an interactive, energetic, stimulating summer program that provides a rich Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) curriculum for students entering grades 1 through 5.
Each week has a unique theme that defines the learning and exploration. Our calendar of weekly themes is:
Week One: June 17th - June 21st
Underwater Exploration
In this session, students explore what lurks beneath the briny deep! Young explorers could find themselves building submarines, drawing their favorite toothy predator, dissecting squid, or conducting water-salinity experiments. New England has a rich maritime history, and our students better batten down the hatches as we launch our summer programming with a big splash!
Week Two: June 24th - June 28th
Jurassic Sequencing
Our dinosaur-themed week is sure to make kids ROAR with excitement! In this hands on, engaging session, students could find themselves building a programmable dinosaur robot, making their own fossils, or creating a Jurassic landscape out of recyclable materials.  Although the Jurassic was millions of years ago, our knowledgeable, dedicated teachers will be sure to make it relevant to life today.
Week Three: July 8th - July 12th
Robots and Drones
The future is here--at Shady Hill!  In our Robots and Drones-themed week, students could find themselves designing, building, and programming their own LEGO(r) robots to do a multitude of tasks. They will also learn how to fly remote-control drones, honing their eye-hand coordination as they master their skills on a student-built obstacle course. With an eye towards the future, students could design the robots of tomorrow, working to solve some of today’s issues.  Throughout this session, students will use logic and deductive reasoning, grasp some basic geography skills, hone their mathematical abilities, and tinker with robots and drones.
Week Four: July 15th - July 19th
Lotions & Potions
We are immersed in and surrounded by the wonderful world of chemistry. In this session, students will start identifying the molecules, elements, and compounds that make up our everyday world.  From gooey slime, erupting baking-soda volcanoes, to delicious baked goods, chemical reactions let students explore the world of chemistry in fun, hands-on, messy ways!
Week Five: July 22nd  - July 26th
Space - The Final Frontier
3….2…..1…..BLAST OFF! Space had long been the dream of many intrepid explorers. Many have tried, and failed, to explore its deepest, darkest recesses. Our highly trained teachers have plotted a course to take participants on a journey beyond the third rock.  Participants enrolled in this course might find themselves coding spaceships on special missions, building water rockets that blast high into the atmosphere, or re-enacting Buzz Aldrin’s famous walk on the moon.
Week Six: July 29th - August 2nd
Animal Safari
The animal kingdom offers students wonderful opportunities to research and discover more about some of their favorite animals as well as learn about creatures they never knew existed. Buckle up your seat-belts and keep your hands inside the vehicle at all times--who knows what creatures we might bump into! On this safari, students could find themselves learning about animal habitats, 3D-print their favorite animal, or learn how animals camouflage themselves and adapt to their environment. Remember, please do not feed the animals!
 
This program has been developed collaboratively by the skilled science teachers at both Shady Hill School and Prospect Hill Academy Charter School, and the sessions are run by them as well as by teachers from other Boston-area schools. We maintain a high teacher-student ratio throughout all programmed activities. Teachers and staff are selected for their experience and enthusiasm in working with children.

The integrated program and hands-on experimentation feeds children’s curiosity and sparks a deeper appreciation of the theme, which is different each week. Children are welcomed to attend as many weeks as they desire. (See calendar below.) Each week, students will have over 20 hours of in-depth learning, broken into three daily blocks of STEAM programming that include:
  • Project-based learning in cooperative groups
  • Building and programming with LEGO
  • 3D Printing with TinkerCAD
  • Expressive arts and performances
  • Etching and cutting with the laser cutter
  • Applying design-thinking to sports
  • Fun free-play with friends
Our dedicated staff will ensure that each child is well cared for throughout their busy days. They help children get to where they are going, get everyone engaged in an enriching activity during choice time, and, of course, make sure each child stays well nourished and hydrated throughout the day. They also take an active role in helping children transition and make friends.

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617.520.5260        178 Coolidge Hill    Cambridge MA 02138