Academic and art enrichment for grades 5, 6, and 7
Through playing games such as Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, and capture the flag, you will develop fundamental sports skills and athletic ability, all while enjoying the spirit of teamwork.
Ever wonder how the sticky, gooey caramel in your favorite candy bar is made or how to make your own pickles? Why do we put yeast in our pizza dough and baking soda in our cookies? How do you cook the perfect hard-boiled egg? Find out the answers to these questions and more in Boil, Fizz, Pop! The Science of Cooking & Eating. We will explore the physical and chemical science behind the art of cooking through exciting hands-on experiments and high-energy activities. Reservations required.
Facebook has an app. Twitter has an app. iMovie has an app. Those apps and more were all created by someone who learned computer programming. Are you interested in computer programming and don't know where to start? Scratch is a great way to learn the fundamental concepts of programming languages. In this class, you will explore how to create games, animations, stories, and art using Scratch, a computer learning tool that teaches programming skills. You will also apply your knowledge to Arduinos.
This class teaches you the skills required to compose and produce modern electronic music. In particular, we will focus on using Logic Pro X and various sound plug-ins to create exciting, contemporary music. You will create a portfolio of musical demos that can be used for personal promotion or for applying to other music programs. This course is open to students of all skill levels and musical experience.
In this course, we will be equal parts fanboys/fangirls, social scientists, and creators. We'll look at the social origins and back stories of some of our favorite superheroes: Did you know that Superman's backstory is a retooling of Moses's story from the Old Testament? Or that Captain America was an answer to Americans' fears during WWII? We'll explore how superheroes have evolved with the times and also how the media through which they are portrayed has changed. And we'll borrow classic techniques from masters like Stan Lee to create our own superheroes.
Learn the basics of good photography and refine your results with Digital Darkroom special fx to streamline the artistic processes of traditional color and b/w darkrooms. Create contemporary versions of classic photographic effects. Learn what you can do with just a phone or other simple cameras you probably have at your house. Cameras and other equipment provided.
This course will offer a fun and interactive introduction to the fundamentals of the Chinese language. Through games, daily conversations, and various dynamic exercises, we will practice building listening and speaking skills in this tonal language. By the end of the three weeks, you will learn to recognize simple characters in Chinese calligraphy and enjoy other cultural activities.
This daily hip-hop class sparks a dialogue between your body, its surroundings, and the community. You will be introduced to hip-hop origins and fundamentals including: isolations, groove, popping, locking, waacking, voguing, waving, and floorwork techniques. Exploring both choreography and freestyle sessions (cyphers), dancers of any level will deepen their self-awareness, physicality, and artistic voice in this supportive and fun environment. Taught by Harvard-Westlake dance coach Andrea Burr.
Are you curious about events in the world around you? Do you like being the first to know what's going on? Do you like trading stories and keeping others informed? If so, you�re a natural journalist! Develop your skills in this three week summer program, where you will learn the fundamental skills of writing for newspapers, including writing and editing feature, sports, and news articles; conducting effective interviews; and crafting editorials and reviews. You'll also get to try your hand at photojournalism and page layout, as we create our own newspaper to report on the activities happening around us at Harvard-Westlake this summer.
Calling all problem-finders, problem-solvers, and inventors! Lemonade Stand is here to ignite your creative, entrepreneurial spirit. You will question your environment, define problems you want to solve, and take your solutions from sketched ideas to real products. Throughout the course, you will engage in hands-on, interactive exercises to develop a toolkit of skills including brainstorming, critical thinking, project management, leadership, storytelling, and structured communication.
Explore your creativity through artmaking. Drawing and painting can be a starting point for many ways to express your own creative, zany, and fun project ideas. Our young artist's past projects have included everything from two-dimensional drawings to paintings on shoes. Come with your ideas for what to make and learn how other artists discover theirs! Enjoy the process of creating and being an artist in the studio!
This course is designed for students with one or more years of experience playing the violin, viola, cello, or piano. We will form chamber music ensembles and learn to perform a variety of pieces ranging from classical to your favorite movie soundtracks! Sign up with your musician friends or meet new friends in this exciting chamber music experience!
Piano players should enroll in this class. If you play violin, viola, or cello and want to take this class, please enroll in Period 1: String Duets and Trios (9:00-10:45).
What makes something functional? We will examine this question while learning to use clay-building techniques, such as coiling, slab-construction, and wheel-throwing. We will make cups, bowls, mugs, bottles, pitchers, plates, boxes, and other useful forms out of clay. You will get the chance to explore surface decoration techniques such as glazing, under-glazing, staining, and slip-decoration. Come make ceramic objects that you can use in your everyday life!
Have you ever been involved in an argument or discussion that you really, really wanted to win? Do you want to convince your parents to let you stay up later or have extra cookies after dinner? In this course, you will practice common debate skills used in public debates, as well as casual arguments. We will work on both verbal and nonverbal communication skills, play impromptu speaking games, watch and evaluate political debates, and practice a variety of debating styles, both team and individual. By the end of the course, not only will you be comfortable speaking at the podium, you will also have a good idea of how to structure a thoughtful argument, how to refute a statement you don't agree with, and how to get that extra dessert.
Develop your comedic skills through writing and performing stand-up comedy routines. We will have fun watching, studying, and learning routines from famous stand-up comedians and break down the fundamentals about what is funny and why it is funny. As a fun warm-up, we will do group improv games to help you better understand comedic timing and how to be comfortable finding your own style. You will get to write and perform your own comedy routines for a filmed video performance at the end of the session.
You will need your own instrument to join this class. String players should enroll in this class. If you play piano and want to take this class, please enroll in Period 1: Pianists for String Duets and Trios (9:00-10:45).
Immerse yourself in a daily exploration of lyrical dance! We will practice a variety of contemporary techniques, including jazz, modern, and ballet. As you learn lyrical dance phrases and choreography, you will experience technical growth, enhanced performance quality, and a deeper sense of self-expression through the language of dance. All experience levels are welcome.
Would you like to know how to create amazing digital images? Visual imagery is today's most powerful method of communication. A single image can tell a story, evoke an emotion, advertise an event or sell a product. During this three-week class, you will learn how to harness the power of graphic design as you create your own works of art through a combination of photography, type, color, and texture. You will learn the basic elements of design and composition that will help you take your ideas and images to the next level of Wow! Photoshop, or an equivalent graphic design program, will be used extensively throughout the course. The skills you will learn will help you create standout images for both print and the web, including websites, blogs, posters, invitations, CD covers, T-shirts...or just about anything else you can dream up.
Gain an entry into some of the most important and influential characters, novels, and film. See why the great characters you will likely study in middle and upper school are still being discovered and reworked. You'll gain a basic understanding of such greats as Cyrano de Bergerac, Macbeth (and his lady), Atticus Finch, and many others. Watch scenes to see how they�ve been adapted for modern audiences i.e., Seinfeld's and Steve Martin's take on Cyrano and Shakespeare's 12th night into She's the Man. Other works include A Raisin in The Sun, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Oh, and there is daily popcorn. Don�t be intimidated, it's a lot of fun.
If you love Anime, this class is for you. Through the amazing world of Anime, you will explore Japanese language and culture. By the end, you will have learned some basic Japanese, drawn your favorite Anime characters, and created your own Manga story.
Get ready for a summer of fun, strategy, and creativity! In this exciting program, you will dive into a world of games—playing and analyzing board games, card games, dice games, and puzzles. You'll sharpen your problem-solving skills, uncover the secrets of great game design, and even create your own unique game! Whether you love brain-teasing puzzles, competitive challenges, or crafting your own adventures, this course is the perfect way to level up your summer. Join us for hands-on fun, teamwork, and plenty of surprises along the way!
What makes something functional? We will examine this question while learning to use clay-building techniques, such as coiling, slab-construction, and wheel throwing. We will make cups, bowls, mugs, bottles, pitchers, plates, boxes, and other useful forms out of clay. You get the chance to explore surface decoration techniques, such as glazing, under-glazing, staining, and slip-decoration. Come make ceramic objects that you can use in your everyday life!
From song selection and arrangement to vocal techniques and production skills, you will learn all you need to know about making a great-sounding demo recording that showcases your talent. You will become familiar with software like Pro-Tools and basic recording equipment, all from the comfort of your own home. All you need is a laptop! The finished product will be a produced song that can be used for auditions or shared with friends and family.
A three week workshop of ensemble building improv games. We will focus on trust, sharing the stage with your scene partner and having fun! We will dive into fun character study exercises and what it means to connect with an audience over laughter and joy. Learn how to develop a stage presence through improvising dialogue and become a master storyteller!
Ever have ideas you know would make good stories, if you could just put them into the right words? This class will focus on widening vocabulary, creating story arcs, developing characters, and practicing proper grammar, as we create both short stories and chapters of longer works. We will read short stories, write outlines of our own, perform peer evaluations, and practice general creative writing. At the end of the class, you will have a journal of vocabulary and ideas, as well as a compilation of longer pieces.
Through playing games, such as Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, and capture the flag, you will develop fundamental sports skills and athletic ability, all while enjoying the spirit of teamwork.
Do you love to travel, try new foods, and learn languages? Would you like to be able to speak to the locals in THEIR language? Join us in Around the World in 13 Days, where we will learn some Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese phrases through role-plays, music, and last, but not least, food! We will dedicate one week to Spanish language and culture, and learn to make things like elotes mexicanos, or empanadas argentinas. We will also spend one week learning about Italian language and culture, learn to make things like pesto sauce, spaghetti alla carbonara, or pizza. Finally, we'll spend one (3-day) week on learning about the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture, and learn to make pão de queijo, learn about the history of Portuguese in Brazil, and a bit about dance and soccer in Brazil.
Are you passionate about fashion, characters, and bringing stories to life? In this exciting summer workshop, you will embark on a journey of creativity where you can learn the art of fashion and costume design. Throughout the class, you will explore the fusion of fashion and character design, diving into the theory behind crafting costumes that reflect the essence of different characters. By the end of the workshop, you will also have the opportunity to see your creations come to life on stage as part of a final production. Get ready to unleash your imagination and bring your fashion and costume design dreams to reality!
Are you ready for a summer of Music Theatre fun? Explore your creative side through the world of singing, dancing, and acting. Each day we will play with creating characters through fun theatre games, break out into small groups for voice training, and discover physical movement through dance. You will hone your skills and work as an ensemble to create and present a final showcase of your work at the end of the three weeks!
Come join our rock and roll band and create a professional-sounding record with us. Learn the recording process and improve your musical skills while doing so. This course is open to rock and roll musicians of all experience levels who play guitar, bass, drums, or keyboards/synthesizer. We will learn to play covers of classic and modern rock songs and how to compose original music. At the end of the course, we will have created a recorded album that you can use for personal promotion.
A drum kit is provided for drummers; all others should plan to bring their own instrument.
Ever get tired of teachers and parents always telling you what to do? Well, come take Robotics and get the chance to tell a robot what to do. In this class, you will have an awesome time building robots that will be able to navigate obstacles and respond to a variety of sensors, including light, touch, and sound. Come learn to master the programming of basic movements, and then progress to more difficult challenges. We'll be using LEGO Mindstorms to build robots that can navigate mazes among many other fun things, all by YOU telling IT what to do.
What do Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, Dorothy Gale, and Meg Murry have in common? Find out in this class, where you'll learn how to write your own fantasy/sci-fi stories! We build on student interest and use a variety of written and cinematic examples including excerpts from Harry Potter, Star Wars, A Wrinkle in Time, and Disney to explore how writers construct unique and engaging heroes, villains, fantasy worlds, and adventures. As we explore our favorite fantasy characters and scenarios, you'll use your understanding to plan, write, and ultimately publish your own fantasy story. This class is rated E for everyone, whether you've been writing stories on your own or always wanted to but never tried.