Arlington Community Education

Design intricate 3D objects using BlocksCAD, a software program that combines 3D modeling with block-based coding. You’ll learn computer coding, graphing skills, and 3-dimensional design. By dragging and dropping blocks of editable code that create and modify 3D shapes, you’ll use problem-solving to build models that can then be exported to a 3D printer.

Thai cuisine is filled with aromatic herbs and spices that contribute to its unique and delicious flavors. Join us to explore fresh interpretations of traditional Thai recipes that you can replicate at home. We will make a full Thai meal, starting with a warming and colorful Thai coconut soup. For the main course, we’ll create the popular stir-fry noodle dish pad thai. Dessert will be a simple and refreshing no-churn mango ice cream.

Feeling like AI is moving faster than you can keep up? You’re not alone—and you’re not too late. Get comfortable using today’s top tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini through guided instruction and plenty of in-class practice. Learn how to make AI work for and with you, and walk away with skills you can use right away for everyday tasks—organizing, writing, meal planning, and more. Discover how to ask AI the right questions and apply its power to work, volunteering, and daily life. It’s like having a genius personal assistant in your pocket. No tech experience required. Bring your curiosity and your laptop or smartphone. Please note: This class is hands-on; bring your laptop or smartphone to class. You must install ChatGPT on your device before coming to class. Instructions can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u5od2FiGdVNnZnRUTNxDgTuKGnZt5rtKQa0A8hr_4GI/edit?usp=sharing If you have trouble, come to class 15 mins early and we will help you.

Learn to paint freely and boldly using acrylic paint. While we will go over the basics like composition, value, and color, the focus will be to connect with your intuition, paint from your heart, and discover your artistic voice. Each week we will focus on a different subject: landscape, still life, human figure, portrait, animals, urban landscape, interior study, and abstraction. All levels are welcome. The class materials list can be found here.

Expand your creativity and showcase your acting talent as you learn about bringing characters to life. We’ll focus on lighthearted themes through a series of unscripted short scenes and interactive games performed improv style. After developing characters, voices, and personalities, we’ll work together to craft a final showing of silly stories where everyone gets a turn to shine.

Do you love acting or want to learn how to act? We’ll use acting exercises that stretch and unleash your imagination and explore the many ways to create a character. Short scenes will be performed for each other in a supportive and welcoming environment. All levels welcome.

Bring your training to the next level with this class designed for more experienced parkour practitioners who have established a strong physical and technical foundation. Push yourself with parkour movements, techniques, and challenges that will increase your capabilities in a safe, supervised structure. Incorporate acrobatic elements that explore air awareness, inversion, and“flair” or style into movement. Delve further into the roots and spirit of parkour training and explore how overcoming challenges can build self-confidence and adaptability that can be applied outside of parkour. Previous parkour experience required. Prerequisite - Participants must have attended at least 1 season of PkGen Boston classes to participate.

Elevate your resin jewelry artistry by designing and creating a custom sterling silver setting to showcase preserved flowers. Learn foundational metalsmithing techniques to shape and form a pair of earrings or a necklace, then fill your piece with real botanicals encased in resin. Through hands-on demos, torch work, and a step-by-step workflow, you will be safely guided through both metal and resin techniques. Ideal for those who have taken Floral Resin Jewelry, completed a metalsmithing course, or have related experience. All materials provided.

So you’ve run a 5K—now what? You liked training for a three-mile race and are ready to take your running to the next level, but don’t know how? Whether you want to run a five-miler, a 10K, or a half-marathon and beyond, this course will teach you how to safely achieve your fitness goals by balancing strength, speed, hills, and endurance into your week. Coach Gaggi will give you a custom training program based on your running goals and check in with you weekly to keep you on track. Most classes meet at Spy Pond. Prerequisite: For the 3 months before the start of the class, you need to have consistently run 3 times a week with at least 2-3 non-stop miles per run, totalling at least 6-9 weekly miles. If you don’t have a solid base for this course, you may get injured. Start logging your miles today!

Bienvenue! Step into the world of French culture, creativity, and design through games, songs, crafts, and fun language games. Design chic outfits, build models of the Eiffel Tower, and express yourself in French—Paris awaits!

Learn to play this fun and fascinating game that combines a Chinese set of tiles with American rules and strategy. You will need your own official 2024 National Mah Jongg League card, which can be ordered when you register. Beginner: We will cover the fundamentals of the game, progressing through familiarity with the tiles, building the wall, understanding the Charleston series of tile exchanges, and learning the hands. Advanced Beginner: For players who already know the basics of how to play and want to develop skills and confidence, or just need a refresher. We will focus on choosing a hand, keeping your options open, and refining knowledge of the rules. Gain speed and mastery as you improve your knowledge of the game. Students need a 2024 National Mah Jongg League official card, if you don’t have one, please select the $15 option online during registration. No class October 1, 15

Learn American Sign Language (ASL), a useful skill that can open up a new world of relationships and deeper understanding. These classes utilize a groundbreaking curriculum crafted by deaf ASL teachers. You’ll learn more than just signs—you’ll engage in real-world conversation. Level 1 (Beginner): In this in-person class for absolute beginners only, learn the ASL manual “alphabet” and hand shapes, basic grammar structure, and fingerspelling techniques. Explore the history of ASL while we cover pronouns, articles, numbers, yes/no questions, farewell rituals, introductions, and more. Level 2 (High Beginner): Further increase your vocabulary and get introduced to verb tenses in this in-person class for students who have completed Level 1. Learn how to engage in conversation about personal life events, family dynamics, friendships, and pets, as well as how to describe appearances and name North American cities, states, and provinces. Level 3 (Intermediate): This class is for students who have completed Level 2. Refine your skills as we cover more complex topics, including numeral incorporation, telling time, expressing frequency, daily routines, holidays and cultural observances, vacations, hobbies, and more. Note: Note: Students will be required to purchase this text book: Gallaudet Dictionary of American Sign Language

American bourbon, rye, and single malt whiskeys are bold, distinctive, and delicious. Join us for a fun, relaxed introduction to some of the best whiskeys produced in the United States. We will sample high-end varieties that demonstrate a broad range of flavors from mellow to spicy and from smooth to robust. If you like Scotch but haven’t tried American whiskey, prepare to be amazed! Also, if you have taken this class before, we will be sampling an entirely new lineup of America’s best whiskeys, paying particular attention to outstanding products that have only recently been released.

Explore the ins and outs of Arlington’s town government and learn how to get involved and make a difference. We’ll cover what happens in daily operations and how Arlington’s legislative branch, Town Meeting, works. Discover where the levers of power are—and how to apply pressure to move them. Understand the months of decision-making behind the town budget and when and how the public can influence the process. No mere “civics academy,” this class turns knowledge of local government into the power to be heard, make change, and get results.

Are you thinking about buying an electric car but concerned about charging, range, or anything else? We’ll talk through the ins and outs of EVs and PHEVs (and teach you the difference!) so that you can make an informed choice about which kind of car would work well with your driving habits. You’ll learn about the different manufacturers, charging options, and financial incentives too. All proceeds from this event go towards the ACE Scholarship fund.

Come journey around the world as we explore animals from many habitats—from the deep sea to the Arctic to the African savanna. Each week, we’ll learn about a different creature, from clever octopi to waddling penguins, mighty polar bears, tall giraffes, and trumpeting elephants at the watering hole. Get wild with your creativity as you experiment with drawing, painting, oil pastels, and sculpture to capture each animal’s unique features.

Levantine Arabic is one of the major spoken varieties of Arabic, used along the eastern Mediterranean coast, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. More informal than Modern Standard Arabic, this dialect is commonly spoken at home, among friends, and in popular television series. It’s also one of the most widely understood spoken forms across the Arabic-speaking world. Level 1: For students who have completed Arabic: Modern Standard Level 1. Begin learning Levantine pronunciation, vocabulary, and basic conversational phrases for everyday situations. Level 4: For students with some prior experience in Levantine Arabic. Expand your vocabulary, improve fluency, and explore more complex sentence structures through discussions on a variety of everyday topics.