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 3D models that can then be exported to a 3D printer. Pick one of your models to be 3D printed for future pickup.

Spark your acting imagination by choosing short stories and bringing them to life on a classroom stage. Through improv and creative acting games, try out different characters, create sound effects, and reinvent stories to be your own. Each week we will explore a new way of telling stories through acting.

Discover how apps work on your phone or iPad and learn how to make your own. In this no-experience-required course, we use MIT App Inventor software to make fun, creative apps for Android phones and tablets. We will also explore wireless communication by building custom bluetooth hardware controllers and readouts for our apps.

Stretch your body and imagination in a playful yoga class. Traditional yoga poses will be interwoven with stories, challenges, partner exercises, games, and moments of being still. You will learn breathing exercises and team up with friends for group poses as you balance, bend, and live in the fun moment.

An innovative taco stand, a shirt that never stains, a shoe that is also a wallet—do you like to imagine business ideas or products that should be invented? Become a young entrepreneur as you learn how to go from an idea, to the marketplace. You will create a vision, pitch your idea, and then go about making it real. You will develop a prototype, formulate a business plan, and devise a marketing strategy. You'll learn about competition, profits, and branding as you create print ads, write and perform in a TV commercial, research locations, and prepare for your grand opening.

Explore the life cycle of butterflies and moths through puppetry. Tiny caterpillars transform into moth cocoons or butterfly chrysalis, and then finally hatch into glorious flying creatures. We’ll craft butterfly puppets in all stages and use them to put on a marvelous metamorphosis show.

Express your comical observations and improve your drawing skills as you turn scribbles into hilarious cartoons and develop multi-sequence comic strips that tell a story. Learn how to express action, capture expression, and exaggerate key features to bring humorous and/or heroic characters to life.

Considered one of the greatest games ever invented, chess teaches many important life concepts such as how to win graciously, how to accept defeat with dignity, concentration, and sportsmanship. Learn chess rules, positional tactics, and basics to more advanced moves with the guidance of an experienced chess master. We will divide into groups according to experience and end the program with a mini chess tournament. All levels welcome.

Learn how to make spring rolls. This versatile and delicious appetizer includes a variety of fresh vegetables rolled up in a delicate, thin wrapper. The style and ingredients of spring rolls vary, reflecting the region and culture they are from. Learn how to prepare spring rolls from China, Southeast Asia, and more. We’ll prepare the fillings and learn different wrapping techniques. As we snack, we’ll vote on which one we like best.

Celebrate the Chinese New Year by learning how to make traditional Chinese-style pork dumplings. Dumplings are not only loved around the world, but they are also a symbol of wealth and longevity. Learn how to prepare fillings, and wrap and cook in various ways, while also learning a little bit about the history and cultural influence of delectable dumplings.

Flex your art-making talent while working with a sophisticated computer art program. You’ll practice creating awesome images, and then we’ll show you how to modify them so that they can be turned from 2D art into 3D sculptures. Modern "making" is so much more than just working with your hands.

Increase your flexibility and strength as we explore movement, space awareness, and let creativity take the stage. You’ll be introduced to basic steps, short sequences, and how to build improvised routines. Together, we will choose music that moves us, learn from each other, and choreograph a final piece.

Join the fun of self-expression through drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, and more at our creativity cafe. Cut, color, weave, and construct projects that spark your imagination as we mix and match materials to create unique works of art.

Create a portfolio of artistic masterpieces in pencils, paints, and clay. Like a true Renaissance artist, you’ll explore how inventive you can be using media and styles including watercolor and acrylic paints, sketching and drawing, clay sculpture—and even cartoons, anime, and manga.

Discover a world of dance that includes the Electric Slide, the Shuffle, the Macarena, and the Wobble. We’ll pick dances from near and far, north and south. Try flamenco, afro-pop, modern improv, Israeli dabke, and more.

Come together to stretch, shimmy, and shake as we explore dance styles that showcase togetherness as well as artistic individuality. Enjoy the upbeat music, the catchy beat, and being part of an energetic, and supportive troupe.

The Plantmobile is coming to Peirce. Let’s dig into soil science to find out exactly what creatures, big and small, call dirt their home. We will use microscopes to get up-close and personal with soil microbes, tinker with land formation, filtration, and erosion in special hands-on labs, and even get to meet the king of the soil—the worm! Through experimentation and observation you will get down and get dirty, while learning a ton of fascinating facts about a world we rarely think about.

Join us for a fun adventure along with other artists your age who share a love for drawing. Together, we will practice drawing your ideas, plus learn some new techniques to broaden your skills. Use art to express who you are.

PLEASE NOTE: This page is information only! All Driver’s Ed registrations must be done online through CS Driving School. To Register, please visit CS Driving School. Select Locations then click Enroll under Arlington Community Ed. $1129 Please note: The location of classes (online vs. in person) may be subject to change based on requirements of the Registry of Motor Vehicles. This class is for students who have reached the minimum age of 15 years, nine months by the first day of class. Fee covers online classroom hours and in person Behind-the-Wheel instruction. All Driver’s Ed registrations must be done online through CS Driving School at csdriving.com. Classroom portion is Online | $1129 Two-Week Sessions: Monday–Friday | 5:00–8:00 pm Dec. 4–15 Jan. 15–26 Feb. 5–16 Mar. 18–29 April 1–12 May 13–24 June 3–14 One-Week Sessions: Monday–Friday | 10:00 am–4:30 pm Dec. 26–30 Feb. 19–23 April 15–19 JUne 17–21 June 24–28 Weekend Sessions | 10:00 am–4:30 pm Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 Jan. 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 March 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 May 4, 5, 11, 12, 18

Please note: the catalog listed the incorrect start date for this program. The session will begin the following week as listed here. Early Morning P.E. Power is designed to get you physically active before school while having fun with friends. Research has shown that exercise improves brain power and concentration. Get your blood pumping and start your day primed to learn.