Arlington Community Education

Do you love movies? Come make your own! This introductory class explores two forms of animation: stop-motion, and digital. Create your own stories in the form of a storyboard complete with characters and scenes. Learn to use two different methods to turn that vision into a movie—digital and stop-motion —and gain insights into the benefits and challenges of each technique. This class combines imaginative story-telling, hands-on crafts, and digital creativity tools. Your finished movie projects will be available to share with family and friends. Tech Requirements: Zoom, Hue Animation ($20 software), Stykz Animation, Windows or Mac computer (Leopard to Mojave are supported, not Catalina), two webcams

Want to know how the apps work on your phone or iPad? Or do you already have the next great app idea, and just need to know how to make it? In this no-experience-required course, we use MIT App Inventor software to program Android apps to respond to user inputs, read data from the environment, and design interactive games. You will learn both the programming and design aspects of creating great apps, and have the opportunity to build apps of your own. Important System Requirements: Students must use Android tablets for this class. If you do not have your own, you may rent one for $10 for the week (plus a $60 refundable security deposit). You will be notified of pickup/return times and locations. If you aren't sure if your current tablet can be used for class, test it to see if it can run the MIT AI2 Companion app . If you are able to install the current version of this app, the tablet can be used in class.

Let’s get creative with electricity! In this junior hands-on electronics class, gain experience creating your own electronics; designing custom light-up greeting cards, electric games, mazes, and more. Each class day consists of a circuitry lesson and hands-on electronics projects, using components like wires, lights, switches, and motors. Circuit Lab staff will make sure you create many projects that they can be proud of, and each class day includes a project to keep. Please note: Tuition includes a $53 materials/tool kit that will be available for pickup before class and that students may keep afterward. You will be contacted about pickup logistics.

Coding Fun is a class where we explore what basic coding is (giving directions) and check out some really cool (and free!) coding apps available to young coders. This class is a low-key and low-risk space for kids to try out coding and learn some basic strategies. Class Requirements: What do I need for Coding Fun? TWO Device(s) needed (you will need a device for Zoom and a device to code on) FOR ZOOM: Kids will need a device to connect with me via Zoom (I will share our course link with you). This can be a laptop that has access to video. This seemed to be the best option so it can just be set up while kids code on another device. FOR CODING: (choose one) iPad: This might be the easiest option for your coder. A touchscreen chromebook: Sometimes it can lag with the programs we use but that’s ok, we will problem solve. We will use some coding programs online that don’t need apps also. The touchscreen is important for Scratch Jr and CodeSpark which use that feature. An android tablet that can support online browsing and the apps needed. Some families found success with this! Coding Apps - please download these prior to our class (free in Google Play Store for chromebooks/iOS store for ipads) Scratch Jr (will only work on chromebook/android with app download OR ipad with app downloaded) CodeSpark Academy - this app is FREE and we will access it through the ‘schools’ button - no membership required. I will walk kids through the process of joining our classroom. A problem-solving attitude!

Create your own do-it-yourself science toys. Each week we’ll explore and build fun toys and gadgets that you make - and learn the science behind them. Make a mini catapult to launch a pom pom as you learn about energy and motion. Study how magnets work and make a moving magnet car. Sooth your mind with a silly sensory bag and celestial swirling bottle. Make a marble maze and design a house for an action figure. Creative engineering fun!

You and your teammates will have 40 minutes to examine clues, solve puzzles, answer riddles, and decode secret messages in order to complete the task of unlocking the secrets to Escape the Digital Room. The team that escapes the fastest is given ultimate bragging rights—that is until their record is broken by a new team. Play various escape games that will take you into the most exciting fantasy places and require you to use budding STEAM skills to finish each challenge. Please note: Students should have a notebook/paper and pencil/pen available for class. Content is a repeat of winter term so not recommended for returning students.

The sky's the limit in Expert Architects! In this math, writing and presentation class, serve as president of a new architectural firm tasked with designing and building the city’s next skyscraper. Study a kid-friendly history of skyscrapers and create a blueprint of your own stylized tall building. We will weigh other considerations including the environment, traffic and surrounding buildings using Google Earth to find the perfect location for their project. As an expert architect, create a three-dimensional model of the structure using a Minecraft-type program. Please note: This program requires the students to create models in a Minecraft-type program called Minetest for which we send download instructions.

School this year is different and may involve a lot of learning online or sitting quietly inside a classroom. An outdoor after school group is a safe way to let off steam, move our bodies, connect with nature and make friends. We will observe seasonal themes through nature exploration, artistic expression, games, and quiet reflection time. Please note: Thisprogram meets in-person at Habitat Sanctuary, 10 Juniper Road, Belmont. Bathrooms will be available but the class will be completely outdoors. Please dress for the weather. Masks are required and class will follow strict Covid-safe procedures.

Tinker with electronics while learning the basics of computer programming. We begin by experimenting with the fundamentals of electronics and circuitry, and step up to projects to design our own interactive and programmable devices. We will use Arduino microcontroller boards to build interactive devices and learn about computers and coding. We will experiment with LEDs, resistors, motors, and sensors. Each class day gives you the chance to design a hands-on project with the guidance of skilled Circuit Lab instructors. Please note: This class requires a materials kit for the duration of the class. Students will be asked for a $70 deposit for the kit, which is fully refundable upon return. We will contact you about payment, pick-up and return logistics the week before class.

Tap into your imagination from the comfort of your own home with the guidance of an experienced instructor and simple pieces from your own LEGO collection—all while connecting virtually with your friends and classmates. We will craft our favorite Minecraft Biomes, Mobs, and more. Explore your creative boundaries, learn new building techniques, and connect your projects to practical real-world STEM concepts, all with a focus on open-ended builds that do not require special LEGO pieces.

For lovers of math, who find themselves growing tired of solving the same old problems, and craving something more challenging. Come join other mathletes and boost your problem-solving skills as we take on rigorous math challenges. We’ll study a different math problem each session, exploring pre-algebraic concepts, geometry, probability, and more. Never taken a math class outside of school before? Never fear! We’ll take a flexible approach to problem solving, perfect for both seasoned mathletes and beginners. Get ready; it’s time to stretch your math muscles!

Learn math, economics, civics, geometry, and how democracy works as we join together online to create a city within a virtual Minecraft world. Through this engaging, problem-solving class, design your own house and business as we learn about budgeting, profit and loss, and supply and demand. As we serve on a city council, study how laws are made and work together to create and vote on a city constitution. Work in committees to make key decisions and design buildings for their city. We will use mathematics and geometry to construct a working urban environment. STEM skills have never been so fun! Class Components: Lesson 1: Welcome to Our City! Let's Plan the Construction of Your House, How Cities Get Their Names, City Council Debate & Vote: What to do with the Park? Lesson 2: "The Basics of Business", Business Budgeting, Continue Constructing Your House, Planning Your Business, City Council Debate & Vote: Should Cars be Allowed? Lesson 3: Our City Flag, Constructing your Business, Creating Your City Flag Nominee, A Letter from a Concerned Citizen, A Fire Station Solution, Business Tours to Fellow Students Lesson 4: City Buildings and City Planning, "What's First?: Planning Our First City Buildings!", Creating City Blueprints, City Building Budgeting, Giving Out Shopper Points, City Council: A Letter from a Concerned Citizen (Hospitals & Apartments), Vote on Apartment Plan Lesson 5: Writing Our Constitution, Business Reports, City Council: Meeting a Letter from a Concerned Citizen (Hospitals & Apartments), Vote on Sign Up Sheet Questions Lesson 6: A Group Project, Capturing Your City, The Future of Cities, Taxes: Why Do We Have Them?, Our City lives On…

Take a deep dive into Minecraft modding! Using mCreator software, we will alter (“mod”) existing characters and designs, and build new, highly customized armor, tools, and building blocks. We’ll then create more complicated modded objects such as volcanoes, waterfalls, new dimensions, or even a game version of yourselves. Examine how your new designs — saved in your own Minecraft world — influenced gameplay. This class is perfect if you love Minecraft but want even more control over what you can build. PLEASE NOTE Prerequisite: Minecraft Commands level 4, fluency with general Windows file management Software Required: Zoom, mCreator Tech Requirements: Windows or Mac computer