Summer Institute Middle School

All Students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 17 - June 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760

In this class, students will learn a variety of skills necessary for more advanced formal academic writing. Within these two weeks, students will examine several expository modes including, but not limited to, narrative, descriptive and persuasive. Through the development of crafted paragraphs and at least one multi-paragraph essay, students will learn the strategies necessary to formulate a central idea and provide supporting evidence and analysis. In addition to crafting paragraphs, they will also practice editing and polishing their writing for writing conventions, sentence fluency and voice. With this concentrated focus, students will develop greater confidence in their writing abilities and potential, helping their writing to be more enjoyable to both create and to read.

All Students: Grade 6

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 17 - June 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $760
July 15 - July 26 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $760

Do you like to write? Does it excite you to see the worlds in your imagination come to life on the page? Then this is the class for you! Song lyrics, poetry, fantasy or sci fi, short stories, and even some creative nonfiction – we will try them all. In this class, you will share your work with other student writers, explore the work of some professional writers you probably haven’t heard of yet, and, most importantly, you’ll become better at your craft. On the fiction end, you’ll learn more about characterization, setting and plot development to keep your readers glued to the page. On the nonfiction end, students will write accurate prose about real people and real events in a compelling, vivid and dramatic manner, and on the poetry side, students will learn about sounds and senses, free verse and formal. We’ll go deep in the jungle of sound where no prose can follow. Come join us!

All Students: Grade 7-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 17 - June 28 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760

Do you like to write? Does it excite you to see the worlds in your imagination come to life on the page? Then this is the class for you! Song lyrics, poetry, fantasy or sci fi, short stories, and even some creative nonfiction – we will try them all. In this class, you will share your work with other student writers, explore the work of some professional writers you probably haven’t heard of yet, and, most importantly, you’ll become better at your craft. On the fiction end, you’ll learn more about characterization, setting and plot development to keep your readers glued to the page. On the nonfiction end, students will write accurate prose about real people and real events in a compelling, vivid and dramatic manner, and on the poetry side, students will learn about sounds and senses, free verse and formal. We’ll go deep in the jungle of sound where no prose can follow. Come join us!

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 17 - June 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $680

Do you enjoy reading “The Lord of the Rings” or “Harry Potter”? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to write your own fantasy fiction? Do you want to know how to make your stories unique and avoid cliches? If you want to write fantasy, this is the course for you! You will learn classic tropes and how to manipulate them, develop wondrous characters, experiment with world-building and new approaches to structure and much, much more. Grab your cloak, board the spaceship, throw some food for your talking animal sidekick in your knapsack, and join us in creating the adventure of a lifetime.

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 17 - June 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $760
July 15 - July 26 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $760

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

Unleash your inner cinephile and elevate your writing skills! This class is all about refining your writing through the exciting exploration of diverse movie genres and short films. Dive deep into dissecting character development, plot twists, and even individual scenes for an exhilarating learning experience. The highlight? Crafting your own script, where you'll put your newfound knowledge to the test! Get ready to create vibrant characters and weave them into a thrilling, fully-fledged storyline. Ready, set, action!

All Students: Grades 6- 8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $680

Zeus is on the loose! Loki’s feeling jokey! This course will explore the fascinating stories of gods, heroes and monsters. We will focus on the myths of the Greeks and Romans with a little bit of Norse, Native American and African myth as a bonus. Students will have the chance to flex their analytical, writing and creative muscles as they investigate the vibrant world of myth.

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 17 - June 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $680

It's one thing to read the material for a class, but it's something else entirely to understand it. Even for strong readers, there can be a gap in basic understanding and true comprehension. Often that gap becomes most apparent on English class assessments and standardized tests. This class is designed to close that gap. We will expose students to a variety of genres and styles and look at various reading comprehension and note-taking techniques that will not only make reading more valuable, but also way more fun.

This class will focus on an introduction to and review of these various techniques and applying them to independent reading, classwork and standardized tests. This will include guided literature discussion groups, as well as independent skills and techniques, including close reading skills, guided discussion groups, poetry explications, word attack, visual note-taking and more.

All Students: Grades 6

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 1 - July 12 | 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $760

Embark on an engaging two-week journey into persuasive writing! This course is designed to equip students with the art of crafting compelling arguments supported by evidence. Beginning with an exploration of argument, learners will refine their skills in constructing persuasive paragraphs and essays. As the course progresses, students will actively engage in discussions, honing their ability to articulate ideas effectively. The pinnacle of this experience will be a debate, where students can showcase their persuasive abilities. With a focus on effective communication and public speaking, students will emerge confidently equipped to present their viewpoints convincingly. By the course's conclusion, students will have mastered the skills to construct convincing arguments, ready to confidently express their ideas in any context, making learning an enriching journey toward persuasive prowess!

All Students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: NoneLaptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $760

In this class, students will embark on a focused study of argument writing. Students will learn to articulate a clear argument and support it with evidence and reasoning by crafting several argumentative paragraphs and at least one multi-paragraph essay. At the beginning of this two-week course, students will start developing their skills by acting as detectives in a fictional crime case. Then, through an in-depth study of current issues, students will continue to refine their ability to develop a strong argument, particularly their skill at supporting their ideas with relevant and sufficient evidence and at fully articulating their reasoning. As they sharpen their critical thinking and analytical skills, students will practice their public speaking and active listening skills by delivering presentations and engaging in mock trials. By the end of this course, students will be able to make a convincing case for whatever they desire, whether at home or in school!

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 17 - June 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $760

The internet is full of various types of webpages - some well-designed, others not so much! In this course, students will learn to create and maintain webpages through front-end coding. Students will design a layout of a website on paper and then transform the design into code. They will learn design elements like layout, font, color, usage, links to all types of pages, basic structure of all pages, and file structure. Finally, students will learn all of the tags that go into websites, including content-related tags such as those used for images, text formatting and divs. Some advanced topics will be touched upon as well, such as cascading style sheets and external style sheets. Through trial and error, students will learn the importance of experimenting with code. Students will give a final presentation of the website they have created at the end of the session.

All Students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 17 - June 28 | 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760

Have you ever listened to a podcast and thought, "I think I can do this!" or even "I bet I could make this more interesting"? Now is your chance! Join this all-out audio production class as we write, host and edit our own showstopping podcasts. Students will choose the genre (true crime, comedy, scripted or improv horror/fantasy, or self-help/health), their creative partners, and the contents of the podcast. This class will be both academically and artistically challenging in that we will create a world out of thin air with just our voices and sounds. Together we will become experts on our topics and master storytellers so that our audiences will be captivated by our every word. This class requires students who are willing to perform, research and write creatively to become the best hosts possible. Students will present their projects to each other and be able to build a portfolio around their technical and artistic creations!

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 17 - June 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760

Are you interested in programming but don’t know where to start? Are you worried programming might be a little too difficult for you? Beginning Python Programming will show you that you have nothing to fear, because programming doesn’t have to be complicated! Students will be introduced to Python, a powerful yet painless programming language that anyone can master. Along with this new skill, students will engage in problem-solving, the basic fundamentals of programming structure, and create games to share with friends and family members. This course is truly geared towards the novice programmer and will be energizing, challenging and, most of all, fun!

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 17 - June 28 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 8:30-11:30 a.m.| Fee: $760

What do Google, YouTube, Twitter, Amazon and eBay all have in common? They all run on Java. In this introductory course, students will learn the most flexible and extremely powerful programming language that was designed to be easy to use and thus easy to write, compile and debug. The tutorials in this section will include a wide variety of Java topics including printing text, working with variables, loops, strings, creating classes, instantiating objects, accepting user input, and much more. Students will combine their creativity, imagination and programming skills to design and produce their own computer games that run on Java.

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 17 - June 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $760

This class introduces students to the captivating realm of animation, equipping them with fundamental skills in both 2D and 3D techniques. This hands-on course covers essential principles of movement, timing, and storytelling through dynamic visuals. Participants will delve into both traditional and modern techniques, learning to create captivating narratives, characters and scenes. Through a series of engaging projects, students will bring their imagination to life, while building a solid foundation for expressing creativity in two and three dimensions. Of course, we will also have to watch some animation for inspiration along the way, so grab your laptop and your popcorn and get ready to animate.

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 17 - June 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee:$810 (includes lab fee)

July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $730 (includes lab fee)

Students in this technology-based class will work together in teams using Lego Mindstorms EV3 software to solve puzzles, thwart disasters, forge discoveries, all with the help of a robot they build and program. With the technology skills students will acquire (basic programming, electronic control, mechanics, design engineering), they will be able to create and design amazing robotic creatures while developing teamwork, problem-solving, perseverance and ingenuity skills. The confidence and pride that is built along with the robots last long after the course! Mac laptops are supplied for use during the course. No prior programming or robot experience required.

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: Previous experience of programming in Scratch or a written language, or Harker’s Beginning Robotics Course.

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets). Must have at least one working USB-A port. Must bring a port adapter (if needed) and power supply to class every day.

July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $730 (includes lab fee)
July 15 - July 26 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $810 (includes lab fee)

How can you make your robot smart enough to respond automatically to changing situations or to complete complex tasks without being operated by a human?

Harker’s Intermediate Robotics course uses a mBot Neo robot car as a platform; this is a new car this year with a lot of potential. Students will each have access to a car and will progress at their own pace, learning how to solve a series of tasks that build on one another. Programming uses an MIT-developed block design environment, similar but not identical to Scratch, to Lego Mindstorms new interface (used in Basic Robotics) and to the VexCode V5 (used in Advanced Robotics), so students can easily progress between the Summer Institute courses.

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: Intermediate Summer Robotics or equivalent experience with programming using decisions, loops and functions/methods, and the construction of a robot are required.

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets). Must have at least one working USB-A port. Must bring a port adapter (if needed) and power supply to class every day.

July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $730 (includes lab fee)
July 15 - July 26 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $810 (includes lab fee)

This advanced summer robotics with VEX V5 and Coding Studio class will allow you to challenge yourself while building on your previous experiences constructing and programming robots. Small teams of students will design, fabricate and program their robot in competition with other teams in the class. You will be introduced to the engineering concept of iterating the plan, design, build, test and refine process. Lessons will address practical considerations in developing a functional robot that meets your requirements. You will attach an electronic “brain,” motors, wheels and sensors to the metal structure that you fabricate from parts in the VEX EDR V5 universe. Programming will be done using VEX Coding Studio that supports both Scratch-like graphical and C++/Java-like textual language representations. Robots will need to perform both independently and under direct control of the team members using a remote controller.

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760

Have you ever had a brilliant idea for an app but didn’t know where to begin? This is the course for you!

This course is an introduction to programming Android devices, including tablets and phones. We will be using MIT’s App Inventor, which is an intuitive visual programming environment to build fully functional applications. Using block-based programming, we will write programs that exploit the powerful capabilities of modern mobile devices, including sensors, cameras, sound, and touch screens in a series of fun and engaging projects. While helpful, no previous programming experience is required.

All Students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 17 - June 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760

Embark on a hands-on creative journey exploring the fundamentals of visual communication. This course serves as a gateway into the captivating world of design, covering principles such as color theory, typography, layout, image manipulation, and introductory branding. Through engaging hands-on projects using both traditional and digital media, participants will gain practical experience in crafting compelling visuals. Guided by practical lessons, students will apply learned concepts to create designs, fostering a strong foundation in design aesthetics and problem-solving while igniting their passion for creative expression.

All Students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: Intro to Graphic Design course or equivalent experience

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m.| Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 8:30-11:30 a.m.| Fee: $760

Elevate your design expertise with an immersive hands-on experience in this course, tailored for experienced designers seeking to refine their skills and expand their creative horizons. Delve deeper into intricate design principles, exploring advanced techniques in typography, branding, illustration, and multimedia design. Engaging in challenging, hands-on projects and real-world applications, students will harness sophisticated methods to create complex designs. This course provides a space for experimentation, encouraging students to push boundaries, refine their unique style, and develop a portfolio showcasing their mastery in the diverse realms of graphic design through practical, hands-on application.

All Students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 17 - June 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $680

Learn to create your own manga/anime inspired comics and characters similar to the ones in Naruto, Yuri on Ice, Ranma ½, and Bleach! Level up your drawing skills on facial expressions, body language, anatomical proportions, and character design. Introduction to basic storytelling, genres, and fundamental comic panel pacing are covered.

All Students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop or tablet required

June 17 - June 28 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $680

Interested in fashion? Costume design? Making cosplays for anime conventions? Disney bounding? Transforming outfits? Sewing? Making new clothes from old clothes? This course may be just for you! All levels of experience are welcomed; we will focus on designing outfits and making patterns. This course emphasizes sustainability in fashion. We will be collecting material (fabric scraps, buttons, etc.) throughout the year with the goal of buying as little new as possible during the summer. All used materials will be thoroughly cleaned in advance of the class.

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 17 - June 28 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760
July 1 - July 12 | 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $680
July 15 - July 26 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $760

Embark on an exploration of art spanning from the mid-late 20th century to the modern day in this illuminating survey course. Journey through revolutionary movements like Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Minimalism, and Conceptual Art experiencing the groundbreaking shifts in artistic expression. Delve into the vibrancy of street art, exploring its bold visual language and sociocultural impact. From the emotive intensity of abstract gestures to the contemporary fusion of traditional techniques with urban landscapes, students will witness the evolution of artistic perspectives. Dive into color theories, innovative techniques, and the transformative power of artistic experimentation, fostering a deeper appreciation for the multi-faceted world of artistry that continues to shape our modern era. This class will focus on different decades for each session. We invite you to take it more than once!

Session A: 1960s-70s
Session B: 1980s-90s
Session C: 2000s

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 17 - June 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $760

Ceramic class allows students to get in close contact with clay for their continuous sensory development, artistic exploration and creative expression. Students will mainly use and learn about hand-building methods such as pinch-building, coil-building, and slab-building to create 2D and 3D clay projects. In addition to hand-building, students will also have a chance to try the potter's electric wheel (throwing wheel). More than just a class, this will be a ceramics studio where students are not just following directions but are also encouraged to try new building and under-glazing techniques. Students will share and support each other to complete the assigned ceramic projects.