Summer Institute Middle School

Our summer program, designed especially for grade 6-8 students, offers academics, arts, athletics and activities - and the flexibility to build a summer around your student’s interests.

Summer Institute Middle School

Morning and afternoon options allow students to focus on favorite academic subjects.

JUNE 21–JULY 2 | JULY 6–16 | JULY 19-30
(Course sessions and fees vary by subject)

Middle School Course Offerings

Pick a class or activity to expand your knowledge in a favorite subject or to challenge yourself in a new area!

View Sample Daily Schedule At-A-Glance Course Listing

Math

Eagle Math

Harker Students: Rising grade 6

Prerequisites: Approval by Mrs. Schick

Laptops required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

Students will reinforce and enhance their math skills in this project-based lab. Students will do individual problem-solving as well as teamwork, using computer software to graph linear and nonlinear functions, designing 3-D models, and implementing surface area and volume formulas.

Project Math

All Students: Grades 6

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

July 6-July 16 |12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $560

July 19-July 30 |12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $620

This course is designed to provide incoming sixth graders with the necessary math skills needed to adjust to middle school. Students will be actively involved in solving a variety of pre-algebra problems in this hands-on, project-based lab. Concepts covered, include but are not limited to: word problems, percentages and fractions, equations as functions, slopes and intercepts, and graphing.

Pre-Algebra Lab

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: Entering Pre-Algebra in fall 2021

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

July 6-July 16 |8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $560

July 19-July 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. p.m.| Fee: $620

This project-based lab is designed to help students solidify the concepts and skills learned in the past year and prepare for their pre-algebra class in the fall. Students will practice and review their understanding of math skills and be introduced to new topics and problems. Project-based lessons, activities and explorations will allow for a greater understanding of important pre-algebra concepts.

Algebra Lab

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: Completion of Pre-Algebra

June 21- July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

July 6- July 16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $560

July 19 - July 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

Basic supplies needed: graph paper, calculator (graphing preferred), ruler, protractor, pencils, colored pencils

Algebra Lab is designed to help students solidify the concepts and skills learned in pre-algebra and be prepared for their algebra class in the fall. Project-based lessons, activities and explorations will allow for a greater understanding of important math concepts including, but not limited to, the following: basic algebra concepts, inequalities, linear functions, polynomials, roots, radicals, and quadratic equations.

Geometry

All Students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra (Full school year)

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 19-July 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

This survey course is designed to help students solidify the concepts and skills learned in algebra this past year and look ahead to their upcoming geometry class. Students will practice and review their understanding of past skills and be introduced to important new topics and problems that await them in the fall. Lessons and hands-on activities and explorations will allow for a greater understanding of important geometry concepts and added math confidence.

Algebra 2 Lab

All Students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1 (Full school year)

June 21-July 2 | SESSION CANCELED
July 6-July 16| 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $560

July 19-July 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45p.m.| Fee: $620

This survey course is designed to help students solidify the concepts and skills learned in Algebra 1 this past year and look ahead to their upcoming Algebra 2 class. Students will practice and review their understanding of past skills and be introduced to important new topics and problems that await them in the fall. Introduction to Algebra 2 covers a variety of topics including graphs, systems of equations, powers and roots, quadratic and logarithmic functions, complex numbers, probability, coordinate geometry, and matrices. Some trigonometry concepts will also be covered towards the end of the session. Lessons, activities and explorations will allow for a greater understanding of important math concepts and added math confidence.

Science

Biodiversity

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $620
July 6-16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560
July 19-July 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $620

This science course is a union of zoology, ecology, botany and microbiology and is built to foster an understanding of Bay Area biodiversity through a hands-on approach to science. Students will employ various sampling techniques (including pitfall traps for insects, motion detection cameras for animals, quadrat sampling for plants, and sterile cell culture for microorganisms) and will explore several components that influence biodiversity (including abiotic factors, animal behavior and, of course, human activities).

Forensic Science

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $620
July 6-16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560

July 19-30 |8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: 620

The curious and clever will want to check out this cool class! Students who join this program will get out their rubber gloves and get ready for investigations, interrogations and evidence analysis. Summer investigators will participate in daily lessons in crime solving, including discussions, inquiry-based assignments. Simulation will be used wherever possible. Of course, they'll be reinforcing many important math and science concepts and improving their writing and vocabulary skills, but they will be so busy catching the crooks, they'll hardly notice!

Techniques in Biotechnology

All Students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $620
July 6-16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560

Have you heard of things like genetic engineering, electrophoresis or protein purification? Have you wanted to learn where biotech work begins? Techniques in Biotechnology will give students not only the theory behind the practices but also hands-on explorations into the techniques. Students will learn sterile technique with bacteria, the basics of genetic engineering using bacterial transformation, electrophoresis and more.

S.S.R.S. (Summer Science Research Society)

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620
July 6-16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560

We are gathering a group of highly motivated, inquisitive and creative students interested in experiencing science through original research to join our newly formed Summer Science Research Society. With the guidance and knowledge of highly qualified science instructors, this group will work in a top-notch facility to explore and research real-world topics of their individual interest. This course will focus on individual research skills and planning, literature review and analysis, problem definition, thesis formulation, statement of hypothesis, as well as collecting, analyzing and interpreting data.

Engineer It!

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

Are you full of ideas? Like to fix problems and invent things? Think you can make the world a better place? Then Engineer It! is the right class for you! Middle school is time of exploration, a time when students are figuring out what they’re passionate about today and how that relates to who they’ll become tomorrow. This course empowers students to lead their own discovery. Hands on activities boost classroom engagement and excitement, drive collaboration, and inspire for deep comprehension.

Students will be engaged in meaningful and globally relevant engineering challenges as they explore the many different pathways of engineering. They will use the Engineering Design Process to solve problems in a collaborative group. They will communicate and gather information using Google Suite. Finally, students will present their design solutions to a peer audience and learn about current design challenges that they can enter on their own. The goal of the class is to empower students to solve problems in a fun and engaging way and to learn from one another

Bioengineering

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $620
July 6-16 |12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $560

Bioengineering is a unique interdisciplinary program. It is offered as a two-week course to engage curious minds to solve real-life problems in healthcare by applying engineering principles. Through a series of lessons and hands-on activities, students will diagnose and cure common ailments found in human body systems by building simple biomedical devices or applications. Students will test their prototypes to evaluate the effectiveness of their engineering design and in the process deepen their understanding of the human body systems.

Pre-Biology/Entomology

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $620

What is that insect? In this course, you will learn what it is like to become an entomologist. You will learn how to catch, identify, and care or pin your own bug. Each day you will learn about the life of a new bug. You will also venture out with a bug net to start your own collection and try to catch them all!

Speech & Debate

Speech
Advanced Speech and Debate: The Pitch - CANCELED

Speech

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620
July 6-16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560

July 19-30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Want to work on your public speaking skills? Interested in learning more about the world of interscholastic speech or just the variety of speech styles? In this class, we will introduce the different forms of public speaking events held at many interscholastic speech competitions and give students a head start to prepare them for interscholastic public speaking competitions in middle school and high school. Students will hone their speech craft by speaking in front of the class and listening to critiques given by other students as well as the instructor. The class will end with a simulated formal speech event on the last two days of the class. This class is different from a debate course because it focuses only on non-interactive, single-person public speaking.

Advanced Speech and Debate: The Pitch - CANCELED

All Students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: Completed Introduction to Public Speaking, Beginning Debate, or equivalent course.

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. PM CANCELED

July 6 - July 16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $560

July 19 - July 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Now, more than ever, it's crucial that students master how to think critically, consume media thoughtfully, and advocate for themselves and others. This course is designed for highly motivated students who want to amplify their persuasive skills in preparation for or continued improvement in interscholastic public speaking competitions in middle school and high school. In addition to reviewing NSDA speech & debate events for the upcoming season, Advanced Speech & Debate will challenge students to apply their skills to the most common real-world scenario: the persuasive pitch. At the end of the course, students will have written & memorized one original persuasive speech, pitching an original idea or invention. The final class will feature a simulated formal showcase where each student gets the chance to pitch their idea to a panel of "billionaire investors," with audience participation encouraged. Students will also refine and review the fundamentals of public speaking, including:

Speech writing & editing

Research and MLA formatting

How to spot "Fake News" from Fact

Basics of Argumentation & Logic

Common Logical Fallacies

Body language, vocal variety, tone, and eye contact

Delivery, confidence, & hand gestures

Memorization techniques & tips

NSDA Speech Individual Events review & practice

Study Skills

All Students: Grade 6

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $620
July 19-30 |8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: 620

We will begin the session with identifying students’ strengths and needs and their individual learning styles. Additionally, students will be learning about the multiple intelligences. After the first week, students will design a personalized organizational system intended to help each student transition to life in middle school. We will use Google Docs to create to-do lists and build a calendar for use in the upcoming school year. Students will learn pre-learning, learning, reading, listening, memory and recall strategies, as well as note-taking and outlining techniques. We will also cover test-taking tips and strategies. In Study Skills, your child will explicitly be taught the skills required for success in middle school.

A Pirate's Life for Me

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 6-16 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $560

“Raise the black!” Few things capture the imagination more than the idea of the classic pirate. This course explores the historical fact and literary fiction of pirates. Cutlass in hand, black flag flying overhead. But how much of this image is only imagination? This course will look at the figure of the pirate through the lens of literature, film and history, to help understand where fact and imagination come together. The course will be taught by Harker English teacher Mark Gelineau, and Steaphen Fick, owner and lead instructor at Davenriche European Martial Arts School. Together, they will explore both the myth and the history of the swashbuckling pirate.

Writing

Write It Right (Grades 6-8)

All Students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

In this class, students will learn a variety of skills necessary for formal academic writing. Within these two weeks, students will experience 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.

Creative Writing (Grade 6)

All Students: Grade 6

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $620

July 6-16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560

July 19-30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $620

Do you actually 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 and 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!

Creative Writing (Grade 7-8)

All Students: Grade 7-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $620

July 6-16 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $560
July 19-July 30 |8:30-11:30 a.m.. | Fee: $620

Do you actually 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 and 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!

Poets and Playwrights

All Students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $620
July 6-16 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $560
July 19-July 30 |8:30-11:30 a.m.. | Fee: $620

Come join the fun in this hands-on class full of poetry and drama games that spark the imagination, strengthen reading comprehension, and nurture public speaking skills. One week will be devoted to reading and analyzing scenes from classical playwrights, and then writing scripts using learned techniques of characterization, plot and dialogue. Through non-competitive games, writing activities and dramatic readings, students will learn how to create fascinating characters and perform page-turning plot lines for the stage. In the second week, students will dive into everything poetry. They will read and analyze poems, then apply specific poetry techniques to their own work. Students will have an opportunity to explore narrative, lyrical, black-out, nature, and free verse poems. At the conclusion of this two-week session, students will have created a portfolio of their own poetry and have written a dramatic scene for performance.

Ramp-up Reading

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

Grades 7-8

June 21-July 2 |12:45-3:45 p.m.I Fee: $620
July 6-July 16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560
July 19-July 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

In this two-week class, you will be introduced to strategies that will strengthen your reading comprehension skills. By exploring great works as well as personally-selected literature, you will learn how to interact with, connect to, and reflect upon classical and contemporary texts. Effective readers are also insightful and critical thinkers. Some of the skills you will practice in this course will include learning to annotate the texts, keeping and recording your thoughts in a reading response journal, and participating in whole group and small group discussions. Hopefully, this will just be the beginning of a lifelong relationship with reading.

Historical Analysis: A Case Study of Genghis Khan

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

What is history, and why do historical accounts differ? Why are some events included and others not? How does one version of events compare to others’ versions of the same event? Why do two historical accounts differ when both sides believe they are telling the truth? How would students prove that their version of events was true? In this summer class, students will read and explore primary and secondary documents about Genghis Khan to determine the answers to these questions. By the end of this two-week class, students will research and write a multi-paragraph argumentation relating to Genghis Khan, his life and his impacts. Join us in this journey to critically examine and rethink history.

Women in History

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

On September 18, 2020, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away. Women have played very important roles in history, recently and over longer periods of time. Have you ever heard of an Egyptian Pharaoh named Hatshepsut? She extended Egyptian trade and built projects like the Temple of Deir el- Bahri. However, Pharaoh Thutmose III had almost all of the evidence of Hatshepsut’s rule eradicated, possibly to erase her example as a powerful female ruler. In this summer course, we will use primary and secondary sources to identify women who made an impact on history. We will be researching such questions as: Why are some events included in the historical record and others not? How do students get a complete version of women in history? How do gender roles define people? By the end of this two-week class, students will research and write a multi-paragraph argument about women who had an impact on history. Join us on this journey to examine critically and rethink women in history.

A Look into Mythology

All Students: Grades 6- 8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 6 - July 16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560

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 myths as a bonus. Students will have the chance to flex their analytical, writing and creative muscles as they investigate the vibrant world of myth.

Technology

Introduction to Web Design

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $620
July 6-16 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $560
July 19-July 30 |8:30-11:30 a.m.. | Fee: $620

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 in code by using HTML 5, CSS 3 and JavaScript. Students will learn design elements like logo design, layout, font, color, usage, links to all pages, basic structure of all pages and file structure. 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, external style sheets and Java Script. Through trial and error, students will learn the importance of experimenting with code. Students will learn to design and edit HTML, CSS and JavaScript files directly using text editors and give a final presentation of the website they have created at the end of the session.

Beginning Python Programming

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $620
July 6-16 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $560
July 19-July 30 |8:30-11:30 a.m.. | Fee: $620

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!

Introduction to Java

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 |12:45-3:45 p.m.I Fee: $620
July 6-16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560
July 19-July 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

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.

App Inventor

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 |12:45-3:45 p.m.I Fee: $620
July 6-16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560
July 19-July 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

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. We will use block-based programming to 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.

Beginning Robotics

All Students: Grades 6-8

June 21- July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

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. Seriously, 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.

Intermediate Robotics

All Students: Grades 6-8

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21- July 2 | AM CANCELED 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

July 6- July 16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $560

Intermediate Robotics students will learn robot control concepts and try them out on Arduino-based robot vehicles. The course uses an extended mBot kit for each student. The mBot is a robot vehicle that can be remote controlled or autonomous. It is programmed in Arduino Sketch, which is a type of C-like language. The emphasis of the course will be on robot programming; almost every day there will be a new task to be understood, programmed and tested. Students who complete the course may take home the robot at the end of the course, to continue learning more about robotics

Prerequisites: Students must have prior experience of at least one of the following: a) a Lego Mindstorms kit they have worked with (or equivalent); b) a programming course in C, Python or Java; c) the Beginning Robotics course.

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets), with software installation privileges

Must have at least one working USB-A port. Must bring port adapter (if needed) and power supply to class every day.

Advanced Robotics

All Students: Grades 7-8

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 19 - July 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Advanced Summer Robotics with VEX V5 and Coding Studio – This 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. Prerequisite – Intermediate Summer Robotics or equivalent experience with programming using decisions, loops and functions/methods and the construction of a robot are required.

Arts

Manga Art

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $620
July 6-16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560

July 19-30 |8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

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.

Fitness and Dance

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 21-July 2 | SESSION CANCELED
July 6-16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560

Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned performer, you’ll have a fun and challenging experience in this Fitness and Dance class. You’ll dance to the latest beats in rap, R & B and pop music while working on movements influenced by some of today's hottest celebrities and choreographers. In addition to learning a full performance piece, you’ll work on elements of popping, locking and breaking while having a chance to develop your own freestyle movements. This camp is designed for the recreational dancer (newcomers welcome). All classes are structured with a warm-up, stretching and cool-down. Proper foundations will be taught so the appropriate technique is developed to avoid potential injuries.

Developing Artistic Expression

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 21-July 2 | AM CANCELED 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $620

July 6 - July 16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $560

July 19 - July 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Students will get the best of both worlds as they move beyond basic drawing and painting skills to explore the endless possibilities of creating art through their own unique aesthetics. Students will develop a working concept of what it means to be an artist through their drawings and paintings, and will develop new ways of thinking, seeing and creating while building confidence through exercises that help them explore different types of drawing and painting techniques. Students will also learn color theory, cool perspective, brush techniques, and how to create basic color composition. The exercises and lessons can help the experienced artist and the beginner develop new or improved drawing and painting techniques.

Artful Science

All Students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $620

July 6 - July 16 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $560

July 19 - July 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Science and art seem like opposites, but they are more alike than we think. Art has the power to motivate and transform people. When science and art are synthesized, they produce a captivating effect. Students feel empowered to invent, discover, create, speak and collaborate when they use art to express scientific concepts. In this class, students will learn scientific concepts by doing art projects. They will use different forms of art like painting, collages, models and edible projects.

Fashion Design and More!

All Students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 21-July 2 | SESSION CANCELED

July 6 - July 16 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560

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 level of experience is welcomed! Whether you are starting off or have many years of experience, we will focus on designing outfits and making patterns.

Big Connect 4

Afternoon Program (AP)

Our afternoon Activity Program (AP) is a great way for middle school students to learn some cool new skills, meet and hang with new and old friends, discover hidden talents and have loads of fun during their summer afternoons.

Led by our awesome summer staff!
Offered between 12:45-3:45 p.m. each day. Bonus hour is included in the afternoon fun from 4-5 p.m. (campus closes at 5:30 p.m.)
Can be chosen on a weekly basis, and students may sign up for one week or all six weeks.

Students choose from a wide range of recreational options including:

Large- and small-group events, games and contests.
Activity workshops based on weekly themes.
Specialty classes based on interests each week, including arts, games, various sports skills, crafts, cooking, science tech and more.
Library or study time.

Add AP to your schedule to round out your academic day and add some crazy amazing fun to your summer!

Sports Program

Our afternoon sports camps offer a positive, skill-focused environment where highly experienced coaches provide training in a well-structured, character-driven atmosphere. Young athletes will improve their skills and knowledge of the game, develop teamwork and, of course, have fun! Students of all skill levels may participate and groups will be organized for maximum participation and play.

Included in each camp (as applicable) will be:

Sport specific conditioning and warmups
Sport specific drills and skill development
Team play (large and small teams)
Game strategy
Individual instruction and support

Choose sports camps by week, as an addition to your morning academic class, or as an afternoon-only option.

Aquatics camps take place on the upper school campus on Saratoga Ave. Students will be transported by Harker school bus to the Saratoga campus and returned to the Blackford Ave. campus each day.

Sports camps meet from 12:45-3:45 p.m. Monday-Friday. All game equipment is provided. Individual safety or sport-specific items may be required. More details will be sent before your session begins. Bonus hour from 4-5 p.m., planned by our summer staff, are included in your sports camp tuition. Campus close at 5:30 p.m.

Badminton Camp

Basketball Camp

Fencing

Martial Arts

Ping Pong Camp

TRX/Fitness Camp

Volleyball Camp

Futsal (Indoor Soccer)

Summer Lunch

Lunch is included in all morning classes. Lunch can be added as an option for afternoon classes and sports camps. Regular and vegetarian entrees are offered each day and menus are designed to provide healthy, nutritious options.

View A Sample Lunch Menu

Summer Staff

Outstanding faculty and staff are one of the hallmarks of The Harker School. All staff are carefully selected to provide a positive experience for the students.

Campus & Facilities

Our outstanding and spacious facilities are fully equipped to offer your preteen a dynamic, enriching learning environment.

Learn More About our Campus & Facilities

Register for Summer Programs Starting Jan. 25, 2021!

View our Summer Programs Registration & Fees Info

Summer Institute Middle School

JUNE 21–JULY 2 | JULY 6–16 | JULY 19-30 (Course sessions and fees vary by subject)

Middle School Course Offerings

Subjects & Activities

Math

Science

Speech & Debate

Other

Writing

Technology

Arts

Afternoon Program (AP)

Sports Program

Summer Lunch

Summer Staff

Campus & Facilities

Register for Summer Programs Starting Jan. 25, 2021!

The Harker School: Summer COVID-19 Response

JUNE 21–JULY 2 | JULY 6–16 | JULY 19-30
(Course sessions and fees vary by subject)