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 and sports activities.

(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

Subjects & Activities

Math

Pre-Algebra

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisite: Entering Pre-Algebra in fall 2023

Laptop or Tablet required

Basic supplies needed: graph paper, calculator (scientific is fine, no need for graphing), ruler, protractor, pencils, colored pencils

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

This project-based lab is designed to help students solidify the concepts and skills learned over the past year and be prepared for their Pre-Algebra class in the fall. Students will practice and review previous materials 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, and the class focuses on helping students improve their overarching math skills and confidence.

Algebra Lab

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisite: Completion of Pre-Algebra (Should be entering Algebra I in fall 2023)

Laptop or Tablet required

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

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

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 allows for a greater understanding of important math concepts, and the class focuses on helping students improve their overarching math skills and confidence. This class will cover, but is not limited to, the following: basic algebra concepts, inequalities, linear functions, polynomials, roots, radicals and quadratic equations.

Geometry

All students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra (full school year)

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

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

June 19 - June 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

This survey course is designed to help students solidify the concepts and skills learned in Algebra 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.

This class is not for credit and cannot be used as a substitute for a full year of geometry.

Algebra 2 Lab

All students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra (full school year)

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

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

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

This survey course is designed to help students solidify the concepts and skills learned in Algebra 1 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.

This class is not for credit and cannot be used as a substitute for a full year of Algebra 2.

Developing Algebraic Thinking

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisite: Completion of Pre-Algebra (full school year)

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

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

July 3 - July 14 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28| 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

This course is designed to provide opportunities for students to strengthen their math skills, drawing on their creativity to help them explore math concepts and solidify what they have learned in Pre-Algebra and/or Algebra. Students will be actively involved in solving various problems in this hands-on, project-based lab. They will also create problems, riddles, graphs and develop worksheets for others to solve. As mathematicians, they will engage in activities that include projects, graphing, developing formulas, learning about famous mathematicians, and brainstorming different solutions to complex problems. By the end of the class, each student will have a collection of unique activities created by themselves and their peers. If you want to explore a different side of math that expands on what is taught in the standard school-year classroom, this class is for you!

Science

Forensic Science

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

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, and inquiry-based assignments. Simulation will be used wherever possible, including blood analysis. Of course, students will 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 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

Have you heard of things like genetic engineering, electrophoresis or protein purification? Have you wanted to learn where biotech work begins? This grade 7-8 course will give students not only the theory behind the practices but also hands-on explorations into the skills and approaches. Students will learn sterile techniques with bacteria, the basics of genetic engineering using bacterial transformation, electrophoresis and more as they engage in labs, testing and extractions galore!

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

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $650

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)

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

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 a 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 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 and 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 19 - June 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

Ever wonder what it would take to build a prosthetic limb or break up a blot clot? Bioengineering is a unique interdisciplinary program meant to enthuse curious minds to solve real-life problems in healthcare by analyzing biological concerns and 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 or modeling biomedical devices or applications. Students will test their prototypes to evaluate the effectiveness and durability of their engineering design and in the process deepen their understanding of human body systems.

Biodiversity

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

Want to know more about the native and invasive species in our area? 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. This class is ideal for students who love science and getting their hands a little dirty.

Medical Detective

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725
July 3 - July 14 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

This course lets students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they collect and analyze medical data to diagnose a disease. They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, measure and interpret vital signs, examine nervous system structure and function, investigate disease outbreaks, and explore how a breakdown within the human body can lead to dysfunction. Students will be investigating biomedical science and careers, learning about human body systems, and even diving into genetics and forensics. At the end of the course, students use what they have learned to solve a medical mystery!

Other

Study Skills

All students: Grades 6-7

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

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, students will explicitly be taught the skills required for success in middle school in fun, creative ways that will stick with them through the year.

Build Your Own Podcast

All students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $650

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 us in this all-out audio production class as we write, host and edit our own show-stopping podcasts! Students will choose the genre (true crime, comedy, scripted or improv horror/fantasy or self-help/health) and will choose the groups to create the series with as well as the content 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 as well as research and write creatively to become the best hosts possible for their podcasts. Students will present their projects to each other and be able to build a portfolio around their technical and artistic creations!

Become a Social Media Marketing Mogul

All students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

We all get drawn in by a good ad on social media, but have you ever wanted to create that content instead of just consuming it? Maybe even make it a career? This class is all about becoming a social media/marketing mogul! Together, students will learn how to produce digital advertisements and build a company's social media page. Lots of companies in the Silicon Valley and beyond are stuck in the old ways of marketing and have no idea how to move forward. Our middle schoolers will group up to choose a company (from a selection) and help them create social media through graphic and digital design campaigns, videos or commercials, and social media re-branding. This unique opportunity will give students a chance to re-do a company's digital identity and thrust them into 21st century marketing. At the very end, students will have the opportunity to present their portfolio of work to a Silicon Valley marketing company who will give the students the green light on their work or send them back to the drawing board!

Animation

All students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop or iPad required

July 3 - July 14 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

Have you ever felt that you had the most amazing animation idea but didn’t know how to draw it? Well, you’re in luck! In this intensive animation class, you have the opportunity to write your own script, draw your own characters, scenery and props, and animate your own story. Let your creativity blossom through lessons on creature design, nature drawing, and character construction. Let’s give Pixar some competition this summer!

Finding Your Purpose in Community Service

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

There is something magical in using your passion for bettering the lives of others, and that is the purpose of this course. Students will learn about local area nonprofits, organize a fundraiser, and use their talents to impact their local community through fun service projects. By completing service beyond the requirements students will have the opportunity to grow into global citizens by showing compassion, building leadership, creatively serving others and fostering civic awareness.

Sweets, Treats and Yummy Eats

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 19 - June 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

From cookies, candy and cupcakes to drinks and other dishes, students will learn how to make a variety of food that kids like to eat! Students will learn how to read a recipe, learn various cooking, baking and decorating techniques, and gain confidence in the kitchen. Whether you are new to the kitchen or a master chef, this class is for you!

Writing

Write It Right (Grades 6)

All students: Grade 6

Prerequisites: None

Capacity: 20

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

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, helping their writing to be more enjoyable both to create and to read.

Write It Right (Grades 7-8)

All students: Grade 7-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 |8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $725

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 both to create and to read.

Creative Writing (Grade 6)

All students: Grade 6

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

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!

Creative Writing (Grade 7-8)

All students: Grade 7-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m.| Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

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!

Ramp-up Reading

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $725

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

Perhaps you already love to read, or maybe you could use some additional motivation. Either way, this could be the class for you! In this two-week class that’s all about reading, 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 both 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. Grab your bookmark and get ready to read!

Fantasy Fiction

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

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.

Investigating Untold Histories

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 |8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

History is overflowing with fascinating characters and unbelievable events, some famous but most overlooked! This course will allow you to pursue your interests and investigate a historical event or person of your choosing. Guided by primary and secondary sources, you will first create a thesis and then use evidence gleaned from research to support a written argument. After completing your research, you will turn your findings into an incredible story using the format of your choosing: graphic novel, YouTube video, and more! By the end of this two-week course, you will have honed your research, analytical, writing, communication and presentation skills all while exploring a historical topic of personal interest to you.

A Look into Mythology

All students: Grades 6- 8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $650

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.

You’re Wrong! Here’s Why

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $650

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 several fictional crime cases. Then, through an in-depth study of current issues, students will continue to refine their argument writing skills, particularly their ability to support their ideas with relevant and sufficient evidence and to fully articulate their reasoning. In addition to sharpening their critical thinking and analytical skills, students will also 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!

A Romp through Reading Comp: Building Reading Proficiency Post-Pandemic

All students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

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 much more fun.

The grade 7-8 level will focus on advanced applications of various techniques and how they can be applied to independent reading, classwork and standardized tests. Techniques include close reading skills, cognitive strategies, Socratic reading discussion, poetry explications, visual note-taking and more.

Building Reading Proficiency: A Romp through Reading Comp

All students: Grades 6

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

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 much more fun.

The grade 6 level for this class will focus on introducing 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.

Technology

Introduction to Web Design

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

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 using HTML 5, CSS 3 and JavaScript. They will learn design elements like logo design, 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 learn to design and edit HTML, CSS and JavaScript files directly using text editors and at the end of the session will give a final presentation of the website they have created.

Beginning Python Programming

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m.| Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

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 and 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 19 - June 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

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 therefore 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 19 - June 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

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.

Beginning Robotics

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $775 (Includes lab fee)

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $700 (Includes lab fee)

Students in this technology-based class will work together in teams using Lego Mindstorms EV3 software to solve puzzles, thwart disasters and 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.

Intermediate Robotics

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 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $700 (Includes lab fee)

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $775 (Includes lab fee)

How can you make your robot smart enough to respond automatically to changing situations or 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 a 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.

Advanced Robotics

All students: Grades 7-8

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

Capacity: 15

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 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $700 (Includes lab fee)

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $775 (Includes lab fee)

Summer Advanced Robotics with VEX V5 and Coding Studio 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, and the designing, building, testing and refining processes. 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.

Arts

Manga Art

All students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 19 - July 1 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

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.

Fashion Design and More!

All students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop or tablet required

July 17 - July 28 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

Interested in fashion or costume design? Making cosplays for anime conventions or Disney bounding? Transforming outfits or sewing? Making new clothes from old clothes? This course may be just for you! All levels of experience are welcomed, whether you are starting off or have many years of experience. We will focus on designing outfits and making patterns.

Developing Artistic Expression

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 19 - June 30 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $650

July 17 - July 28 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $725

In this survey course, students will try a large number of different styles, techniques and forms of art, from drawing and painting to stamp design and tie-dye art. Students will move beyond basic drawing and painting skills to explore the endless possibilities of creating art through their own unique aesthetics. Students will establish a working concept of what it means to be an artist through their creations and will develop new ways of thinking about and viewing the world around them. They will also learn and practice color theory as well as cool perspective and brush techniques. The activities and lessons will guide the beginner and challenge the experienced artist to foster both a new and continued love for art!

Ceramics

All students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 19 - June 30 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $725

July 3 - July 14 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $650

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.

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!

Our activities foster positive interaction amongst our students. Some activities have students working towards a common goal while encouraging positive interpersonal communication, while other activities build and strength self-resolve. We offer activities that allow for active staff engagement, giving our staff the chance not only to positively model and demonstrate skills, but to teach leadership skills and help students build self-esteem.

Our specialty classes include components of learning and accomplishment. They afford all the students the opportunity to develop a new skill or take on a particular task.

Our activity period offers multiple choices to meet everyone’s needs and support multiple outcomes. The main goal of our activity periods is to allow our students to experience the following fun factors: enjoyment, humor, creative expression, imagination, and curiosity. This period provides the students with the opportunity to engage in activities that support their physical needs with nontraditional physical games, and social as well as intellectual needs with passive activities.

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

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 Union Ave. campus each day.

Sports camps meet Monday-Friday afternoons. 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

Flag Football

Water Polo

Ping Pong

Aquatics Fitness Camp

Futsal (Indoor Soccer)

Junior Lifeguard Training

Martial Arts

Volleyball Camp

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!

View our Summer Programs Registration & Fees Info