ECC's Kids' College explores math, painting, engineering and more
Registration is open for Kids' College, a summer enrichment day camp offering a variety of classes of every interest to children and teens, ages 6 to 15.
The program runs weekly Monday through Thursday from June 17-27 and July 8-25, in half-day sessions that last four days each. All classes are held at Elgin Community College's Spartan Drive campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.
The program embraces a noncompetitive, nourishing learning environment and helps children stimulate their minds and satisfy their blossoming passion for art, entertainment, foreign language, cooking, sewing, science, and technology.
Early registration is encouraged as space is limited. All classes are taught by experienced instructors. Materials are provided for the classes unless otherwise noted.
For the full list of Kids' College courses and additional information, visit elgin.edu/kidscollege.
Make sure to select “Summer 2019” from the selection tabs when browsing course offerings.
A new offering is a “Girls in Engineering and Design Camp” for ages 14 to 16. Students will engage and learn the fundamentals of MasterCam in order to design a medical device for cancer patients. Students will test their designs by printing “mockups” using ECC's 3-D printers. After the design phase, students will move to the CNC lab to learn how to program a Haas machine to manufacture the device. Students will test the same design with different materials to see differences in weaker materials. At the end of the camp, students will walk away with a prototype of a medical device. Students will hear from speakers in the industry as well as participate in a field trip to a local manufacturing facility. Class runs July 15 to 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $149.
ECC also offers half-day camps.
• Brush up on your algebra skills with fun games and activities using cards, dice, and online resources in “Anime Art & Movies” for ages 8-11 and ages 12-15. This class is recommended for anyone who wants to build some confidence before their next math class. Class runs June 17-20 from 9 a.m. to noon (ages 8-11) and 1 to 4 p.m. (ages 12-15). Cost is $159.
• Brush up on your algebra skills with fun games and activities using cards, dice, and online resources in “Fun with Algebra.” This class is recommended for anyone ages 10-15 who wants to build some confidence before their next math class. It runs June 24-27 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $169.
• Preheat those ovens to prepare for this hands-on, fast-paced journey into a baker's life. Learn how to bake simple and delicious things from scratch like different types of cookies, muffins, cakes, and focaccia bread in “Baking Class.” Students, ages 8-12, should have some knowledge of measuring ingredients using measuring spoons and cups. Bring an apron and wear closed-toe shoes. It runs July 8-11 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $179.
• “Painting and Color” for ages 12-15 will focus on painting fundamentals and the basics of color theory. Form, figure, space and shape will be explored throughout the course. A combination of demonstration and individual help is offered to students as they work from their choice of photos, magazine images, or still life. This class will teach and encourage students to draw and paint from visual references. Painting media includes watercolor and acrylic paints. All materials included. Class runs July 8-11 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $169.
• Children are natural-born explorers and innovators. Discovering how things work in the world around them is critical at an early age. This Exploration Camp for ages 5-8 takes a STEM-based approach that will include daily hands-on activities focusing on a different theme each day: Weather Wonders, Beautiful Biology (complete with creepy crawlers), Gratifying Gardening, and Gargantuan Geology. Two ongoing projects, the developing an eco-system and building an engineering wall, will be sure to delight our campers. Projects will be on display the final day of camp. Natural Explorers Class runs July 8-11 from 1 to 4 p.m. Cost is $169.
• It is never too early to teach your campers life skills such as sewing on a button, shortening a hem, repairing a tear, or creating a clean seam. Campers, ages 8-14, will be introduced to the basics of sewing while creating project(s) of choice with recycled articles of clothing. Bring your ideas (and mending) and the teacher will instruct you on how to fix or “upcycle” the items. For example, upcycle an old dress shirt into an apron, or turn your old clothes into doll or pet clothing. The ideas are endless! Hand Sewing Class runs July 15-18 from 1 to 4 p.m. Cost is $179.
• Build your own 7-in-1 Mars mini-lander, space rover, space explorer, space shuttle, space dog, astronaut, space station, and space mechanic. Either solar energy or batteries power each. Kids, ages 8-12, will learn about solar energy, use 3D glasses to see the surface of Mars, and make your own 3D drawing. Make a color-changing UV bracelet and sample delicious astronaut ice cream! Learn about constellations. Build and take home your own mini paper rocket and launch it indoors or outdoors. Mission to Mars runs July 15-18 from 1 to 4 p.m. Cost is $195.