Course Schedule

Summer 2008
Classes are available for children and teens at Moraine Valley Community College. Classes are interesting, involving, and do not require homework or include grading.

• Arts and Crafts
• Career Exploration
• Computers
• eFun Explorations Academy Computer Camps
• Languages
• Math
• Music
• Reading
• Science
• Skill Development
• Special Interest
• Sports Camps
• Theater
• Writing
   

Gifted status or minimum qualifying scores are not a requirement. Participants need to have sufficient curiosity, motivation, achievement level and maturity to benefit.

Arts and Crafts
CARTOONING
Create cartoons, caricatures and comic strips in pencil and ink. Bring an 11" x 14", or larger, drawing pad, pencil, eraser, and fine point black ink pen. Ages 8 and up

BASIC DRAWING
Learn to draw and try out new materials. Explore techniques and methods of drawing. Bring a drawing pad (11" x 14" or larger), pencil and eraser.
Ages 8 and up

DRAWING SUPER HEROES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS
Children will be introduced to skills necessary to make the latest super heroes appear to come to life. Bring drawing pad (11" x 14"), pencil, and eraser. Ages 9-15

CREATING MASTERPIECES
This creative art class will allow the students to explore different artists throughout the ages. Students will create a range of art projects from drawing with oil pastels, paper cutting, and painting with tempera and watercolors. Each student will need to bring an art smock, scissors, pencil, colored pencils, crayons, and markers. All other supplies will be provided and are included in the fee. Grades 3-5

PAINTING WITH WATERCOLORS FOR TEENS
Learn various styles of watercolor painting using different brush strokes and special effects. Combine, and even invent new colors. Some materials supplied. List of supplies to be purchased by the student will be given at the first class. Ages 12 and up

POTTERY FOR CHILDREN
A special opportunity for children to create their own individual hand-built objects of clay using pinch, slab and coil techniques. Pieces will be kiln fired and painted. Materials are furnished. Ages 7 and up

Career Exploration
FUTURE LEADERS CHALLENGE CAMP
Challenge yourself to grow and develop to your very best potential. As projects develop within the group, you will enhance and become more aware of skills you have. These skills/abilities such as understanding what you need to know to make a good decision; how to identify and set goals; how to handle peer pressure; how to resolve conflict; will be identified and  practiced within a supportive group and will lead to improved self-esteem and enhanced self-confidence. Learn the traits of effective leaders. Ages 10-13

JUNIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER
Does your child want a bedroom that reflects their personal taste? Have them work with a professional decorator on a floor plan, paint, fabrics and learn about a career as a designer. Supply list will be given at the first session. Ages 10-13.

JUNIOR ACE REPORTER
Working with a professional reporter, here's the chance to learn how stories get written for the newspaper. Junior reporters will learn the basics of getting the story-how to write an interesting lead and flush out newsworthy events for print publications. Ages 9-12.

CSI-MORAINE VALLEY
Experience student level CSI investigations and how they compare to what the actual professionals do. Students will examine, compare, and take fingerprints, hair samples, footprints and identify skull and bone samples. Ages 11-14.

CSI-MORAINE VALLEY, CONTINUED
Student must have completed the beginning class (PY4-114). There will be more related labs to crime scene investigations such as tire thread marks, footprints, digging up bones, and who’s left at the scene of the crime.
Ages 11-14

CAREER AS A POLICE OFFICER
Learn what it takes to become a police officer. You will tour the campus police department; discuss safety procedures, disaster preparedness and basic first aid. This class will meet on Monday-June 16, Monday-June 23, Tuesday-July 1, and Tuesday-July 8.
Ages 8-12

CAREER AS A FIRE FIGHTER
Learn about the career from a real fire fighter. See the gear and receive instructions about fire safety tips, drills, and minor first aid training. This class will meet on Monday-July 14, Tuesday-July 22, Monday-July 28, and Monday-August 4.
Ages 8-12

Computers
COMPUTER CAMP FOR CHILDREN
Learn the basics of Windows XP, word processing, spreadsheet, and database and Internet. Parents may register with their child; each registers separately. Ages 9 and up

KEYBOARDING
Classes stress keyboard mastery, a skill for working on computers.

INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOSHOP
This course is designed to provide a hands-on overview of the PhotoShop application. Students are introduced to the Photoshop environment and interface and learn how to select, move edit an image including re-sizing and re-touching, as well as composite multiple images. Furthermore, the student will learn the importance of layers in addition to the significance of saving the images in the appropriate file format for use on the Web or in a publication. Additional topics include taking out red eye, re-touching old photographs, correcting blemishes or other imperfections in a photograph.
Ages 12-15

INTRODUCTION TO CREATING WEBPAGES WITH HTML
This course is designed to provide a hands-on learning experience in creating web pages. The course will present the principles of web site design. Students will learn the basics of HTML including how to create and edit an HTML file. The class will present the HTML document structure and the use of elements and tags. Students will use HTML to layout, create and publish a collection of web pages. Students will design and create web pages, which include text, images, hyperlinks, and multimedia files. Additional topics include the use of cascading style sheets for formatting, as well as some scripts that bring the web site to life. Students are also introduced to FrontPage and Dreamweaver. Ages 12-15

3D ANIMATION AND VIDEO FOR KIDS
Students will explore the world of 3D animation. This course is designed to provide a hands-on learning experience in 3D Animation and video editing. The students will be introduced to the concepts of creating, modifying, and animating a computer scene using Autodesk 3DS Max’s environment and interface. Furthermore, the student will learn how to composite and edit videos, while adding special effects such as smoke, fire, and other visual effects using real-time 2D particle systems. Students should have basic computer literacy. No class June 30 thru July 3. Ages 12-15

3D COMPUTER ASSISTED DESIGN (CAD) FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS
Children will be introduced to 3D CAD design. This hands-on course takes the student through fun, project-based exercises that are designed to communicate ideas through 3D design and visualization/rendering. Students will use real-life projects to develop the student's use of critical thinking, comprehensive skills associated with teamwork building skills. Ages 12-15

eFun Explorations Academy Computer Camps
Students are guided by adult mentors and their own imaginations to solve real world-inspired science, technology, engineering, and mathematics challenges. The point of eFun Explorations Academy is to excite all students about science and technology. As our name states, we want students to have fun – and they will have that fun while playing creatively and with a purpose.

Children’s natural curiosity and ingenuity help them envision possibilities and develop innovative solutions to difficult technology problems. eFun Explorations Academy will challenge your student with authentic, hands-on explorations and then provide support as they engage in:

• Questioning
• Exploring
• Imagining
• Designing
• Constructing
• Inventing
• Testing
• Observing
• Failing (and trying again)
• LEARNING!

No prior Lego Mindstorms building or programming experience is required. All materials will be provided in class. Students will work in teams of two - friends are welcome to sign up together and can be partners.

eFun Explorations Academy – Where play is serious fun!
INTRODUCTION TO 2D GAME PROGRAMMING
You think playing games is fun? Check out how much fun it is to create your own game! Students will learn about a wide variety of game genres, including Adventure, Strategy, Role Playing, Simulation, Racing, Platform, Sports, Rhythm, Puzzle, Casual, and Educational. Students will learn all basic programming techniques necessary for creating simple games using an open source game engine and programming environment. A variety of game programming topics will be covered, including game world representation, game loop creation, basic artificial intelligence techniques, sprite manipulation, and sound effect and music track control. In this course, students will learn how they can use their newly learned skills to contribute to the One Laptop Per Child initiative. OLPC is a worldwide effort to deliver laptops to children in developing countries with free, open-source educational software. Students taking this course will learn enough to be able to contribute to community efforts to develop new activities for this philanthropic effort.

The course will culminate with the student designing/creating a 2D game similar to classics such as Dig Dug, Pac-Man, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, Galaxian, Frogger, Space Invaders, Tetris, Millipede, RallyX, Q-Bert or any board game or card game. The course is designed specifically for beginners. No prior game programming experience is expected. All materials will be provided in class. Ages 13-18

SCIENCE INVESTIGATOR AND EXPLORER
Innovative, hands-on science explorations for girls and boys using LEGOs and computers. Developed by The National Robotics Engineering Consortium’s Robotics Academy at Carnegie Mellon University, the Science Investigator camp provides students with an opportunity to think creatively to try to explain how things work and test their ideas using evidence from observation and measurement. Students will work with a partner with tools and tasks that promote scientific inquiry. Several curriculum areas will be covered, including: energy, force, speed, friction, scientific fair testing, purposeful inquiry, predicting and measuring, collecting data, making conclusions, designing, creating, testing, modifying, using 2-dimensional instructions, creating 3-dimensional models, and working cooperatively in a team. These authentic inquiries will involve active building, exploring, investigating, and communicating together. Students will use LEGO Mindstorms RCX computerized bricks with sensors to conduct some of their inquiries and will utilize software packages to collect data and perform data analysis. Ages 8-15

OCEAN ODYSSEY ROBO CHALLENGE
Our oceans are of vital importance to the health of the Earth, yet only 1% percent of these magnificent bodies of water have been studied. SPORTS FOR THE MIND: Inspired by FIRST LEGO League, the Ocean Odyssey challenge (for students ages 8-15) combines a hands-on, interactive program with a sports-like atmosphere. Students will have the opportunity to design, build, and program a LEGO Mindstorms robot to solve a variety of missions on a field within a time limit. We have explored more outer space than our oceans. Oceans provide us with many resources and activities from the fish we eat, oil drilled from the ocean floor, to extracts from seaweed used to make ice cream. Oceans fuel this planet’s most vital ecological processes, like the water cycle, and the carbon-dioxide cycle. Yet, we know very little about how we are impacting this important resource. Some of the missions the robot will work to accomplish will be Deploy a Submarine, Conduct a Transect Mapping, Protecting a Pump Station, Service a Pipeline, Sample Fish Species, Build an Artificial Reef, Clean Up a Cargo Shipping Accident, and Find/Recover Archaeological Artifacts. An exhibition will be held on the final day of class where teams demonstrate their robot to family and friends. Ages 8-15

*Section 581 meets at Moraine Valley Education Center at Blue Island 12940 S. Western Avenue

ROBOTICS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMMING FOR TEENS
Bill Gates states that “the robotics industry…is developing in much the same way as the computer business did 30 years ago. Some of the world’s best minds are trying to solve the toughest problems of robotics, such as visual recognition, navigation and machine learning. And they are succeeding.” Explore basic robotics and computer programming through a series of hands-on projects. Students will use a variant of the C programming language called ROBOTC. Design, construct and program robots to solve exciting real-world inspired challenges. After an introduction, students will work with a partner to develop their own robot for the final day competition or exhibition. Ages 8-15

AMUSEMENT PARK ROBO CHALLENGE
Amusement Parks are fun! Let’s envision a future where intelligent robots manage the park and perform necessary maintenance. SPORTS FOR THE MIND: Inspired by FIRST LEGO League, the Dinosaur Park Robo Challenge (for students ages 8-15) combines a hands-on, interactive program with a sports-like atmosphere. Students will have the opportunity to design, build, and program a LEGO MINDSTORMS robot to solve a variety of missions on a field within a time limit. State-of-the-art robots are being developed for a wide variety of purposes. Bill Gates, in a January, 2007 article in Scientific American, predicts that the day is coming soon when there will be a robot in every home (and probably several). South Korea is even developing two robot theme parks. Students in this course will explore the future of automated theme parks – they will design, build and program robots to manage the ordinary, and not so ordinary, tasks at an amusement park. Some of the missions the robots will work to accomplish will be to replenish prize supplies, stop a run-away merry-go-round, deliver bumper cars to their pit, start the opening parade, etc. Students can even design their own new amusement park attraction. An exhibition will be held on the final day of class where teams demonstrate their robot to family and friends. Ages 8-15

ENGINEERING AND ROBOTICS ADVENTURES FOR TEENS
According to the Junior Engineering Technical Society, “Did you know that 4 out of the top 5 most lucrative degrees is in engineering? ... That engineering degrees make up nearly ½ of the top ten degrees in demand? ... That the most common degree for a top CEO is engineering? ... Or that engineers work in sports, music, design, dance, medicine, energy, the environment, and art?” Explore science, technology, engineering, and math concepts and learn through guided research and engineering projects. Activities are designed to motivate and prepare students for study and careers in engineering. Students will enjoy solving problems and working in a team while learning about various engineering disciplines. The course’s curriculum was developed by the Robotics Academy at Carnegie Mellon University. Ages 13-18

DINOSAUR PARK ROBO CHALLENGE
Imagine that dinosaurs have come back from the Cretaceous Period – and they are on display, but things have gone horribly wrong…SPORTS FOR THE MIND: Inspired by FIRST LEGO League, the Dinosaur Park Robo Challenge combines a hands-on, interactive program with a sports-like atmosphere. Students will have the opportunity to design, build, and program a LEGO MINDSTORMS robot to solve a variety of missions on a field within a time limit. Recent advances in cloning technologies and discovery of dinosaur DNA strands raises the question – can dinosaurs ever be cloned and brought back to life? In this exciting course, students will pretend that dinosaurs have returned and are on display for people to see. Handling dinosaurs is dangerous business though – so the students will need to design, build and program robots to help with the tasks. Some of the missions the robots will work to accomplish will be rescuing stranded tourists, capturing an escaped T-Rex, feeding the Raptors, moving dinosaur eggs, etc. An exhibition will be held on the final day of class where teams demonstrate their robot to family and friends. Ages 8-15

AQUABOTS: VOYAGE TO SEA LAB NAUTILUS
An undersea adventure for robotics explorers beneath the mysterious Bermuda Triangle. Developed by The National Robotics Engineering Consortium’s Robotics Academy at Carnegie Mellon University, the AquaBots: Voyage to Sea Lab Nautilus adventure provides students with an opportunity to design, build, and program a LEGO Mindstorms robot to solve a variety of missions on a playing field within a time limit. Some of the missions the robot will work to accomplish will be Activating a SONAR Scanner, Saving a Giant Squid, Delivering Kelp Packets, Connecting an Air Pipeline, Capping an Oxygen Tower, Activating a Research Derrick, Extracting Vent Sensors, and Retrieving the Flight 19 Avenger. An exhibition will be held on the final day of class where teams demonstrate their robot to family and friends. Ages 8-15

P.R.O.B.E. PLANETARY SPACE MISSION
Rocket to another world for an amazing robotics adventure you will never forget…! Developed by The National Robotics Engineering Consortium’s Robotics Academy at Carnegie Mellon University, the P.R.O.B.E. Planetary Space Mission provides students with an opportunity to design, build, and program a LEGO Mindstorms robot to solve a variety of missions on a playing field within a time limit. Some of the missions the robot will work to accomplish will be Moving Sensors Inside a Cave Mouth, Placing Lava Sensing Spheres in Cones of Volcanoes, Moving a Base Hut Inside an Arc, Clearing Rocks for Base, Positioning a Methane Gas Detector, Retrieving Planetary Mineral Formations, and Rescuing the Stranded ‘Moon Rat’. An exhibition will be held on the final day of class where teams demonstrate their robot to family and friends. Ages 8-15

MISSION TO MARS ROBO CHALLENGE
Visit the Red Planet and face challenges similar to those faced by scientists and space engineers! SPORTS FOR THE MIND: Inspired by FIRST LEGO League, the Mission to Mars challenge combines a hands-on, interactive program with a sports-like atmosphere. Students will have the opportunity to design, build, and program a LEGO Mindstorms robot to solve a variety of missions on a field within a time limit. Humans have been fascinated by Mars for thousands of years. However, exploring space is a dangerous undertaking. Robotic exploration provides the opportunity to answer numerous unresolved questions like: Has Mars ever supported life? Could life still be on Mars? Is there ice on Mars? Can Mars be terraformed to support human life? Some of the missions the robot will work to accomplish will be Exiting the Tetrahedron Base, Launching a Sample Canister, Clearing a Solar Panel, Connecting Habitation Modules, Freeing a Rover, Moving Ice Cores to Base, Moving Boulders into a Launch Circle, and Testing their All Terrain Capabilities. An exhibition will be held on the final day of class where teams demonstrate their robot to family and friends. Ages 8-15.

*Section 581 meets at Moraine Valley Education Center at Blue Island 12940 S. Western Avenue

THE SUMMER ROBOT PENTATHLON GAMES
The Olympics aren’t just for people any more. Come build and program your robot for a variety of challenges that have been inspired by the Summer Games while you wait for the Beijing 2008 Games to begin! The Summer Robot Pentathlon Games are a collection of challenges that will test any robot. Design, build, program, and test a robot to perform in events that include RoboWrestling, RoboDash, RoboBowl, RoboStrongMan, and RoboLine. The winner will be determined by the best overall performance in ALL of the events. Students will build and program their robots and get them to “wrestle”, race, knock down bowling pins, push a heavy object, and follow a line as quickly as possible in preparation for a tournament on the final day. Robots will go head-to-head to determine a victor. Ages 8-15

Languages
FRENCH, BEGINNING
Learn French the fun way. The French language will be introduced using a different theme each lesson, including songs, poems, stories, games and simple grammar. Parent may enroll with child; each must register and pay the fee. Book required. Ages 7-12

CHINESE, BEGINNING
Children will learn to converse in simple Mandarin Chinese, read some Chinese characters, and gain an understanding of Chinese customs and culture. Parent may enroll with child; each must register and pay the fee. Ages 6-10

SPANISH, BEGINNING
Learn numbers, time, courtesy phrases, and basic words. Parent may enroll with child; each must register and pay the fee. Book required.

*Section 581 meets at the Moraine Valley Education Center at Blue Island, 12940 S. Western Avenue

SPANISH BEGINNING , CONTINUED
Continuation of basic grammar and skills. Book required. Prerequisite: PY4-150, Spanish Beginning

SPANISH FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS
Learn the basics of grammar and beginning conversational skills. Book required.

PRESCHOOL SPANISH, BEGINNING
Children will experience Spanish language and culture through games, songs and other activities. No reading or writing skills required. Parent may enroll with child; each must register and pay the fee. Ages 4-5.

SPANISH FOR FUN
Learn basic vocabulary as you become acquainted with Spanish customs. Games, songs and activities make learning fun. Parent may enroll with child; each must register and pay the fee. Book required. Grades 1 and 2

PRESCHOOL SPANISH, CONTINUED
Children will continue to experience the Spanish language and culture through games, songs, and other activities. Parent may enroll with child; each must register and pay the fee. Ages 4-5

SPANISH FOR FUN, GRADES 1-2, CONTINUED
Continuation of basic Spanish vocabulary through games, songs and other activities. Book required. Prerequisite: PY4-154, Spanish for Fun, Grades 1-2

SPANISH FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS, CONTINUED
Continuation of basic Spanish grammar and conversational skills. Book required. Prerequisite: PY4-152, Spanish High Schoolers

Math
LINKING MATH WITH LITERATURE
The children will gain confidence in math skills while enjoying literature of various themes. Students need to bring crayons, glue and scissors to class. Grades K-1

EATING UP MATHEMATICS
Children will enjoy learning math in a new way, by eating. Mathematical concepts will be introduced to the students by eating snacks. Students need to bring crayons, scissors and glue. Ages 4-6

MEMORIZE YOUR MULTIPLICATION FACTS
A high energy class using, games, worksheets, songs, and poems to help memorize multiplication facts 0-9. Timed tests will be given and some homework will be assigned. Please bring a pencil and notebook to class each day. Grades 3-5

MATH REVIEW
Assists the elementary school student to improve their basic math skills. The Moraine Valley Community College math curriculum has been developed to stress the achievement of skills at each grade level as prescribed by state-mandated goals. We provide a summer opportunity that helps your child as they move to the next grade level. The child should be exiting the grade because classes are a review of skills presented at that grade level. Book required.