Young actors will get plenty of stage time while they participate in a variety of acting exercises, improvisation, and scene work in this course. Techniques are taught in a fun, fast-paced environment, with lots of opportunities to develop acting and improvisation skills, imagination, creativity, and self-confidence. This exciting workshop will culminate with an in-class demonstration where kids can share their experience with family and friends.  All levels are welcomed, advanced students will benefit from further skill development and will be given more challenging opportunities. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Develop and utilize acting techniques and skills in preparation for performing a character
• Demonstrate basic skills in improvisation and performing a character
• Develop increased stage presence, creativity, and self-confidence

In this class, students will learn about art history and art application.  We will be exploring ancient to modern art with an international art emphasis.  Rather than the traditional Eurocentric view on art, we will begin with ancient art from other areas in the world, and its influences as art evolved. Our journey commences in Africa, continues through Asia, and culminates in the Americas, focusing on Mexico, Central America, and South America. Each lesson will include an art project inspired by the art of the studied nations. Students will unleash their creativity using a variety of media tools (such as paint, pencils, ink, etc.). This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, and Personal and Social Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Gain knowledge on the evolution of international art
• Learn about the history of different countries
• Understand the basics of using 2D art media tools (paint, pencils, ink, etc.)

This class will introduce students to the art of ballet. Concepts such as technique, strength, and artistic expression will be will be taught through exercises at barre, across the floor, and in center. Students will be given opportunities to explore various pathways and qualities of movement, where they will learn to be as spontaneous as petite allegro, and as graceful as a swan! Students will need appropriate clothing such as leggings, yoga pants, form-fitting tops, etc. Tights and leotards are recommended. Shorts may be worn over tights. Crop tops are not allowed. Ballet slippers are required NO point shoes. This course falls under the Communication and Personal and Social Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Understand basic terminology for ballet dance
• Be able to demonstrate a variety of fundamental ballet techniques
• Show personal growth in strength and flexibility

Through guided instructions, students will design and create their own unique projects individually and in small groups. Through hands-on practice with various creams, students will develop the skills to create intricate designs and express their artistic visions on cookies or cakes. This course falls under the Communication and Critical Thinking Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Work with buttercream, fondant, and other decorative materials, learning techniques to create delicious stunning confections
• Become familiar with various tools for decorating, including piping bags, tips, spatulas, and decorative elements
• Enhance their collaboration and communication skills, fostering a supportive and inclusive creative environment through individual and group-based projects

In this course, students will be exposed to various art mediums and artists. Each week we will cover a different art medium. The students will explore painting, sketching, music appreciation, and photography and expand their creativity with each distinction. The course will survey artists such as Kahlo, Picasso, Van Gogh, Hockney, Leibovitz, as well as various classical and contemporary musical composers. No prior experience necessary, all levels are welcome to participate. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Develop essential skills to brainstorm, plan, and generate their own creative works through various mediums
• Identify different artists and art forms
• Describe the cultural significance of various works

Students will enjoy a hands-on learning experience in Mt. SAC's Nutrition and Foods Laboratory Kitchen. Working in teams, students will complete recipes utilizing the kitchen's equipment. Students will prepare a wide range of fresh ingredients in order to produce healthy and flavorful dishes.  This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of principles of food preparation (recipe reading, ingredient identification/measuring, organization of cooking tasks) by successfully preparing course recipes
• Learn to safely prepare food by following kitchen safety and food sanitation guidelines
• Demonstrate ability to properly use kitchen tools and equipment by their application in food preparation
• Gain knowledge of various cooking techniques by the completion of course recipes

This class will introduce students on how to dance in the genre of hip-hop. The course is a basic introduction to hip-hop dance and will teach students basic dance skills, including the importance of stretching and the use of rhythm. Students will need appropriate clothing such as comfortable clothing, shoes, etc. This course falls under the Communication and Personal and Social Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Learn the basics of hip-hop technique
• Learn how to count music
• Memorize small dance combinations

This course is a recreational hula class that is designed to immerse students in the rituals and practices of hula while introducing them to the basic footwork and hand gestures of the dance form. Students will learn about the history, spirituality, language, and land of Hawai’i through the oli (Hawaiian chants) and dances of hula ‘auana (modern style). At the end of the course students will have the opportunity to make their own adornments/ti leaf lei before dancing. Students will need appropriate clothing such leggings, sweatpants, or movable clothing. Students will be dancing barefoot or in socks. Students are allowed to wear Pa’u (hula practice) skirt, below the knee pareo skirt, or any below the knee circle/wide skirt that allows movement in the legs over a pair of leggings or sweats. This course falls under the Communication and Personal and Social Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Learn the language behind hula through the oli (Hawaiian chants) and mele (song)
• Learn basic hula steps such as kâholo and ka’o
• Begin to understand musicality and how to count music 
• Memorize small dance combinations 
• Begin to understand the relationship between the movements and the significance of the lyrical content in an oli (Hawaiian chant) or mele (song)

This class will introduce students to the art of jazz dance. Concepts such as rhythm, technique, and stylization will be taught through exercises across the floor and in center. Students will have time to experiment with their own ideas of fun and to play around with their own individual expressions as they learn to turn, slide, leap, and strut their way across the dance floor! Students will need appropriate clothing such as leggings, yoga pants, form-fitting tops, etc. Tights and leotards are not required. Shorts and crop tops are not allowed. Jazz shoes are optional but recommended. Socks acceptable. This course falls under the Communication and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Understand basic jazz dance terminology
• Be able to demonstrate a variety of fundamental jazz techniques
• Show personal growth in rhythm and music comprehension

Young actors will have a blast while learning the basics of the art of improvisation – acting out scenes with no script or rehearsal just like they do on the TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Actors will work on improvisation techniques such as listening, paying attention, storytelling, status, spontaneity, creativity, and working with others, all while having fun making stuff up! This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Demonstrate basic improvisation skills while performing scenes and exercises
• Develop increased stage presence, creativity, and self-confidence
• Develop and utilize skills in collaboration with others

In this course, students embark on a delicious journey into the world of cookie, cupcake or cake decorating. Through engaging activities and hands-on experiences, students will explore the sensory delights of creating edible works of art. This course falls under the Communication and Critical Thinking Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Actively engage their five sense - sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing - to fully immerse themselves in the decorating process, enhancing their appreciation for culinary arts
• Become familiar with various tools for decorating, including piping bags, tips, spatulas, and decorative elements
• Enhance their collaboration and communication skills, fostering a supportive and inclusive creative environment through individual and group-based projects

We will dive into the fundamentals of art, including color, scale, and composition, providing students with the essential building blocks of artistic expression, and offering them a creative outlet. By challenging the misconception that realism is the only valid form of art, we will introduce students to various styles such as abstract, surrealism, cubism, and flat art. To achieve this, we will study multiple art genres, with each category followed by an art project inspired by the respective style. Utilizing diverse media tools such as paint, pencils, ink, oil pastels, and more, students will realize their artistic capabilities. By the end of the summer, they will come to recognize themselves as artists and appreciate the extent of their creative potential.  This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, and Personal and Social Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Develop basic understanding of many art styles
• Learn the fundamentals of art
• Understand the basics of using 2D art media tools (paint, pencils, ink, etc.)

This course provides an overview of yoga, including basic yoga poses and breathing techniques. This class will teach the proper alignment of the yoga poses and the benefits of yoga. Students will learn sun salutations, standing poses, seated stretches, breathing techniques, and meditation techniques. Yoga helps students to create body awareness, strengthen and stretch their muscles, and reduce stress and anxiety. Students will need appropriate clothing such as comfortable clothing and pants, etc. Yoga mats, strap, and block are optional but recommended. This course falls under the Communication and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Demonstrate Sun Salutation A and B
• Demonstrate proper alignment in basic yoga poses
• Be able to state the benefits of yoga

This course suits mostly for beginners and is designed for students who have little programming/coding knowledge. In this Accelerated Scratch Coding, we will cover the more complex coding concepts in Scratch, such as functions and lists, while continuing to explore all the cool features Scratch has to offer. Students will work on writing and animating their own projects using animations, games, and storytelling. Our goal in this class is to focus on creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and fun! For this online class, students will need a private Gmail account to access a Google classroom link.  This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, ang Information and Technology Literacy Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Use a variety of age-appropriate technologies to communicate and exchange ideas
• Create projects that use coding and various forms of graphic, audio to communicate ideas
• Create their own interactive games, stories, and animations

Take your design skills to the next level! This course dives deeper into advanced design principles like composition, hierarchy, and balance, empowering students to craft visually stunning and impactful designs.  Students will also master advanced features in their chosen design software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator), unlocking new creative potential and pushing the boundaries of what they can achieve. Students are recommended to take “Photoshop Adventures: Foundational Graphic Design Skills” prior to attending or have Adobe Photoshop experience, but not required. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Learn advanced features and functionalities within Adobe Photoshop  
• Communicate complex ideas and narratives through their design projects
• Be introduced to studio culture to develop an understanding the facets of a long-term project requiring them to utilize their foundational skills

In this dynamic course, students embark on a journey of crafting impactful presentations, a skill crucial for future success. Designed to cultivate a pathway to career readiness, students not only unlock their confidence in public speaking and audience engagement, but also immerse into the world of digital creativity. Students will develop skills to craft visually stunning presentations and graphics utilizing Microsoft PowerPoint and Canva. By merging presentation skills with hands-on experience in these platforms, students not only develop confidence in public speaking, but also emerge as skilled creators in the digital realm. Get ready to unleash your creativity and leave a lasting impression in the world of presentations! This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, and Information and Technology Literacy Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Create presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint with customizable layouts, themes, images, multimedia elements, and utilize animation and transition effects to make presentations dynamic and engaging 
• Utilize various tools in Canva to design presentations, graphics for flyers, social media posts, and more
• Build confidence to present their digital creations to an audience in an engaging way

In this course, students will explore the world of photography and videography. Using basic computer software, students will develop skills in capturing the world around them and producing their own video projects. In this course students will be introduced to film and photography principles, video production skills, and in turn will create their own music videos and film projects. No prior experience is necessary for this course and all skill levels are welcome to participate. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, and Information and Technology Literacy Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Learn the principles of film and photography, as well as how to operate editing software, video equipment, and audio equipment
• Create visual productions (e.g. capturing, syncing, mixing)
• Edit visual and audio creations
• Demonstrate understanding of aesthetics related to shooting and editing both audio and visual works

This course will equip students with the necessary skills to proficiently utilize fundamental tools within Adobe Photoshop for the creation and modification of simple digital images. Through hands-on practice and guided instruction, students will learn essential techniques to produce and manipulate digital visuals effectively. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Utilize fundamental tools within Adobe Photoshop 
• Demonstrate an understanding of the creative process by generating diverse solutions to open-ended challenges, fostering creativity, and expressing their newfound interests
• Learn to create audience-specific graphic design elements 

In this course, students will express their creativity through the art form of stop-motion animation. Students will develop a storyline using the method of comic book writing. By creating clay characters, students will be able to portray movement through various pictures taken and edited together. At the end of the course, a mini-class premier will showcase all films created. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, and Information and Technology Literacy Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Learn how stop-motion films work by going through the process of creating their own films
• Learn to use a digital camera, edit pictures, and make movies by stitching a set of pictures together
• Learn various techniques when working with clay to create their characters

This exciting course gives students a chance to explore the world of design and turn their ideas into cool visuals! Through playful activities and hands-on projects, students will spark their imagination by experimenting with colors, shapes, and pictures and bring their unique ideas to life. Student will use design tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, to create eye-catching posters and flyers. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Learn the step-by-step process designers use to make their graphic creations 
• Explore visual concepts, experiment with color and form, and express their ideas through graphic design elements
• Demonstrate an understanding of the iterative design process in creating a simple graphic design project

In this class students will practice skill building while learning about various worldwide countries through reading, mazes, and puzzles all while solving an age-appropriate crime of “Who Done It!” Investigators will discover surprising facts, landmarks, and learn about the culture and customs of the people who live there. After completing missions, students will plan a vacation, create a travel brochure, and become an expert tour guide and take the class on a tour of a country they learned about. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Develop and practice reading comprehension skills
• Develop and practice critical thinking skills
• Develop and practice communication skills

This course is for beginners with little to no exposure to the Spanish language. In this class, student will learn common words and expressions for daily use including basic life skills such as greetings and salutations, needs, transportation and ordering food. For this online class, students will need a private Gmail account to access a Google classroom link. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Use a variety of conversational structures to engage in basic back and forth Spanish conversations
• Communicate basic needs in the Spanish language
• Learn Spanish terms for common household items

Responding to text is the way a student reacts to something that has been read or listen to. In this course, students will learn to interact with the text, develop a deeper understanding and relate what they have read to their own personal experiences. Through this course students learn to construct meaning and strengthen reading comprehension. For this online class, students will need a private Gmail account to access a Google classroom link. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it
• Draw conclusions/opinions from the text supported by text evidence
• Be able to summarize the text, explain the author purpose and point of view and identify main events.

The RACE strategy is a method used to thoroughly answer an open-ended text question. It is a simple writing strategy that can help students construct more thoughtful and rigorous responses to what they read. This course will teach students to become more sophisticated readers and writers while learning to draw inferences and summarize text. For this online class, students will need a private Gmail account to access a Google classroom link.  This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text
• Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text
• Compare and contrast their own point of view from that of the author of a text.

Come get equipped with all the tools you need to be a confident, strategic writer. This class is for those who love to write and those who don’t. Learn the tips and tricks that will make writing a breeze and fun too! For this online class, students will need a private Gmail account to access a Google classroom link. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Plan, revise, and edit a multiple paragraph essay
• Be able to write informative texts to convey ideas and information clearly
• Develop an interesting introduction and strong conclusion

In this course, students will craft a response to a writing prompt that mimics the SBAC state test. Students will be given fictional responses, practice forming opinions, and writing informative responses. Some assignments will require the use of a single source, while others will involve multiple sources. Over the course of three weeks, students will become more confident in their written responses and proficient in using Google tools and Docs. For this online class, students will need a private Gmail account to access a Google classroom link.  This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Learn proper citation format
• Complete assignments with the use of a single source or multiple sources
• How to use Google tools via Google Docs to write responses

Students will use a Google Spreadsheet to create a Geometry-focused Gold Rush claim, tents, the American River, etc... while learning daily about different aspects of the California Gold Rush.  This class will result in a stronger understanding of the events of the California Gold Rush while developing Google Spreadsheet skills as well.  Together, students will relate a key California historical event while learning and reinforcing math concepts.  For this online class, students will need a private Gmail account to access a Google classroom link. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, and Information and Technology Literacy Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand area and perimeter
• Understand basic geometric shapes and angles
• Understand different life aspects of the Gold Rush
• Gain familiarity with Google tools and spreadsheets

3D Printing for Kids is an exciting hands-on introduction to the world of Plastics. Students learn the basics of how a 3D printer works and how to make basic models. In small groups, students will be using computers to create 3D models and print them. No previous experience is necessary, all skill levels are welcome to participate but having a basic understanding of how to navigate a computer will help as you attend the course. If you want a fun challenge, this class is for you! This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal and Social Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Learn and understand the basics of how a 3D printer works
• Learn how to navigate and use modeling software
• Understand basic construction techniques

3D Printing for Kids is an exciting hands-on introduction to the world of Plastics. Students learn the basics of how to fuse and melt plastic to make small projects that can be taken home. Students will be provided 3D printing pens in class and will follow directions from the instructor as they learn alongside other students. No previous experience is necessary, all skill levels are welcome to participate but having a basic understanding of safety under the guidance of the instructor is of importance; the pens will be heated and a level of caution is required.  If you want a fun challenge, this class is for you! This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal and Social Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Develop team building skills as participants engage in every project
• Learn and understand the basics of 3D printing with pens
• Understand basic construction techniques

Student will discover and develop their spatial awareness skills through the world of 3D modeling. Students will solve real world problems by creating 3D solutions. Students will learn about circuit boards using the in-system Arduino version which will give students a different perspective on electronics. Students will also learn about physics using the Simulation Lab in which they can apply real world physics to virtual objects. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Learn about 3D modeling through the use of TinkerCAD
• Develop their spatial awareness skills
• Express their creativity through 3D art form

Robotics for Kids is an exciting hands-on introduction to Robotics. Students learn basic robotic construction, programming & teamwork skills. In small groups, students use building elements, motors, and microcontrollers to build metal robots. Students will build and program their robots to compete against their classmates in classroom robot competitions. No previous experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome to participate in this course as projects are oriented towards skill building and creativity rather than technical ability. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Develop team building skills as participants engage in every project
• Learn and understand the basic construction of a robot
• Understand basic robotics programming
• Develop valuable critical thinking skills in which they will be able to gather, organize, and analyze data from various sources and apply that to their own projects

Robotics for Kids is an exciting hands-on introduction to Robotics. Students learn basic robotic construction, programming & teamwork skills. In small groups, students use building elements, motors, and microcontrollers to build metal robots. Students will build and program their robots to compete against their classmates in classroom robot competitions. No previous experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome to participate in this course as projects are oriented towards skill building and creativity rather than technical ability. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Develop team building skills as participants engage in every project
• Learn and understand the basic construction of a robot
• Understand basic robotics programming
• Develop valuable critical thinking skills in which they will be able to gather, organize, and analyze data from various sources and apply that to their own projects

Students will explore the science and physics of what electricity is and how electricity can be used to power devices with common household items. This device is known as a simple circuit; students will have the opportunity to build and expand on what a circuit is. This course falls under the Communication, Critical Thinking, Information and Technology Literacy, and Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs).  

Upon completion students will:

• Learn about circuits through the use of Arduinos
• Develop a better understanding of electronics through various projects that incorporate the use of coding and/or programming
• Construct various electronic projects