Youth Programs
Forward Enrichment
Creativity
Critical Thinking
Communication
Collaboration
Programs (More to Come)
Spring (April-June; registration starts 1/27/25 https://www.fostercity.org/parksrec/page/recreation-classes-information)
Introduction to Systems Thinking
Building on NGSS’s Engineering Design performance expectations, we will learn about systems thinking and practice applying it to hypothetical scenarios. We will discuss how to use visualization and software tools to help synthesize learnings on relatively complex topics. Students will also choose from selected topics to prepare and present during the last session.
Soft Electronics Design Exploration
Come and craft an accessory with light electronics components! Provided guides will help you appreciate the designs before using the tools for the hands-on activities. In addition to following the templates, there’s room for infusing your creativity to add to the designs.
Educational Video Production
Do you enjoy learning from online videos and want to create one? It could be a video that summarize your research on a topic, showcasing what you are good at, or, turn a cool school project into the video format. We will go through the planning, production, and editing process for you to make one for yourself or with others.
Game Experience and Simulation
Come to play selected educational games and explore related design and STEM concepts such as modeling and optimization. Each session will have guided discussions on relevant topics and/or the game mechanics.
Improvisation and Composition: From Page to Stage
Imagine, plan, and create a studio performance as an adaptation of a book or short story! We will explore voice and movements as well as solicit ideas and creative expressions for a theatrical composition with improvisation exercises, writing, and discussions. It's a space for discovering your appetite for shaping creative narratives while building confidence and developing communication and collaboration skills.
TED Talks Style Presentation
It’s your chance to select a STEM topic of interest to research, write, and present in the TED Talks style! Practice giving and receiving feedback to improve presentation skills and deepen the understanding of the topics. Apply concepts of storytelling to shape technical/data presentation into engaging narratives, especially when there are uncertainties, controversies, and/or ambiguities around a phenomenon or trend.
Read and Play
Participate in selected activities from books/articles/websites for themes such as kitchen chemistry, artistic palette for earth, product design, and STEAM in the news with your peers. Guided discussions on highlighted concepts will support your interests, knowledge, and skill development, especially if you continue to explore these materials afterwards.
Winter (Dec-March; contact us for registration)
Game Experience and Simulation:
Come and explore selected games (board games, apps, online, printable, etc.) and related design, science, and engineering concepts. Each session will have guided discussions on selected topics.
Bilingual Read and Play:
Participate in social learning experiences that the instructor facilitates using selected activities from books/articles/websites that you can explore further at home or for a class project. Some conversational Mandarin experience is required as the class will supplement with Mandarin vocabulary, summary, Q&A, and oral presentation exercises to support bilingual learning. The topics covered include improvisation and stories, creative bricks/LEGO builds, product or game design, artistic palette for earth, and STEAM in the news.
Technical Presentation with a Twist:
Have you started or completed a cool school STEM project during the semester and want to get additional feedback and inspiration to refine and expand your inquiries on the topics? Maybe you also want to drill on the presentation skills or change the format for a future show-and-tell? Let's do it before the holidays!
Fall (Oct-Nov; contact us for more info)
Arts and Crafts for STEM:
Participate in social learning facilitated by the instructor using selected STEAM activities related to the theme each day (Video Production, Creative Bricks/LEGO Challenge, Product/Game Design, Simulation/3D modeling, Sustainability); you can explore them further at home or for a class project. Each session will have time for an overview and student show and tell.
Creative Adaptation with Improvisation:
Imagine, plan, and create a studio performance as an adaptation of a movie/book/short story! We will explore voice and movements as well as solicit ideas and creative expressions for a theatrical composition with improvisation exercises, writing, and discussions. It's a space for discovering your appetite for shaping creative narratives while building confidence and developing communication and collaboration skills.
Summer (June-Aug; contact us for more info)
Read and Play:
Participate in social learning experiences facilitated by the instructor using selected activities from books/articles/websites related to the theme that you can explore further at home or for a class project.
- Board Game and Simulation
- Science and Engineering Video Production Planning
- Creative Bricks/LEGO Challenge
- Investigating Product or Game Design
- Craft, Make, and Think in 3D
- Artistic Palette for Earth
Technical Presentation (TED-Talk style OR Mini-Lesson):
Select a STEM topic of interest to research, write, present, debate/persuade, and give/receive feedback to improve your technical presentation skills.
Design Project for Paper Packaging & 3D Crafts (Future):
We will learn about the design thinking mindset and apply the process of empathizing with stakeholders to frame the design challenge, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration to complete an individual or group project that focuses on health promotion messages. Guided contextual inquiries of selected topics prepare students for design opportunity identification before hands-on activities and digital tool introduction (e.g., manual/digital design of packaging or 3D artifact prototypes). There’s room for bringing in your artistic skills, too!
Technical Presentation and Debate (Future):
Select a STEM topic of interest to research, write, and present in either the TED Talks style or a mini-lesson format. Practice giving and receiving feedback to improve your technical presentation skills. We will also engage in a thoughtful debate to deepen our understanding of aspects of the topics, especially when there are uncertainties, controversies, and/or ambiguities around a complex phenomenon or trend.