Course Offerings

Chess Club 3-8 is a community for new and experienced students to learn and play together. In Spring 2022, we will hold a chess tournament for all class members who wish to participate. In addition, I will teach many new types of chess, including Standard, 4-player, Bughouse, Crazyhouse, California, Chess960, Antichess, Atomic, King of the Hill, Racing Kings, and Three-check. We may also learn ancient versions of chess, including Chaturanga and Chaturaji. The Robinson Center provides students with access to ChessKid.com. ChessKid.com is an award-winning chess instructional program designed specifically for kids, giving students 24/7 access to chess puzzles, lessons, and games, so they can learn and play chess anytime! Instructor: Ray Easterday

See the syllabus here.

Chess Club K-2 is a community for new and experienced students to learn and play together. In Spring 2022, we learn and practice many new types of chess, including Standard, 4-player, Crazyhouse, California, Chess960, Antichess, Atomic, King of the Hill, Racing Kings, and Three-check. We may also learn Bughouse, Chaturanga, and Chaturaji. The Robinson Center provides students with access to ChessKid.com. ChessKid.com is an award-winning chess instructional program designed specifically for kids, giving them 24/7 access to chess puzzles, lessons, and games, so they can learn and play chess anytime! Instructor: Ray Easterday

See the syllabus here.

Chess Club K-4 is a community for new and experienced students to learn and play together. In Spring 2022, we will hold a chess tournament for all class members who wish to participate. In addition, I will teach many new types of chess, including Standard, 4-player, Bughouse, Crazyhouse, California, Chess960, Antichess, Atomic, King of the Hill, Racing Kings, and Three-check. We may also learn ancient versions of chess, including Chaturanga and Chaturaji. The Robinson Center provides students with access to ChessKid.com. ChessKid.com is an award-winning chess instructional program designed specifically for kids, giving students 24/7 access to chess puzzles, lessons, and games, so they can learn and play chess anytime! Instructor: Ray Easterday

See the syllabus here.

The climate crisis is a grave threat to our world--yet it is only one component of a set of problems we must face. The solutions to social injustice, an unsafe global community, and the climate crisis are one and the same. Urban designers and architects are uniquely positioned to help us transform these problems into positive outcomes. In this course, you'll explore architectural design practices and concepts through a sequence of drawing, modeling, and thinking activities. You'll network with an international audience. You'll evaluate your own and others' ways of thinking and work collectively to design more deeply "green" and foundationally "resilient" proposals for the sister cities of Seattle and Kobe, Japan. Instructor: Matt Fujimoto

See the syllabus here.

Speaking comfortably and confidently in front of an audience is a skill relevant to many aspects of life. This course will cover the fundamentals of public speaking, including voice projection and intonation, speech writing, effective gesturing, and audience engagement.  Our course is designed to be a fun and lively online forum where all are welcome to engage and comfortably learn how to speak eloquently and with greater ease. Instructor: Jennifer Stephens

See the syllabus here.

How do artists and writers make graphic novels come to life? What makes comics so appealing and so different from any other art form? In each session, we'll learn new techniques in writing and drawing and put them into practice. Using materials as basic as pencils, erasers, and paper, we'll design characters, give them facial expressions, place them in action poses, and begin to create stories, tell jokes, and write poems in graphic novel form. Students will gain a better understanding of visual communications, both as readers and writers. Prior drawing experience is not as important as a desire to communicate one's ideas. Instructor: David Lasky

See the syllabus here.

Throughout history, some of the most clear, creative, and analytical thinkers have been scientists. Eratosthenes was able to measure the circumference of the earth within 1% of its modern-day value over 2000 years ago. He didn't have satellites, telescopes, or even Google to help him out. How did Eratosthenes do it? What conditions allowed his famous calculation? This course goes over the history of Western science (from ancient times through the 1600s) to ask how and why famous scientists came up with their breakthrough ideas. By the end of this course, students will have learned more about the scientists that shaped the modern world, but more importantly, they will have learned how to think and approach novel problems like a scientist! Instructor: Townsend Rowland

See the syllabus here.

This class is designed for students who want to learn the basics of 3D design and 3D printing. We will cover the ins and outs of designing in 3D, using TinkerCAD (a free online program) as the main source. This is about more than just 3D design, however; it's about how to design things with the capabilities (and limitations) of 3D printers in mind. We will go through the step-by-step process to transfer files to a printer via a slicer and learn how to operate a 3D printer using Creality Ender 3 Pro printers. Each student will have a final project that we will print in class. This is a great way to jump into the fastest-growing and most fascinating technology in the world, 3D printing! Instructor: Brian Jaffe

See the syllabus here.

This class is designed for students who want to learn the basics of 3D design and 3D printing. We will cover the ins and outs of designing in 3D, using TinkerCAD (a free online program) as the main source. This is about more than just 3D design, however; it's about how to design things with the capabilities (and limitations) of 3D printers in mind. We will go through the step-by-step process to transfer files to a printer via a slicer and learn how to operate a 3D printer using Creality Ender 3 Pro printers. Each student will have a final project that we will print in class. This is a great way to jump into the fastest-growing and most fascinating technology in the world, 3D printing! Instructor: Brian Jaffe

See the syllabus here.

Should we have school dress codes? Should students be assigned homework? This course offers an exploration into oration with students learning how to support their ideas and argue effectively. Debate is a fun, engaging way for students to practice public speaking, develop sound logic and reasoning skills, and build confidence and self-esteem. Students also learn to express their opinions assertively in a respectful manner on many relevant issues and topics.  Zoom breakout rooms allow students to work in teams as well as engage one-on-one with the instructor. Instructor: Jennifer Stephens

See the syllabus here.

Minecraft has been around for over a decade and many players have created entire worlds by placing one block at a time. Students will work together to address various building challenges, including making buildings, pixel art, Redstone circuits, and moving art pieces. We will play in Creative Mode in Minecraft Education Edition, where students can focus on building. This class will help young students plan and build in the Minecraft world without worrying about the logistics of collecting materials. They can fly around the Minecraft world, and they have access to an infinite number of blocks. No previous Minecraft or computer games experience is necessary. Instructor: A.J. Balatico

See the syllabus here.

Ever wonder what it's like to participate in a trial? Introduce evidence? Question witnesses? In this course, students will participate in a mock trial. Each session explores a new set of case facts so students who have participated previously will enjoy a new courtroom experience. This introduction to law will include lessons on rules of evidence, cross examination, and courtroom decorum. We've offered this course online before and it was a resounding success! Students will be a part of every aspect of the trial so come prepared to act as advocate, witness, and jury! Instructor: Jennifer Stephens

See the syllabus here.

How many numbers can you remember backwards? How much sugar is too much? Does practice actually make perfect? As a class, we will perform a variety of experiments to test reflexes, memory, senses, and movement while diligently recording our results. Each week we will analyze and compare our results to look at trends in our data. Did we get better or worse? Lastly, we will research various parts of the brain and design experiments to test variables within and across people and environments. Students will share their results on a scientific academic poster. Instructor: A.J. Balatico

See the syllabus here.

In this course we engage in the social practices of philosophy and critical thinking through use of prompts and open-ended discussion. We draw on a range of philosophical traditions to guide student-led investigations into big ideas and ask fundamental questions about the world and our place within it. Students will practice identifying and asking philosophical questions using philosophically provocative books, games, videos, and other materials and activities designed to guide and focus our discussion and community building. Through peer discussion and experienced facilitation, children are invited to participate in social deliberations that support critical thinking skills in reasoning, reflection, and respectful social interaction with others whose viewpoints may differ from their own. Instructor: Jordan Sherry-Wagner

See the syllabus here.

In this course we engage in the social practices of philosophy and critical thinking through use of prompts and open-ended discussion. We draw on a range of philosophical traditions to guide student-led investigations into big ideas and ask fundamental questions about the world and our place within it. Students will practice identifying and asking philosophical questions using philosophically provocative books, games, videos, and other materials and activities designed to guide and focus our discussion and community building. Through peer discussion and experienced facilitation, children are invited to participate in social deliberations that support critical thinking skills in reasoning, reflection, and respectful social interaction with others whose viewpoints may differ from their own. Instructor: Jordan Sherry-Wagner

See the syllabus here.

Are you fascinated with the natural world around you? Students will gain skills from a range of philosophical traditions such as forming deep and reflective questions, critical thinking, and engaging in civil dialogue. They will practice identifying and asking philosophical questions, particularly focused on nature, using provocative short stories and mythology, science texts, and videos designed to guide and focus our activities, discussions, and community building. Questions explored might include: What is the difference between "natural" and "manmade"? What does the way we interact with/communicate with nature say about how we understand society/civilization? Student interest will contribute to the weekly syllabus. Instructor: Hollie Joy Wagner

See the syllabus here.

How can we make the challenge of plotting great fiction less daunting? This course will answer that question by examining a story's essential components and where they are positioned for maximum effect. Our first focus will be learning the intricacies of both character arcs and story arcs. Understanding their roles will provide us with a solid foundation as we then launch into an examination of novel plot structure, where students will discover how to build these arcs into the framework of a story. Finally, students will also learn how the plot of a novel differs from that of short stories and novellas, giving them freedom in the future to pursue plotting the genre of their choice. Instructor: Megan Holman

See the syllabus here.

The modern world is filled with controversial, confusing, and often frustrating claims about science. How much of a problem is climate change? Are vaccines really safe? Should creationism be taught alongside evolution in schools? This course can't answer those questions, however, it aims to help students cut through the scientific noise so they can think about and evaluate contentious claims for themselves. Each week we will examine a different event in the history of science to learn how scientists dealt with controversy during their lifetime. Through this examination, students will learn critical thinking skills and gain historical perspective to better understand the world we live in today. Students will look at past scientific controversies through simulations that include drawing, discussions, brainstorming, social games, and more. Instructor: Townsend Rowland

See the syllabus here.

Starting with a group of metal robot champions – designed and built by the previous robotics class – students will focus on building parts and equipment for their robots to address new challenges every other week. A bigger robot may be able to push others around, but can it win in a race? Will a small robot have enough capacity to carry objects across the room? Constraints such as time or limited parts will make it so teams need to think creatively about trade-offs. Students will work together to design and test possible solutions, and they will spend time practicing driving and controlling their robot. No previous robotics experience is required. Instructor: A.J. Balatico

See the syllabus here.

Are you curious about the possibilities of the future and potential advancements of society? Students will gain skills from the great tradition of philosophy such as forming deep and reflective questions, critical thinking, and engaging in civil dialogue. They will practice identifying and asking philosophical questions drawn from provocative science fiction animation and films designed to guide and focus our activities, discussions, and community building. This kind of media analysis enhances cultural awareness and the practical application of imagination in creative problem-solving. Themes may include excerpts from popular media such as the Matrix, Cloud Atlas, Ready Player One, Avatar, and A Wrinkle in Time. Student interest will contribute to the weekly syllabus. Instructor: Hollie Joy Wagner

See the syllabus here.

This class is all about the fun of drawing what you see in the world. When we draw the people, places, and things around us, it increases our observational skills, improves our hand-eye coordination, and gives us the satisfaction of having completed a drawing in a short amount of time. In each session, we'll warm up with a little doodling, learn some drawing tips, and get to work on a specific assignment with pencil and paper. Students will gain greater confidence in putting pencil to paper at a moment's notice and a sharper eye for detail. By the end of the course, they will have a visual record of this moment in their lives. Prior drawing experience is not necessary. Instructor: David Lasky

See the syllabus here.