Course Offerings

Everyone has a story, but not all stories have had the chance to be told. Modern picture books are the vessel for art and diverse points of view. The picture book provides the capability of varying perspectives to capture the imagination and expand the young reader's understanding of places, cultures, languages, and histories. In this course, students will reflect on how the inclusivity of what is published changes the landscape of stories being told. This course will feature a large selection of recently released children's books, as well as feature an author talk. Students will write and illustrate a children's book and immerse themselves in their own perspective. Students will come away empowered through the perspective of others while valuing the importance of their own story and the power of writing through one's own lens. Everyone has a valuable story. What is yours? Instructor: Kate Cook

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

In this course, students will explore American literature by reading four novels that demonstrate the human diversity and multilayered motifs that define the "American experience." Such experience stems from the intersection of individuals and groups negotiating the realities of gender, class, race, colorism, subservience, nationalism, freedom, immigration, patriarchy, privilege, cynicism, alienation, and dystopia. Besides learning how to perform "close readings" of literary texts, students will learn how to style their observations and interpretations into inductive reasoning that supports critical reading, thinking, and writing. In the end, students will be able to scrutinize the myth of the Great American Novel. Instructor: Corey Olds

This is a dual-language Spanish/English theater course designed for intermediate to advanced Spanish-language and English-language learners, but all levels are welcome. By the end of the course, students will have prepared a dual-language theatrical performance. Language learning in this course will be fun, dynamic, and allow for learner voice and choice by giving students the opportunity to choose their roles in the production process. Instruction will follow a 50/50 learning model where students spend 50% of instruction time studying, collaborating, and performing in each language while learning theater fundamentals, including acting, directing, producing, set design, and stage management. While having fun, students will engage in activities to enrich their English/Spanish fluency and learn the stage skills to put on a dual-language theater performance. Instructor: Daniel Cook

Algebra 1 is designed to give students a foundation for all future mathematics courses. This course will cover the fundamentals of algebraic problem-solving. Through the use of interactive lessons and modeling, students will explore: foundations of algebra, solving equations, solving inequalities, an introduction to functions, linear functions, systems of equations and inequalities, exponents and exponential functions, polynomials and factoring, quadratic functions and equations, radical expressions and equations, and data analysis and probability. Common Core standards will be taught and reinforced as the students learn to apply the concepts taught in real-life situations. Instructor: Jym Kinney

Algebra 1 is designed to give students a foundation for all future mathematics courses. This course will cover the fundamentals of algebraic problem-solving. Through the use of interactive lessons and modeling, students will explore: foundations of algebra, solving equations, solving inequalities, an introduction to functions, linear functions, systems of equations and inequalities, exponents and exponential functions, polynomials and factoring, quadratic functions and equations, radical expressions and equations, and data analysis and probability. Common Core standards will be taught and reinforced as the students learn to apply the concepts taught in real-life situations. Instructor: Alex Perry

Our Algebra 2/Trig curriculum follows closely the ideas and skills described in the Common Core for that subject. These include operations with quadratics and higher order polynomials, work with rational expressions, radical expressions, and complex numbers, transformation of functions and their graphical representations, the fundamental theorems of algebra, including the factor theorem, rational root theorem, as well as trigonometric problem-solving and proofs involving trigonometric identities. To best complete one academic year over the four-week period, a large part of each day will be spent doing small-group work, individual study, and testing. Self-motivation, strong independent learning, and good study habits are essential for success in this highly accelerated and individually paced program. Not all students finish the entire curriculum.  Instructor: Pauly

Please note: Section A and Section B have different instructors but cover the same course material.

This course has prerequisites. Students wishing to register for Algebra 2 must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (or are currently enrolled in) Algebra 1 and Geometry. Please submit evidence of success in these courses (by uploading a relevant report card) during the application process.

Our Algebra 2/Trig curriculum follows closely the ideas and skills described in the Common Core for that subject. These include operations with quadratics and higher order polynomials, work with rational expressions, radical expressions, and complex numbers, transformation of functions and their graphical representations, the fundamental theorems of algebra, including the factor theorem, rational root theorem, as well as trigonometric problem-solving and proofs involving trigonometric identities. To best complete one academic year over the four-week period, a large part of each day will be spent doing small-group work, individual study, and testing. Self-motivation, strong independent learning, and good study habits are essential for success in this highly accelerated and individually paced program. Not all students finish the entire curriculum. Instructor: Alissa Berger 

Please note: Section A and Section B have different instructors but cover the same course material.

This course has prerequisites. Students wishing to register for Algebra 2 must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (or are currently enrolled in) Algebra 1 and Geometry. Please submit evidence of success in these courses (by uploading a relevant report card) during the application process.

This is a reading, lecture, and laboratory course that covers the basic high school chemistry curriculum and provides an understanding of why materials in our world behave as they do. Students must have completed first year Algebra or equivalent to apply. Instructors: Jeannine Sieler and Melvin Soetrisno

We often see writing happening in paragraphs, a well-loved form, but one that makes us forget as readers that there's a visual aspect to writing and reading. What if we brought that back? This course is designed to encourage young writers to think about the visual elements in fiction by emphasizing the impact of white space, formatting, and visual play in the reading experience. Exploring various forms, from the unconventional hermit crab essay to choosing your own adventures, students will critically engage with both non-traditional and standard writing formats. The course will culminate in small-group workshops, encouraging participants to find a visual identity—tried and true, or something new—for their stories that resonates with their unique voice. Instructor: Sanjana Ramesh

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

How can we use experimentation, collaboration, and even silliness to make our writing more compelling? In this course, we'll explore various forms of creative and academic writing with an emphasis on writing as an act of discovery. Through essays, poems, and short fiction, we'll practice advancing our thinking on the page and taking chances that help us connect to our audience. We'll dive deep into the steps of the writing process—from brainstorming to drafting to revision—and use reading, field trips, visual art, film, and more to inspire our work. Students will come away with a portfolio of polished pieces. Instructor: Liza Birnbaum

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

Epiphanies: sudden and surprising moments of understanding. When they come, they are sources of immense joy to those engaging in the process of inquiry. In literature, they leave readers with a lasting impression. Through epiphanies, creative writers provide their audience with a pathway towards meaningful realizations of their own. This course will explore these moments in contemporary poetry, creative prose, and creative nonfiction. Through these texts, students will learn how creative writers cultivate public scholarship that engages with critical discussions of positionality through the lens of race, gender, and class. With a capstone project--a portfolio of original critical and creative writing--students will depart with a toolbox of skills for collegiate research, gathered through the development of their own writing practice. Instructor: Reggie Kent

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

Texts and communication today are getting more complicated with the fusion of multiple modes like words, images, audios, videos, and overwhelming information. So, traditional text-based literacy is not enough for today's students; they need awareness and skills to integrate multiple modes to make meaning in both reading and writing. Moreover, texts tend to be biased with authors' personal intentions and philosophical orientation, so students need critical thinking and reading strategies to consume the right messages. This course will enhance their reading strategies across literary and non-literary genres. Students will be engaged in critical reading and response to texts, investigation of power relations and hierarchies in texts, metacognition, crafting arguments, and developing multimodal composition/projects. Instructor: Patrick McGowan

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

Moving from research to design implication, students will build a unique toolbox for reading the built environment and how it influences happiness. Real-world explorations in urban contexts will strengthen their analytical skills as they build multisensory insights and recognize expanded ways of knowing. Bringing their insights into the studio, students will engage in iterative design processes, testing tools and techniques used in architectural and urban design practice including scale drawing, spatial-conceptual diagrams, participatory engagement, group charrettes, model building, and installation design. Instructor: Rebecca Habtour

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

This course provides students interested in coding a flavor of the mathematics necessary to excel in computer science, which are not topics normally covered in algebra courses. Topics include propositional logic, sets, functions, proofs by induction, contradiction, sequences and series, sums, counting rules, permutations and combinations, story proofs, and probability. In-class activities will consist of solving problems individually and in groups. In addition, we will have regular quizzes, some take-home readings, and homework. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while looking at some interesting puzzles along the way. Students will repeatedly encounter the techniques learned in many areas of computer science and other related disciplines. Instructor: Bee Lim

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

This course will follow the development of physics, from Babylonian mathematics to current research in astrophysics. We'll explore Greek contributions to math and science, how their ideas reached western Europe by way of the Arab world, and replicate Galileo's experiments that changed the course of science. We'll examine the nature of light, for this is what led Einstein to question the traditional concepts of space and time. We'll develop the theory of Special Relativity, including time dilation, relativistic mass increase, and E = mc2. Finally, we'll explore the physics related to current, real-world issues, from the physics of climate change to missions to Mars. Instructor: Kush Dwivedi

Students will understand fundamental concepts regarding planes and solid shapes. They will also know how to develop and apply common properties and formulas to solve problems in geometry. Finally, students will be able to apply principles of logic to prove theorems in geometry and learn how to extend this logic to other academic disciplines. To accomplish these goals, we will be covering Chapters 1 through 13 in the Holt McDougal textbook, at a pace of roughly one chapter per day. Each day will consist of individual work time, small-group work, and an assessment. Self-motivation, strong independent learning, and strong study habits are essential for success in this highly accelerated and individually paced program. Not all students finish the entire curriculum. Instructor: Thomas Ames

Please note: Section A and Section B have different instructors but cover the same course material.

This course has a prerequisite. Students wishing to register for Geometry must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (or are currently enrolled in) Algebra 1. Please submit evidence of success in Algebra 1 (by uploading a relevant report card) during the application process.

Students will understand fundamental concepts regarding planes and solid shapes. They will also know how to develop and apply common properties and formulas to solve problems in geometry. Finally, students will be able to apply principles of logic to prove theorems in geometry and learn how to extend this logic to other academic disciplines. To accomplish these goals, we will be covering Chapters 1 through 13 in the Holt McDougal textbook, at a pace of roughly one chapter per day. Each day will consist of individual work time, small-group work, and an assessment. Self-motivation, strong independent learning, and strong study habits are essential for success in this highly accelerated and individually paced program. Not all students finish the entire curriculum. Instructor: Truman Buffett

Please note: Section A and Section B have different instructors but cover the same course material.

This course has a prerequisite. Students wishing to register for Geometry must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (or are currently enrolled in) Algebra 1. Please submit evidence of success in Algebra 1 (by uploading a relevant report card) during the application process.

This engaging and comprehensive course is designed to provide a solid understanding of the structure and function of the human body. Throughout the course, students will explore the intricacies of various body systems, organs, and tissues, and develop a deep appreciation for the complexities of human anatomy. We'll begin with the basics of anatomical terminology, then delve into studying each major body system, including the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, nervous, and reproductive systems, examining the structure and function of these systems in detail to understand how each system contributes to the overall functioning of the human body. Students will engage in a variety of instructional activities, including lectures, discussions, laboratory experiments, and multimedia presentations. Hands-on activities will include dissection of preserved specimens, identification of anatomical structures, and microscopy analysis. This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one. Instructor: Paige Reed

Please Note: This course will involve the use of dissection materials and graphic representations of anatomical structures. Students will also be visiting a cadaver lab on the UW campus. Students and parents/guardians will be informed in advance, and alternative assignments will be provided for those who choose not to participate in the section activities.

Biology is defined as the science of life and living organisms. We will investigate the mechanisms of transmission and storage of information that allow organisms to develop, adjust to changing conditions, and evolve over time. We will learn about the processes that drive evolutionary change and diversification, and the meaning and relevance of shared ancestry among all living organisms. We will also explore introductory theory in biotechnology and genetic engineering. Through lectures, discussion-based teaching, inquiry-driven learning, experiments, hands-on projects, lab experiments, and field trips, students will learn the fundamentals of the process of science, the interconnected and interacting nature of organisms and their environments, and the adaptations that organisms evolved to meet these challenges, with a focus on the aquatic biosphere. Instructors: Amina Cesario and Matt Stewart

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

Living on our screens, we watch a lot of movies, but often just as passive spectators looking to be entertained. However, the entertainment function of cinema is not the total value of the artform. In our class, students will learn to see films through the trained, discerning eyes of the critic, expanding their technical knowledge and honing their analytical skills to engage with the implicit meaning, commentary, and artistry of classic films, but also ones we'd watch day-to-day. Yes, we are watching movies for homework. However, students should still expect an active and engaging educational experience learning the fundamentals of film form, major moments in cinematic history, and how to think and write about movies for both academic and public audiences. Instructor: Nina Sobers

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

This course offers a structured introduction to Python, one of the most in-demand programming languages. Students will start with the fundamentals of Python setup and basic scripting, advancing through key concepts such as data types, control structures, functions, and modules. The curriculum progresses to cover more advanced topics including data structures, file operations, error handling, and an introduction to object-oriented programming. Each session combines theoretical learning with practical, hands-on exercises, enabling students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios. The course culminates in a final project, where students will demonstrate their coding skills and creativity. Ideal for young learners with a keen interest in technology, this course aims to build a strong foundation in programming within an engaging and supportive environment. Instructor: Xuetao Ma

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

Ever wonder what it's like to take part in a trial? Introduce evidence? Question witnesses? In this course, students will participate in a mock trial. This introduction to law will include lessons on rules of evidence, cross examination, and courtroom decorum. Students will be a part of every aspect of the trial so come prepared to act as advocate, witness, and jury! Guest speakers from the Seattle legal community will also participate to give students a well-rounded understanding of the practice of law. Instructor: Michelle Nguyen

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

Ever wonder what it's like to take part in a trial? Introduce evidence? Question witnesses? In this course, students will participate in a mock trial. This introduction to law will include lessons on rules of evidence, cross examination, and courtroom decorum. Students will be a part of every aspect of the trial so come prepared to act as advocate, witness, and jury! Guest speakers from the Seattle legal community will also participate to give students a well-rounded understanding of the practice of law. Instructor: Louis Zheng

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

Should androids have human rights? Should we make ethical decisions like Spock? In what sense do unicorns exist? Did Harry Potter have free will? In this course, we will explore various philosophical concepts through their presentation in science fiction and fantasy. For example, as modern science progresses, what we once thought of as science fiction at the start of the 20th century is now approaching reality. These questions will help us understand how we think about ourselves, other people, and the world we live in while sharpening our skills in critical thinking, collaborative inquiry, and civil dialogue. Through the use of movies, TV shows, selections from novels, TED Talks, and excerpts of philosophical writing, we will explore the intersections between philosophy, science fiction, and fantasy, and try to answer some of the philosophical questions that have inspired human minds for millennia. Instructors: Nic Jones and Jack Flesher

Precalculus is about building the tools of mathematical problem-solving needed for introductory calculus. We assume enough prior familiarity with algebra to be comfortable with functions and their graphs and with manipulating linear and quadratic equations. The key question behind precalculus could reasonably be phrased as: how are functions applied to real-world situations? Closely related are the further questions: how are functions related to their graphs? And what does the graph of a function tell us about its real-world consequences? All three of these ideas will underlie the various topics in this course. Self-motivation, strong independent learning, and good study habits are essential for success in this highly accelerated and individually paced program. Not all students finish the entire curriculum. Instructor: Jean Lutgen

This course has prerequisites. Students wishing to register for Precalculus must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (or are currently enrolled in) Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. Please submit evidence of success in these courses (by uploading a relevant report card) during the application process.

To become public health experts, clinicians and scientists study the scientific discipline of epidemiology. Epidemiologists are the detectives of the health science world, tracking and analyzing the spread of disease to discover both the origins and future movements of a given outbreak or public health crisis. Through scientific inquiry and the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, public health experts use this information to understand, control, or prevent disease and health problems. This course covers an introduction to the concept of public health, basic epidemiology principles, concepts and procedures, and related coding skills using statistical software. By blending interactive lessons, real-world case studies, and hands-on analytic and coding activities, we aim to ignite curiosity and provide students with a foundation in public health principles and epidemiological practices. Instructor: Shawon Riffat Ara

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

In this course, students will embark on a self-generated research project, engaging them with regional or global issues and promoting communal engagement, while learning core research methods. Students will be able to identify problems within a specific group or community, investigate or create solutions for their chosen group, and communicate their research findings through a creative format known as the "zine" (pronounced "zee-n"), or mini magazine. Skills targeted by this course will be research methods, source evaluation, expository and persuasive writing – with a particular focus on writing structure, audience, style, and tone – as well as introductory art design. The final product will be a personalized zine featuring student writing and artwork that will be distributed to their intended audience, showcasing a creative research endeavor to connect and inspire. Instructor: Becca Pilcher

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

This hands-on introductory course will help students design, build, test, and iterate upon metal VEX V5 robots. Activities will include indoor and outdoor challenges for our robots, such as navigating terrain, hitting targets, and working together. We will apply basic physics concepts such as kinematics, vectors, projectile motion, and linear/circular motion. Some familiarity with algebraic equations and geometry is recommended; we will cover trigonometry functions, the law of sines, and the law of cosines. Students will be expected to maintain an engineering notebook to record their design process during the course. Previous robotics experience is not required. Instructor: A. J. Balatico

The primary goal of this course is to prepare participants for novice and open levels of competitive speech and debate in local, state, and national circuits. The program will emphasize student participation and collaboration in an atmosphere of respect and encouragement. Students will balance rigorous argumentation with communication skills designed to capture and sustain audience engagement. Students will also develop and utilize research tools to analyze philosophical themes common throughout traditional debate, such as utilitarianism and deontology. In-class debate events will include Congressional Debate, Public Forum, and Lincoln-Douglas. Speech events will consist of Impromptu, Extemporaneous Speaking, Expository Speaking, Oratory, Dual Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation and Humorous Interpretation. Instructor: Stephen Thornsberry

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

What is language? How does language change over time and vary across distances? How do we learn, teach, analyze, and use language? This course will examine these questions and more in our exploration of linguistics: the scientific study of language. Language is innately human; it is a part of everything we do and how we communicate, making it a seemingly infinite field of study. This course is designed to provide an overview of the main subfields of linguistics and how they work together to further our understanding of the nature of language. We will learn about the mechanisms that underlie language--phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics—while learning how to conduct linguistic analysis through projects and experiments, and ultimately, to create our own language. Instructor: Alex Henry

Microbiology is everywhere! In this course, we will explore the microscopic world, comprised of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, through laboratory experiments and discussion-based learning. After reviewing the basic biology, students will learn about a broad range of microbes and their small and large impacts. This will include a big-picture view of the important roles microbes play in ecosystems, how they shape the environment, and their applications in agriculture, food production, and biofuels. We will also look at the critical role of microbiota in human health, the emergence of antibiotic resistance, and the eternal battle between pathogenic microbes and the immune system. In this course, we will also explore cutting edge technology in microbiology research and analysis tools for increasingly complex datasets. Instructor: Chris Harding and Taylor Johnson

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.

In this class, students will sharpen their wits by learning the principles of logic, the art of rhetoric, and the skill of debate, and apply these to developing critical reading practices and media literacy. They will discover how to break down claims, use and abuse logical fallacies, and deconstruct assertions and language that otherwise may not lead to their own desired outcomes. Meanwhile, students will learn the historical and cultural context necessary to participate in today's critical conversations. They will also make a thorough review of English grammar, equipping them for future success in school assignments, state tests, and college applications. Honing the art of rhetoric, students will ultimately develop critical skills needed for rigorous research, effective argument, and concise expression. Instructor: Gust Burns

In this digital world, data are readily available in all shapes and forms. Data science literacy – the ability to identify, evaluate, analyze, and present data in various formats – is an indispensable skill to be successful as young scholars. In this class, students will learn to critically evaluate how data are used to represent the world through maps, statistics, and graphs. Students will be guided on how to acquire credible data sources that are available in the public domain. Hands-on practice with web-based data visualization applications will allow students to explore topics of their interest and prepare a presentation that will deliver a data-driven story about their worldviews. Students will leave with essential data science knowledge and skills to confidently navigate today's world as informed citizens. Instructors: Yen-Chu Weng and Keenan Ganz

Please Note: This course will require regular access to a laptop. The Robinson Center will provide on-campus access to a device if your family does not have access to one.