College for Kids-Penn State Erie

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College for Kids

While we've concluded the 2009 summer program, please feel free to peruse the following classes as a sampling of what will be offered next year.

All Classes are listed by date and time.

12 YEARS AND UP

2009 Class Schedule and Fees

CLOSED   Mural Painting: A Community Service Project NEW
During this class students will create the program's second mural at the Penn State Behrend Early Learning Center. Techniques and tips will be shared with students that enable them to create large-scale murals themselves. Please note that due to the nature of the project this is a full-day class that meets from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Students should arrive at Penn State Behrend to be transported to and from the painting site.
Price: $140
Instructor: Tami Hritzay
12 years and up, June 15-19, 2009, All Day 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CLOSED   Creative Computer Projects (see computer access accounts)
Use Microsoft Project Gallery to design your own iron-on transfers for T-shirts and pillowcases, or to create a calendar, schedule, certificate, planner, menu, or label...the possibilities are limited only by your imagination! Students should have knowledge of Microsoft Word, and will work at their own pace.
Price: $70
Instructor: Margaret Giles
10 years and up, June 15-19, 2009, mornings

CLOSED/FULL   Babysitting Basics (see computer access accounts)
This class is an introductory course for babysitting. Students will learn to make business arrangements with parents, parents' expectations of a babysitter, characteristics of a great babysitter, what to do to prevent and handle emergencies, and appropriate activities to do with children from birth through grade school.
Price: $70
Instructor: Jennifer Pinzok
10 years and up, June 15-19, 2009, mornings

CLOSED   Beaded and Beach Glass Jewelry Making (see computer access accounts)
Come journey with us to the lake, where we’ll collect colorful beach glass gems. We will then explore the jewelry-making process while creating our own unique pieces from an assortment of choices using beads, beach glass, and other materials. We will also learn what it takes to be a successful crafter as we discover how to display and market our creations.
Price: $75
Instructor: Margaret Giles
10 years and up, June 15-19, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED/FULL   When the Whole World Was at War
Are you a history buff? Did your grandparents or great-grandparents live through World War II? Join us as we travel back in time to examine this profound period in history. We’ll examine the risks, the “what ifs,” and the major players—Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. We'll research Nazi propaganda, the Holocaust, and weapons of mass destruction. You'll have an opportunity to voice your opinion during class debate. We'll even build our own plane and hold our own mock trial!
Price: $70
Instructor: Dan Quiggle
10 years and up, June 22-26, 2009, mornings

CLOSED/FULL   Golf: Beginner Level 1
Boys and girls who are just learning to play golf will practice short-game skills like putting, chipping, and swing basics while having fun! YOU MUST HAVE YOUR OWN CLUBS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CLASS. Clubs will not be provided. A driver or fairway wood, a putter, a pitching wedge, and a 5-, 7-, and 9-iron are recommended. This is an outdoor class, so remember to bring your sunscreen!
Price: $70
Instructor: Jon Sedelmyer
10 years and up, June 22-26, 2009, mornings

CLOSED   Bird Watching and Identification
What’s that bird’s name? Let’s find out! Come to the Penn State Behrend Outback as we search the woods and fields for our feathered friends. You must have a keen eye and a quiet step when you learn to use our field guides to identify birds.
Price: $70
Instructor: Mark Zielinski
10 years and up, June 22-26, 2009, mornings

CLOSED   Storm Chasing 101
In this class students will study various types of storms, including severe weather and thunderstorms. Students will learn how to spot severe storms by viewing cloud formations and using Doppler radar. We’ll study tornado-chasing and have the opportunity to meet a real-life storm chaser and check out his vehicle and equipment. There will be videos and class discussion, and we’ll end the week with a field trip to the WJET-TV studios and weather offices.
Price: $95
Instructor: Tom Atkins
12 years and up, June 22-26, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED/FULL   Star Wars and the Roman Empire
Whether a film critic or a history buff, this class is for you. You’ll discover the history behind Star Wars and its creator, George Lucas. Learn how the plot of Star Wars mimics real-life history in Rome roughly 2,000 years ago. This class will recognize and discuss the huge impact this film had in the world not only in the late 1970s but also upon its return as another huge hit in the 1990s. Join us as we delve into history, and may the force be with you! Please note that Rebel Alliance or Galactic Empire attire is optional!
Price: $70
Instructor: Dan Quiggle
10 years and up, June 22-26, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED/FULL   Presque Isle Field Studies NEW
This class is the perfect mix of academics and fun. This "new" program based out of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) combines classroom and field studies, including water quality analysis, beach sediments, discovery labs, kayaking in lagoons, fishing in ponds, boating on the bay, biking and hiking the trails. What more could you ask for? Come join the fun! Please note that this is a full-day class that meets from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Parents are asked to drop-off and pick-up their children at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center on Presque Isle State Park, Erie. Transportation from Penn State Behrend will not be provided. A Penn State Behrend staff member will be on location.
Price: $140
Instructor: D. Bradford Boughton
10-14 years, July 13-17, 2009, All Day 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CLOSED   Show Me the Money (see computer access accounts)
This class will utilize the Junior Achievement (JA) and Erie Times-News In Education (NIE) outreach programs to educate, encourage, and actively involve students in making smart decisions about investing, saving, and managing money for a successful financial future. Students will participate in exciting hands-on activities, talk with community leaders, play interactive money computer games, and receive prizes for participation. They’ll also take home an interactive computer program and newsletter with directions for completing an online career assessment. In addition, students will participate in a live Credit Card Game Show, presented by Penn State Behrend’s Center for Credit and Consumer Research (CCCR). Play, learn, and win prizes!
Price: $70
Instructor: Junior Achievement of Erie County
10 years and up, July 13-17, 2009, mornings

CLOSED   Acting for the Stage 2
Join us in fun comedic skits and group scenes. These activities will help you to develop the skills needed to play diverse roles and classic characters. From warm-ups to character building, this class will teach you what every great actor needs to know in a fun and entertaining way. The class will culminate in a performance piece during the last thirty minutes of Friday’s class.
Price: $70
Instructor: Steve O'Donnell
10 years and up, July 13-17, 2009, mornings

CLOSED   Computer Programming with C++ NEW
C++ is an object-oriented programming language that most people say is the best language for creating tight and fast programs. C++ is also the language of choice for writing device drivers. In this class, students will learn the basic building blocks of C++ object oriented programming using Visual Studio .NET 2003. Students must have completed at least a pre-algebra course (algebra preferred).
Price: $95
Instructor: Amber Wildfire
12 years and up, July 13-17, 2009, mornings

CANCELLED   World Music Drumming
Using the exciting drumming traditions of West Africa, students will build important listening skills as they engage in this hands-on drumming experience. They will also learn about African culture through maps, other native instruments, vocabulary, and song lyrics. As a culmination of their experience, students will end their week with a performance.
Price: $70
Instructor: Elaine Crandall
10 years and up, July 13-17, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED/FULL   Archery As Related to Native America
Students will work through the steps of building a bow, bow strings, and arrows (complete with turkey feathers). Discover the fundamentals and history of archery.
Price: $70
Instructor: Tim Lucas
12 years and up, July 13-17, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED/FULL   Guitar: For the Beginner
Take a week-long tour of the greatest instrument of our time! We’ll learn a basic chord vocabulary and a bit about composition. So grab your “axes” and come on down! PLEASE NOTE THAT STUDENTS MUST HAVE THEIR OWN ACOUSTIC GUITAR WITH ALL SIX STRINGS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CLASS.
Price: $70
Instructor: Stephen Maynard
10 years and up, July 13-17, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED/FULL   Presque Isle Field Studies NEW
This class is the perfect mix of academics and fun. This "new" program based out of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) combines classroom and field studies, including water quality analysis, beach sediments, discovery labs, kayaking in lagoons, fishing in ponds, boating on the bay, biking and hiking the trails. What more could you ask for? Come join the fun! Please note that this is a full-day class that meets from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Parents are asked to drop-off and pick-up their children at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center on Presque Isle State Park, Erie. Transportation from Penn State Behrend will not be provided. A Penn State Behrend staff member will be on location.
Price: $140
Instructor: D. Bradford Boughton
10-14 years, July 20-24, 2009, All Day 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CLOSED   Op-Amp Camp
Don’t know anything about electronics, but want to learn? It’s an exciting field–one that’s especially important in today’s world. And one of the most interesting electronic devices in use today is the operational amplifier. Op-amps are small integrated circuits that can be used to perform a large number of tasks. They not only amplify signals, but also measure quantities of everything from temperature and pressure to sound intensity. You will find op-amps in CD and MP3 players, aircraft autopilot systems, and rocketry. The op-amp is also widely used to control motor speed, as in your car’s cruise control. Join us in the engineering labs as we build our own circuits and investigate the many uses of the op-amp. This is definitely a hands-on class, but it also requires an understanding of basic mathematics and an interest in learning more about electronics.
Price: $95
Instructor: Tom Hemminger
12 years and up, July 20-24, 2009, mornings

CLOSED   Star Wars and the Roman Empire
Whether a film critic or a history buff, this class is for you. You’ll discover the history behind Star Wars and its creator, George Lucas. Learn how the plot of Star Wars mimics real-life history in Rome roughly 2,000 years ago. This class will recognize and discuss the huge impact this film had in the world not only in the late 1970s but also upon its return as another huge hit in the 1990s. Join us as we delve into history, and may the force be with you! Please note that Rebel Alliance or Galactic Empire attire is optional!
Price: $70
Instructor: Dan Quiggle
10 years and up, July 20-24, 2009, mornings

CLOSED   Golf: Beginner Level 2
Young golfers with some experience will have a chance to concentrate on swing and short-game skills improvement. Golf clubs are NOT provided and must be brought by the participant. A driver or fairway wood, a putter, a pitching wedge, and a 5-, 7-, and 9-iron are recommended. This is an outdoor class, so don’t forget your sunscreen!
Price: $70
Instructor: Jon Sedelmyer
8 years and up, July 20-24, 2009, mornings

CLOSED   Digital Electronics NEW
Have you ever wondered how a kitchen timer works or the LED lights used on items around the house? Digital circuits can be assembled in very simple ways, almost like Tinker-Toys. With simple circuits called chips the enthusiast can build timers, counters, motor controllers, and many other things. Digital circuits are at the heart of your computer, MP3 player, and all video game players. It is likely that you use something with digital circuitry every day. Join us for this hands-on class that requires only your imagination and an interest in learning.
Price: $95
Instructor: Tom Hemminger
12 years and up, July 20-24, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED   Golf: Intermediate
This is the class for boys and girls who can hold their own on a golf course, but want to continue improving their skills. Golf clubs are NOT provided and must be brought by the participant. A driver or fairway wood, a putter, a pitching wedge, and a 5-, 7-, and 9-iron are recommended, as is sunscreen.
Price: $75
Instructor: Jon Sedelmyer
10 years and up, July 20-24, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED/FULL   Scrap. . . Stamp and More NEW
Come join us for a fun-filled week of scrapbooking, stamping, and more. Learn creative techniques while creating keepsakes that will last a lifetime.
Price: $70
Instructor: Melissa Weismiller
All Ages, July 20-24, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED/FULL   Summer Sailing at the BCMS
Learn to sail one of BCMS’s sailboats on beautiful Presque Isle Bay! Learn to hoist the mainsail, trim a jib and take a turn at the helm as you experience the fun and excitement of sailing. Other areas of instruction include knot tying, meteorology, basic boating safety and beginning navigation and nomenclature. All boating safety rules will be adhered to. Please note that this is a full-day class that meets from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Parents are asked to drop-off and pick-up their children at the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies at 40 Holland Street, Erie. Transportation from Penn State Behrend will not be provided. A Penn State Behrend staff member will be on location.
Price: $140
Instructor: Rich Eisenberg and the BCMS staff
10 years and up, July 27-31, 2009, All Day 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CLOSED/FULL   Beaded and Beach Glass Jewelry Making (see computer access accounts)
Come journey with us to the lake, where we’ll collect colorful beach glass gems. We will then explore the jewelry-making process while creating our own unique pieces from an assortment of choices using beads, beach glass, and other materials. We will also learn what it takes to be a successful crafter as we discover how to display and market our creations.
Price: $75
Instructor: Margaret Giles
10 years and up, July 27-31, 2009, mornings

CLOSED   Photoshop Fun (see computer access accounts)
This class will familiarize students with Adobe Photoshop by allowing then to create puns, metaphors, plays on words, and more through the use of graphics and image editing.
Price: $70
Instructor: Lisa Wagner
10 years and up, July 27-31, 2009, mornings

CLOSED/FULL   Stained Glass Mosaic
Design and create your own mosaic! Students will learn the history and techniques of mosaic art, then create their own mosaic artwork using stained glass and ceramic tile.
Price: $70
Instructor: Barbara Nodes-Nakoski
10 years and up, July 27-31, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED   Improv
Have you seen ”Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Can you come up with creative one-liners or stories? If so, this class is for you. Join us as we play some of the same fun games and improv exercises that they use on the ABC show. These games will help build your ability to think fast whether you are on stage or in the school yard. This class will culminate in a performance modeled after the hit Friday Night Improv put on each week by and for Penn State Behrend students.
Price: $70
Instructor: Steve O'Donnell
10 years and up, July 27-31, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED/FULL   Summer Sailing at the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies
Learn to sail one of BCMS’s sailboats on beautiful Presque Isle Bay! Learn to hoist the mainsail, trim a jib and take a turn at the helm as you experience the fun and excitement of sailing. Other areas of instruction include knot tying, meteorology, basic boating safety and beginning navigation and nomenclature. All boating safety rules will be adhered to. Please note that this is a full-day class that meets from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Parents are asked to drop-off and pick-up their children at the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies at 40 Holland Street, Erie. Transportation from Penn State Behrend will not be provided. A Penn State Behrend staff member will be on location.
Price: $140
Instructor: Rich Eisenberg and the BCMS staff
10 years and up, August 3-7, 2009, All Day 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CANCELLED   Guitar: An Intro to the Major Scale
Past the beginner stage? Know all your basic chords? Know some of your favorite songs? Ever wonder how those songs you love were made? Ready to write some of your own songs and learn what scales can do for you and how they work? Let's spend a week together and unlock some of music's biggest secrets! Grab your stringed friend (electric, acoustic or bass, no amp needed) and get rockin'! Ideal for people with a year or more of playing experience.
Price: $70
Instructor: Stephen Maynard
12 years and up, August 3-7, 2009, mornings

CLOSED   Web Pages and Java Script NEW
Learn how to write basic programs using JavaScript, a language that you use to make interactive Web pages. You can also make games, forms, and more! Join the fun while learning to program in this powerful language.
Price: $95
Instructor: Amber Wildfire
12 years and up, August 3-7, 2009, mornings

CLOSED   Watercolor and Acrylics Fundamentals NEW
In this two-part class, students will spend the first half of the week working with watercolors. While practicing basic and advanced techniques students will review which supplies are necessary and best for the desired results. Students will then shift to working with acrylics.
Price: $70
Instructor: Tami Hritzay
12 years and up, August 3-7, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED   When the Whole World Was at War
Are you a history buff? Did your grandparents or great-grandparents live through World War II? Join us as we travel back in time to examine this profound period in history. We’ll examine the risks, the “what ifs,” and the major players—Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. We'll research Nazi propaganda, the Holocaust, and weapons of mass destruction. You'll have an opportunity to voice your opinion during class debate. We'll even build our own plane and hold our own mock trial!
Price: $70
Instructor: Dan Quiggle
10 years and up, August 3-7, 2009, afternoons

CLOSED/FULL   Summer Sailing at the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies
Learn to sail one of BCMS’s sailboats on beautiful Presque Isle Bay! Learn to hoist the mainsail, trim a jib and take a turn at the helm as you experience the fun and excitement of sailing. Other areas of instruction include knot tying, meteorology, basic boating safety and beginning navigation and nomenclature. All boating safety rules will be adhered to. Please note that this is a full-day class that meets from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Parents are asked to drop-off and pick-up their children at the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies at 40 Holland Street, Erie. Transportation from Penn State Behrend will not be provided. A Penn State Behrend staff member will be on location.
Price: $140
Instructor: Rich Eisenberg and the BCMS staff
10 years and up, August 10-14, 2009, All Day 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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