SALLY RIDE SCIENCE ACADEMY
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF STEM EDUCATION
The Sally Ride Science Academy summer program offers science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) workshops for students entering 3rd-12th grade. During these workshops, students assume the roles of space explorer, marine biologist, computer programmer and more as they immerse themselves in hands-on projects. Top-notch STEAM instructors lead these workshops, serving as both teachers and role models. These summer workshops also incorporate real-life stories of vibrant women conducting research in each field. Their examples inspire students and help make STEAM careers more accessible.
During this trying time, UC San Diego Extension remains committed to helping you achieve your goals. In an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have moved this summer’s Sally Ride Science Academy workshops online. These online STEAM workshops will be conducted through virtual class meetings using the Zoom conferencing system and the learning platform Canvas.
2022 Sally Ride Science Academy Summer Workshop Schedule
- AM sessions run 9am-12pm, but the official class runs from 9-11am. 11am-12pm are office hours for students to attend for additional support and resources.
- PM sessions run 1-4pm, but the official class runs 1-3pm. 3-4pm are office hours for students to attend for additional support and resources.
Session 1: 6/20/22 – 6/24/22
Class Title | AM Session | PM Session |
---|---|---|
Being Nemo | ◆ | |
Craftronics | ◆ | |
Disney Sing and Stretch | ◆ | |
Growing Food on Mars | ◆ | |
Intermediate Website Design Using HTML and CSS | ◆ | |
Introduction to Circuits Using Makey-Makey | ◆ | |
Slimy Sea Creatures | ◆ | |
Tiny Houses | ◆ |
Session 2: 6/27/22 – 7/1/22
Class Title | AM Session | PM Session |
---|---|---|
Arts and Relaxation | ◆ | |
Lights, Camera, Acting! | ◆ | |
Passport to European Art | ◆ | |
Slime, Ooblek, Soil and Other Suspicious States of Matter (Note: this workshop is in-person) |
◆ | |
The Science of Science Fiction | ◆ | |
Tiny Houses (in Spanish!) | ◆ | |
Trash to Treasures | ◆ | |
Virtual Exploration and Design for a Sustainable World | ◆ |
Session 3: 7/11/22 – 7/15/22
Class Title | AM Session | PM Session |
---|---|---|
Creative Programming Using Scratch | ◆ | |
Introduction to Python Programming: Game On! | ◆ | |
Messy Discoveries (Note: this workshop is in-person) |
◆ | |
The Making of a Super Hero | ◆ |
Session 4: 7/18/22 – 7/22/22
Class Title | AM Session | PM Session |
---|---|---|
Astrobiology | ◆ | |
Fairy Gardens and Botany | ◆ | |
Slime, Ooblek, Soil and Other Suspicious States of Matter | ◆ | |
The Making of a Super Hero (in Spanish!) | ◆ |
- AM sessions run 9am-12pm, but the official class runs from 9-11am. 11am-12pm are office hours for students to attend for additional support and resources.
- PM sessions run 1-4pm, but the official class runs 1-3pm. 3-4pm are office hours for students to attend for additional support and resources.
Session 1: 6/20/22 – 6/24/22
Class Title | AM Session | PM Session |
---|---|---|
Exploring the Science of Harry Potter | ◆ | |
Fairy Gardens and Botany | ◆ | |
Growing Food on Mars | ◆ | |
Mission to Mars | ◆ | |
Photo Voices | ◆ | |
Space Out! | ◆ | |
The Making of a Super Hero | ◆ |
Session 2: 6/27/22 – 7/1/22
Class Title | AM Session | PM Session |
---|---|---|
Android App Design | ◆ | |
Filmmaking | ◆ | |
Intermediate Website Design Using HTML and CSS | ◆ | |
Passport to European Art | ◆ | |
Raspberry Pi | ◆ |
Session 3: 7/11/22 – 7/15/22
Class Title | AM Session | PM Session |
---|---|---|
Adventures Under the Sea | ◆ | |
Arts and Relaxation | ◆ | |
Movies Come to Life | ◆ | |
Screenwriting | ◆ | Tiny Houses | ◆ |
Understanding Earth | ◆ | |
Wonderful World of Waves | ◆ | |
Session 4: 7/18/22 – 7/22/22
Class Title | AM Session | PM Session |
---|---|---|
Astrobiology | ◆ | |
Introduction to Python Programming: Game On! | ◆ | |
Introduction to Robotics with JavaScript | ◆ | |
Inventing and Patent Creation | ◆ | |
Robotics with JavaScript | ◆ |
- AM sessions run 9am-12pm, but the official class runs from 9-11am. 11am-12pm are office hours for students to attend for additional support and resources.
- PM sessions run 1-4pm, but the official class runs 1-3pm. 3-4pm are office hours for students to attend for additional support and resources.
Session 1: 6/20/22 – 6/24/22
Class Title | AM Session | PM Session |
---|---|---|
Arts and Relaxation | ◆ | |
Holobionts in Space: Designing a Healthy Human from Scratch | ◆ | |
Improv Acting and Games | ◆ | |
Polar Microbes | ◆ | ◆ |
Principles of Marketing | ◆ |
Session 2: 6/27/22 – 7/1/22
Class Title | AM Session | PM Session |
---|---|---|
Cognitive Psychology | ◆ | |
Fairy Gardens and Botany | ◆ | |
Growing Food on Mars | ◆ | |
Introduction to iOS Programming | ◆ | |
Polar Microbes | ◆ | ◆ |
The Making of a Super Hero | ◆ |
Session 3: 7/11/22 – 7/15/22
Class Title | AM Session | PM Session |
---|---|---|
Astrobiology | ◆ | ◆ |
Exploring the Science of Harry Potter | ◆ | |
Photo Voices | ◆ | |
Robotics with JavaScript | ◆ |
Session 4: 7/18/22 – 7/22/22
Class Title | AM Session | PM Session |
---|---|---|
Advanced 3D Modeling and Animation for Game Development with Blender | ◆ | |
Advanced Introduction to 3D Game Programming with Godot | ◆ | |
Filmmaking | ◆ | |
Ocean Science and Marine Biodiversity | ◆ | |
Screenwriting | ◆ |
- Asynchronous sessions can be completed on a schedule that works best for you.
Session 1: 6/20/22 – 7/22/22
Class Title | Asynchronous Session |
---|---|
Ignite Student Interest in STEAM for Upper Elementary Educators (3-5) | ◆ |
Ignite Student Interest in STEAM for Middle School Educators (6-8) | ◆ |
Please take a moment to create an account in the student's name. Proceed to Step Two if you have created an account previously.
STEP TWO: Select the course level tabSelect the course level tab to view the course offerings by session.
STEP THREE: Select your course(s)Select the courses of your choice from the course level tabs and click on the hyperlinked course titles (a new browser tab will open).
STEP FOUR: Add course offering to shopping cartYou will be directed to the UCSD Extension course landing page. Click "Add to cart" to add course offering to your shopping cart.
STEP Five: Repeat as neededReturn to the Sally Ride Science Academy page and repeat as needed.
For additional information contact: srs@ucsd.edu
2022 Sally Ride Science Academy Summer Workshop Descriptions
Elementary School Level Workshops
- Arts and Relaxation
Relax and Explore Art Through the Ages
Feeling the effects of too much schoolwork or screen time? Join us to relax and unwind by exploring the history of art and creating your own art projects using a variety of materials. We will take a look at the roles that art has played throughout history. We will also discuss the purposes of art in the modern world, including relaxation, personal expression and communication. Then students will learn techniques and develop skills needed for various art projects. They will take on independent projects using paper and mixed media. The class will allow students to develop fine tactile skills and to discover leisure activities that can help them reduce stress for years to come. - Astrobiology
Explore Astrobiology and Life in Extreme Environments
If there is life beyond our planet, what does it look like? Astrobiologists try to answer that question in part by looking at how organisms have evolved to live in the most extreme environments on Earth. We will survey locations on Earth where conditions approach the limits of survival – places like Antarctica’s ancient red waterfall, the deadly Crystal Caves in Mexico and the Challenger Deep. Students will learn about adaptations that allow organisms to live in these harsh environments. They will get an introduction to extremophile microbes such as diatoms, tardigrades and nematodes. We will also look at conditions on some of the potentially habitable planets that astronomers have discovered and consider the potential for past or present life on these planets. Students will design a planet that could sustain life and plan an astrobiology mission to Mars. - Being Nemo
Get a Fisheye View of Life in the Ocean
Marine biology will come alive as aspiring oceanographers view the world from the perspective of sea creatures great and small and discover how these animals survive in their varied habitats. Students will take on the role of a series of ocean dwellers: a clownfish exploring a coral reef, a leopard shark in shallow waters, a sea star in a tide pool, a gray whale migrating the Pacific and a sea otter in a kelp forest. Class members will experience what these animals see and hear and explore how easy (or difficult) it is for them to live and thrive. To highlight what they have learned, students will create stop-motion videos to share on the last day of class. Being Nemo offers a great way to spark students’ interest in learning more about marine biology. - New!
Craftronics
Explore the Basics of Circuits and Electronic Elements to Bring Your Creations to Life
Students will explore the basics of circuits and electronic elements by using them in various craft projects. These craft projects include building a moving origami swan, fashioning wearable light-up LED bracelets and pins, constructing moving robot bugs, erecting a Play-Doh electronic sculpture and creating paper circuit games and light effects cards. The workshop combines crafting and technology to bring students’ creations to life! - Creative Programming Using Scratch
Create Games with Scratch Block Coding
Are you a fan of games like Minecraft, Roblox and Animal Crossing? Learn to use block coding in the Scratch programming language to create your own games. As they learn to use Scratch, students will develop their computational thinking skills while exploring their personal interests. We will cover concepts such as sequences, loops, parallelism and events. Students will practice creating interactive games and animated movies using block coding. They will discover that they can be designers and creators instead of just consumers of technology. No prior programming experience is necessary – bring only your imagination. - Disney Sing and Stretch
Learn how Singers and Actors Get Ready for the Spotlight
Students will dance, sing and act out their favorite songs and scenes from the movies they love! By the end of this program students will know active vocal warm-ups, physical stretches and tongue twisters to help them get ready to perform. Students will be performance based fluent on an arsenal of Disney songs and dance choreography for each. In addition, students will learn to work with scene partners and perform short scenes. - New!
Fairy Gardens and Botany
Get Lost in the Magical Miniature Details of Fairy Gardens
Get intrigued by tiny enchanted plants and escape to a different world in the magical miniature details of fairy gardens. Students will build their own fairy gardens filled with delicate and delightful details including charming San Diego succulents. In this dreamy and whimsical course, students will sprinkle in botany daily as we create student masterpieces. Students will not only build a personalized fairy garden, but also learn how to propagate succulents in their own backyard gardens. - New!
Growing Food on Mars
Explore How Regolith—the Ground Cover of Mars—Can be Used to Grow Food
To be able to live on Mars, humans need breathable air, clean water, and nutritious food. A manned trip to Mars would require food that was either successfully grown in space or on Mars. In this course, students will explore how regolith—the ground cover of Mars—can be used to grow food. Students will design food experiments on Mars regolith incorporating hydroponics, which is growing edible plants in water instead of soil. In addition, students will use the scientific method to describe their experiments and present their results upon completion. - New!
Intermediate Website Design Using HTML and CSS
Design a Website Coded Using HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, GitHub and a Text Editor
Intermediate website design focuses on front-end web development. Students will design a website coded using HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, GitHub, and a text editor allowing them to attracts their target audience and incorporate different design elements. Students will learn basic HTML, CSS, and website design concepts while identifying how color, font and layout are used for specific purposes in industry, business and personal websites. Upon completing the course, students will have created a live website hosted by GitHub based on the topic of their choice for their final project. - Introduction to Circuits Using Makey-Makey
Understanding electronics is a key to many of the careers of the future
Get a fun, hands-on introduction to electronic components by creating crazy circuits combining Makey Makey circuit boards with everything from fruits and vegetables to Play-Doh and coins. We will begin by looking at different kinds of circuits and how we use them in everyday life. Students will learn to recognize and use the symbols found in electrical diagrams. They will experiment with switches, conductors and insulators as they build a simple electric motor. Students will also design and build a working game controller out of paper or cardboard. Then they will use Makey Makey circuit boards as a base for a video game project. We will also take a look at careers such as electrical engineering to inspire students to continue with studies in the field. - Lights, Camera, Acting!
Explore Performing Arts at our Acting Boot Camp
If you dream of making it as an actor, this course is the place to start. This acting boot camp offers an illuminating introduction to the many realms of the performing arts world. Each day, students will tackle a different kind of acting. They will put on their dancing shoes to try out musical theater. They will explore stage acting, including some beginning Shakespeare. They will spend time investigating film and TV acting as well as acting for commercials. In addition, students will find out what a professional audition is like and learn how to do one successfully. The class offers a great way for students intrigued by the performing arts to discover where their strengths and interests lie. - New!
Messy Discoveries
Investigate Earth Science with Messy Experiments
Ready to get messy in the name of science? We will design things, test things, throw things and stomp on things while exploring fascinating phenomena in Earth science. Students will conduct messy and noisy experiments as they investigate glaciers, volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, permafrost, sea level rise and tsunamis. We will make slime-like “flubber” to model glacier movement and create a landscape in a box to simulate the destructive power of earthquakes and tsunamis. Students will also observe lava flow in a volcano fueled by baking soda and vinegar. These and other fun, hands-on experiments provide an engaging introduction to geology, seismology, oceanography and other branches of Earth science. - New!
Passport to European Art
Travel Through Europe While Creating Art
Passport to European Art will take students on a journey traveling through Europe, while creating art and a participating in meaningful learning experience. Students will paint, sculpt, craft musical instruments, piece together mosaics and fabric paintings while learning the history of European artists and art innovation. As students adventure through Italy, Spain, France, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, they will integrate creativity, engineering, art technique and design in the cultural traditions of Europe. - Slime, Ooblek, Soil and Other Suspicious States of Matter
Explore many of the scientific aspects of non-Newtonian fluids
Slime, Ooblek, Soil and Other Suspicious States of Matter provides students the opportunity to explore many of the scientific aspects of non-Newtonian fluids ranging from slime to ooblek, to elephant’s toothpaste. Students will kindle a fascination with different formulas while creating models for the fluids behavior at the molecular scale and exploring expressions of the fluid activity on Earth’s surface. At the end of the course, students will walk away with both a collection of strange substance and the tools to model how those substances shape the earth. - Slimy Sea Creatures
Explore the World of Slimy Sea Creatures
Invertebrates like octopuses, jellyfish and squid have fascinating adaptations for life in their ocean ecosystems. Take on the role of marine biologist as you learn about how slimy sea creatures survive and thrive. Students will observe sea stars, sand dollars and moon snails, to name a few. They will watch a squid dissection while learning about anatomical structures of invertebrates. We will investigate the secret of how octopuses change color and how pearls are made. Students will also consider what kind of invertebrate they would like to be. They will test their knowledge by playing a game that rewards those with the best mastery of vocabulary from the class. Each student will create artwork using seashells and other materials from Mother Earth. Slimy Sea Creatures offers a great way to inspire students to pursue further studies in marine biology. - The Making of a Super Hero
Explore the Hero’s Journey in Literature and the Real World
Joseph Campbell was an American writer focused on mythology. His writings spanned the entire spectrum of human experience through which he based his life philosophy on “follow your bliss.” Based on Campbell’s works, students will explore the hero’s journey in literature and the real world. Through video clips, presentations, discussions and group work, participants will learn about the concept of the hero’s journey as described by Campbell. Students will then look at heroes in literature, TV shows, graphic novels and movies. Subsequently, they will learn the attributes of a hero, identify their own “super powers,” and explore how science, technology, psychology and medicine contribute to today’s heroes. - New!The Making of a Super Hero (in Spanish!)
Explore the Hero’s Journey in Literature and the Real World
Joseph Campbell was an American writer focused on mythology. His writings spanned the entire spectrum of human experience through which he based his life philosophy on “follow your bliss.” Based on Campbell’s works, students will explore the hero’s journey in literature and the real world. Through video clips, presentations, discussions and group work, participants will learn about the concept of the hero’s journey as described by Campbell. Students will then look at heroes in literature, TV shows, graphic novels and movies. Subsequently, they will learn the attributes of a hero, identify their own “super powers,” and explore how science, technology, psychology and medicine contribute to today’s heroes. - The Science of Science Fiction
Blend Knowledge with Wreativity to Construct Innovative Science Fiction Stories
One of the reasons the scientific community has made such incredible leaps and bounds is due to the impact that scientific fiction has had on motivating real-life scientific exploration and research. In this course, students will blend knowledge with creativity to construct rich, innovative science fiction stories. Throughout the course, students will explore how many classic science fiction works – from literature to film – found their beginnings in scientific thought. Then, using the craft elements of fiction writing, students will write their own science fiction stories and influence the scientific world! - Tiny Houses
Design and Build a Tiny-House Model
The tiny-house movement is sweeping the country! Explore how and why people are building houses that require a fraction of the space of a traditional home, and then create a model of your own tiny-house design. Students will learn about architecture, social responsibility and community as they envision and design their own tiny houses. They will use recycled and found materials to build scale models of their houses. We will explore concepts including sustainability, functionality and how to incorporate natural light into a house design. Students will practice math skills as they scale their models and workforce skills as they complete their projects within time constraints. To refine their communication skills, students will present their tiny houses to the class. The course offers an inspiring introduction for students interested in architecture and sustainable design. - New!Tiny Houses (In Spanish!)
Design and Build a Tiny-House Model
The tiny-house movement is sweeping the country! Explore how and why people are building houses that require a fraction of the space of a traditional home, and then create a model of your own tiny-house design. Students will learn about architecture, social responsibility and community as they envision and design their own tiny houses. They will use recycled and found materials to build scale models of their houses. We will explore concepts including sustainability, functionality and how to incorporate natural light into a house design. Students will practice math skills as they scale their models and workforce skills as they complete their projects within time constraints. To refine their communication skills, students will present their tiny houses to the class. The course offers an inspiring introduction for students interested in architecture and sustainable design. - Trash to Treasures
Turn Trash into Treasures with Upcycling
We all know it’s important to recycle so we can slow the flow of trash into overstuffed landfills. Now discover how to put a creative spin on recycling by upcycling trash – turning it into treasures such as art pieces or useful objects. We will explore how trash can be transformed using different techniques and art mediums. But first students will consider how much waste they produce and talk about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling in their daily lives. They will learn the difference between recycling and upcycling and then brainstorm ways to create artistic, useful and valuable products from discarded objects. As they work on upcycling projects, students will be encouraged to take creative risks and cultivate imagination, persistence and collaboration. The class will help students appreciate that they have an important role to play in protecting our planet. - Virtual Exploration and Design for a Sustainable World
Use Virtual Exploration to Inspire Sustainable Design
Get a global introduction to sustainable design by using Google Maps and Google Earth as tools for virtual exploration. Analyze sites of past settlements and come up with your own design for a sustainable dwelling or community of the future. Students will gain a deeper understanding of geography, world history and sustainable design as they explore world regions. We will examine historical sites and consider why those sites were successful. After analyzing several case studies, students will learn basic concepts of sustainable design and then sketch a house of the future for a specific site using their new perspective. They will present their sustainable designs to classmates and explain their justifications for specific elements. The class is aimed at students interested in maps, geography, history, natural environments, and sustainable architecture and design.
Middle School Level Workshops
- Adventures Under the Sea
Discover the Diversity of Life Under the Sea
The ocean is home to an amazing assortment of organisms and ecosystems. Join us for an around-the-world adventure as we investigate the diversity of life under the sea. Students will get an introduction to ocean science. They will learn about the taxonomy of ocean animals, including the differences between invertebrates and vertebrates. We will explore the relationships among living things in ocean ecosystems, including food webs and predator-prey relationships. Students will gain an appreciation for the great diversity of life, ecosystems and relationships in the ocean. The class offers an intriguing introduction for students interested in further studies of oceanography or marine biology. - Android App Design
Learn to Design Android Apps
Android dominates the mobile device market, and Android app design skills are in high demand among tech industry employers. Learn to use MIT App Inventor to create a variety of simple Android apps. Students will learn the basics of Android app design and event-driven programming. Together we will create app background screens and then add elements such as pictures, drawing canvases and buttons. Students will get familiar with MIT App Inventor as they design a variety of simple games and utility apps. We will also learn how to incorporate events so app users can interact with different elements. For a final project, students will work in groups to design and test their own mobile apps. All equipment will be provided, and no prior computer experience is required. - Arts and Relaxation
Relax and Explore Art Through the Ages
Feeling the effects of too much schoolwork or screen time? Join us to relax and unwind by exploring the history of art and creating your own art projects using a variety of materials. We will take a look at the roles that art has played throughout history. We will also discuss the purposes of art in the modern world, including relaxation, personal expression and communication. Then students will learn techniques and develop skills needed for various art projects. They will take on independent projects using paper and mixed media. The class will allow students to develop fine tactile skills and to discover leisure activities that can help them reduce stress for years to come. - Astrobiology
Explore Astrobiology and Life in Extreme Environments
If there is life beyond our planet, what does it look like? Astrobiologists try to answer that question in part by looking at how organisms have evolved to live in the most extreme environments on Earth. We will survey locations on Earth where conditions approach the limits of survival – places like Antarctica’s ancient red waterfall, the deadly Crystal Caves in Mexico and the Challenger Deep. Students will learn about adaptations that allow organisms to live in these harsh environments. They will get an introduction to extremophile microbes such as diatoms, tardigrades and nematodes. We will also look at conditions on some of the potentially habitable planets that astronomers have discovered and consider the potential for past or present life on these planets. Students will design a planet that could sustain life and plan an astrobiology mission to Mars. - Exploring the Science of Harry Potter
Discover the Science Behind the Magic of Harry Potter
One reason the magic in the world of Harry Potter is so compelling is that some of it has a basis in real-world science. Explore how scientific fields like genetics, chemistry, botany and zoology are reflected in the Harry Potter books and movies. Students will explore the science of Harry Potter through video clips, presentations, discussions and group work. We will discuss the evidence of genetics, such as red hair among the Weasleys and Hagrid’s size, inherited from his giantess mother. We will look at the fantastic beasts in the books and consider which are most realistic and how use of science realism makes the impossible seem plausible. Students will consider the science behind Hogwarts’ Potions class and do a chemistry experiment. They will Identify herbs used in Herbology class and learn about their attributes and medical applications. Students will enjoy this class most if they have read at least one Harry Potter book or seen at least one of the movies, although prior knowledge is not required. - New!
Fairy Gardens and Botany
Get Lost in the Magical Miniature Details of Fairy Gardens
Get intrigued by tiny enchanted plants and escape to a different world in the magical miniature details of fairy gardens. Students will build their own fairy gardens filled with delicate and delightful details including charming San Diego succulents. In this dreamy and whimsical course, students will sprinkle in botany daily as we create student masterpieces. Students will not only build a personalized fairy garden, but also learn how to propagate succulents in their own backyard gardens. - Filmmaking
Tell Your Story Through Filmmaking
Filmmaking is a powerful vehicle for making sense of our lives and sharing the stories we want to tell. Learn the skills you need, from scripting and storyboarding to editing and audio, to express your point of view through creation of short films. We will start with an introduction to film theory and move on to the basics of video production, including composition, editing and audio. Students will consider the role stories play in our everyday lives and think about the stories they want to tell. Then, working in groups, students will storyboard, script, film and edit their own short films. Group members will switch roles throughout the week to gain exposure to various facets of filmmaking. We will watch rough cuts of each other’s work and offer constructive critiques. In addition to producing their own videos, students will watch and discuss a variety of short films. - New!
Growing Food on Mars
Explore How Regolith—the Ground Cover of Mars—Can be Used to Grow Food
To be able to live on Mars, humans need breathable air, clean water, and nutritious food. A manned trip to Mars would require food that was either successfully grown in space or on Mars. In this course, students will explore how regolith—the ground cover of Mars—can be used to grow food. Students will design food experiments on Mars regolith incorporating hydroponics, which is growing edible plants in water instead of soil. In addition, students will use the scientific method to describe their experiments and present their results upon completion. - New!
Intermediate Website Design Using HTML and CSS
Design a Website Coded Using HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, GitHub and a Text Editor
Intermediate website design focuses on front-end web development. Students will design a website coded using HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, GitHub, and a text editor allowing them to attracts their target audience and incorporate different design elements. Students will learn basic HTML, CSS, and website design concepts while identifying how color, font and layout are used for specific purposes in industry, business and personal websites. Upon completing the course, students will have created a live website hosted by GitHub based on the topic of their choice for their final project. - Introduction to Python Programming: Game On!
Program Your Own Games with Python
Join us for an Introduction to Python, a powerful general-purpose programming language. Learn basic computer science concepts as you use Python to create your own games. As students learn to write code using Python, they will become familiar with concepts that apply to other coding languages, including variables, looping and condition statements. Students will consider what makes a good and then apply what they have learned by using Python to create simple games. They will practice debugging their code, and then they will share their games with classmates. The class is designed to be fun as well as informative. - New!
Introduction to Robotics with JavaScript
Get an introduction to robots and automation
We are on the verge of a robotics revolution! Students will learn to program robots using the popular language JavaScript which in turn will prepare them for the careers of the future. Students will start with an overview of robotics and automation, and then explore the challenges of programming in the real world. Students will get a crash course in the popular coding language JavaScript and use it to write programs to make a robot interact with the world in specific ways. Students will use Johnny-Five Inventor's Kit, built to use Johnny-Five JavaScript framework for Robotics and IoT devices programing, for demos and for testing student programs. Students will also complete a project of their own choosing to demonstrate what they have learned. The class offers a foundation for further studies in programming and robotics. - New!
Inventing and Patent Creation
Examine the Basic Research Components Important to Researchers, Designers and Inventors
Inventing and Patent Creation will expose students to the inner thought processes of designers and inventors who developed their own ideas which then became profitable. Students will examine the basic research components important to researchers, designers and inventors. Throughout the course, students will learn about the importance of brainstorming, developing a line of logic, using reputable citations and sources, and how to conduct a literature and prior art review. By the end of the course, students will have a practical experience by drafting their own patent application. - New!
Mission to Mars
Create a Video Game to Explore Mars Using the Scratch Programming Language
Learn about current space research and goals for future space exploration. Students will discuss mission limitations including weight, durability and landing issues in order to design and create a video game to explore Mars. Students will create a Mars rover game using the Scratch programming language from MIT. Each video game will be required to incorporate a satellite image of Mars to depict. This may include the Valles Marineris Trench, which covers an area equivalent to the spatial extent of our continental USA, or Olympus Mons, a shield volcano, whose footprint is approximately the size of Arizona. - Movies Come to Life
Learn to Perform in Musical Theatre
Musicals, which originated in the early 20th century from light opera, are iconic throughout the history of films, plays and movies. More and more movies are getting transformed into Broadway musicals including Anastasia, Beauty and the Beast and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Students will learn how to perform in these inspired musicals through the learning and application of vocal warm-ups, physical stretches and tongue twisters. In addition, students will learn an arsenal of once movies, now musicals theatre songs and dance choreography where they will learn to work with scene partners and perform shorts scenes from these musicals. - New!
Passport to European Art
Travel Through Europe While Creating Art
Passport to European Art will take students on a journey traveling through Europe, while creating art and a participating in meaningful learning experience. Students will paint, sculpt, craft musical instruments, piece together mosaics and fabric paintings while learning the history of European artists and art innovation. As students adventure through Italy, Spain, France, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, they will integrate creativity, engineering, art technique and design in the cultural traditions of Europe. - New!
Photo Voices
Learn How Photos are Powerful Tools for Saying Something About the World Around You
Photography can be a powerful tool for giving voice to the voiceless and shedding light on local concerns from local perspectives. That said, photovoice combines photography, dialogue, photo exhibits, and social action to address issues you care about. In this course, students will learn how to identify community issues and how to use photography to tell a story about those issues and to also inform others. Students will discuss numerous case studies of photovoice projects from around the world to begin thinking about communities and possible actions for social change. - Raspberry Pi
Code Fun Apps with Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi is a credit card-sized computer board that plugs into a monitor and allows people anywhere to explore computing. Learn to use Python scripting to code a variety of fun apps with this powerful little device. Students will get an introduction to the Raspberry Pi Model B motherboard and then will use the device with computer accessories to build real-world applications. Projects will include a dimmer switch, intruder alarm with camera, drum set and visual games. Students will learn the basics of Python scripting and will also learn about electronic components such as resistors, LEDs and rotary potentiometers. The class will give students a foundation to move on to more advanced app design studies. - Robotics with JavaScript
Program Robots with JavaScript
We’re on the verge of a robotics revolution. Learning to program robots using the popular language JavaScript is a great way to prepare for the careers of the future. We will start with an overview of robotics and automation, and then explore the challenges of programming in the real world. Students will get a crash course in the popular coding language JavaScript and use it to write programs to make a robot interact with the world in specific ways. We will use Dexter, a high-precision robotic arm from Haddington Dynamics, for demos and for testing student programs. Students will also complete a project of their own choosing to demonstrate what they have learned. The class offers a foundation for further studies in programming and robotics. - Screenwriting
Learn the Secrets of Successful Screenwriting
If you dream of making it as a screenwriter, this course is the place to start. Learn proven techniques for crafting a script that tells a story effectively and holds the attention of your audience. We will dissect scripts from popular films to find out what makes a good story and an engaging screenplay. Using the free platform Writer’s Duet, students will learn the accepted way to format a script. They will also gain an understanding of how to structure a screenplay and construct scenes with compelling characters, settings, dialogue and conflict. Through a variety of writing activities, students will sharpen their screenwriting skills. Finally, they will bring together everything they have learned as they storyboard, write and edit their own scripts. - Space Out!
Explore Space and Plan Your Own Space Mission
The lure of space exploration offers a powerful way to ignite students’ interest in science, technology and engineering. This class guides students on a tour of our solar system and beyond, and then lets them plan their own mission to a distant destination. We will start by exploring our own planet and considering what we can observe about Earth from space. We will survey other planets in our solar system and discuss what we need to know about a planet before we go there. Students will learn about “galaxies far, far away” and get a sense of just how vast distances in space are. They will consider what we know about Earth-like planets around other Suns and imagine what form life might take there. Inspired by what they learn, students will plan their own exploratory mission to another planet and create a model of a spacecraft that could take them there. The class provides a base of knowledge to build on as students move ahead with studies in astronomy, Earth science, engineering and more. - The Making of a Super Hero
Explore the Hero’s Journey in Literature and the Real World
Joseph Campbell was an American writer focused on mythology. His writings spanned the entire spectrum of human experience through which he based his life philosophy on “follow your bliss.” Based on Campbell’s works, students will explore the hero’s journey in literature and the real world. Through video clips, presentations, discussions and group work, participants will learn about the concept of the hero’s journey as described by Campbell. Students will then look at heroes in literature, TV shows, graphic novels and movies. Subsequently, they will learn the attributes of a hero, identify their own “super powers,” and explore how science, technology, psychology and medicine contribute to today’s heroes. - Tiny Houses
Design and Build a Tiny-House Model
The tiny-house movement is sweeping the country! Explore how and why people are building houses that require a fraction of the space of a traditional home, and then create a model of your own tiny-house design. Students will learn about architecture, social responsibility and community as they envision and design their own tiny houses. They will use recycled and found materials to build scale models of their houses. We will explore concepts including sustainability, functionality and how to incorporate natural light into a house design. Students will practice math skills as they scale their models and workforce skills as they complete their projects within time constraints. To refine their communication skills, students will present their tiny houses to the class. The course offers an inspiring introduction for students interested in architecture and sustainable design. - Understanding Earth
Discover the Major Landforms in America and all Around the World.
Discover the major landforms in America and all around the world while exploring the theory of plate tectonics and how they move around the surface of the Earth to create landforms. Students will learn how to read topological maps and how geological events affect environments and the way humans live. In addition, students will investigate the concept of evolution, geologic time scales, mass extinctions and through a case study, see how human activities are impactful in changing the nature around us. Dive into the phenomenon of major geo-hazards, including earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis, and with better understanding of the Earth, how we can monitor and prepare to suffer less and sustain more. - Wonderful World of Waves
Investigate the Science of Waves
Knowing how waves work is a key to understanding many aspects of the natural world. Dive into the fascinating world of water waves and light waves through fascinating experiments and fun craft projects. Students will explore the science of ocean waves, currents and tsunamis. We will investigate how sand is formed by waves, and we will examine sand from beaches around the world. Students will also learn how light waves travel and which color of light travels farthest. The class will give students a basis of knowledge for further studies in physics and oceanography.
High School Level Workshops
- New!
Advanced 3D Modeling and Animation for Game Development with Blender
Create a Video Game Using Proper 3D Modeling Techniques
Advanced 3D modeling and animation for games with Blender will teach students how to build a professional 3D game level. Students will learn and focus on advanced topics of 3D modeling with Blender including UV mapping, image textures, bump and normal maps. In addition, students will also learn proper 3D modeling techniques including proper topology. This hands-on course will equip students with basic animation knowledge using armatures and keyframes at the end of which, they will create their own video game. - Advanced Introduction to 3D Game Programming with Godot
Build a Professional 3D Game
Advanced Introduction to 3D Game Programming with Godot will teach students how to build a professional 3D game. Students will explore the finer points of a specific game engine and learn how to program in that game engine's language. This includes providing students with the opportunity to program primitives or 3D models of their own creations and imaginations. This class will also cover the application of video game mechanics resulting in students programming a simplistic game. - Adventures Under the Sea
Discover the Diversity of Life Under the Sea
The ocean is home to an amazing assortment of organisms and ecosystems. Join us for an around-the-world adventure as we investigate the diversity of life under the sea. Students will get an introduction to ocean science. They will learn about the taxonomy of ocean animals, including the differences between invertebrates and vertebrates. We will explore the relationships among living things in ocean ecosystems, including food webs and predator-prey relationships. Students will gain an appreciation for the great diversity of life, ecosystems and relationships in the ocean. The class offers an intriguing introduction for students interested in further studies of oceanography or marine biology. - Android App Design
Learn to Design Android Apps
Android dominates the mobile device market, and Android app design skills are in high demand among tech industry employers. Learn to use MIT App Inventor to create a variety of simple Android apps. Students will learn the basics of Android app design and event-driven programming. Together we will create app background screens and then add elements such as pictures, drawing canvases and buttons. Students will get familiar with MIT App Inventor as they design a variety of simple games and utility apps. We will also learn how to incorporate events so app users can interact with different elements. For a final project, students will work in groups to design and test their own mobile apps. All equipment will be provided, and no prior computer experience is required. - Cognitive Psychology
Apply Research Experiments to Understanding Human Mental Processes
Study the internal mental processes of the human brain. This includes the things that go on inside the human brain, including perception, thinking, memory, attention, language, problem-solving and learning. Students will define cognitive psychology and learn the anatomy of the brain. Through applied research methods, students will learn about visual consciousness, pattern recognition and modularity. Students will focus on filter theories, capacity theories, automatic processes, central bottleneck and visual attention. By the end of the course, students will know the difference between sensory memory and working memory and the general model of problem solving. - Exploring the Science of Harry Potter
Discover the Science Behind the Magic of Harry Potter
One reason the magic in the world of Harry Potter is so compelling is that some of it has a basis in real-world science. Explore how scientific fields like genetics, chemistry, botany and zoology are reflected in the Harry Potter books and movies. Students will explore the science of Harry Potter through video clips, presentations, discussions and group work. We will discuss the evidence of genetics, such as red hair among the Weasleys and Hagrid’s size, inherited from his giantess mother. We will look at the fantastic beasts in the books and consider which are most realistic and how use of science realism makes the impossible seem plausible. Students will consider the science behind Hogwarts’ Potions class and do a chemistry experiment. They will Identify herbs used in Herbology class and learn about their attributes and medical applications. Students will enjoy this class most if they have read at least one Harry Potter book or seen at least one of the movies, although prior knowledge is not required. - New!
Fairy Gardens and Botany
Get Lost in the Magical Miniature Details of Fairy Gardens
Get intrigued by tiny enchanted plants and escape to a different world in the magical miniature details of fairy gardens. Students will build their own fairy gardens filled with delicate and delightful details including charming San Diego succulents. In this dreamy and whimsical course, students will sprinkle in botany daily as we create student masterpieces. Students will not only build a personalized fairy garden, but also learn how to propagate succulents in their own backyard gardens. - Filmmaking
Tell Your Story Through Filmmaking
Filmmaking is a powerful vehicle for making sense of our lives and sharing the stories we want to tell. Learn the skills you need, from scripting and storyboarding to editing and audio, to express your point of view through creation of short films. We will start with an introduction to film theory and move on to the basics of video production, including composition, editing and audio. Students will consider the role stories play in our everyday lives and think about the stories they want to tell. Then, working in groups, students will storyboard, script, film and edit their own short films. Group members will switch roles throughout the week to gain exposure to various facets of filmmaking. We will watch rough cuts of each other’s work and offer constructive critiques. In addition to producing their own videos, students will watch and discuss a variety of short films. - New!
Growing Food on Mars
Explore How Regolith—the Ground Cover of Mars—Can be Used to Grow Food
To be able to live on Mars, humans need breathable air, clean water, and nutritious food. A manned trip to Mars would require food that was either successfully grown in space or on Mars. In this course, students will explore how regolith—the ground cover of Mars—can be used to grow food. Students will design food experiments on Mars regolith incorporating hydroponics, which is growing edible plants in water instead of soil. In addition, students will use the scientific method to describe their experiments and present their results upon completion. - New!
Holobionts in Space: Designing a Healthy Human from Scratch
Learn the Necessary Components to Keep and Sustain Colonists’ Health on Mars
Imagine humans have successfully settled a colony on Mars. There would be necessary components to keep and sustain their colonists’ health to insure their survival on Mars. This includes how angiogenesis affects humans and new blood and vessel growth. Students will witness regeneration of a human body healing itself from wounds while researching immunity and what foods naturally boost the human immune system. - Improv Acting and Games
Use Improv to Create Spontaneous Performances
Improvisation, or improv, is a form of unscripted theater where performers create scenes spontaneously, often with hilarious results. Explore improv by performing improvised scenes and discover how improv is used in different types of performance. Students will get comfortable with improvisation as they perform a variety of spontaneous scenes. They will discover how to incorporate props, locations and characters into their scene creation. We will play acting games to strengthen students’ confidence and ability to think on their feet. Students will also learn how to use improv in auditions. The class will prepare students to take the next steps into the comic, creative world of improv. - Introduction to iOS Programming
Use Swift To Program iOS Apps
If you want to create apps for the iPhone, iPad or other Apple devices, it’s essential to learn the Swift programming language. Get an introduction to this powerful and intuitive language and use it to code simple iOS apps. Students will learn the fundamentals of Swift and then develop iOS apps using the Xcode development environment on the Macintosh. They will discover that writing code in Swift is interactive and fun. We will cover topics including functions, data structures, enumerations, classes and closures. Students will also explore object-oriented programming and design of user interfaces for Apple devices. The course provides a good jumping off point for students who want to move on to more advanced programming and app development studies. - Ocean Science and Marine Biodiversity
Explore Ocean Biodiversity and Learn How To Protect It
The ocean is home to a fascinating variety of ecosystems, from tide pools along the shore to the depths of the middle Pacific. Dive below the surface to explore marine biodiversity and to learn how people can help protect it. Students will explore a variety of ecosystems, including California’s own kelp forests, where sea lions, dolphins and whales roam. They will examine how human activities are changing these ecosystems and how marine creatures cope with the changes. We will take a look at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to learn how plastics move around our oceans. The class will also look at how the work of marine biologists can help protect the diversity of sea life. Activities will include experiments, dissection of ocean animals and creation of hand-crafted marine creatures from recycled plastics and trash. - New!
Photo Voices
Learn How Photos are Powerful Tools for Saying Something About the World Around You
Photography can be a powerful tool for giving voice to the voiceless and shedding light on local concerns from local perspectives. That said, photovoice combines photography, dialogue, photo exhibits, and social action to address issues you care about. In this course, students will learn how to identify community issues and how to use photography to tell a story about those issues and to also inform others. Students will discuss numerous case studies of photovoice projects from around the world to begin thinking about communities and possible actions for social change. - Polar Microbes
Explore the Microscopic Life of Earth’s Poles
Have you ever wanted to visit the Arctic or Antarctic see polar bears or penguins? In this course, you will learn that there is more to Earth’s polar regions than the animals you can see! The microorganisms that inhabit our coldest and most remote regions – tiny bacteria, archaea and protists – have unique adaptations that allow them to live in these harsh places. They also play an important role in Earth’s carbon cycle. Students will learn what makes polar environments unique, how microbes have adapted to thrive in these environments and how these microbes help to regulate Earth’s climate. Students will have the option to construct a simple climate model using the open-source computer language R. - New!
Principles of Marketing
Investigate Strategic Issues While Exploring Recent Trends Related to Social and Mobile Marketing
Principles of Marketing will introduce students to the basic concepts of marketing such as customer value, STP (segmentation, targeting, and positioning), the consumer decision-making process and business marketing. In addition, students will learn and implement the “4 P's” of marketing which include product, place, promotion, and price. Throughout the course students will investigate the specific strategic issues that marketers or entrepreneurs need to address while exploring recent trends in related to social and mobile marketing. This course is focused around the legal and ethical issues associated with marketing practices and the concepts of corporate social responsibility and social marketing. - Robotics with JavaScript
Program Robots with JavaScript
We’re on the verge of a robotics revolution. Learning to program robots using the popular language JavaScript is a great way to prepare for the careers of the future. We will start with an overview of robotics and automation, and then explore the challenges of programming in the real world. Students will get a crash course in the popular coding language JavaScript and use it to write programs to make a robot interact with the world in specific ways. We will use Dexter, a high-precision robotic arm from Haddington Dynamics, for demos and for testing student programs. Students will also complete a project of their own choosing to demonstrate what they have learned. The class offers a foundation for further studies in programming and robotics. - Screenwriting
Learn the Secrets of Successful Screenwriting
If you dream of making it as a screenwriter, this course is the place to start. Learn proven techniques for crafting a script that tells a story effectively and holds the attention of your audience. We will dissect scripts from popular films to find out what makes a good story and an engaging screenplay. Using the free platform Writer’s Duet, students will learn the accepted way to format a script. They will also gain an understanding of how to structure a screenplay and construct scenes with compelling characters, settings, dialogue and conflict. Through a variety of writing activities, students will sharpen their screenwriting skills. Finally, they will bring together everything they have learned as they storyboard, write and edit their own scripts. - The Making of a Super Hero
Explore the Hero’s Journey in Literature and the Real World
Joseph Campbell was an American writer focused on mythology. His writings spanned the entire spectrum of human experience through which he based his life philosophy on “follow your bliss.” Based on Campbell’s works, students will explore the hero’s journey in literature and the real world. Through video clips, presentations, discussions and group work, participants will learn about the concept of the hero’s journey as described by Campbell. Students will then look at heroes in literature, TV shows, graphic novels and movies. Subsequently, they will learn the attributes of a hero, identify their own “super powers,” and explore how science, technology, psychology and medicine contribute to today’s heroes.
Educators Level Workshops
- New!
Ignite Student Interest in STEAM for Upper Elementary Educators (3-5)
Instructional approaches and resources to help educators ignite interest in STEAM
In this course educators learn how to engage students in learning experiences that incorporate diverse role models into instruction and how to overcome negative STEAM stereotypes. This course highlights proven instructional approaches and resources to help educators ignite interest in STEAM topics and careers. Research shows that learning about STEAM careers and the diversity of individuals working in these fields inspires students and makes the study of science, technology, engineering, applied mathematics and art design more meaningful to them. This course focuses on educators for Upper Elementary grade levels (3-5). - New!
Ignite Student Interest in STEAM for Middle School Educators (6-8)
Instructional approaches and resources to help educators ignite interest in STEAM
In this course educators learn how to engage students in learning experiences that incorporate diverse role models into instruction and how to overcome negative STEAM stereotypes. This course highlights proven instructional approaches and resources to help educators ignite interest in STEAM topics and careers. Research shows that learning about STEAM careers and the diversity of individuals working in these fields inspires students and makes the study of science, technology, engineering, applied mathematics, and art design more meaningful to them. This course focuses on educators for Middle School Educators (6-8).
2022 Parent Student Handbook
2022 Sally Ride Science Academy Scholarship Application
*Submission deadline for consideration is June 24, 2022. Limited to one scholarship for one workshop per student.