Course Descriptions
Students will register for four (4) first choice sessions and three (3) alternatives.
| 1 | Paint your ART Out This is where art is born so pull up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. This class will offer students a special opportunity to explore various painting techniques and styles, including acrylic, watercolor, and oil painting. Students will learn how to bring their art visions to life in pursuing their own ideas, fostering creativity and self-expression. |
| 2 | Summer Gym Blast Get ready to move and have a blast this summer! Summer Gym Blast is all about staying active, working together, and having fun. In this course, students will engage in a variety of gym games and activities, focusing on teamwork, coordination, and fitness. From classic games like dodgeball and capture the flag to new challenges like relay races and team-building exercises, students will learn to collaborate, stay fit, and enjoy physical activity in a fun, supportive environment. Whether competing in teams or participating in friendly challenges, this class is perfect for anyone who loves sports and wants to stay active over the summer! |
| 3 | Greek Myths in Motion Step into the world of Greek mythology as students bring to life the epic stories of Perseus vs. Medusa and Hades vs. Persephone! In this creative course, students will work together to choose one of these thrilling plays, adapted from Scholastic Scope to be age-appropriate for middle schoolers. After reading and analyzing the plays to understand the plot, characters, conflicts, and setting, students will select roles both on and off the stage. They will then design costumes, create props, and craft digital backgrounds to enhance the production. The course culminates in a final performance, where students will act, record, edit, and publish their very own Greek myth showcase. |
| 4 | Statesmen Junior Journalists Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Join the Statesmen Junior Journalists and become the eyes and ears for all things Hixson Summer Academy. This journalism course will study techniques used by journalists to engage and inform readers as we report on the Hixson Summer Academy experience and create the weekly newsletter from the student perspective. |
| 5 | Fashion FUNdamentals Are you passionate about fashion? Do you love to create unique and innovative designs? Fashion FUNdamentals taps into a students natural desire to express themselves through clothing in a fun and engaging environment. Students will learn how to take a simple garment, from concept to completion that encourages creative visioning, self-expression, and design thinking. Paired along with fashion upcycling, students will learn to create an entire look and vision with coordinated pieces and accessories. Focus will be on fashion styling basics, personal styling, trends, self-esteem, and self-expression. |
| 6 | Pixar in a Box: Unlock the Magic of Animation Dive into the fascinating world of Pixar in a Box, a collaboration with Khan Academy that unveils the magic behind Pixar films. Take a deep dive into the world of Pixar and discover how its artists bring stories to life. Through hands-on exploration, learn about the many facets of animation, including storytelling, lighting, simulation, color science, virtual cameras, effects, patterns, rigging, animation, modeling, crowds, sets and staging, and rendering. This behind-the-scenes journey reveals the creativity and technical expertise behind Pixar’s beloved films. |
| 7 | Rhyme Time: Discover the Magic of Poetry Explore the magical art of poetry! Each week, you’ll explore a unique style of poetry and unleash your creativity as you craft your own poetic masterpieces. Through engaging games, hands-on sensory activities, and imaginative exercises, you’ll expand your creative lens and deepen your appreciation for this timeless art form. Let your words come alive in this fun and inspiring journey into the heart of poetry! |
| 8 | Aqua-Engineering Adventures: Design Your Dream Water Park! Dive into the exciting world of engineering with hands-on challenges that make a splash! In this wet and wild STEAM camp, students will explore the principles of physics, engineering, and fluid dynamics as they design water rockets, experiment with buoyancy, and create their very own miniature amusement parks. From thrilling water slides to interactive splash zones, you’ll bring your dream water park to life while staying cool and having fun all summer long! |
| 9 | Space Cadets: Mission to Mars Prepare for liftoff and set your sights on the Red Planet! In this hands-on adventure, design rockets, explore Martian landscapes, and discover the challenges astronauts face in space. Gear up for an out-of-this-world experience full of science and excitement! |
| 10 | Hixson Conservation Corps Join the Hixson Conservation Corps and embark on an exciting adventure where nature is your classroom! Dive into hands-on activities caring for our lively courtyard chickens and help us cultivate a vibrant pollinator garden that buzzes with life. Together, we’ll explore the wonders of the natural world while becoming passionate stewards of our environment! |
| 11 | The Science of St. Louis: Our City’s Energy Source Discover the vital role St. Louis plays in energy production, history, and science. This course brings energy to life through engaging and accessible themes such as sustainability, renewable energy, and innovative solutions shaping our future. Learn how our city’s past connects to the global energy conversation and gain insights into the science powering St. Louis today and tomorrow. |
| 12 | The Science of Monsters We’ve all heard the saying, "There’s no such thing as monsters," but our imaginations beg to differ. From the mythical creatures of ancient Greece to modern-day vampires like those in Twilight, monsters have fascinated humans for centuries. Using science journalist Matt Kaplan's The Science of Monsters as our guide, we’ll explore the origins of these creatures and the psychology behind our fascination with the things that go bump in the night. Each week, students will dive into a different monster topics and have the chance to create their own fantastic beasts, blending science with imagination to bring their creations to life. |
| 13 | History's Greatest Mysteries: Unsolved Cases of the Past What happened to the lost city of Roanoke? How did the Mayans vanish? What caused the fall of Rome? Grab your thinking cap and magnifying glass as we dive into some of history’s most intriguing unsolved mysteries! Students will explore a range of mysterious events using primary and secondary sources, videos, maps, and more. Through class discussions and analysis of multiple media formats, students will draw conclusions and support their theories with evidence. Students will learn how to integrate information from various sources and defend their conclusions with cited evidence, all while investigating some of the greatest historical mysteries. |
| 14 | Science in Motion Come explore the Wonders of the World through movies.Watch films like A Million Miles Away (the story of the first Hispanic astronauts in space), Flubber (featuring wild chemical reactions), and October Sky (about a group of students building rockets), then dive into hands-on activities like building rockets, doing chemical experiments, and exploring space. Each movie sparks a fun learning experience that brings real-world science to life. You’ll research astronauts, create chemical reactions, and discover how science shapes our world—all while having a blast! |
| 15 | Level 1 Dungeons and Dragons Step into the world of Dungeons & Dragons! Dungeons and Dragons is a co-op story-based game where problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking are encouraged. Students will work together to battle monsters, complete puzzles, and navigate a fantasy world. This class is for beginners to intermediate players. Students will learn the basics of the game, create unique characters, and embark on an exciting adventure. |
| 16 | Foodie Fiction Writing with Flavor Savor the world of food and storytelling in this deliciously creative class! Learn the art of food writing by exploring techniques to describe flavors, textures, and aromas. Dive into food-inspired stories while discovering the cultural significance of dishes from around the globe. You’ll also have the chance to learn food photography and styling, while turning your culinary creations into visual stories. At the end, your work will come together in a collaborative Foodie Fiction Anthology, showcasing your recipes, stories, and photographs. |
| 17 | Number Ninjas: The Codebreaking Academy Sharpen your problem-solving skills and train like a math ninja! Use technology to decode messages, tackle puzzles, and complete math missions. Work with teammates to outwit challenges, strengthen logic, and compete in exciting math battles. Think fast, stay sharp, and master mathematical strategy! |